Great content again. You guys are raising the bar each week on what we golfers ponder when looking at equipment. You help us narrow down what to test and what to ask when we test. If we encounter a lazy fitter it easier to spot that now. Fine tuning equipment can be tough for amateurs. I suppose it’s too what level we want to tune to though!
I’ve learned more about clubs and fitting in the last few weeks since I found your channel....more than in the previous 7 years when I started playing.
This is so amazing. in March i spent so much money at club champion in Illinois for my full bag fitting. I can tell you that i did not receive 1/10th of the informations you have giving plus I can't even play with the driver i was fitted for. I wish i knew about you ,I would have flown to Canada to see you guys
I know this video was uploaded 2 years ago but this is a great video!! Such good information and put in an easy way to understand it. I know I’ve personally always been told the shaft is the engine of the club and most important, however, this proves otherwise! Thanks for the awesome info and great videos!!
This should be your pinned video. I recently got "fit" at a box store for the PING G425 LST but when I got to the course and played several rounds. As a single digit handicap who plays sporadically I was constantly hunting for decent contact and couldn't feel the head in space during my swing. Measurably one of the most forgiving drivers but I was all over the course. Took me a while to get my swing back because it had messed up my swing timing and confidence. Went back to my old driver, which I know doesn't fit me the way I'd like, and gained 30-50 yards and doubled the number of fairways hit in a round. One almost can't pick their own driver and expect success with the variety of shafts and heads on the market. If your swing is professionally solid you could get away with an I'll fitting club for a couple rounds but it bleeds into the rest of your game.
Guys I'm sorry but I hate these videos.....thats because I'm in Northern Ireland and u guys are the other side of the world 😂😂 this makes so much sense and probably tells me why when I've been fitted the results haven't always worked. Ian get back over to Scotland then I don't have so far to go lol. Love this channel 👌👍
Would love to see a vid where you take us through the proper A to Z of types of shaft with examples of each type. Tip flex, counterbalanced etc the whole kaboodle
I think it would’ve been interesting to have also seen the difference between the high spin shaft with the high spin head vs the low spin shaft with the low spin head, just to show the extremes on both ends. Maybe in another video? Either way, another great video guys!
I have a question along these lines. I need to get to the greens on longer holes in fewer shots. The drive is what the drive is for now, until I start strength training. I have a 13* 3 wood I hit well but I found an 11* 2 wood on ebay with a stock shaft that is maybe for slower swing speeds. I found an after market shaft with high launch and low spin. I figure that might give me more carry with the higher launch and more roll out with the lower spin. The shaft is a Matrix Ozik xcon 6 limited edition. As I was prepping the tip I noticed under the paint there was a silver layer. It reminded me of the Grafalloy Epic the metal layer on top of the graphite. If you are familiar with the Matrix shaft my question is this is the silver a propiatary part of the shaft that should be left on like the Epic or is it merely an undercoat of the paint that should be removed? My instinct is that is like the Epic. Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to ruin the performance of the shaft also I don't want to create a weak bond between the epoxy and the shaft.
Like that you're never rushing the videos! If it takes 20 min, it takes 20 min! Leaving in the shots Matt is hitting and stuff like that is just perfect. Great video
@@christopherlafreniere7141 Casual $3000 AUD for me. For a return flight. It'd be a dream to be fitted by these guys, but bugger me the flight is more than the clubs.
absolutely awesome video, i had a big hooking problem with a rear weighted driver, changed to low spinning front weighted driver and the hook is a 3 yard draw at most and can actually power fade it if needed
Recently brought an m2 and was wondering the same thing! It looks more similar to the g400 in this video, with the weight quite far to the rear. Its definatly been a fairway finder for me so im guessing its spin is on the higher end.
Great video as always guys! super valuable information. the way you can differentiate yourself with Ian's vast and extensive knowledge of golf fitting is world class.
what whisker rub said! "Stop it. Every video makes me want to book a flight to see this for real." hoping you guys culd shed some light on this situation for me.....im generally a slice/fader of the driver and that was fine (as a lefty) when i could aim down the right side and worst case end up on the left side or sometimes right side when it goes straight. recently started to square up the face to the path and started hitting dead pulls and as we all know if you miss left and right youre up the creek. im also a high launch crazy high spin player. besides the obvious (fix swing path), whats the best direction to head in terms of heads/shafts so i could try to eliminate that pull right. i was always thinking get something with weight forward to reduce spin but if that means less draw bias thats not going to be a great help either.
Ian, I’m currently playing a epic flash neutral and stated loft setting(10.5). Shaft is ventus red 6S. Lightweight golf pride grip 25g. My miss is a hook or even a low line drive. A good shot is a draw. My question is, I’m not sure what adjustments to make to the lie angle or adjustable weight?? Please help!
Start with moving the weight to the toe, you can also try to -1 setting and see what it does to your ball flight. You’ll need to do some trial and error
Ian, in relation to the weight forward slowing the rotation of the face. Would this also help a player like myself who is right handed and fade to slices the driver? I seem to do better with a low spin and mid/low launch shaft with a low spin head with weight more center to forward. When i am less right hand active i get my best results but that is hard to do. When testing the M3 , moving one weight all the way forward and the second more in the middle calmed my slice down quite a bit.
Moving the CG forward would reduce the rotation of the clubface, so it would help produce more of a fade. If you're trying to straighten the ball or draw it, moving the weight to the back would help more.
Clubhead is king. The shaft for me is only determined by the delivery characteristics of the golfer. Also there tempo, swing speed and speed through the shot.
