Project X Catalyst 80 vs. Steelfiber i80

[ShowMe]

Anybody have experience with both the Project X Catalyst 80 and the Steelfiber i80 iron shafts?

 

Specifically, which shaft launches higher/lower with more/less spin?  Also, any feel comparison between the two.

[ChipNRun]

I had experience with the SF i80 in TM M-series irons at a golf expo, and the Catalyst 75 at golf shop in Callaway Mavrik series irons.

 

Both shafts were about 15 grams lighter than my steel current shafts, but felt solid and not feathery. 

 

This is odd, as I dropped stiff iron shafts ten years ago, but the SF i80 might work better for me in stiff.

 

The Catalyst 75 performance varied by the iron head I used. Mavrik Pro and std Mavrik didn't launch that well, but Mavrik Max flew quite well.

 

Also, parallel or taper tip versions would have different weight characteristics.

-------------------

I'm looking for graphite-shafted irons for future. Both would be on my short list for future iron fittings.

------------------

 

Both models have some variations. For SteelFiber

• SF fc80 (parallel tip) with flight control technology (a new version, read up on it)
• SF i80 (parallel tip) is midlaunch shaft, 85 grams uncut
• SF i80CW (continuous weight, taper tip) midlaunch, 85 grams

For Catalyst

• Catalyst 80 and Catalyst 80CW (continuous weight, taper), both come in 6.0 flex/low-mid launch, while 6.5 has low launch; 85 grams for both

Callaway irons appear to come stock with proprietary Catalyst shafts, in 65 / 75 /85 versions, not the True Temper open versions of Catalyst 60 / 70 / 80.

 

Due to variations in both models, you would have to test them out.

Edited October 26, 2020 by ChipNRun

[ShowMe]

Thanks for the feedback.  I currently play the SF i80CWs in my i210s, but am considering some new Cobra Forged Tecs with the Catalyst 80s.  Ping delayed the release of the i210 replacements until next Summer, and I can't wait until then.  Need something new now.  I have Golfwrx-itis.

 

The Catalyst 80s have a higher torque than the SF i80CWs, which usually means more spin and a higher ball flight.  I'm not looking for that.  I guess I could always go with the 6.5 to presumably cut down on launch and spin.

 

Anybody else have experience with these two shafts?

[Stuart_G]

On 11/7/2020 at 5:24 PM, ShowMe said:

 

The Catalyst 80s have a higher torque than the SF i80CWs, which usually means more spin and a higher ball flight.  I'm not looking for that.  I guess I could always go with the 6.5 to presumably cut down on launch and spin.

 

 

It's not the longitudinal torsional stiffness that determines launch/spin characteristics, it's the longitudinal stiffness.   Sometimes the two scale together sometimes they don't.   Now that being said, the steelfiber i-series generally are lower launching (stiffer tipped) than most other shafts of similar weight.

 

But keep in mind that for many players the shaft stiffness doesn't really play much of a part in the launch and spin, particularly for irons.   It's much better to pick the shaft for feel and consistency and focus on the head and loft for launch and spin.  

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/62891/the-practical-facts-about-spin-and-shaft-design/

 

Also realize that for some both the shaft weight and the swing weight can play a part in the release timing and dynamic loft delivered.  (e.g. too light can sometimes result in the swing getting 'flippy')

Edited November 9, 2020 by Stuart_G

[boggyman]

I’ve got 6.0 in the Catalyst you speak of. To me, they play a tad weak to flex. Mine are in a set of Cobra Fmax. Very smooth shaft for graphite but seems like the flight is higher than I expected. This could be the club head though. I like the shaft overall. Picked it blind. Good luck. 

Edited November 8, 2020 by boggyman

[jokerusn]

I've hit the i80 and I play a catalyst 80 in my driving iron.  I found the steelfiber to launch a touch higher but both are very stable.  It feels like the catalyst has a stiffer tip but I could be wrong.  The biggest difference is in feel but even then it's not that different.  The i80 feels a little firmer in the butt and middle where the catalyst feels stiffer in the tip.  Overall, it's going to come down to personal preference and your swing dynamics.  I think both are excellent shafts.