Hireko Forum

msf1646@msn.com · Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Messages: 70 Offline

Jeff,

I have Q2 hybrids with Cadence 75HL shafts. If I consciously try to swing very smoothly they go straight. If I take my normal iron swing, which is a littlle more aggressive, I hit hooks. Is there a shaft change I could make that would allow me to staighten my shots out using my normal iron swing?

Thanks,
Mark

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

Mark:

I might suggest the same shaft you have in your irons if you don't hook those. The Q2 is draw biased, so the shaft by itself may only make a slight change unless the shaft in your irons is much stiffer.

Jeff Summitt

msf1646@msn.com · Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Messages: 70 Offline

Jeff,

My irons are large offset, game improvement with TT lite XL shafts. I do not hook these with my normal swing. The TT lite shafts are fairly heavy and at some point I'm going to make new irons with lighter weight steel shafts, so I really don't want to have to use the TT lites in these hybrids. Are there some lighter weight steel shafts that might work for me? I was looking at trying new irons with steel in the 100g area.

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

Mark:

Take a look at the Spectre Lite. These have similar qualities as the TT Lite, but lighter.

Jeff Summitt

msf1646@msn.com · Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Messages: 70 Offline

I watched the DSFI shaft webinar....very interesting. I know that you said to treat the different shaft materials separately, but this got me thinking. Would a graphite shaft with similar DSFI data to the Spectra lite shaft have similar performance characteristics? I found a few S flex graphites with similar numbers. I gathered from the webinar that the data was more indicative than the letter designation. Were you recommending the steel because it is stiffer like my steel iron shafts or for the additional weight? Or maybe a combination of both?

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

Chances are if a graphite iron shaft has a similar DSFI rating, then it will be a fairly heavy shaft. It is not just stiffness, but the weight that provides some of the performance characteristics. But if you were to compare a 110g steel shaft with a DFSI of 70 with a 70g graphite shaft with the same DSFI rating of 70, the graphite would most likely be stiffer, but those two shafts would be for completely different individuals.

Weight, like length, are two of the most important fitting parameters.

Jeff Summitt

msf1646@msn.com · Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Messages: 70 Offline

My current iron shafts are TT lite XL -R flex. Should I be looking at the Spectra lite in R or S flex?

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

The TT Lite and Spectre Lite are very similar in their stiffness so I would opt for R-flex if you are content with the flex of your irons.

Jeff Summitt

msf1646@msn.com · Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Messages: 70 Offline

Well, I've been using the steel shaft in the Q2's for about 3 weeks but have not cured the hook tendency issue. So now I'm thinking of switching to a semi-offset [more neutral] head design. I'm looking at Acer XK & Caiman hybrids. Could you explain the playing characteristics of these heads. The specs look fairly similar. Why would I choose one of these over the other? Also I would like to pull the shafts from my Q2's and use in these heads. Are the BBTG and insertion depth measurements the same on all these heads?

Thanks,
Mark

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

Mark:

The XK is slightly more draw biased, at least when I hit the two, I am more prone to hit the ball not as far left with the Caiman. However, the differences are subtle. If you hooking, then you will need much more help than a semi-offset hosel. Take a look at the Prophet ICT hybrid.

The bottom of bores are all close enough to one another that is should not make a noticeable change in length.

Jeff Summitt

msf1646@msn.com · Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Messages: 70 Offline

Jeff,

1. How does prophet ICT compare to the old MGD? Is face length longer or head size larger? How do playability characteristics compare? I actually have a couple of MGD's but was always inconsistent with them....sometimes pull, sometimes slice.
2. Caiman and XK similar distances?
3. I was browsing tech articles last night and read this one http://blog.hirekogolf.com/2008/05/07/does-your-ball-position-really-matter-when-choosing-the-right-hybrid/. Maybe repositioning ball in my stance [further back?] will help with Q2 hook tendency. I seem to have difficulty getting square face alignment with Q2...some clubs when you set them down they visually set up square without much effort. I am not getting that easy visual setup with the Q2 [easy to setup with face a little closed if I don't pay close attention].

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

1. The old MGD would have been very similar except that the variable stainless steel crown of the ICT was replaced by a thin carbon piece and the variable stainless steel face was replaced by a maraging steel face.

2. Probably not a big enough amount to notice.

3. Most people who have played the Q2 hybrid find the square profile easy to produce a square set up. If it looks closed to you, perhaps you have the club positioned too far forward in your stance. You might have to play with position at the range because the distance may be the width of a ball or two between a hook and a manageable draw.

Jeff Summitt

msf1646@msn.com · Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Messages: 70 Offline

Thanks Jeff for advise. I had a chance to play 9 last night and moved ball back in my stance and was actually able to hit a few good Q2 hybrids when called on. I will have to go to range and work on this to see if the ball placement change is a repeatable and consistent fix...not just luck.

Is there any distance difference between Q2's and XK/Caimans?

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

Now you can see why ball position is a big factor in accuracy.

The Q2's have less face progression and more likely to draw or hit the ball further left (for a right handed golfer) than either the XK or Caiman.

Jeff Summitt