T150s w/ Axiom 105 S -- Detailed Impressions

[SeaIsland]

I'm 65 and currently a 5HC. Swing speed w/ driver 96-101 (depending on the day). I load heavy but swing relatively smooth (i.e. I do not get along with soft tip shafts, which is probably why I liked the Modus 120s). Shafts I've gamed over the last 15 years include:

 

• MCI 120s Stiff
• SF i95s Stiff
• Recoil i95s Stiff
• Modus 105 Stiff
• SF i95s Regular 

 

Heads have included Apex Pros, Ping i500, 525, i230, Miura CB57s, Mizuno MMCs and Srixon ZX7s.

 

Just put Axiom 105 S in a set of T150s. Turn-keyed the deal in less than 48 hours. How? Checked with my club builder (Usher Golf, Savannah Georgia) who said, "Yes, come on up; Axioms are an excellent idea... have some in stock." I bought T150s off the rack at an Edwin Watts (traded-in i230s w/ SF R) and immediately took the clubs and preferred grips (UTX mid) to Usher. I picked them up built to my spec 24 hours later (+.5, 1 degree up). The rack T150 Swing Weights were C9/D0 (no way I could hit these; I needed D3/D4). This required Usher to add 4 gram shaft tip weights, even though I had +.5 in shaft length in my favor (37.5/7 iron). Anyway, it was a close call, but they turned out perfect. If Usher couldn't get to D3, our fall back was to change grips to Tour Velvet mids, as they are much lighter than the UTX, and much lighter than the GP MMC +4 mids that I had been using in my i230s.

 

I went to the range (several times now). It took about a dozen swings to dial them in. I hit several thin to start (nothing harsh on the body) and then starting flushing the ball. As things progressed, I plainly noticed what felt like a "high ankle release" in these shafts, which was not a feeling I had ever experienced with any other graphite iron shaft. I felt enough unloading through impact that I even wondered if the Axioms weren't a little soft (which made no sense at this weight --and my swing speed). Usher said they would feel between 5.5 and 6.0, which is exactly what I wanted and he was right. Anyway, I was getting nearly 170 carry on 7 irons which is an 8 yard increase for me. The trajectory was perfect (launched high, carried mid/flat).  I'm not anticipating problems holding greens. My initial impressions were that the T150/Axioms may roll out a little more than my previous i230/SF set-up (maybe 5-8 yards) and that has proven to be my experience (~5900 on a 7 iron; 47 degree decent).

 

• I have never liked the feel of graphite, but my joints compel the choice. Didn't matter what I hit, all graphite felt dead to me compared to steel (except maybe the MCIs, but I digress). Obviously, I would get good numbers in fittings or I wouldn't have bought them, but never IMHO great feel. I'm saying the Axioms do feel significantly different/better.  You may not like them, but you won't say that you didn't notice a difference over the other usual suspects. If you're a Ventus Velocore player in your woods, I'm guessing you already know the "feel/performance difference" and may be hoping for the same in your irons? Well, you definitely won't be disappointed.

 

BTW, I was obsessing over whether to combo the T150s (or T200s) with each other or maybe the 350s (in the 4 and 5 iron). My friends yelled at me and said "go with the T150s (full set)." Bottom line, I followed their advice and I'm glad that I did. I've read several forgiveness comparisons between the i230 and T150. FTR, I always figured the i230 was more forgiving. I wouldn't say that anymore. For example, I hit a few T150 4 irons and flushed them (ball height, distance), so I knew right then that I had made the right decision.

 

FWIW: I was ready to go back to steel. Like I said, I was convinced a set involving some combination of 150s and/or 200s and/or 350s was the correct path, but kept hesitating knowing that if I made this choice, I would be setting myself up for constant tinkering. I then reminded myself that I'm not that good, so why add the variability? For those of you who successfully combo, please understand that I'm sharing what went on between my ears. Regardless, because they're expensive and I already spend too much on clubs, I wanted to believe the Axioms were going to be special. For me, they quickly lived up to the hype. I don't know how you compare them to other shafts, but if you force me, I would say they are smooth like MMTs (which I've tried, but didn't buy) but with significantly more load/unload feel (no dispersion issues, yet workable with the T150 heads). There is no way you buy these shafts and lose distance. And for me, the ball flight I am getting is EXACTLY the improvement I was hoping for, as the i230/SF R pairing went too high/was not exciting. This pairing is fun. Great distance, control and feel. Good surprises.

 

If you love the Ventus Velocore in your woods, these are no brainers. If you've never found a graphite shaft worth marrying, these may restore your faith in the institution.

Edited September 14, 2023 by SeaIsland
grammar

[Kamen]

Great write up thanks for sharing! I was interested in the axiom too but was recently fit into AMT Blacks. I’ve tried MCI and steelfibre in the past but I guess not quite ready to leave steel just yet. 

[Primo1868]

Hey! Chip is who does 95% of my work too. He is great!