From my point of view as someone that has gone through two fittings and in the middle of a third to find the right driver combination some of the things you covered here was most revealing (especially as I exactly trying to reduce the pull - shot to the right as a lefty. Worrying thing is that the fitter is suggesting heads that indeed are - based on what you suggest here- actually likely to exaggerate this even more. Given the low weight shaft I need dont know if this is a compensating factor or not - your test suggests otherwise. That being said a further point made that somewhat validates what you suggested at the end, namely playing with the loft is borne out by what I did independently with my current gamer and that was to self adjust the loft down that helped reduce the pull exaggeration but then I clearly destroyed that equally by adding more weight at the back which while giving me higher launch (for someone with a negative angle of attack) exaggerated the pull ian’s twist or movement of the face point. Hence my desire to look at and try out the mizuno st180. Gives me some ammunition re discussions with the fitter though I am concerned that he is not so proficient and knowledgeable as yourselves - time perhaps to change fitters again (running out of options!). Any reactions or advise??
Having tried most if not all of the 2018 drivers, I can say the ST180 is very anti-right for us left handed players. Your other good anti right options being the G400 LST and Rogue Sub Zero. A stiffer profile shaft will help reduce the hook as well, and with the ST180 Mizuno offers the Tensei white as a stock option which is very good in that regard.
TXG Tour Experience Golf thanks helpful. As mentioned probably need to go to a different fitter and to check who might carry these left handed heads. Thanks for the options to consider. Also on shafts and shaft length they recommended 44” (being short too) and they do not use or recommend stock shafts but rather ones like oban or slay. I tried the oban devotion 4 4 with the m4 driver which is what they were recommending but inly after four swings. Interesting you mention tensei white and seems to makes sense. Ps in my two hybrids which I hit well and more consistently and for me get the distances and trajectory I am happy with I have the Fujikura pro XLR8 63 (19 hybrid mizuno clk) and the fujikura pro 75 (cobra f7 22 degrees) respectively with seingweights adjusted to d1 but both cut slightly down (39.75 and 39”) in respective lengths. Perhaps I need to think about making a dedicated trip to you guys overnight for a detailed session😋. Though a long way to go and have not been to Canada since 50 years ago! Thanks again
TXG Tour Experience Golf a further question. Have you ever done a test or fitted someone with a utility driver as a replacement for the driver - something ai am reflecting on given my difficulty of finding a driver that becomes my friend not my enemy. Notwithstanding trying the st180 etc when I can I am selling off my current driver (and will use my trusty 3 hybrid for now for teeing off) and indeed my 5 wood too. Given I have the srixon z565s although probably still more offset than would suit me, I am thinking about whether one of the following might make a good option to look at alongside drivers to replace it- tmb; MMC flit hi; srixon u65; (obviously appropriately shortened and with a shaft that suits me) ; Taylor made p790 udi ; pig 0311x; or the new Taylor made gapr clubs being released shortly. Noting my swing speed with the driver is in the 90s also. Really looking to get consistency and reliability and for me a carry of 220 yds or so (avoiding the pull). Cheers
Thank you...again. For me the problem you Guys create with your excellent and very informative videos is that I'm here in the UK and on the one hand thinking "you are exactly the Boys I need to go to", but on the other hand thinking "I have no idea who, if any, will have the depth of knowledge you demonstrate day after day and give me what I need", e.g. Ping charge £30 for 90 min bag review and I can see me going there and coming away feeling "OK" but thinking "Well it was only £30, so what do I expect?". You Guys have raised my perception of Club Fitting and with it the expectation for ordinary Club Golfers like me. Shame you're across The Pond.
I have about a 90 MPH club head speed and bought the new Titleist TS3. When I got on Trackman my spin rate with the Smoke shaft was WAY too low. I also tried the Diamana Blue 60 shaft which gives me more spin but still too low (according to the Trackkman Optimizer). Can you tell me what shaft(s) I could try to up my spin rate? The loft on the head was 9.5 which I set up .75 degrees. Would I be better off just getting a 10.5 degree head? Thanks for the advice.
I found exact same thing last year.....I had almost identical numbers with Tour AD MJ 6s and Hzrdus black 65 6.0. The peak height and spin were super close but MJ def feels better and more active. I thought that was very strange but Matt proves it is all about how shaft releases and the individual swing. It seems like low and high launch shafts tend to vary and are relative to the person..... but what does change almost always is the overall feel. The softer profiles always feel more active
This is a great topic. I've recently been doing some work with driver heads and shafts. My favorite 2 shafts. Graffaloy Blue(white shaft old school) 75x, and the Atmos Black x. With the Graffaloy the G400 9.0 is the bees knees, with the Atmos the 8.5 G400 LST is the business. Two different setups exact same distances, launch, spin. However if I flip the shafts to the other heads... completely out...of...wack!
this was amazing, what about a video like this where you take a driver like an m3 and try it with weights in the front and a low launch shaft, and then the weights in the back for a high launch shaft? thanks!
My only problem with fitting heads is what if you're one of those people that want a certain brand and don't want to go switching heads and might have an option of only 2 heads that possibly might not 'fit' them optimally.
Thanks for all this great information. I have been talking to a fitter who told me his approach is to fit players into a shaft first, and then work on finding a clubhead that's a good match. After watching this, not sure that's the best approach?
I'm just using a box-kit set of clubs. I hit on a sim one day with my driver and was over 4k rpm spin. I know if it has any head wind, it dives down like a rocket. Swing speed is 108 when relaxed, up to 115 if I start trying to push it up. Part of me thinks this stock shaft is really killing me, but probably the head is pretty basic technology being entry level box set.
