Grafalloy ProLaunch Platinum

[bigdriveandy]

Reviews/Comparisons?

Has anyone hit this shaft? If so, how does it play, and in what head have you tried it in? Also, what other shafts would you compare it to? I don't know anything about this shaft, and I was wondering what kind of golfer Grafalloy was going after with this offering.
As an aside, I am pleased to see it is being offered in a variety of weights, a shortcoming of the PL Red IMO.
Any input would be appreciated!

-Ian

[nunee]

I went for it and had my SQ Max shafted up with this. I had not really hit it, so this was a calculated gamble based on my readings and experience. I tried the Pro Launch and really liked it when it came out. But I never did get it in a driver. I tried the PL red at a recent demo day, it was OK, but felt a touch too stiff in the tip for me. Performance was good, but the feel was just a touch off.

 

So got it installed, as I needed a shaft that would bring my flight down, but not real low like an NV, blue or PL Red. The Platinum fit the bill so I went for it.

 

Picked it up today, after a decent session in witht he launch monitor I learned the following:

 

1) I need to work on my swing.

2) this is a REAL nice shaft. Even the shop owner mentioned it. (Granted, the deal was done too. The shaft was paid for and installed, so there was nothing to sell at this point.)

 

The shaft is VERY solid, very stable. It has a good action too, a nice kick without being too loose. It is right between the PL Blue and the PL Red, as you would expect. Where the PLB feels like a bing swing.kick, and the red is a smaller kick, with a lot more tip stiffness, the Platinum is the best of all worlds.

 

Of the shafts I have tried it is most comparable to the VS Proto, IMO, but a bit more stable/tighter. Really a great shaft, came out better than I had hoped.

[bigstunnerdude]

That's an interesting review nunee.

 

I work in a Golf Shop and one Manufacturer is really pushing the Graffalloy Prolaunch Platinun as the No.1 Stock Shaft in their clubs. However as yet no one has bought a club with that shaft. Either upgrading to a Prolaunch Blue, Prolaunch Red or an Aldila Offering.

 

People who have tried the clubs haven't been to complimentary about the Prolaunch Platinum Fitted Ones. Myself and Colleagues have tried them as well and seem to agree with the customers. The shaft is too soft. The real test was when we tried irons fitted with steel shafts and then the Platinum and the same Irons with an Aldila Iron Shaft. After hitting the Platinum Irons people complained about having soreness in their elbows and wrists. I myself tried it and found then shaft to be quite shocking in the actual sense. When you hit a ball you really feel it in your joints. Now my theory on that is due to the softness of the shaft, your hitting the ball with the club at the point of its maximum flex and there is then zero give. The Steel Irons where the best by far as you'd imagine. The Aldila Shafted ones performed quite well and customers generally wanting graphite take that option. No one however was interested in the Platinum. Who wants a club that hurts you physically?

 

With the Woods even with Stiff Shafted Models the amount on people complaining they were having to slow their swings down and wait for the clubhead to catch up.

 

I also find it difficult to believe you reckon its comparable to the VS Proto. Thats a low torque, low spin, low launch shaft and the Platinum from what I've seen and tested is the total opposite. I would say its only a marginal stepdown from the Prolaunch Blue in terms of torque, spin and launch angle.

[lologolf]

"The shaft is VERY solid, very stable. It has a good action too, a nice kick without being too loose"

 

I agree with this statement for my swing, I had a platinum 65s put in a r7 425 head 10.5*, ss is mid to high high 90's, I like the trajectory and distance although just a tad shorter than the g10 I have but straight to a slight fade ball flight the last couple time on the range.

 

I am toying with the idea of ordering a G10 with this shaft, but I need to take out on the course when/if the weather decides it is spring, forecast for possible rain/snow the rest of the week.

[akaone]

I have a G10 with this shaft in it and have really enjoyed it these last few weeks. It is definitely a very stable shaft. I swing 110 and am playing this thing in 65S

[hattrick3518]

im looking to get a new shaft in my 905R and i dont really wanna shell out $300 so the PL platinum is on the list for the more affordable options, has anyone hit this in a titleist head?

[rogue]

I have the Platinum 65 S in a MX500 head. I was playing a Blue stiff in a 905T and found that it was just a little too much shaft like on a scale of 1-5 it was a 2.5 or so too much (It could have been the thru bore). I agree with lologolf comment "The shaft is VERY solid, very stable. It has a good action too, a nice kick without being too loose". When I can generally feel the bend in a shaft it tends to feel to whippy to me but this shaft does not fell whippy. I also find that the description of the ball flight in the ads is accurate for me as well. I have Prolites in my fwywoods and think if you like the Prolite you will like this shaft too. I am very happy with this shaft. Hope this helps.

[vsatir07]

you guys should all keep in mind the fact that the stock shafts manufacturers put in are not 100% the real deal. they are OEMs. (i.e. the VS proto that comes in D1s D2s and SQ2s.) same thing with some of the new DVS In the new MacGregor driver and the Adams Inisght for 2008. The shafts are supposed to have similar characteristics but are not infact made the same. Like the VS proto stock shaft in those clubs has simliar kick point and torque, but is not made with the nanotube technology Aldila praises.

 

so when youre comparing shafts, remember that you need to check out the actual ones, not OEMs.

[wildwilly911]

you guys should all keep in mind the fact that the stock shafts manufacturers put in are not 100% the real deal. they are OEMs. (i.e. the VS proto that comes in D1s D2s and SQ2s.) same thing with some of the new DVS In the new MacGregor driver and the Adams Inisght for 2008. The shafts are supposed to have similar characteristics but are not infact made the same. Like the VS proto stock shaft in those clubs has simliar kick point and torque, but is not made with the nanotube technology Aldila praises.

 

so when youre comparing shafts, remember that you need to check out the actual ones, not OEMs.

your wrong, theres a thread hear where this was just covered.

[dcrsx]

I have the R flex in a Hyper X and I can't agree with the stunner's too soft comment at all. I usually play heavier shafts (Comp NT 85 R) for stability and the R flex (which is sub 60) feels every bit as stable. A great shaft.

[vsatir07]

you guys should all keep in mind the fact that the stock shafts manufacturers put in are not 100% the real deal. they are OEMs. (i.e. the VS proto that comes in D1s D2s and SQ2s.) same thing with some of the new DVS In the new MacGregor driver and the Adams Inisght for 2008. The shafts are supposed to have similar characteristics but are not infact made the same. Like the VS proto stock shaft in those clubs has simliar kick point and torque, but is not made with the nanotube technology Aldila praises.

 

so when youre comparing shafts, remember that you need to check out the actual ones, not OEMs.

your wrong, theres a thread hear where this was just covered.

 

 

Am I wrong? I read the thread too bud.

 

The Aldila VS Proto comes in 60 70 and 80 grams and is 180+ dollars. the Vs 65 that is offered in oem clubs has the same characteristics of the vs proto as well as paint scheme but is not the same materials. It ultimatly is a proprietary aldila shaft at a much lower cost to produce. They dont give away near 200 dollar shafts for free.

 

Other companies do the same thing like the titleist speeders and pro 95s you see all over the place. Simialr profile but not the same materials. Cobra has a diamana as well as nike and niether are the real blue or redboard because those shafts cost as much as the assembled club in most cases. Not saying there is anything wrong with the shafts but dont be fooled.

 

Cheers

Scott

 

now last time i checked d1s and d2s all have 65-s or 65-r etc.

 

link: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/lofiversion/...hp/t147803.html

 

thanks though