Blader-X

The P9 is still a great shaft and absolutely perfect in a fairway. I mean perfect. Even though the Romaro is listed in my witb, the RC I've got still has the P9 and is just spot on as far as clubs go. The other one to look at is the the SF line by Graphite Design. I've spoken before about it and I've got the SF8x in my RC 17 degree hybrid. Its another ideal club and shaft.

Please keep us updated and I do hope it works out for you.

I think the 7s will do just fine. As I mentioned I've got that shaft in the Romaro 3 wood. If I had it in the SYard driver it'd be just fine as well. When I put the 6s in I was "scaling" back due to the factors I explained earlier. I was very apprehensive about going 6s and talked with Tario a few times in regards to it. (As always, T is the guy to talk to). What I came to be pleasantly surprised about was that the 6s delivered everything I was looking for that I had been getting from my favorite P9003x shaft. I've always had to go with heavier shafts because the lighter weight never performed for me as well as the heavier weights. But the Z series was the first shaft in which the ligher weight performed as well as any heavier shaft I've ever used. And that's been proven to me now especially since my swing has really returned and I'm making a very powerful and fundamentally correct move. The Z series is the real deal for sure. Its everything the P9003x was but because of the different flexes and weights, its opened up the P9 characteristics to a much larger market of golfers.

You know, at the time my swing was in a bit of a funk and with me feeling a little age I decided upon S. Since then, I've corrected a swing flaw that had been the cause of it all and I can tell you at this time, I've never swung better nor have been more fundamentally correct than I am now. However, the S still holds up and I can tell you is every bit as good as the P9x. I just really think the Z9 series is the next evolutionary step in the P9 series. My suggestion to anyone between the flexes is go with the softer flex as it will still perform. I don't necessarily always say that with most shafts, and in fact most shafts I would say go with the higher flex, such as my decision to go X in my MCI's. But with the Z series the stiff is perfect. I had thought really hard in going 6x, but no longer thinking that. Maybe if the head was a 460cc head; then maybe. But I'm loving the smaller head. I really think its the optimum size for me. I just love it and while I'll keep up with looking at the other drivers, so far nothing has piqued my interest in enough into changing.

I think you'll like it. The one thing about this shaft is that its the first shaft that I've tried in that weight range which has given me everything the heavier weight shafts have and not balloon on me. In fact this thing just hits bullets after bullets. I've got a 7s in the Romaro 3 wood which just recently moved the RC out of the bag. The type7 is perfect in the 3wood.

Those do look sweet. Hope they turn out to have been well worth the wait.

I found it with the S-Yard .388 with a Graphite Design Z9003 Type 6s. That's it for me.

Glad to hear you got on with the Z, Stew. I'm loving my Z's. Got a Type 6s in the S-Yard driver (10deg) and its a bullet. Have another 3 wood, the Romaro-R in 13.5deg with a Z Type 7s. This 3 wood is long and mean with a trajectory that is spot on to boot. In fact is so good I can't choose between it or the legendary RC listed in my bag below. As a few know around here the P9 is shaft that I've often claimed seemed to be made just for me. I've loved it forever and gamed it in many a combinations. However, if I had to choose, I'd say I would take the Z over the P9. What distinguishes the Z over the P9 is that its more versatile in terms of the different shaft flexes and profiles that are offered Remember the P9 came only in X and at 80gm. It was one choice and one choice only. The Z comes in 3 different weights and a few different flexes. To answer Mjr D's question I would say the Z has less spin than the P9 just from what I've experienced. I can't back it up with numbers but I've hit it enough. The Z is just the next step in the evolution of this shaft (the P9). The P9 is still very good, don't get me wrong, but if I had to choose, it would be the Z.

While I don't play a 4wood (I did consider it a while back), may I suggest the Romaro Tour Select. I have the 13.5 but they also make a 16.5. This thing is super easy to hit, hits it a ton with a very tight, piercing trajectory. I really like it. Right now its a tossup between my all time favorite RC in my sig below and this Romaro. The Romaro has more forgiveness than the RC but I hit both so well. The Romaro also feels great to hit as well. I know you're looking for used so if someone does have one for sale I would definitely suggest giving it serious consideration.