Man, I wish I could get a fitting by you guys. Wish you weren't so far away from me up in Canada! Would you stay clear of shops who offer "free fitting with club purchase"? Seems like every time I do that I get a very mediocre fitting.
If it hasn't been a vid you have done yet, would love to see a compact video on how/where you strt to fit someone for an entire bag. I am really interested but would live to know the starting and end point. And scared that I would have to replace the entire bag too!
On the topic of clubhead rotation. I am using oversized grips to help me in this matter. So far, from my personal experience, it has helped me. However, I do understand oversized grip is not for everyone. I am a 10 finger grip, so it fits, imagine those with interlocking holding big jombo size grips, it would be very hard. But there is another advantage on oversized grip which I realized later, it is heavy, and acted as a counterweight when swinging. Perhaps you can tinker on oversized grips, would love to see your input.
So regarding the fact that most pros hate the "left" miss, is that a big reason they play lower spin heads as that doesn't want to go left as often as higher spinning heads? Learned something new I never new CG location front/back could affect dispersion!
Interesting about cg towards back produces draw characteristics, we know more weight on the heal produces the same but didnt know about the back. My R15 is setup with weights in draw, can i add lead tape to back for extra little help?
I m a golf data and info junkie and your site is the best to know about the science of golf equipment . I have a question. I m fitted with AD M9003 7S with a 2016 Taylormade M2 9.5 My swing speed is around 105MPH and typical drive is 280 yards . Am I optimized ? Is this combo a low launch low spin shaft on a high launch driver ? I did play with the swing weight of the club by changing the weights of the screw. I notice when I add weight , the club have tendency to draw . Thanks in advanced
A shaft can effect fade or draw tendencies though right? As an example: a stiff flex for a moderate swing speed could tend to be more fade. Or am I wrong?
Great video again guys!! I change between heads XR & XRPro to have anti right (XR) and anti left (XRPro) options plus high or low too. Found this from trial & error NOT knowledge!! As you say Ian you're giving us nuggets of pure gold info!!!
Amazing, truly eye-opening! Thanks guys for sharing. PS Am still using an R9 Superdeep, presumably that is a low spin head? Not sure, please advise. Thx
TXG Tour Experience Golf Great, thanks for that. Have it set at 8 degrees with upward angle of attack of 4 degrees. Launch is around 13-15 degrees and spin about 2000-2300 rpm. Are these good launch parameters?? Thx again
Another Superb Vid Gents and so informative! In the few months that I have been watching your vids I feel that I have learnt more about golf equipment and performance, than I had in the previous 45 years of playing golf. You also helped me answer an internal debate I have been having, about whether I should re-shaft my Ping G30 SFT (to gain a few more straight yards) or to start testing a new head/shaft combo, (probably the Ping G400 MAX or the Rogue Draw bias). My conclusion is that I am going to save my Cash and get Sam to hit my drives for me with his super new Driver!!!! I just hope he doesn't mind moving to the UK? LOL
Appreciate the explanation of the CG forward or back for face angle. Makes sense. Will help me tinker with my M1 on the range. Have already seen nice success with it this far on a launch monitor. I tried with the weight back and actually didn't see as great of success as I thought I would. Weight forward was better in the first 25% of the track. One of the reasons why I went with the M1
Another great and informative video. How does this concept work as you move from fairway woods to hybrids and then to irons? Applicable but to what degree, especially once you get into irons?
Been playing a 10.5 TM M3, Hzrdous Yellow 6.5 63g shaft Head cracked and they replaced with an M5, feels like it doesn’t suit, can you recommend any shafts to try?
I know you did it in purpose for video apples to apples with loft....but would be interesting to see if Matt would fit Rougue SZ better if weight was all the way back and he tried a higher loft......His spin was crazy low obviously.....with 9* and weight juiced forward. Personally, I hate the feel of any of the clubs with the weight moved forward.....feels more solid with weights maxed out in back and easier to shape (-:
Another great video! I’ve always looked at it like the head is the engine and the shaft is the type of fuel. Putting premium fuel in a v10 will for sure help it run at its optimum but putting premium fuel in an i4 will never get the same performance as the v10 even with regular. Two completely differently designed engines for 2 different purposes.
It's amazing watching this video from 2 years ago how much Matt's swing has changed. He now appears to be much more controlled at the top and not so long as he was in this video. While this was a video about shaft flex which I'm sure had a lot to do with his erratic ball flights, I bet his swing also has a lot to do with the reason he hits it so much straighter now.
Would have loved to see you guys finish the video by Putting the Accra in the Sub Zero and seeing that combo or even the Ping with the softer shaft so the test could come full circle!! But incredible content as always guys!
Excellent test showing how a head dominates the results. Would love to then see the GD high launch shaft with the G400 Max to see how much the different shafts affects the results with a particular head.
Just wanna say I truly enjoy watching your videos. Definitely the most informative channel I've ever watched. Any chance you guys come to the States and do some fittings? I'd sign up in a heart beat!
Great video guys! very informative about the different characteristics for the heads and shafts! quick question, what ball does Matt use during these videos?
Another great video, very interesting and informative. I have my driver fitting today with Cool Clubs in Irvine, CA. I’m hoping I can get a “10” also. I really like what Ian said “we measure, we don’t guess “. My life’s motto “one test result is worth a thousand expert opinions “. I’ll let you know how the fitting goes. Thanks again.