[Davethegolfer]

Do you mind comparing the Axioms to the Modus 105 stiff for me

[SeaIsland]

On 9/14/2023 at 9:15 AM, Davethegolfer said:

Do you mind comparing the Axioms to the Modus 105 stiff for me

When you read about them, you'll see that AXIOM’s 3-part parallel shaft design enables 3 profiles. LP (long parallel) for long irons, MP (mid parallel) for mid irons, and SP (short parallel) for short irons. In layman's terms, Axiom's are easier to hit in the longer irons and more stout/less dispersion than the Modus 105 in the shorter irons. The separate parallel sections result in minimal tip trimming, allowing the integration of premium materials further down the shaft, which is why I say that they have a distinguished "high ankle" release point, versus the Modus 105, which is more traditional tip soft (IMHO).

 

Let me say it another way. The Axioms give you plenty of feedback. They feel very solid through the ball. They are easy to hit. The Modus have been described the same way, but FOR ME, the Axioms do the same stuff I like about Modus better; they are more dynamic across the set and generally speaking, easier too play with.

 

Both are great shafts, but I think the premium you pay for the Axiom manifests most noticeably in the longer irons (easier to launch, flatter ball flight and a little more spin). I'll bet I beat 30 4 irons today and enjoyed trying to shape and flight the ball differently. I  never would have stood there and hit 30 4 irons with my Modus 105s (or my steel fibers).  Not a chance.

Edited October 22, 2023 by SeaIsland

[supadupachalupa]

How did you like the MCI 120s versus the Axioms?

[SeaIsland]

13 minutes ago, supadupachalupa said:

How did you like the MCI 120s versus the Axioms?

I considered trying the MCI 100s this time around, but an expert whose opinion carries a lot of weight with me (and who happens to sell all-things-Fuji) didn't hesitate when recommending the Axioms over the MCIs. "It's old tech against new tech."

 

Obviously, what works for me may not work for you. That said, just because VeloCore has been successfully hyped doesn't mean there aren't meaningful advances behind it. Clearly, there are. For me, it seems like they've figured out how to deliver an ultra low torque shaft that doesn't feel like a 2X4 --at all.

[SofaKingPure]

Great write up. I’ve played both the Steelfiber i and fc in stiff and regular. I don’t like either…seems like you like the axioms much more. 

[stoneydukes]

Just reading this because I just pulled the same trigger. Coming from a set of 2022 T100S in MMT 95S with a T200 4 iron, I just popped on a set of T150s and will build with axiom 105S. I’ve tried pretty much everything you’ve tried and kept coming back to the MMT. I’ve also exclusively played Velocore driver shafts since they came out so I’ve been sold on that tech and functionality for my swing. 
Also, I’m 50 years old and play to about a 9 currently with my approach game being the primary loss of strokes in any given round. Recently I’ve had a few rounds where I hit greater than 80% of the fairways and less than a handful of greens. I recognize that the axioms will not be a miracle cure but I look forward to a little help in the T150 from the T100S heads and some more consistency from the axiom. Reading your review was so encouraging and very relatable , so thank you. I also play midsize grips and prefer a heavier SW. My current MMT 95S build is D3/D4 with midsize Larkin sonar. Will look to match that in the Axiom and it sounds achievable. 

Edited October 23, 2023 by stoneydukes

[gsrjc]

Nice. I play axiom 105s in a combo srixon set of MKII. 

[SeaIsland]

On 10/19/2023 at 1:04 AM, stoneydukes said:

Just reading this because I just pulled the same trigger. Coming from a set of 2022 T100S in MMT 95S with a T200 4 iron, I just popped on a set of T150s and will build with axiom 105S. I’ve tried pretty much everything you’ve tried and kept coming back to the MMT. I’ve also exclusively played Velociteach driver shafts since they came out so I’ve been sold on that tech and functionality for my swing. 
Also, I’m 50 years old and play to about a 9 currently with my approach game being the primary loss of strokes in any given round. Recently I’ve had a few rounds where I hit greater than 80% of the fairways and less than a handful of greens. I recognize that the axioms will not be a miracle cure but I look forward to a little help in the T150 from the T100 heads and some more consistency from the axiom. Reading your review was so encouraging and very relatable , so thank you. I also play midsize grips and prefer a heavier SW. My current MMT 95S build is D3/D4 with midsize Larkin sonar. Will look to match that in the Axiom and it sounds achievable. 

Let me know how things work out with your new set. I'm past the honeymoon period (when I wrote my post) and my appreciation for this set hasn't diminished; it's still growing.

[mws82]

I’m in my early 40s and have some joint issues in shoulder elbow and wrist. Steel shafts were making golf not fun anymore and I use Ventus in my woods and love them. So axiom came out and had the velecore so I jumped in blindly to graphite irons. Paired them with srixon zx7ii and have easily saved my game. 

