Reshafting the TS-1’s with graphite should still provide you with the great feel. Makes sense to go with the graphite for the same reasons Bill stated. Lowers the overall weight of the club and should be easier to swing. As far as the distance, that will be determined more by the lofts than anything else. Not sure which KE4’s you have, but if the lofts of the TS-1’s are similar or stronger, then you should hit them as far or farther. If the lofts are weaker on the TS1’s than the KE4’s your playing, then you might not hit them as far.
Let us know how it works out.
Britt Lindsey
I’m up just behind you at 70. I can safely say that the Maltby forgings feel great with graphite shafts, and I can say that I gained some distance using graphite. The overall weight of the club is decreased, and the fact you may swing the club faster will probably translate to a little more distance. Certainly more than stiff steel.
In looking at the raw shaft frequency numbers in our database, the Zelos 8 is more flexible in butt frequency, and in all the zones actually, in the R flex than the 950 GH or the Modus 105. What that translates in finished club frequency I don’t know since we don’t test all the shafts cut to specific playing lengths and head weights. All the Zelos models are more flexible per flex than other models. Zelos 6 is more flexible than Zelos 7, 7 is more flexible than 8, etc. Lightweight and flexible is the target. Since there are no standards for flex from one manufacturer to the next, or even one model to the next with the same manufacturer, they can and do designate “R” or “S” or whatever flex within that model. The Zelos 8 R flex may be more like an A or L compared to others, as your testing has indicated.
I did talk to Jim, our resident shaft tester that does all the data gathering, and he said the Zelos is definitely softer across all models and flexes. So I think what you have is not an anomaly, but just what that shaft is. If you want a little lighter and not as flexible, the 850G Neo is firmer than the Zelos models, but not quite as firm as the 950GH and 950GH Neo.
Britt Lindsey
Have not thought too much about it. We have had requests to make lighter ones, but not heavier. Current model is 65g to 85g depending on the flex. I could see possibly a 95g option, but will need to do some research. The majority of graphite iron shafts we sell in all brands are 85 grams and below. Stiffer flexes we do sell some 85+ up to a few that ae 100+.
Thanks for the suggestion and we will do some research to see what the potential market would be for us if we did have some heavier MPF graphite shaft options.
Britt Lindsey
The head is a free wheeling object at impact. It operates on it’s own mass and dimensional characteristics. I know that is a hard concept to get ones head around, but it is true. Cochran and Stobbs came to that conclusion back in the 60’s. Within that truth, heads with horizontal cg’s more towards the heel can rotate more quickly than models with cg’s more towards the toe. However, the amount of this that can occur in irons is not as significant as it is in drivers simply because of the size of the head and the differences in the cg location that can exist. Much more likely to be able to create a draw bias in a 460 cc driver than a an iron head of reasonable and normal size.
Some will tell you that it is more difficult to “work” the ball with higher MOI designs than lower MOI designs. Actually, that is another false idea. If we assume one hits the ball in the center of the face, you can work the ball just as easily with a high MOI than a low MOI design. The difference in how much a ball will move between those two designs comes when the ball is hit off center. Higher MOI designs will move less. Path, face angle and club head speed control the direction and movement of the ball significantly more than any other element.
I doubt any player with today’s equipment could honestly say it’s more difficult to control the clubhead during the swing with any particular design just because of it’s cg location.
Britt Lindsey
No idea without measuring it. I have an idea, but would not want to say without measuring. Just looking at images might give some indication, but can’t be for sure, again, without going through our process.
Britt Lindsey
Do not currently have a LH #5 IST Hybrid in the works, but certainly something to consider. We will take a look.
Britt Lindsey
Generally, shortening by 1/4″ on the 5 wood should only drop the swing weight by 1.5 points, so with the 6 grams you added, but then shortening by 1/4″, my calculation is that the swing weight will go from around D2.6 to D1.2, so actually 1.4 points. Not sure what 4 Utility you have so I don’t know the head weight, but again, generally, the swing weight should go down approximately 1.5 points by shortening the club by 1/4″.
I have no problem with you shortening. You want the length to fit you first. If you are more comfortable with those clubs 1/4″ shorter, that is what they should be. Adjust the weight after. I would never change a length just to hit a swing weight number.
Britt Lindsey
Small corks is what we have used and what we sell, but any of the suggestions mentioned should work.
Britt Lindsey