Ian & Matt, there's always something to learn watching your videos. I never knew the impact of CG position in a driver and 3 wood are different thus requiring different shaft bend profile. Actually I've wondered for quite a while why driver and 3 wood shaft are different in most bags I've seen. Now I know why. Thank you for the continuous education. I'm interested for the follow up videos of the iron shafts you did recently. I'm saving for the NS Pro Modus 3 120 for my MP 69 heads. Great videos guys.
I always find it a very interesting process drilling down to see what head/shaft combos work best...would be curious to see how Matt's current gamer stacks up against other extreme combos and what, if anything, he gives up in his drivng numbers when playing golf vs pure long driving.. A++ gents !!
I have a taylormade r9 supertri driver would you say get fitted to a premium shaft to save money or just go spend £500 on a new driver £500 which I don't have
Great video as usual (-: Did you guys ever notice any difference in the SW people tested for when in the bay "swing for the fences" as opposed to on the course where you need a variety of shots?. When I have fit in the past I always tested a little better very heavy like D6 D7 range when I am swinging all out.....but when playing on the golf course hitting different shots I would always end up going back to about D4 range bc the D6 D7 would end up feeling too much.
TXG Tour Experience Golf 160-165mph. I plan on getting fit but I havnt been sure if getting closer to optimal spin rate (currently around 3,000) with moved up MOI or a higher spinning head with more forgiveness is the way to go.
Another really interesting video guys. I honestly think mat could use triggers brush and still kill it!! I’m looking for a new driver just now as my Titleist 917d3 is not giving me what I feel I should be getting from it. Got it set to 8.75 degrees with the Aldila a rogue stiff shaft and still hit it far too high with 3000 to 3500 revs. Wish you were still in Scotland Ian. PS my driver swing speed is 100mph
Thanks for another great video! I'll use this informative session to confirm to the guys who stick to the dated rhetoric of all drivers are the same and shafts are more important. The tip of the day was the closure rate affected by CG. I knew this from a putter fitting years ago, but failed to apply that knowledge to my recent driver search. Cheers! Brad
Love this. Goes so far to silence those who reckon shaft doesn't matter that much it's just reg..stiff and x stiff...(then why so many options I say!!) 👍👍
Really interesting thanks fellas, would be great to see results for all 4 options too, Accra with the sub zero and ad with the g400 too. Could really see how much each head affects Matt's flight.
Would have just been pretty similar results to what we tested. The idea was to show that even a counteracting shaft profile couldn't overcome the characteristics of the clubhead itself.
I have a 3 wood shaft that is pretty stiff, and I love the overall performance as far as the dispersion that I get and the quality shots that I hit. However, I want to launch it slightly higher. What can I do without changing the shaft???? Help please!
no it is a glue in head.....Ping G10 fairway. I love the head and the shaft combo, I have played it since my senior year of college golf, but I want to add a little launch to it
Ian's the man when it comes to matching the head to the shaft, he proved it when he hooked up the gamer with a set of clubs. I need your phone number so I can book an appointment with you the next time I go to Ontario. Great video by the way.
Ever since the dawn of time men everywhere have asked this question "Does my head or my shaft provide better performance?"
Maybe the best golf video I have ever watched. Keep up the exceptional work on these videos.
I had no idea that the weight more towards the rear caused the face to close more quickly. Great info!
The best Christmas video to treat myself. Such a great video, still watching this video after 3 yrs. Thank you!
Great content again. You guys are raising the bar each week on what we golfers ponder when looking at equipment. You help us narrow down what to test and what to ask when we test. If we encounter a lazy fitter it easier to spot that now. Fine tuning equipment can be tough for amateurs. I suppose it’s too what level we want to tune to though!
I’ve learned more about clubs and fitting in the last few weeks since I found your channel....more than in the previous 7 years when I started playing.
This is so amazing. in March i spent so much money at club champion in Illinois for my full bag fitting. I can tell you that i did not receive 1/10th of the informations you have giving plus I can't even play with the driver i was fitted for. I wish i knew about you ,I would have flown to Canada to see you guys
jude nwaiwu exactly how I feel. Spent 5,000 last July w CC, ended up using something else. Wish I just went for a real fitting w TXG!
same here. Spent USD5,200 and the clubs ended up in the basement after 3 mos.
I know this video was uploaded 2 years ago but this is a great video!! Such good information and put in an easy way to understand it. I know I’ve personally always been told the shaft is the engine of the club and most important, however, this proves otherwise! Thanks for the awesome info and great videos!!
4 years later...I go back and watch these juat in case I forget things like the CG locations and rotation ...crazy good stuff
This should be your pinned video. I recently got "fit" at a box store for the PING G425 LST but when I got to the course and played several rounds. As a single digit handicap who plays sporadically I was constantly hunting for decent contact and couldn't feel the head in space during my swing. Measurably one of the most forgiving drivers but I was all over the course. Took me a while to get my swing back because it had messed up my swing timing and confidence. Went back to my old driver, which I know doesn't fit me the way I'd like, and gained 30-50 yards and doubled the number of fairways hit in a round. One almost can't pick their own driver and expect success with the variety of shafts and heads on the market. If your swing is professionally solid you could get away with an I'll fitting club for a couple rounds but it bleeds into the rest of your game.
Guys I'm sorry but I hate these videos.....thats because I'm in Northern Ireland and u guys are the other side of the world 😂😂 this makes so much sense and probably tells me why when I've been fitted the results haven't always worked. Ian get back over to Scotland then I don't have so far to go lol. Love this channel 👌👍
Would love to see a vid where you take us through the proper A to Z of types of shaft with examples of each type. Tip flex, counterbalanced etc the whole kaboodle
I am always amazed at how much information you give out in these videos. Great job guys!