I've been looking for a 54 lately and I do think you just sold me on it Stu, fantastic review!

Coming from the KBS Tours. Had them on a couple of previous sets of X-blades; the 901's and another previous edtion. Believe the KBS were like 6.5's. Goodsie of course did them for me. The higher trajectory comes when I really go after them. In comparison to the KBS they climb higher right from the get go, then flatten out and travel a little longer. But if I dial down and use more of a 3/4 type swing I can bring it down. I do really like these shafts. Of course they are 100 gm compared to what 120+ in which the KBS were. And at the time I really liked the KBS. But these new MCI's have turned my eye for sure. My new love in a shaft so to speak.

I've got the 100x in my all my irons, as well as the two wedges. By far the best shaft I've used to date. Very, very responsive. Super tight dispersion, strong ballflight. Yes a higher ball flight with a very full swing, but in no way ballooning. I'd call it towering. However I can vary the trajectory upon command. I relate these shafts to a car having a super tight suspension as they're very responsive. No sloppiness in the shaft at all that I've found. In the wedges, I've got 8 iron shafts and they perform on all types of shots. Full, half, delicate you name it. I like these shafts very much but I can see how some others may not. They do feel a little different than others so it may take a little time to get used to, but so far I've found that they're everything as advertised by Fujikura.

The SF line is a very underrated and I believe much under appreciated shaft. I've got one in a hybrid and its simply stellar. Interesting seeing it in a driver but I don't doubt its usefullness there at all. Thanks for sharing.

You know my love for the X-blades, keep us updated. By the way, Stew, have you ever given the Fujikura MCI's a go? Have you seen many guys using these in Japan? Just curious to know your thoughts

You gotta try the Z9, man. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

You want the new RomaRo. I have a 13.5 shafted with a GD Z9003 Type 7s shaft. I also have an RC TourVs 14 shafted in a GD P9003x. While both shafts are very similar in wieght I find the Romaro to be much heavier and you'll definitely feel the head. The RomaRo feels great, simply pure joy to hit. However if you'll notice the RC still sits in my bag at the moment and that's because that club has always been money and I can work it a little better at the moment. I hit both equally the same length. I'm thinking of stepping down the shaft in the Romaro to a Type6 like in my current driver. But that's my own issue, for you; I would highly reccommend the RomaRo. The only issue you may have is with face height but I don't know, that's always very subjective. If you are worried about it, go with the SYard.

Lamkin Crossline (old school but they're perfect), I used to use the cords but have since when cordless.

I had my built by S-Yard with the GD Z9003 Type 6 in stiff. Its perfect. I believe its 45.25" which is an inch less than what I had typically played before. I can't tell you what the hosel depth was, maybe Tario remembers as he had them build it for me, but I love this club. Best driver for me out there. I will say that I believe the Z9003 shaft to be very stout. I recently had a Romaro 3 wood built with a Type7 in stiff. Its definitely heavier than my other 3 wood combo which is a RC VS with a P9003x. It also feels stiffer than the P9003x as well.

