Modern ProLaunch Blue alternates

[Architect]

I could use some advice on new or recent shaft alternatives to Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue 65-gram 2.8 torque. I'm currently playing it in my R1 Black set to 12-degrees loft and 3-degrees open. My swing speed is 109mph, aggressive transition, and a steep angle of attack. Current AoA is around 0 to -2, but am working with my swing coach on improving this.

 

Don't get me wrong, the weight and low kick point work well for me, and combined with this R1 head can produce some wonderful bombs. I'm wondering though if the torque is too low for my liking, as it can feel a little on the boardy side.

 

Can you guys recommend newer shaft options for me? Should I be looking at something with a little more torque? If so 3.5, 4.0? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. I'm a shaft novice!

[rhodesc44]

Perhaps a DI 6 or 7 X or UST ATTAS 3, both high launch low spinning shafts with a slightly higher torque being in the mid to low 3's.

[Stuart_G]

Torque only really contributes to the feel of the shaft when you make contact with the ball. If that's what you are feeling (or when you are feeling it) then yes you should consider a higher torque value. However, if your 'boardy' feel occurs during the swing itself (loading/unloading), then you most likely want a shaft with a little softer butt/mid section to go with the softer tip (don't worry about torque).

Don't have the software to compare the bend profiles but some other higher launching shafts to try in the same weight range might be:

aldila DVS, or Rip Beta. UST AxivCore Blue or Black, Diamana 'ilima or Kai'li

[hobbygolfer]

I checked the profile software and there are a bunch of shafts coming up, when looking for a PL Blue Alternative.

Here are a couple of those:

UST VTS 6
Miyazaki B.Asha 5S
Matrix Radix
MRC Kai'li

Regards,
Michael

[craniac76]

One cheap alternative is Graphite Design Aura blue. The only problem it has a torque of 4.8. A bit too high for your fast swing?

[cxx]

I'm not sure you'll like the softer feeling alternates. The prolaunch blue is kind of strange in that it can feel solid and deliver high launch, a flick as opposed to a big bend.

[BidenTP]

[quote name='hobbygolfer' timestamp='1392133565' post='8644067']
I checked the profile software and there are a bunch of shafts coming up, when looking for a PL Blue Alternative.

Here are a couple of those:

UST VTS 6
Miyazaki B.Asha 5S
Matrix Radix
MRC Kai'li

Regards,
Michael
[/quote]

I was wondering if you could let me know what the profile software says is a good alternative for the Graphite Design Tour AD Di7? I am currently looking at getting it in the TM Jetspeed driver, but I really dont want to spend the money for it if I can find an alternative that is just as good.

[Stuart_G]

[quote name='bidenn' timestamp='1392143313' post='8645107']
[quote name='hobbygolfer' timestamp='1392133565' post='8644067']
I checked the profile software and there are a bunch of shafts coming up, when looking for a PL Blue Alternative.

Here are a couple of those:

UST VTS 6
Miyazaki B.Asha 5S
Matrix Radix
MRC Kai'li

Regards,
Michael
[/quote]

I was wondering if you could let me know what the profile software says is a good alternative for the Graphite Design Tour AD Di7? I am currently looking at getting it in the TM Jetspeed driver, but I really dont want to spend the money for it if I can find an alternative that is just as good.
[/quote]

There is (or was) already a pretty extensive thread on that.
[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/507274-poor-mans-ad-di/"]http://www.golfwrx.c...oor-mans-ad-di/[/url]

Although most of it concentrates on the 60 gm version you should still find it useful.

[Architect]

[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1392136456' post='8644375']
One cheap alternative is Graphite Design Aura blue. The only problem it has a torque of 4.8. A bit too high for your fast swing?
[/quote]

Yeah, that's getting too far out. My old Rapture V2 had a torque of 4.4 if I remember correctly and that was too much for my liking.

[Architect]

[quote name='cxx' timestamp='1392142628' post='8645027']
I'm not sure you'll like the softer feeling alternates. The prolaunch blue is kind of strange in that it can feel solid and deliver high launch, a flick as opposed to a big bend.
[/quote]

Maybe 3.3-3.5 is a good step up from my current 2.8? Just enough to let up a bit off of the solid feel maybe.

[Howard_Jones]

[quote name='bidenn' timestamp='1392143313' post='8645107']
[quote name='hobbygolfer' timestamp='1392133565' post='8644067']
I checked the profile software and there are a bunch of shafts coming up, when looking for a PL Blue Alternative.

Here are a couple of those:

UST VTS 6
Miyazaki B.Asha 5S
Matrix Radix
MRC Kai'li

Regards,
Michael
[/quote]

I was wondering if you could let me know what the profile software says is a good alternative for the Graphite Design Tour AD Di7? I am currently looking at getting it in the TM Jetspeed driver, but I really dont want to spend the money for it if I can find an alternative that is just as good.
[/quote]

Tom Wishon Black series got a profile close to AD Di, but its either 65 or 85 grams, there is no 70 grams option

[Architect]

[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1392110620' post='8642731']
Torque only really contributes to the feel of the shaft when you make contact with the ball. If that's what you are feeling (or when you are feeling it) then yes you should consider a higher torque value. However, if your 'boardy' feel occurs during the swing itself (loading/unloading), then you most likely want a shaft with a little softer butt/mid section to go with the softer tip (don't worry about torque).

