Jump to content

Utility shafts


Chanaa

Recommended Posts

Following gocchin's self analysis on moving to heavier shafts as swing changes, though i would throw it out there. I currently use KBS utility shaft on a 18deg old adams head. Just purchased 2 TRCs heads : 17deg & 20deg. My 17/18 deg is a 5w distance club for me and the 20 deg, i expect it to be a strong 3/4 iron replacement. I have no issues with the current KBS steel shaft, it launches high, pretty straight, with a small distance loss i can live with. Question is how does a non steel ute shaft play ie. like the new crazy utility compared to steels ? Accuracy vs distance ?

Thks peeps

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Following gocchin's self analysis on moving to heavier shafts as swing changes, though i would throw it out there. I currently use KBS utility shaft on a 18deg old adams head. Just purchased 2 TRCs heads : 17deg & 20deg. My 17/18 deg is a 5w distance club for me and the 20 deg, i expect it to be a strong 3/4 iron replacement. I have no issues with the current KBS steel shaft, it launches high, pretty straight, with a small distance loss i can live with. Question is how does a non steel ute shaft play ie. like the new crazy utility compared to steels ? Accuracy vs distance ?

Thks peeps

For utility shafts, theres nothing steel can do that graphite cant do.

The main benefit for graphite is lighter weight.

Most people get a little more distance from graphite, and graphite shafted utilities are typically 1/2" longer to maintain same sw.

If the steel shafts work, I wouldn't change it. For strong and old-school players, they stick with steel if only because they are resistant to change. I just think graphite offers more options for most people.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For utility shafts, theres nothing steel can do that graphite cant do.

The main benefit for graphite is lighter weight.

Most people get a little more distance from graphite, and graphite shafted utilities are typically 1/2" longer to maintain same sw.

If the steel shafts work, I wouldn't change it. For strong and old-school players, they stick with steel if only because they are resistant to change. I just think graphite offers more options for most people.

Suppose I am an anomaly, but I moved to graphite, not because of weight, but because my elbows have been acting up after rounds. The vibration damping that the graphite offers has virtually eliminated the elbow pain I had been feeling since the beginning of the season.

I agree the there is nothing the steel can do that graphite can't. Only I would not restrict the statement to utility and woods, I would include irons and wedges too.

I did not even consider steel shafts in the utility clubs I got. Played the upgraded graphite for a couple of rounds and then replaced it with GD AD EV shafts and am quite happy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

my thoughts are:

steel = lower trajectory, heavier balance, more harsh on joints, more accurate

graphite = more expensive, higher trajectory, easier on body, more distance

I go with steel if I feel cheap but graphite especially high end graphite is the way to go. Tour AD and Crazy would be the best route.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Suppose I am an anomaly, but I moved to graphite, not because of weight, but because my elbows have been acting up after rounds. The vibration damping that the graphite offers has virtually eliminated the elbow pain I had been feeling since the beginning of the season.

I agree the there is nothing the steel can do that graphite can't. Only I would not restrict the statement to utility and woods, I would include irons and wedges too.

I did not even consider steel shafts in the utility clubs I got. Played the upgraded graphite for a couple of rounds and then replaced it with GD AD EV shafts and am quite happy.

Vibration dampening is also generally better than steel.

For a person who has tried lots of graphite shafts in irons, i just couldnt get it to work.

In a hollow head like woods and hybrids, they are great.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For me, if I ever give up my steel iron and wedge shafts it will be for my joints.

I have a set of irons with graphite shafts that I use just to hit balls at the range with.

It does make a difference on the body at the end of the day.

Back on topic.....

I didn't get along with steel in the utes. Graphite (for me) works better in every way.

Especially like the feel of graph over steel

Can't wait to hit the DI ute shaft here soon

Detailed review soon!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Everyone knows I'm a big supporter of graphite and it originally was for its lighter weight and feel - feel being easier to load and unload and you can feel it. Plus yes its much less harsh especially if you miss hit.

Moving to heavier shafts I could have gone with the 950GH instead of the CB02 from Crazy but I didn't for several reasons. The 950GH is a good feeling steel shaft but the Crazy still feel much better. Even though its a 40g increase from what I had before the way the shaft feels through the swing, it doesn't feel like it got much heavier, in other words its still very responsive but yes much straighter. Secondly which is just me is typically graphite shafts have smaller butt ends and with small hands I do much better and am able to turn over more with graphite. 950GH is already too thick for my liking (850GH is okay though).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

well i have reshafted all my hybrids with nspro 950 HL mainly due to the weight.

most stock offerings in graphite are in the 55-75gram region and that is way too

light in relation to what i play.

big mistake was ordering my utes in 65/75 gram upgrade graphite only to pull out

and rehsaft to steel. they had a steel offering which was way cheaper, should have

gone that route. anyway i have been happy with the steel, tighter dispersion is a bonus

but what really helped was my timing and tempo. no need to adjust to the weight of the

club which in the past would wreak havoc on my swing.

BUT nowadays most top tiered shaft brands now offer graphite utilitily shafts in the 90, 100g+

region. so i guess these will make choosing shafts much better for those who like the heft and feel

of a heavier shaft. i know i do i have several tour ad DI 95s shafts at home ready to be used.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Love the feel of the CBI-02 Crazy Iron shafts. For me it represents less than a ~10% reduction in weight over the KBS Tour and NGS Super Peening Blue I was playing, and a similar increase over the 950 GH WF that came stock in the irons I put them into... Also went up a flex to X when I made the move so far, so good. Not much distance increase maybe a few yards, but dispersion and accuracy has improved. Also got some backspin back into my game, not bad considering the new set is conforming...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great info guys - thks. The ute is my get out of jail club, particularly with thick deep rough that my irons cant get thru. In these shots, would a graph be too light & soft ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great info guys - thks. The ute is my get out of jail club, particularly with thick deep rough that my irons cant get thru. In these shots, would a graph be too light & soft ?

I think that is more a function of the head than the shaft. If you can get out with steel you can get out with graphite... The question with graphite is are you getting tight shot dispersion, is the shaft unloading at the right time, etc...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...