Callaway Optifit 2 (driver) vs Optifit 3 (3-wood) tip trimming question

[stuman74]

So, in my Ai Smoke Max D driver, I am using a shaft that I've had for a few years that I love (Aldila Rogue White 130 MSI).  I finally found another matching shaft on good 'ol Callaway Pre-Owned that is 10g heavier (driver shaft though) that I bought with the intent to change the adapter and put on my Ai Smoke 3-wood.  I pulled the Oprifit 2 adapter off without issue and plan to put on an Optifit 3 adapter (as needed for the 3-wood).

 

My question is, per that link for the Aldila shaft as well as many other shafts used in 3-woods, they recommend tipping the shaft by 1/2".  Is that a global norm?  The reason I ask is, the insertion depth as well as the adapter lengths of the Optifit 2 vs Optifit 3 adapters are a bit different.  Does that play into the tipping at all?

 

I was going to just take my matching driver shaft (that has the Optifit 2 adapter....I know how deep the shaft goes into that adapter) and lay it next to this bare new shaft matching up the logos on the shaft.  Then, shift it by 1/2" (3-wood shaft closer to the adatper end) and cut.  Is that the right way to do it?  Or dry fit everything first and go from there?  I just want to make sure I put on the Optifit 3 adapter proper with the right amount cut off at the tip.  I'll then later remove the grip at the butt end and cut it down a couple inches to get to my 43" total club length (that's the easier job).  Thanks!

[Stuart_G]

14 hours ago, stuman74 said:

My question is, per that link for the Aldila shaft as well as many other shafts used in 3-woods, they recommend tipping the shaft by 1/2". 

Is that a global norm?

 

The recommendation of 1/2" tipping for a 3wd is not a global norm.  It's the most common recommendation that we see for 3wd's but there are some shafts out there for which the recommendation might be different.   Some models might recommend 1" for any fairway,  some might recommend no tipping for a 3wd.

 

14 hours ago, stuman74 said:

The reason I ask is, the insertion depth as well as the adapter lengths of the Optifit 2 vs Optifit 3 adapters are a bit different.  Does that play into the tipping at all?

 

No, probably not.

 

First of all, remember the shaft OEM's recommendations are just that - recommendations.  Everyone is going to be a bit different as to whether those recommendations are going to give the best results for them or not.

 

By far the biggest factor in determining whether the recommended tipping should be adjusted is the final head weight (including the weight of any adapters).   And that can be influenced a bit play a change in playing length - if swing weight is adjusted properly.    As far as tipping amounts are concerned, the "standard" head weight for a 3wd is ~210 gm.   So if you want to see if there is any need to adjust the tipping, getting the weight of the head (+ adapter and any adjustments made for swing weight purposes) is the first place to start.

 

The next factor would be BBGM.  And while the BBGM does generally vary quite a bit between drivers and fairway woods (~1/4" to ~3/4") - it's really the drivers, not the fairways that are different from the "standard" BBGM for which the tipping recommendations are based on  (1-1/4" to 1-1/2").

 

From what I've seen, despite their different appearance, the bore depth really doesn't vary much between the two adapters and is not really that big of a factor in determining the amount of tipping anyway.

 

 

Edited December 10, 2024 by Stuart_G

[stuman74]

10 hours ago, Stuart_G said:

 

The recommendation of 1/2" tipping for a 3wd is not a global norm.  It's the most common recommendation that we see for 3wd's but there are some shafts out there for which the recommendation might be different.   Some models might recommend 1" for any fairway,  some might recommend no tipping for a 3wd.

 

 

No, probably not.

 

First of all, remember the shaft OEM's recommendations are just that - recommendations.  Everyone is going to be a bit different as to whether those recommendations are going to give the best results for them or not.

 

By far the biggest factor in determining whether the recommended tipping should be adjusted is the final head weight (including the weight of any adapters).   And that can be influenced a bit play a change in playing length - if swing weight is adjusted properly.    As far as tipping amounts are concerned, the "standard" head weight for a 3wd is ~210 gm.   So if you want to see if there is any need to adjust the tipping, getting the weight of the head (+ adapter and any adjustments made for swing weight purposes) is the first place to start.

 

The next factor would be BBGM.  And while the BBGM does generally vary quite a bit between drivers and fairway woods (~1/4" to ~3/4") - it's really the drivers, not the fairways that are different from the "standard" BBGM for which the tipping recommendations are based on  (1-1/4" to 1-1/2").

 

From what I've seen, despite their different appearance, the bore depth really doesn't vary much between the two adapters and is not really that big of a factor in determining the amount of tipping anyway.

 

 

Thanks Stuart!