I think it would’ve been interesting to have also seen the difference between the high spin shaft with the high spin head vs the low spin shaft with the low spin head, just to show the extremes on both ends. Maybe in another video?
Either way, another great video guys!
I have a question along these lines. I need to get to the greens on longer holes in fewer shots. The drive is what the drive is for now, until I start strength training. I have a 13* 3 wood I hit well but I found an 11* 2 wood on ebay with a stock shaft that is maybe for slower swing speeds. I found an after market shaft with high launch and low spin. I figure that might give me more carry with the higher launch and more roll out with the lower spin. The shaft is a Matrix Ozik xcon 6 limited edition. As I was prepping the tip I noticed under the paint there was a silver layer. It reminded me of the Grafalloy Epic the metal layer on top of the graphite. If you are familiar with the Matrix shaft my question is this is the silver a propiatary part of the shaft that should be left on like the Epic or is it merely an undercoat of the paint that should be removed? My instinct is that is like the Epic. Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to ruin the performance of the shaft also I don't want to create a weak bond between the epoxy and the shaft.
Like that you're never rushing the videos! If it takes 20 min, it takes 20 min! Leaving in the shots Matt is hitting and stuff like that is just perfect. Great video
Stop it. Every video makes me want to book a flight to see this for real.
I'm with you, a ticket from where I live is only $175
@@christopherlafreniere7141 Casual $3000 AUD for me. For a return flight. It'd be a dream to be fitted by these guys, but bugger me the flight is more than the clubs.
absolutely awesome video, i had a big hooking problem with a rear weighted driver, changed to low spinning front weighted driver and the hook is a 3 yard draw at most and can actually power fade it if needed
I always thought the shaft was the difference-maker. This was eye opening. I’ve got a M2. Does anyone know what spin category it is in?
Recently brought an m2 and was wondering the same thing! It looks more similar to the g400 in this video, with the weight quite far to the rear. Its definatly been a fairway finder for me so im guessing its spin is on the higher end.
Can you tell me about the shaft characteristic of graphite design tour ad IZ-6 shaft? And what kind of swing it fits?
It's designed to help increase launch angle while keeping spin low, but whether it would perform that way for you or not...you'd have to test! 😉
So, what is Matt like with the LS tec head. Have you done a video on it??
Fitting booked with Mike on the 14th super excited, thanks for releasing these guys!
The best golf channel
Awesome video guys, once again! Very educational - I always get smarter watching you guys. Keep 'em coming guys!
Great video as always guys! super valuable information. the way you can differentiate yourself with Ian's vast and extensive knowledge of golf fitting is world class.
what whisker rub said! "Stop it. Every video makes me want to book a flight to see this for real." hoping you guys culd shed some light on this situation for me.....im generally a slice/fader of the driver and that was fine (as a lefty) when i could aim down the right side and worst case end up on the left side or sometimes right side when it goes straight. recently started to square up the face to the path and started hitting dead pulls and as we all know if you miss left and right youre up the creek. im also a high launch crazy high spin player. besides the obvious (fix swing path), whats the best direction to head in terms of heads/shafts so i could try to eliminate that pull right. i was always thinking get something with weight forward to reduce spin but if that means less draw bias thats not going to be a great help either.
Ian, I’m currently playing a epic flash neutral and stated loft setting(10.5). Shaft is ventus red 6S. Lightweight golf pride grip 25g. My miss is a hook or even a low line drive. A good shot is a draw.
My question is, I’m not sure what adjustments to make to the lie angle or adjustable weight?? Please help!
Start with moving the weight to the toe, you can also try to -1 setting and see what it does to your ball flight. You’ll need to do some trial and error
TXG Tour Experience Golf thank you
Do I find the optimal head/shaft combination first, then decide on the shaft length to optimise distance/dispersion or vice versa? Thanks!
Ian, in relation to the weight forward slowing the rotation of the face. Would this also help a player like myself who is right handed and fade to slices the driver? I seem to do better with a low spin and mid/low launch shaft with a low spin head with weight more center to forward. When i am less right hand active i get my best results but that is hard to do. When testing the M3 , moving one weight all the way forward and the second more in the middle calmed my slice down quite a bit.
Moving the CG forward would reduce the rotation of the clubface, so it would help produce more of a fade. If you're trying to straighten the ball or draw it, moving the weight to the back would help more.
Clubhead is king. The shaft for me is only determined by the delivery characteristics of the golfer. Also there tempo, swing speed and speed through the shot.
From my point of view as someone that has gone through two fittings and in the middle of a third to find the right driver combination some of the things you covered here was most revealing (especially as I exactly trying to reduce the pull - shot to the right as a lefty. Worrying thing is that the fitter is suggesting heads that indeed are - based on what you suggest here- actually likely to exaggerate this even more. Given the low weight shaft I need dont know if this is a compensating factor or not - your test suggests otherwise. That being said a further point made that somewhat validates what you suggested at the end, namely playing with the loft is borne out by what I did independently with my current gamer and that was to self adjust the loft down that helped reduce the pull exaggeration but then I clearly destroyed that equally by adding more weight at the back which while giving me higher launch (for someone with a negative angle of attack) exaggerated the pull ian’s twist or movement of the face point. Hence my desire to look at and try out the mizuno st180. Gives me some ammunition re discussions with the fitter though I am concerned that he is not so proficient and knowledgeable as yourselves - time perhaps to change fitters again (running out of options!). Any reactions or advise??
