Monthly Archives: July 2014

True Temper Dynamic Gold Pro Iron Shaft

True Temper DG Pro

DG Pro R300
DG Pro S300
DG Pro X100

By Russ Ryden, Fit2Score, A Dallas Fort Worth Club Fitter & Club Maker
The Golf Center at the Highlands, Carrollton Texas

DGProLabelsThe Dynamic Gold Pro iron shaft is now available to the public through True Temper Performance Fitting Centers.  Pro is a play on words, it is short for progressive.  In my golf vernacular the word flighted comes to mind to describe these shafts. But True Temper feels progressive is a better word to describe these sets of shafts.  They are sets. There are three different step patterns in each flex. The design promotes higher launch and spin on the long irons and lower launch and spin on the short irons.  There three step patterns in a set, 2-5, 6-8 and 9-W.  There is a unique design for the 9 iron and the wedge.  This is not always the case in many constant weight shaft sets.  These sets are not exactly constant weight. The weight of the raw shafts decrease slightly from 2 iron to wedge by around 6 grams.  I am told this was necessary to hit the bend profile targets.

The progressive design of these shafts came from tour experience. The modern ball is designed for low spin off of low lofted clubs. This carries over to long irons. Low spin is a benefit on clubs like drivers where the primary objective is distance. But on irons, where control, stability and stopping on impact is important, spin is the golfers friend. The design of the Dynamic Gold Pro “Progressive” is to make the long irons playable, add a little spin to the mid irons and keep the short irons much the same as the Dynamic Gold. We have not tested a set, but the bend profiles indicate a truly progressive set, shaft to shaft through out the set.

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Russ

The length of the tips, the distance between the tip and the first step are different in each flex design. That results in a different launch between the three designs. This, combined with making the softer flex models lighter is a great update to this iconic brand.

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Russ

Mitsubishi Bassara Phoenix UltraLite Driver Shaft

Mitsubishi Bassara P UltraLite Driver Shaft

By Russ Ryden, Fit2Score, A Dallas Fort Worth Club Fitter & Club Maker
The Golf Center at the Highlands, Carrollton Texas

Bassara_Phoenix_Image

In 2013, Mitsubishi Rayon began the introduction of shafts that are available only from Authorized Mitsubishi ClubFitters. The UltraLight Bassara Phoenix released in 2014, is the third such shaft.. The color is dramatic, a burnt orange with a clear coat finish. The bend profile is a perfect match to the KuroKage Proto TINI, the first of the fitter only shafts. That profile is one of my favorites for a well trained swing. TINI stands for Titanium Nickel Wire. It was first use in the Ultralight Bassara “G” series shafts. It is now being added to many shafts. It is a high elastic material that can stretch and immediately regain its original shape. In addition to storing and releasing energy, it stabilizes the shaft tip.

TINI_illustrationTip stability results in tight dispersion. A consistent loss of stiffness makes this profile easy to load and many find it adds dramatic distance to their drives. The KuroKage Proto TINI is only available in 5 models ranging from 60S to 70XX. The Bassara Phoenix completes the range, starting with a  30 gram L flex and ascending to a 59 gram TS flex.

Bassara_Phoenix_EiGjTb

The radial consistency is excellent, averaging 99.4% with a 0.3% standard deviation. If we look for similar designs in iron shafts, the KBS Tour is the closest bend profile design. Both have a consistent loss of stiffness from butt to tip, Near the tip, the stiffness increases to stablize the head during impact. With such designs, tipping will actually remove some of the tip stiffness. With the Bassara Phoenix, if you want more stiffness, get a heavier, stiffer shaft. Tipping is not recommended for this shaft. Alignment of the Phoenix is not necessary nor will it be beneficial. The radial consistency of the Phoenix makes it excellent for rotating hosels.
Bassaras_EiGjA comparison of the current Bassara UltraLight models shows the Phoenix and the Wyvern to be quite similar. The Phoenix profile indicates a little more launch. The Phoenix is modeled after the ilima profile. In fitting after fitting, I put more ilima’s into fairways metals than all other shafts combined. The 53TS Bassara Phoenix is a great shaft if you are looking to build an ultralight fairway.

This shaft is available at shop.golfshaft.reviews 

To continue reading this section of the review, you must be registered at a higher level membership.
Russ