Re: Component replacements for irons
Whatever you decide, get the best engine(shaft) for you and your swing. Read up on the designs of the various shafts and make your own choice to what you want your ball to do. Slower swing? Get a mid to low kick point shaft. we guys in our 50s aren't going to get any faster.
Have your guy at the very least spine the shafts. If he doesn't have a spine tool, I have found steel shafts will stop their roll neutral side up when rolled on a known flat surface. Roll it, where it stops using a marker, mark a 1 inch line 4-5 inches from the tip lengthwise. Roll it again, same spot? Good, that will give you your general neutral area. For best distance this neutral part of the shaft you want facing your target. The floor roll is not perfect but it's better than just sticking the shaft in such is what you'll get buying off the shelf unless stated otherwise.
In my endless hours of golf research
IMHO opinion.
1. Precision (Rifle) http://www.royalprecision.com/ has set the pace True Temper has woke up and playing catch up. FCM, Frequency Controled Matching. Means your 4.5 regular 5.0 regular+ flex is that. No more one company's R flex is another's stiff.
2. Nippon shafts? The latest must have in steel shafts. Lightest of all steel shafts close to graphite in weight. Steel has been known for accuracy although new graphite technology is closing this gap. Nippon does not brag about the magic their shaft creates hidden inside like Precision does. Tells me it's not there? I don't know I'm not a designer
Ah yes the clone and OEM factor
I personally would not like the 'I'm cheap' factor having a set of clones in my bag would broadcast. Do I care what others think of me? Not always a whole lot, but clubs are a personal thing. The ole saying "us guys date our drivers and putter but are married to our irons", if you know what I mean? Proud of what I have in my bag helps that confidence factor too.
Of course hitting the fairways and outdistancing my playing partners 100% of the time would do a lot for that confidence. If I found a clone that could do that no matter how ugly it was...well you know, "she might be ugly but man can she cook. Although not a clone my Ping eye2s fall into this category. Maybe not ugly but a plain Jane, no makeup, slightly plump, does most everything asked of her. Even though I pratice poligomy
(have more than one set of irons that is) I love her the most
I know that the OEMs have had to have done a lot of R&D in their iron development. Just because an iron 'looks like or compares to' doesn't mean it will IMHO. These are my thoughts, I'm not a designer
Take:
1. Callways late model X irons. That undercut cavity? Take your little finger and slip it under it , it's graduated distance from the back of the face on the long and short irons. The cheap knock offs/look alikes are all the same distance.
2. The Fusion? Patented chamber behind the face.
3. Big Bertha or Cleveland perimeter weight design? Easily duplicated, but how well did the knockoffs adjust that low weight behind the face.I'm sure the OEMs have gone though thousands of prototypes before they found the weighting was just right behind the center groove line, the 3rd groove line? Not sure where it is but doubt the knockoff would have gone thru so much reserch to find it either?
4. The Nike slingshot? Joining of the harder 455 stainless thinner face to the 431 stainless body. The knockoff just your regular cast 431 stainless head? How about that arch? Is it designed and placed just where the tests have shown it does the best? I'm betting it is.
The list goes on and on.
Clones/knockoffs have their place. For a brand new golfer he/she can get a set made for throw away price. Afterwards they find they really like the game, by then, have done their research and doing what your doing, asking around. The best of both worlds? The feel and the pride of being married to looks and can cook.
Some of us buy it for price, others for looks or feel and still others for magic. It really boils down to the Indian. A 5 or so handicapper is going to be able to beat us duffers with anything he/she hits with
my 2 cents, well considering how long, my buck twenty's worth
Whatever you decide, get the best engine(shaft) for you and your swing. Read up on the designs of the various shafts and make your own choice to what you want your ball to do. Slower swing? Get a mid to low kick point shaft. we guys in our 50s aren't going to get any faster.

Have your guy at the very least spine the shafts. If he doesn't have a spine tool, I have found steel shafts will stop their roll neutral side up when rolled on a known flat surface. Roll it, where it stops using a marker, mark a 1 inch line 4-5 inches from the tip lengthwise. Roll it again, same spot? Good, that will give you your general neutral area. For best distance this neutral part of the shaft you want facing your target. The floor roll is not perfect but it's better than just sticking the shaft in such is what you'll get buying off the shelf unless stated otherwise.
In my endless hours of golf research
IMHO opinion.
1. Precision (Rifle) http://www.royalprecision.com/ has set the pace True Temper has woke up and playing catch up. FCM, Frequency Controled Matching. Means your 4.5 regular 5.0 regular+ flex is that. No more one company's R flex is another's stiff.
2. Nippon shafts? The latest must have in steel shafts. Lightest of all steel shafts close to graphite in weight. Steel has been known for accuracy although new graphite technology is closing this gap. Nippon does not brag about the magic their shaft creates hidden inside like Precision does. Tells me it's not there? I don't know I'm not a designer
Ah yes the clone and OEM factor
I personally would not like the 'I'm cheap' factor having a set of clones in my bag would broadcast. Do I care what others think of me? Not always a whole lot, but clubs are a personal thing. The ole saying "us guys date our drivers and putter but are married to our irons", if you know what I mean? Proud of what I have in my bag helps that confidence factor too.
Of course hitting the fairways and outdistancing my playing partners 100% of the time would do a lot for that confidence. If I found a clone that could do that no matter how ugly it was...well you know, "she might be ugly but man can she cook. Although not a clone my Ping eye2s fall into this category. Maybe not ugly but a plain Jane, no makeup, slightly plump, does most everything asked of her. Even though I pratice poligomy

I know that the OEMs have had to have done a lot of R&D in their iron development. Just because an iron 'looks like or compares to' doesn't mean it will IMHO. These are my thoughts, I'm not a designer
Take:
1. Callways late model X irons. That undercut cavity? Take your little finger and slip it under it , it's graduated distance from the back of the face on the long and short irons. The cheap knock offs/look alikes are all the same distance.
2. The Fusion? Patented chamber behind the face.
3. Big Bertha or Cleveland perimeter weight design? Easily duplicated, but how well did the knockoffs adjust that low weight behind the face.I'm sure the OEMs have gone though thousands of prototypes before they found the weighting was just right behind the center groove line, the 3rd groove line? Not sure where it is but doubt the knockoff would have gone thru so much reserch to find it either?
4. The Nike slingshot? Joining of the harder 455 stainless thinner face to the 431 stainless body. The knockoff just your regular cast 431 stainless head? How about that arch? Is it designed and placed just where the tests have shown it does the best? I'm betting it is.
The list goes on and on.
Clones/knockoffs have their place. For a brand new golfer he/she can get a set made for throw away price. Afterwards they find they really like the game, by then, have done their research and doing what your doing, asking around. The best of both worlds? The feel and the pride of being married to looks and can cook.
Some of us buy it for price, others for looks or feel and still others for magic. It really boils down to the Indian. A 5 or so handicapper is going to be able to beat us duffers with anything he/she hits with
my 2 cents, well considering how long, my buck twenty's worth
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