Why this major winner is trying regular flex, graphite iron shafts

For years, super heavy and stout steel shafts like Dynamic Gold X100s or Project X 6.5s have dominated the PGA Tour.

But could lightweight and softer graphite shafts eventually capture some of the market share on Tour? Given the fast swings at the game’s highest level, it seems unlikely, but you never know until you try.

And 2016 PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker is trying it.

On this week’s episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped, co-host Johnny Wunder reported that Walker has been testing Fujikura’s Axiom 75R iron shafts in his clubs and been seeing pretty insane numbers.

“So they built up a 7-iron, and Jimmy’s normal ball speed with like a 7-iron is like 128 to 130 mph,” Wunder said. “So he doesn’t hammer his irons, but like he’s not like one of the holy gods where they’re like 140. He’s a normal tour player with his irons.

“He’s getting 135, 136 out of these regular shafts, but the ball’s still spinning 7-iron at 6,600, launching high. He’s like, I can turn them over, but I’m swinging 80 percent. I don’t have to work hard.”

So the real question is, how did Walker even arrive at the possibility of testing a shaft designed for much slower players?

Turns out, he took a couple rips with his father’s driver, which had a regular flex Fujikura Ventus shaft, and found that despite the soft flex, he was able to maintain the same ball speeds as his gamer.

His initial fears of hitting the ball way left were unfounded. So he went to a golf shop and asked someone to build him a 7-iron with lighter steel shafts, but someone suggested he try the Axioms.

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Fujikura Axiom Iron Shaft

AXIOM introduces an unparalleled level of iron shaft performance. For the first time, Fujikura’s proprietary VELOCORE TECHNOLOGY has been integrated into an iron shaft that delivers the same industry-leading performance gains initially introduced in VENTUS and VENTUS TR. Extreme accuracy and consistency combined with unmatched workability provide golfers the same level of confidence they’ve come to expect from VeloCore-powered products. Whatever the shot requires, AXIOM delivers.
VeloCore Technology is the engine that drives AXIOM iron performance. An extremely stable platform delivers optimized results on every shot through tightened dispersion, increased ball speeds, and improved accuracy. AXIOM is designed in a unique 3-parallel system that creates constant weight and decreasing torque values throughout the set. Comprised of a long parallel (#2, #3, #4), a mid parallel, (#5, #6, #7), and a short parallel (#8, #9, W), AXIOM allows for more versatility in design and material integration versus a single blank iron shaft. Each iron is specifically tipped to compliment each design, reducing SKU count while maximizing results.

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To Wunder and fellow co-host Jake Morrow, the idea is tempting, especially for days when you aren’t feeling your best and swinging 80 percent might be the limit. The issue is you have to swing 80 percent all the time, something Morrow said he could struggle to do.