Having tried most if not all of the 2018 drivers, I can say the ST180 is very anti-right for us left handed players. Your other good anti right options being the G400 LST and Rogue Sub Zero. A stiffer profile shaft will help reduce the hook as well, and with the ST180 Mizuno offers the Tensei white as a stock option which is very good in that regard.
TXG Tour Experience Golf thanks helpful. As mentioned probably need to go to a different fitter and to check who might carry these left handed heads. Thanks for the options to consider. Also on shafts and shaft length they recommended 44” (being short too) and they do not use or recommend stock shafts but rather ones like oban or slay. I tried the oban devotion 4 4 with the m4 driver which is what they were recommending but inly after four swings. Interesting you mention tensei white and seems to makes sense. Ps in my two hybrids which I hit well and more consistently and for me get the distances and trajectory I am happy with I have the Fujikura pro XLR8 63 (19 hybrid mizuno clk) and the fujikura pro 75 (cobra f7 22 degrees) respectively with seingweights adjusted to d1 but both cut slightly down (39.75 and 39”) in respective lengths. Perhaps I need to think about making a dedicated trip to you guys overnight for a detailed session😋. Though a long way to go and have not been to Canada since 50 years ago! Thanks again
TXG Tour Experience Golf a further question. Have you ever done a test or fitted someone with a utility driver as a replacement for the driver - something ai am reflecting on given my difficulty of finding a driver that becomes my friend not my enemy. Notwithstanding trying the st180 etc when I can I am selling off my current driver (and will use my trusty 3 hybrid for now for teeing off) and indeed my 5 wood too. Given I have the srixon z565s although probably still more offset than would suit me, I am thinking about whether one of the following might make a good option to look at alongside drivers to replace it- tmb; MMC flit hi; srixon u65; (obviously appropriately shortened and with a shaft that suits me) ; Taylor made p790 udi ; pig 0311x; or the new Taylor made gapr clubs being released shortly. Noting my swing speed with the driver is in the 90s also. Really looking to get consistency and reliability and for me a carry of 220 yds or so (avoiding the pull). Cheers
Fantastic video! That information about the CG impacting the clubs closer rate through impact blew my mind!
Fascinating information - just could not get used to you swapping positions on camera
Thank you...again.
For me the problem you Guys create with your excellent and very informative videos is that I'm here in the UK and on the one hand thinking "you are exactly the Boys I need to go to", but on the other hand thinking "I have no idea who, if any, will have the depth of knowledge you demonstrate day after day and give me what I need", e.g. Ping charge £30 for 90 min bag review and I can see me going there and coming away feeling "OK" but thinking "Well it was only £30, so what do I expect?".
You Guys have raised my perception of Club Fitting and with it the expectation for ordinary Club Golfers like me. Shame you're across The Pond.
I have about a 90 MPH club head speed and bought the new Titleist TS3. When I got on Trackman my spin rate with the Smoke shaft was WAY too low. I also tried the Diamana Blue 60 shaft which gives me more spin but still too low (according to the Trackkman Optimizer). Can you tell me what shaft(s) I could try to up my spin rate? The loft on the head was 9.5 which I set up .75 degrees. Would I be better off just getting a 10.5 degree head? Thanks for the advice.
I put a 50g Kuro kage in mine made lots of difference on launch
I found exact same thing last year.....I had almost identical numbers with Tour AD MJ 6s and Hzrdus black 65 6.0. The peak height and spin were super close but MJ def feels better and more active. I thought that was very strange but Matt proves it is all about how shaft releases and the individual swing. It seems like low and high launch shafts tend to vary and are relative to the person..... but what does change almost always is the overall feel. The softer profiles always feel more active
Basically the advice I received during my driver fitting with my 915, nice to see the proof with another golfer. Great work guys
This is a great topic. I've recently been doing some work with driver heads and shafts. My favorite 2 shafts. Graffaloy Blue(white shaft old school) 75x, and the Atmos Black x. With the Graffaloy the G400 9.0 is the bees knees, with the Atmos the 8.5 G400 LST is the business. Two different setups exact same distances, launch, spin. However if I flip the shafts to the other heads... completely out...of...wack!
this was amazing, what about a video like this where you take a driver like an m3 and try it with weights in the front and a low launch shaft, and then the weights in the back for a high launch shaft? thanks!
My only problem with fitting heads is what if you're one of those people that want a certain brand and don't want to go switching heads and might have an option of only 2 heads that possibly might not 'fit' them optimally.
Thanks for all this great information. I have been talking to a fitter who told me his approach is to fit players into a shaft first, and then work on finding a clubhead that's a good match. After watching this, not sure that's the best approach?
I'm just using a box-kit set of clubs. I hit on a sim one day with my driver and was over 4k rpm spin. I know if it has any head wind, it dives down like a rocket. Swing speed is 108 when relaxed, up to 115 if I start trying to push it up. Part of me thinks this stock shaft is really killing me, but probably the head is pretty basic technology being entry level box set.
Man, I wish I could get a fitting by you guys. Wish you weren't so far away from me up in Canada! Would you stay clear of shops who offer "free fitting with club purchase"? Seems like every time I do that I get a very mediocre fitting.
If it hasn't been a vid you have done yet, would love to see a compact video on how/where you strt to fit someone for an entire bag. I am really interested but would live to know the starting and end point. And scared that I would have to replace the entire bag too!
On the topic of clubhead rotation.
I am using oversized grips to help me in this matter.
So far, from my personal experience, it has helped me.
However, I do understand oversized grip is not for everyone.
