golfrewind.com

I am planning on building a new set of irons using Snake Eye 600 XC heads with standard Rifle 5.5 shafts. The clubs will be + 1/2 inch over standard length for all clubs. (5 iron will will be 38.25 inches). Golfsmith specs for the 5 iron head weight is 254 grams and the standard rifle shaft is 123 grams.
In this set up, because clubs are +1/2 inch over standard length, what flex will the clubs be with the Rifle 5.5 shaft ? Will these clubs play to a Rifle 5.0 flex? Wil the finished clubs be a D-2 or D-3?
Thanks,
Gary

My swing weight calculator software says D2.7, assuming a standard 51gram grip.

I've found the Golfsmith head weights to be to be very close to spec, so I would say right between D2 and D3. FWIW, I've built a lot of clubs and I can't tell the difference between D2 and D3 -- if you can then you are a better man than me.

As far as flex goes, I would expect them to play just a bit softer at +1/2" but again, I have never found that to be very noticeable with most people (myself included). Others with more experience with these shafts may have something more concrete to add.

I've never been able to tell minor differences in swingweight by feel. I have found that I very much like a low swingweighted driver though. In days past, I preferred a head-heavy feel with the driver. Now, I can barely feel the driver head with the heavier shaft I'm using now (85gr as opposed to the 60-65gr shafts I'd been using), and have been enjoying more control than I've ever had.

Thanks for the info.
Gary

Gary,

If all things are equal and your shafts are installed properly while taking in account the Bore Depth, Similar Swingweight, BBGM, and Head weight assuming your building your set to 5.5 and standard length then you should be looking at a set to would flex out to 5.3-5.2.

You should be able to request that your irons be built to 5.7 and standard length which will then allow the set to Frequency out at 5.5 built to .5" over.

Hope this helps and I hope didn't confuse you. If I did then please feel free to ask anymore questions you might have.

Solid Rock Golf, thanks for your response.
I am not sure I understand what BBGM is, can you explain for me?
Here is what Carlton said in an earlier post about Riffle shaft installation and a 5.0 flex Rifle, do you agree?
"A Rifle flex rating will only be accomplished if the club was built to Rifle standards, i.e. a Rifle flex of 5.0, is only a 5.0 when your 2 iron specs are D3 at 39" length, has a 2.5" hosel with 1.25" tip insertion. There are math and science involved when it comes to installing Rifle shafts."
Thanks,
Gary

That is a correct Statement. You learn all this when a clubmaker goes through the Certified Rifle Center Program. You also learn the tipping and changing of Frequency of each shaft.

So what he is saying is ... if you purchase a Rifle 5.0 already trimmed it will only work if the specs are correct with the above statement. Now you can acheive 5.0 if you are weighing out, checking the frequency, swingweight, head specs ...etc when building a set in house.

BBGM (stands for Bottom Bore Ground Measurement) The BBGM of these specs would be 1.25" (1.25" + 1.25" = 2.50")

I'd be surprised if the swing weight wasn't more like D4 to D5 at half inch longer than standard.

I appreciate everyones responses.
I purchased the Snake Eye Heads, 4 thru PW, and I will be purchasing the 5.5 Rifle Standard shafts.
My plans are to install the Rifle shafts at one soft step, e.g., putting the Rifle 3 iron shaft into the Snake Eyes 4 iron head and so on.
If I buy the packet of Rifle shafts of 3 thru PW, I will not have to buy and additional shafts and I will have the PW shaft left over?
The Rifle shaft install as I described above will play close to the flex or just a little softer than the Gold Dynamic S 200?
Thanks,
Gary

where could someone get more info about Rifle flex ratings?

"edit" i've found the info i needed. thanks anyways.

I understand the rifle shafts actually stiffen slightly when lengthened. Anyone know??

royalprecision

alot of info on their site.

They will actually soften a touch. Think of it as a stick that is 8 feet long... It will play softer at 8ft then it will at 6ft or 4ft or 2ft. So if you take a stick at 8ft and tip it to 7.5ft then you know that it has stiffened just slightly. All shafts will play this way!!!

Now with most shafts and the Rifles are no exception, the butt of the shaft will not stiffen the shaft as much as the tip of the shaft. So if you were to take .5" off the butt its not going to stiffen as much as taking the same amount of the tip. Same goes with adding length.