Decided on x-18s, can't decide on shaft

[e-man]

Hey everyone. Great forum. Glad to be here.

So I decided to upgrade my x-14s with constant weight steel shafts to x-18s. I've been toying with the idea of switching to graphite, but I couldn't make up my mind before the Golfsmith sale ended, so I now own two brand new sets of x-18s, one in constant weight steel the other in regular graphite, and I need to decide which shaft is right for me. I realize that this is a very personal thing, but I'm looking for some guidance. The salespeople at Golfsmith haven't been very helpful (although, it's really not their fault -- their simulator equipment doesn't work very well). Also, I can't hit any of the clubs that I just bought, because I'll need to return a set, and I can't return them if I hit them.

Anyway, my index is 6.9 and my swing speed with the driver is right at 95 mph. My average drive is around 240-250 yards. I've hit both shafts and, to be honest, the graphite feel better to me, but I'm concerned that the regular flex will be too soft for me. I have a bad lower back, and the idea of carrying/swinging lighter clubs is appealing to me, provided that I don't end up hitting them all over the place (primarily, too high or hooks).

One thing the Golfsmith salesperson did tell me is that if I went with graphite, I should probably go with stiff as opposed to regular. Then again, he said I was right on the cusp between the two, and because the x-18s is a discontinued model, they aren't available in stiff graphite.

Does anyone have any thoughts? Again, I realize it's hard to make this analysis electronically on a golf forum, but I'm all ears. Thanks in advance for any help.

e

[marpr]

Does anyone have any thoughts? Again, I realize it's hard to make this analysis electronically on a golf forum, but I'm all ears. Thanks in advance for any help.

I would definately suggest steel. Regular at the very least.

[neudi]

The graphite are going to feel better because they are a lot more forgiving (I.E. your driver being graphite), what you need to do is go to a local store and get fitted with the irons you have, they can help you with the shafts, but they will most likely tell you to go with the steel shafts with your swing speed.

[e-man]

The graphite are going to feel better because they are a lot more forgiving (I.E. your driver being graphite), what you need to do is go to a local store and get fitted with the irons you have, they can help you with the shafts, but they will most likely tell you to go with the steel shafts with your swing speed.

The problem is that I'm locked into Golfsmith at this point, and I cannot hit the irons I have (at Golfsmith or a local shop) before I decide which set I'm keeping. I know, it's screwed up. I was at Golfsmith this afternoon, and I hit both the steel and reg flex graphite, but, like I said, the simulator was all out of whack (on a few shots, the carry distance was 20-30 yards longer than the overall distance).

One thing I should mention about my swing speed -- I have a very long swing, and that's where I generate the speed. I don't have a sharp transition at the top. In other words, I could get away with regular flex graphite if I really wanted to. Here's the thing. I would love to keep the graphite set. I really would. It's just that with the steel, I know what I'm getting because that's what I currently and always have had. To be honest, the graphite scares me a bit. I have visions of ballooning ball flights and wicked hooks.

[neudi]

looks like you solved the problem yourself then, you are leaning towards the steel with what you said so go with it.

[e-man]

looks like you solved the problem yourself then, you are leaning towards the steel with what you said so go with it.

My brain is telling me to go with steel. My back, sore rotator cuff and hands are telling me to give the graphite a whirl. In an ideal world, I'd be able to take both to the dome and hit balls. I asked Golfsmith whether that would be possible, and they said no because they had a problem a few years ago with clubs not being returned. I've dropped $1,200 in new clubs, and they're concerned with me running off with a few demo 6 irons?

[fusioncal]

Hey everyone. Great forum. Glad to be here.

Hey there, welcome to the forum.

Let's just get to the point. First of all, how good are you with your old shafts? Did you like it? Or are you looking for more better shafts, perhaps? If you like your old shafts, I'd suggest you take the new X-18 with steel shafts (only because cheaper than graphite) then have them re-shafted with your old shafts. Between graphite and steel with 95mph speed, I'd definitely recommend you to pick steel over graphite unless you have joints problem. 95mph is at the borderline between Regular and Stiff (I'm also at 95mph). If you have smooth tempo, choose Regular. If you would like more control go with Stiff. If you want better kind of shafts, I'd recommend you to NS Pro. I had them once and they really lived up to their name. They have shafts with different kind of weights, so I guess it's your call on how heavy/light you want your shafts to be. This is just my opinion and you're free to disregard it. I believe you're ready for players club for 6.9 hcp index. Try Mizunos (MP-57 or 60) or Titleists (695CB). They're (way) more superior clubs than the X-18. I wouldn't waste my money on X-18 if I were you. My .02 cents.

[e-man]

Hey there, welcome to the forum.

Funny you should mention the MP-57s or 60s. I was back at Golfsmith today in the simulator and hit the MP-25s. All I can say is wow. What a great feeling club. I know myself too well, and if I ever went with that, I'd always wonder whether I made the right decision, especially on those days that I'm not swinging so well.

Anyway, I hit 6 irons for about an hour, x-18 in steel and x-18 in regular graphite. Although the two felt very different, I didn't see much difference between the two in terms of results. I then took a closer look at the graphite shafted club, and I realized that I had been hitting a firm flex as opposed to regular. Long story short, I picked up the regular flex graphite club, hit 5 moon shots, and realized right then and there that there was no way I could go with regular graphite. I then cleared the screen, and hit 3 shots with the steel and 3 with the firm graphite. No contest. The steel won hands down. I want to thank all of you for your help with this. You pointed me in the right direction, and, in the end, I'm sure I made the right decision. e

[marpr]

Funny you should mention the MP-57s or 60s. I was back at Golfsmith today in the simulator and hit the MP-25s. All I can say is wow. What a great feeling club. I know myself too well, and if I ever went with that, I'd always wonder whether I made the right decision, especially on those days that I'm not swinging so well.

Good. After all, no one else can tell you what will work for you. Good to hear that you got what you want out of them. hope they work well for you. they are great clubs.

[fusioncal]

Funny you should mention the MP-57s or 60s. I was back at Golfsmith today in the simulator and hit the MP-25s. All I can say is wow. What a great feeling club. I know myself too well, and if I ever went with that, I'd always wonder whether I made the right decision, especially on those days that I'm not swinging so well.

I'm sure you meant the MX-25. I admit I'm biased toward Mizuno, but despite of that that great feeling you had was because they're forged. Although many will disagree with me, I always believe that forged irons have softer feel than cast irons. Anyway, good luck with your new clubs. I hope they provide you the things you're looking for.

[e-man]

I'm sure you meant the MX-25. I admit I'm biased toward Mizuno, but despite of that that great feeling you had was because they're forged. Although many will disagree with me, I always believe that forged irons have softer feel than cast irons. Anyway, good luck with your new clubs. I hope they provide you the things you're looking for.

Yeah, MX-25, not MP-25. Incredibly soft feel. Like I said, though, I'm concerned that they won't provide the same level of forgiveness that I'll get from the x-18s. That concern might be unfounded. I really don't know for sure. It's just my impression.