If anyone else is looking for some modern solutions tomorrow install steel shafts, I was able to get some .355 41” c tapers into some .350 adapters.
I found a Srixon z785 FL for the driver and with the 41” shaft it’s playing 43 3/8”.
For 3 wood I grabbed a Ping G430 and it’s playing around 42.5”.
Both in the flattest most open setting.
Longer write up I did for a different post:
I put 41” 130g x flex steel 2 iron shafts in my Driver and 3 wood. The tough part was getting the .355 shafts into .350 adapters.
Why - the lefts. I have been battling left misses the last couple years. I can change my grip and swing to hit cuts but I hate both of those changes. I am going heavy, stiff, and flat with my equipment to eliminate the left side.
How - had to sand the tip for a very long time. I figured .005” would come off in a couple twists with some sand paper. I was wrong. Very wrong. After sanding for 30 mins by hand I had only taken off like .002”. I busted out the Dremel and started grinding. The shafts are only about .035” this so I ended up removing 15% of the total material. That does have me a bit worried but have very limited options for steel wood shafts.
Results - sledge hammers. These clubs are heavy. I currently have some jumbomax ultralites on them. The total weight for driver is up from ~12oz to 14.7oz. The total weight for the 3W is up to 14.2oz. I don’t have a swing weight machine but I’d assume High D to Low E. I have both adapters set as flat and open as possible. I don’t have a protractor but I am guessing that the driver is around 55° lie angle (60° is pretty standard) and the 3W is at 54°. I bought shaft extenders but when the shafts were installed the driver was at 43.25” and the 3W at 42”. Not perfect but close enough.
I played 9 holes with them today and really enjoyed swing them. I am still able to draw the 3W but really have to work for it. The driver I wasn’t able to draw it at all. The shafts have a great loading and kick to them which surprised me. I’ve played some 80g x flex graphite shafts that felt harder to swing because I couldn’t load them properly. The shorter shafts definitely help accuracy and contact. I also liked the extra weight at transition. It helped smooth out the vertical drop. Most importantly to me - no hooks.
Was able to hit a couple with the 3W in the garage to get some club/ball data on the simulator. Swing speed and ball speed are both down but not nearly as much as I expected. 4-5% on swing speed and a little lower than that on ball speed. About 15-20 yards shorter than a my stock 3 wood. Swing path moved 3° closer to 0° and attack angle went from 3 up to 1 down. Pretty much matched what I was seeing on the course in terms of flight pattern and distances.