[JimmyD]

@SeaIsland…. I have played similar set-ups to you in past (MMT 95(S), SF 95 ( & R) as well as Recoil 95’s.  I currently playing set of Apex TCB’s 5-GW.  I am quickly approaching my 66th birthday and I have found this year especially that my biggest weakness is in the long irons and when I hit the T series recently I found them very easy to launch and very forgiving.

I was recently fit into a combo set of T200 (5/6) & T150 (7-GW) but if I recall, there was minimal difference in the 5 & 6 iron with the T150. So I’m sure the struggling with do I go T150 all the way through the set?
 

Anyway, my question to you is, did you find any difference in Shaft weight moving from the 95g to a 105g in the Axioms? 
 

Appreciate your input…. thank you.

[cardoustie]

Seems like we have tried and play and like similar stuff 

 

I loved the 150s in my fitting at Titleist 

 

110s steelfibers for me now ..  i am on route to Florida and  brought my blueprints with Fuji Mci 100s in them 

 

playing in Ponte Vedre at noon 

 

also have a back up set of s55 w recoil 110’s 

[Morry]

I have this exact set....waiting for season to end in November and then try/test them over winter against gamer set of King Tour with modus 105-s in them 

First time with graphite shafts.....pumped to try this combo in all fronts

will revert once get into it in December 

 

[SeaIsland]

On 10/29/2023 at 6:50 AM, JimmyD said:

@SeaIsland…. I have played similar set-ups to you in past (MMT 95(S), SF 95 ( & R) as well as Recoil 95’s.  I currently playing set of Apex TCB’s 5-GW.  I am quickly approaching my 66th birthday and I have found this year especially that my biggest weakness is in the long irons and when I hit the T series recently I found them very easy to launch and very forgiving.

I was recently fit into a combo set of T200 (5/6) & T150 (7-GW) but if I recall, there was minimal difference in the 5 & 6 iron with the T150. So I’m sure the struggling with do I go T150 all the way through the set?
 

Anyway, my question to you is, did you find any difference in Shaft weight moving from the 95g to a 105g in the Axioms? 
 

Appreciate your input…. thank you.

The older we get (I'm close to 66), the more pressure we feel to go with lighter shafts. I know I felt it (my peers all seem to be sporting shaft weights that match their age), but I never liked the way their clubs felt, so I could never make myself pull the trigger on anything lighter than 95s. At the same time, I also started to realize that paying attention to swing weight was probably more important. I know I need to feel the club head.

 

I'm not a truck, but I'm built bigger than most guys, so I suppose I should mention that.

 

Anyway, I was traveling, had a chance to play, and borrowed a set of Apex Pros w/ C-taper 120s (at that time, my clubs had SF 95s). Those "heavier clubs" felt great to me.  It was that experience, combined with buying T150s that were C9/D0 off the rack (despite coming with PX 6.0s) and not liking how they felt. But I didn't care, because I knew I was getting the Axioms and assumed I could get the "feel problem" fixed. What I learned is that it's not always automatic to get to your preferred SW without some professional tinkering. Obviously, head weight, shaft weight/length and grip size/weight all factor-in. My club builder had to use 4g tip weights to get to D3/D4. When I picked them up they felt great (big difference) and honestly, I haven't thought about shaft weight since. Don't worry about the potential negatives because there aren't any. Look forward to the positives, as there are several.

 

IMHO, replicate the swing weight that works best for you (pay close attention to it) and the 10 gram shaft difference will be meaningless.

[MMB1500]

Nice write up. Did your club builder weigh the T150 heads? I'm curious why the swing weights were so light off the rack. Just lighter head weights in general compared to other similar irons? 

[stoneydukes]

I'm about ready to do my build. FWIW, my T150 heads are almost exactly the same weight as my T100S.

 

That said, I did my own build with MMT 95S that want to SW heavy to begin with. I didn't have to add much weight at all to get to my preferred D3-D4 with midsize grips (56g)

Edited October 31, 2023 by stoneydukes

[KingKong]

I was trying to explain this to a friend recently...that the Axiom has a feel all to it's own when compared to other graphite iron shafts. 

 

I agree with everything you've said. These things are in a word: consistent. 

[SeaIsland]

3 hours ago, stoneydukes said:

I'm about ready to do my build. FWIW, my T150 heads are almost exactly the same weight as my T100S

 

15 hours ago, MMB1500 said:

Nice write up. Did your club builder weigh the T150 heads? I'm curious why the swing weights were so light off the rack. Just lighter head weights in general compared to other similar irons? 

Good question. I don't recall that he weighed them. I just know that I made a comment about not liking the SW when I handed them over to him. He immediately put them on a measurement device that revealed C9/D0, and we both knew that was wrong for me. When he said he inserted a 4 gram tip weight to get the SW right, the math obviously made sense. Anyway, as to why they were C9/D0 off the rack. I want to say poor QC, but that doesn't really make sense either. The head weights must have been lighter versions... Edwin Watts probably can't specify what they get as their allocation.

[ob1soccer]

this is great information, thanks

[ob1soccer]

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