Heavy club weight, significantly more stress on body?

[bmbsawy]

Hey all, posting here to hopefully get a more educated answer- I’ve heard Dr Mackenzie talk about the effect of increasing/decreasing weight on his Stack system and the varying effects on the body- 

 

Any thoughts on whether playing heavy shafts/clubs will cause more stress on the body in the LONG TERM? I’m not a big guy but pretty strong and move it fast. About 5’ 10” 180# playing x7’s at D6 swingweight. I love them but feel pretty beat up after 3 days or more or golf. Would moving down to 125g make a significant difference? I can suck it up but don’t want to be having issues a couple decades down the road. I lift 4-5 days a week and very fit- diligent with my mobility work and diet for what that is worth… 

[iacas]

I'm not sure the swing itself is why you feel beat up. I think it's more the combination of the walking, the mental energy expended… etc.

 

Even 95g to 125g shafts is… 30 grams. Six nickels worth. I don't know if shafts are why you feel beat up.

 

2 minutes ago, bmbsawy said:

Would moving down to 125g make a significant difference?

 

I think no, and the reasons for changing shafts would be more about fit for your golf game and swing, not fit for your fitness, if you get my meaning. 🙂 

 

Edited February 11, 2024 by iacas
Added quote

[bmbsawy]

Fwiw- I practice 5 days a week- not a ton of reps each day but doing a fair bit of swinging

[CSagan]

I went from those back to X100's recently but broke the x7's out again. I don't think there's a ton of difference and your body sorta adapts. Just eat enough, take care of your body. Rocco Mediate plays 7.0's (130grams) in his irons, he's an older not super strong looking guy and gets it around still somehow.

[phizzy30]

I doubt dropping down to 125 gram shafts will make a significant difference on how beat up you get.  It's more about shaft profile IMO.  C-taper, X7, PX 7.0(LS) are all heavy and linear and can take its toll on your elbows and wrists.  Also, there's only about a 5-10 gram difference between them and 125 gram shafts.  If you do run into joint issues in the future, you can always switch to LAGP L-Series or whatever else heavy/stiff composite/graphite option when the time comes.   

[SNIPERBBB]

are you a digger?

[bmbsawy]

7 minutes ago, SNIPERBBB said:

are you a digger?

Negative, have worked to pretty shallow this year. Do practice a lot off of mats but a good ball striker and I don’t notice much resistance through impact

[bmbsawy]

36 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

I doubt dropping down to 125 gram shafts will make a significant difference on how beat up you get.  It's more about shaft profile IMO.  C-taper, X7, PX 7.0(LS) are all heavy and linear and can take its toll on your elbows and wrists.  Also, there's only about a 5-10 gram difference between them and 125 gram shafts.  If you do run into joint issues in the future, you can always switch to LAGP L-Series or whatever else heavy/stiff composite/graphite option when the time comes.   

Sasho Mackenzie said something in that interview that made me think the extra weight (minimal static difference) may create a much larger stress dynamically. The x7 feel good to me, actually easier to hit than project x 6.5 and c-taper 130 so maybe I’ll just roll with them.

[PedronNiall]

I'd grab something in a heavy graphite option if you like the feel at a higher mass shaft but are having pain. You're going to get a lot more dampening in general from graphite and could see a bonus of tighter dispersion. Could always build one club to try a session with and see. If you're hitting off most mat compositions placed over concrete every bit helps.

[phizzy30]

10 hours ago, bmbsawy said:

Sasho Mackenzie said something in that interview that made me think the extra weight (minimal static difference) may create a much larger stress dynamically. The x7 feel good to me, actually easier to hit than project x 6.5 and c-taper 130 so maybe I’ll just roll with them.

You're in your 20's, correct?  I've seen your swing videos and you look young.  I was playing C-taper/X100 at your age.  Didn't switch to graphite until I was in my early 30's but that's because I broke one of my metacarpal bones and was having elbow issues.  I'd stick with the x7 rather than play a shaft that didn't fit me for fear of potentially injuring myself.     You're too young to worry about old age and injuries that haven't happened yet, lol. 

[bmbsawy]

Just now, phizzy30 said:

You're in your 20's, correct?  I've seen your swing videos and you look young.  I was playing C-taper/X100 at your age.  Didn't switch to graphite until I was in my early 30's but that's because I broke one of my metacarpal bones and was having elbow issues.  I'd stick with the x7 rather than play a shaft that didn't fit me for fear of potentially injuring myself.     You're too young to worry about old age and injuries that haven't happened yet, lol. 

I’m mid 30’s and starting to feel it! Haha. I agree- don’t want to change preemptively but if going lighter would maybe promote longevity it would be worth thinking about before that pain starts to set in… I might see if Dr Mac will respond to an email and if so I’ll report back

[SNIPERBBB]

2 minutes ago, bmbsawy said:

I’m mid 30’s and starting to feel it! Haha. I agree- don’t want to change preemptively but if going lighter would maybe promote longevity it would be worth thinking about before that pain starts to set in… I might see if Dr Mac will respond to an email and if so I’ll report back

Or perhaps you already have an underlying issue if you are having pains now? Have you checked with an sports med doc for a checkup? I'm a few years ahead of you and dont have that issue. Might not play as much though, 2-3 rounds a week during the season.  Got plenty of other issues, mainly from work injuries and wear and tear from playing baseball since the age of 4 and dragging coyote and beaver out of back 40's  to the truck lol.

[phizzy30]

Just now, bmbsawy said:

I’m mid 30’s and starting to feel it! Haha. I agree- don’t want to change preemptively but if going lighter would maybe promote longevity it would be worth thinking about before that pain starts to set in… I might see if Dr Mac will respond to an email and if so I’ll report back

You're still young.  Definitely shoot Sasho an email and see what he has to say. 

[ShortGolfer]

12 hours ago, bmbsawy said:

Negative, have worked to pretty shallow this year. Do practice a lot off of mats but a good ball striker and I don’t notice much resistance through impact

Mats can beat up your elbows.  Well known issue.

[bmbsawy]

1 hour ago, phizzy30 said:

You're still young.  Definitely shoot Sasho an email and see what he has to say. 

Replied back in about an hour.. what a guy! Said there would be no real impact to longevity by changing weight even 40g. Now to find another reason to change up the bag 😂