Don't have the software to compare the bend profiles but some other higher launching shafts to try in the same weight range might be:

aldila DVS, or Rip Beta. UST AxivCore Blue or Black, Diamana 'ilima or Kai'li
[/quote]

I believe I'm loading/unloading correctly as the ball flight looks correct. Thanks for the recommendations to check out.

[Architect]

[quote name='hobbygolfer' timestamp='1392133565' post='8644067']
I checked the profile software and there are a bunch of shafts coming up, when looking for a PL Blue Alternative.

Here are a couple of those:

UST VTS 6
Miyazaki B.Asha 5S
Matrix Radix
MRC Kai'li

Regards,
Michael
[/quote]

Thanks for the list! A couple of these overlap with Stuart G's recommendations as well. There seems to be a couple from each UST and Diamana shafts to compare against.

[Howard_Jones]

[quote name='Architect' timestamp='1392145845' post='8645445']
[quote name='cxx' timestamp='1392142628' post='8645027']
I'm not sure you'll like the softer feeling alternates. The prolaunch blue is kind of strange in that it can feel solid and deliver high launch, a flick as opposed to a big bend.
[/quote]

Maybe 3.3-3.5 is a good step up from my current 2.8? Just enough to let up a bit off of the solid feel maybe.
[/quote]

PL BLUE was designed with a lower TQ than normal, to offset a feel of a soft tip section.
A profile like this with a higher TQ will feel "wippy" or unstable for many players, so they made it this way on purpose
There is no Grafalloy or PX option close to PL Blue 65 in the same weight range

The new PL Blue Speed Coat is just below 60 grams

If you have a True Temper Performance Fitting Center in your area, go and give PFC Graphite 60 series a try
Depending on how you respond to that profile, launch might be the same, but this shaft is known for "smooth feel" but its just as stable as PL Blue and weight is officially 67 grams

[Stuart_G]

[quote name='Architect' timestamp='1392146040' post='8645461']
[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1392110620' post='8642731']
Torque only really contributes to the feel of the shaft when you make contact with the ball. If that's what you are feeling (or when you are feeling it) then yes you should consider a higher torque value. However, if your 'boardy' feel occurs during the swing itself (loading/unloading), then you most likely want a shaft with a little softer butt/mid section to go with the softer tip (don't worry about torque).

Don't have the software to compare the bend profiles but some other higher launching shafts to try in the same weight range might be:

aldila DVS, or Rip Beta. UST AxivCore Blue or Black, Diamana 'ilima or Kai'li
[/quote]

I believe I'm loading/unloading correctly as the ball flight looks correct. Thanks for the recommendations to check out.
[/quote]

I wasn't talking about if the load/unload was correct or not or implying that it might be. I was just trying to point out that it's important to know at what point during the swing does the shaft feel too stout to you. When exactly does it feel 'too stout'? Is it during the transition from back swing to down swing? Is it during the release? or is it just when you make contact with the ball?

[Architect]

[quote name='Howard Jones' timestamp='1392146461' post='8645515']
[quote name='Architect' timestamp='1392145845' post='8645445']
[quote name='cxx' timestamp='1392142628' post='8645027']
I'm not sure you'll like the softer feeling alternates. The prolaunch blue is kind of strange in that it can feel solid and deliver high launch, a flick as opposed to a big bend.
[/quote]

Maybe 3.3-3.5 is a good step up from my current 2.8? Just enough to let up a bit off of the solid feel maybe.
[/quote]

PL BLUE was designed with a lower TQ than normal, to offset a feel of a soft tip section.
A profile like this with a higher TQ will feel "wippy" or unstable for many players, so they made it this way on purpose
There is no Grafalloy or PX option close to PL Blue 65 in the same weight range

The new PL Blue Speed Coat is just below 60 grams

If you have a True Temper Performance Fitting Center in your area, go and give PFC Graphite 60 series a try
Depending on how you respond to that profile, launch might be the same, but this shaft is known for "smooth feel" but its just as stable as PL Blue and weight is officially 67 grams
[/quote]

Isn't the PFC Graphite 60 low/mid launch? I'm looking high.

[Architect]

[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1392146976' post='8645609']
[quote name='Architect' timestamp='1392146040' post='8645461']
[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1392110620' post='8642731']
Torque only really contributes to the feel of the shaft when you make contact with the ball. If that's what you are feeling (or when you are feeling it) then yes you should consider a higher torque value. However, if your 'boardy' feel occurs during the swing itself (loading/unloading), then you most likely want a shaft with a little softer butt/mid section to go with the softer tip (don't worry about torque).

Don't have the software to compare the bend profiles but some other higher launching shafts to try in the same weight range might be:

aldila DVS, or Rip Beta. UST AxivCore Blue or Black, Diamana 'ilima or Kai'li
[/quote]

I believe I'm loading/unloading correctly as the ball flight looks correct. Thanks for the recommendations to check out.
[/quote]

I wasn't talking about if the load/unload was correct or not or implying that it might be. I was just trying to point out that it's important to know at what point during the swing does the shaft feel too stout to you. When exactly does it feel 'too stout'? Is it during the transition from back swing to down swing? Is it during the release? or is it just when you make contact with the ball?
[/quote]

Ahhhh! I'm a little slow so bear with me!

It's been a few weeks since I've hit any balls, but I think the only point it feels stout is at impact. I'll play closer attention the next time I practice, which should be on an indoor launch monitor within the next week.