I am a 10 finger grip, so it fits, imagine those with interlocking holding big jombo size grips, it would be very hard.
But there is another advantage on oversized grip which I realized later, it is heavy, and acted as a counterweight when swinging.
Perhaps you can tinker on oversized grips, would love to see your input.
So regarding the fact that most pros hate the "left" miss, is that a big reason they play lower spin heads as that doesn't want to go left as often as higher spinning heads? Learned something new I never new CG location front/back could affect dispersion!
Interesting about cg towards back produces draw characteristics, we know more weight on the heal produces the same but didnt know about the back.
My R15 is setup with weights in draw, can i add lead tape to back for extra little help?
Might be worth a shot, good news is the tape comes off if it doesn't work!
Any suggestion as to how many grams needed to make a difference?
I m a golf data and info junkie and your site is the best to know about the science of golf equipment . I have a question. I m fitted with AD M9003 7S with a 2016 Taylormade M2 9.5 My swing speed is around 105MPH and typical drive is 280 yards . Am I optimized ? Is this combo a low launch low spin shaft on a high launch driver ?
I did play with the swing weight of the club by changing the weights of the screw. I notice when I add weight , the club have tendency to draw .
Thanks in advanced
at 105mph yes you're getting good results at 280 yards
A shaft can effect fade or draw tendencies though right? As an example: a stiff flex for a moderate swing speed could tend to be more fade. Or am I wrong?
Great video again guys!! I change between heads XR & XRPro to have anti right (XR) and anti left (XRPro) options plus high or low too. Found this from trial & error NOT knowledge!! As you say Ian you're giving us nuggets of pure gold info!!!
Do you guys have, or plan on doing a video comparing the effects of swing weight?
We have an introductory video on that, but we're going to do a more detailed one in the future.
Looking forward to it.
Amazing, truly eye-opening! Thanks guys for sharing. PS Am still using an R9 Superdeep, presumably that is a low spin head? Not sure, please advise. Thx
Alberto Fernandez-Sanguino yes that certainly was designed to reduce launch and spin.
TXG Tour Experience Golf Great, thanks for that. Have it set at 8 degrees with upward angle of attack of 4 degrees. Launch is around 13-15 degrees and spin about 2000-2300 rpm. Are these good launch parameters?? Thx again
Sounds good Alberto, you'd hit some nice long drives with those numbers!
Another Superb Vid Gents and so informative! In the few months that I have been watching your vids I feel that I have learnt more about golf equipment and performance, than I had in the previous 45 years of playing golf. You also helped me answer an internal debate I have been having, about whether I should re-shaft my Ping G30 SFT (to gain a few more straight yards) or to start testing a new head/shaft combo, (probably the Ping G400 MAX or the Rogue Draw bias). My conclusion is that I am going to save my Cash and get Sam to hit my drives for me with his super new Driver!!!! I just hope he doesn't mind moving to the UK? LOL
😆😆😆
Just makes me want a fitting by you guys even more .... unfortunately I’m in UK
Appreciate the explanation of the CG forward or back for face angle. Makes sense. Will help me tinker with my M1 on the range. Have already seen nice success with it this far on a launch monitor. I tried with the weight back and actually didn't see as great of success as I thought I would. Weight forward was better in the first 25% of the track. One of the reasons why I went with the M1
Brilliant video lads again!!!! This will help many golfers understand the whole shaft head combo ...
Did you swap the shafts over? Same numbers?
Another great and informative video. How does this concept work as you move from fairway woods to hybrids and then to irons? Applicable but to what degree, especially once you get into irons?
I think we'll do another video with the other clubs in the bag!
Been playing a 10.5 TM M3, Hzrdous Yellow 6.5 63g shaft
Head cracked and they replaced with an M5, feels like it doesn’t suit, can you recommend any shafts to try?
I know you did it in purpose for video apples to apples with loft....but would be interesting to see if Matt would fit Rougue SZ better if weight was all the way back and he tried a higher loft......His spin was crazy low obviously.....with 9* and weight juiced forward. Personally, I hate the feel of any of the clubs with the weight moved forward.....feels more solid with weights maxed out in back and easier to shape (-:
Hi guys
Off the topic , is it possible to do the cobra F7 and F7+ ?
Know is last year model ..
Thanks in advance
Can you recommend a good fitting centre in the U.K. please?
Another great video! I’ve always looked at it like the head is the engine and the shaft is the type of fuel. Putting premium fuel in a v10 will for sure help it run at its optimum but putting premium fuel in an i4 will never get the same performance as the v10 even with regular. Two completely differently designed engines for 2 different purposes.
Do you use Tour AD Graphite Design shafts a lot with your clients?
Yes we have quite a few Graphite Design shafts on the wall
It's amazing watching this video from 2 years ago how much Matt's swing has changed. He now appears to be much more controlled at the top and not so long as he was in this video. While this was a video about shaft flex which I'm sure had a lot to do with his erratic ball flights, I bet his swing also has a lot to do with the reason he hits it so much straighter now.
👍 100%
Absolutely the best fitting video i have ever seen!
Wealth of knowledge and information. All fitters need to step there games up. The bar is high after watching TXG. Great job men.
Would have loved to see you guys finish the video by Putting the Accra in the Sub Zero and seeing that combo or even the Ping with the softer shaft so the test could come full circle!! But incredible content as always guys!
How does the ping 400 max compare to to Rogue regular?
Excellent test showing how a head dominates the results. Would love to then see the GD high launch shaft with the G400 Max to see how much the different shafts affects the results with a particular head.