Take Stew's advice to mind, as he's one who has experimented quite a bit with different shaft/iron combinations. Probably more than any singe human in existence. I always love to hear his take on things. Here's mine, and like a lot of others its very subjective. I recently had the MCI's installed in my irons and I believe they are the best iron shaft out there (for me). They are vastly superior to steel. I equate them to having a very tight racing suspension in a high performance car. Super tight and super responsive. Zero sloppiness. So, after loving the MCI's, I decided to have my wedges upgraded with them as well. At first I thought of going heavier and less flex. I have 100X in the irons, but was contemplating 120S in the wedges. After discussing with Gary we decided to go the same 100X that its in the irons. One other thing with it is that I've got 8-iron shafts in the wedges. This allows me to keep the flight down on full wedges as well as be able to really turn it up when I need a few extra yards. I can also play "knock-down" shots and control the trajectory much better with this setup. I also find on that my touch is actually better on the little shots around the green. Now I've got nothing against the dedicated wedge shafts. But I think the setup I have now, benefits those golfers with experience. By experience I mean golfers who have been around, know they're capabilities and can play a little. I would not compare myself to pros, but I have enjoyed my share of great shots and played long enough to know what works and what doesn't. And it really comes down to every golfer finding it for themselves as well. Back to the dedicated wedge shafts. Those are good and can really help a lot of golfers. My son has the Spinners in his Geotech wedges and this kid has done some really nice things with those. They match up really well for his setup and swing and where he's at right now. The one thing I found with the dedicated wedge shafts was that they would sometimes let me down when I would try and control the trajectory. I find my current setup much more conducive to that. Add to that I do believe they help much more around the greens in controlling the shot.

Thanks for always going above and beyond. Hope the B-Day was a good one!!

Is Buchi available in left handed?

Ah, a topic I've thought of often. For me I found the ultimate answer to this a few years back when I put the Royal Collection TRC ute in the bag. Its 17 degrees and has the GD SF8 shaft in it. For me this club is the holy grail so to speak of all the things everyone posted above. I can work it; I can hit 3/4 shots, punch shots, full shots, shots of the tee, out of the rough, out of the sand (yes and have hit some killer fairway trap shots), it even works well around the greens if one was so inclined. What I like about this setup for me is that the trajectory is a frozen rope which gives me anywhere from 180-230 yards depending upon the situation. I'm very comfortable with this at 220. I do find I can also vary the trajectory and distance depending upon my setup. The RC TRC has a shape that is very pleasing to me. I never got along well with boxy-looking utes and driving irons always had way too much offset for me. I did have a Miura driving iron but the offset just killed it for me. The TRC has the right kind of shape that pleases me and gives me confidence. The only thing that has come close to its look that I've seen is the new Roma-Ro. If I were to replace the TRC I would think it would be with the RomaRo. The SF shaft really works well in this setup as it has 2.3 degrees of torque, great feel and feedback while still delivering a powerful trajectory. I have never liked fairways other than 3 woods. I tried 5's and 7's and never found one I liked. I will say though that the new RomaRo 5+ woods like really nice. The new Buchi driving irons would definitely be worth a look and I have been thinking of them recently especially since they have a 18.5 available. That said though I don't see it ever replacing the TRC as I think that club was one of genius when it was designed and has bailed me out of plenty of trouble over the past few years with it in the bag. No other club in the bag has delivered such a great assortment of shots as this one has and is probably the club which sticks out in my memory more than any other at producing truly "memorable" shots. I have played many kinds of utes/hybrids but never really found the best until the TRC. Acutally the RC TRC was a re-introduction of a design it previously released under its now defunct Sonartec brand/line. I do find like many others here that its very personal much like that of a putter as to what works and what doesn't for a particular player when it comes to these types of clubs. One last thing to add and that is for a driving type iron which I currently carry is my GeoTech RF 700 3 iron. This has become a club that I do use when I want a low running shot. I can hit "stingers" with it that run quite a ways off the tee. Even though it is a 3 iron, I find to have many of the characteristics one would describe of a "driving" iron. Very forgiving, while still being workable. Great feel and feedback and just the right amount of everything a player would need.

I hear you. I am having my wedges changed over to these so I'll be able to report about that very topic once I get them back. Look for the report in a couple weeks or so. I do have my PW with the MCI and I haven't had any issues. Its been great so far.

Was wondering about this very thing C, that is having Sasaya-san give the Zen a go. Did you give any thinking at all about having the face re-done similar to the G-Field or having weights added? Curious to know what did he re-shaft your Zen with?

Left-handers take note of this wedge. It is one of the very few quality JDM that is offered in a left-handed version. My son has two of these and he absolutely loves them. Chris pretty much summed it up above but Geotech is definitely a brand worthy of consideration.