Just wanna say I truly enjoy watching your videos. Definitely the most informative channel I've ever watched. Any chance you guys come to the States and do some fittings? I'd sign up in a heart beat!
Need an updated video.
Great video guys! very informative about the different characteristics for the heads and shafts! quick question, what ball does Matt use during these videos?
Usually using Srixon Z-star
Love the video...My misses tend to be hooks with my M1 2016 10.5 Tour Ad BB 6S...Might try moving the weight forward to reduce my hooks slightly...
fun stuff, isn't the Png setup almost exactly what Tony Finau has in his bag right now?
Pretty much!
Another great video, very interesting and informative. I have my driver fitting today with Cool Clubs in Irvine, CA. I’m hoping I can get a “10” also. I really like what Ian said “we measure, we don’t guess “. My life’s motto “one test result is worth a thousand expert opinions “. I’ll let you know how the fitting goes. Thanks again.
This is exactly what I was interested in, great video!
Ian & Matt, there's always something to learn watching your videos. I never knew the impact of CG position in a driver and 3 wood are different thus requiring different shaft bend profile. Actually I've wondered for quite a while why driver and 3 wood shaft are different in most bags I've seen. Now I know why. Thank you for the continuous education. I'm interested for the follow up videos of the iron shafts you did recently. I'm saving for the NS Pro Modus 3 120 for my MP 69 heads. Great videos guys.
Been to Jason for a fitting. Fantastic job into a VA great vids guys.
Kevin Reynolds VA?
I always find it a very interesting process drilling down to see what head/shaft combos work best...would be curious to see how Matt's current gamer stacks up against other extreme combos and what, if anything, he gives up in his drivng numbers when playing golf vs pure long driving.. A++ gents !!
Love your videos.....will a lower loft reduce spin? Eg. 9.5 vs 10.5
For sure!
I have a taylormade r9 supertri driver would you say get fitted to a premium shaft to save money or just go spend £500 on a new driver £500 which I don't have
That explains why with new ping g lstec I'm getting a gentle left to right fade. Which is way more controllable than my hooky flight with old driver.
Great video as usual (-: Did you guys ever notice any difference in the SW people tested for when in the bay "swing for the fences" as opposed to on the course where you need a variety of shots?. When I have fit in the past I always tested a little better very heavy like D6 D7 range when I am swinging all out.....but when playing on the golf course hitting different shots I would always end up going back to about D4 range bc the D6 D7 would end up feeling too much.
We're due for a little bit more detailed video on swingweight, stay tuned!
At what RPM range does having the axis tilt get dangerous and cause too much curvature?
Depends on the ball speed, but speaking generally once you get under 2000rpm things can get pretty unstable.
TXG Tour Experience Golf 160-165mph. I plan on getting fit but I havnt been sure if getting closer to optimal spin rate (currently around 3,000) with moved up MOI or a higher spinning head with more forgiveness is the way to go.
Another really interesting video guys. I honestly think mat could use triggers brush and still kill it!! I’m looking for a new driver just now as my Titleist 917d3 is not giving me what I feel I should be getting from it. Got it set to 8.75 degrees with the Aldila a rogue stiff shaft and still hit it far too high with 3000 to 3500 revs. Wish you were still in Scotland Ian. PS my driver swing speed is 100mph
Look for a lower spin head Barry (TS3, Rogue SZ, M3, etc.)
Thanks for another great video! I'll use this informative session to confirm to the guys who stick to the dated rhetoric of all drivers are the same and shafts are more important. The tip of the day was the closure rate affected by CG. I knew this from a putter fitting years ago, but failed to apply that knowledge to my recent driver search. Cheers! Brad
But what are the cpm freq of the shafts? Get it measured. not what is stamped on the shadt. thnx
Fantastic video. If I could only afford the plane ticket to come get a fitting!
Once again a very useful video. Look forward to all your new videos!
Would love to see you guys test the Fuji Atmos shafts!
Great video! Do you think the results would have been the same with someone who only swings 95 MPH instead of Matt's 122 MPH??
Yup!!
Love this. Goes so far to silence those who reckon shaft doesn't matter that much it's just reg..stiff and x stiff...(then why so many options I say!!) 👍👍
You guys are incredible! Thanks for all the helpful demonstrations and explanations!
Brilliant as usual. The use of weights was very informative. Cheers
Really interesting thanks fellas, would be great to see results for all 4 options too, Accra with the sub zero and ad with the g400 too. Could really see how much each head affects Matt's flight.
Another educational video - keep them coming !!! Using the same shaft in both heads would have been interesting to watch.
Would have just been pretty similar results to what we tested. The idea was to show that even a counteracting shaft profile couldn't overcome the characteristics of the clubhead itself.
I have a 3 wood shaft that is pretty stiff, and I love the overall performance as far as the dispersion that I get and the quality shots that I hit. However, I want to launch it slightly higher. What can I do without changing the shaft???? Help please!
Is it an adjustable clubhead? If so adjust the loft up
no it is a glue in head.....Ping G10 fairway. I love the head and the shaft combo, I have played it since my senior year of college golf, but I want to add a little launch to it
Not sure there's a good option other than trying a different shaft Ryan!
what about lead tape on the sole plate? can I influence it enough by lowering CG that way?
Might a bit, careful of altering swingweight too drastically though
Ian's the man when it comes to matching the head to the shaft, he proved it when he
hooked up the gamer with a set of clubs. I need your phone number so I can book an
appointment with you the next time I go to Ontario. Great video by the way.
This is interesting. I’ve got the GD MJ R1 in my G400MAX set at 9.9 and love it. 88 mph swing.