This is super nerdy and super cool. I think most would not be aware of this, really interesting. Thanks.

I've been using a foam "backing rod" in all my clubs for a while now and have been very satisfied with the results. It's low density 1/2" round foam used to fill cracks before applying canned insulation when weatherizing your home/shop etc. I twist it into the shaft until it won't go any further then I force it with a metal rod I have. Then I repeat until I'm satisfied the shaft has enough foam to serve the purpose. I normally wait until I'm gonna re-grip my clubs anyway to kill two birds with one stone. I get a 200 foot box (or thereabouts) off Amazon (keyword "foam backing rod") at a very low cost. Thanks A.J., TJ

Appreciate the honesty about knowing or not knowing if the dowel was installed and making a difference. I play MP69's. They would probably be classified as blades. Not sure how much a gram of wood would make. To your point, maybe someone like Tiger Woods might feel the difference. But not a 7 handicap.

I have heard of this. It’s for blades and solid body wedges.

I did this on a few sets and also experimented with silicon instead of epoxy to hold the dowel - I think it was better but as you say it's hard to tell. Now that I have issues with my hands I use foam "backer" - I think it's definitely worth it. I think Pings "cushin" system works better than sensicore too 🤷‍♂️

Could also drill a hole in the middle of the dowel and add weight. I realize it would be slightly higher up the shaft but would add swing weight. Also I did a build with KBS lite shafts and 5/16 dowels were smaller than the tip so lightweight steel might need slightly larger dowels.

golf is so good at giving players hope. Kind of want to try this now lol

Really cool info. Thanks for posting

Thanks for the Good and different information. You could add links to the Dowels and epoxy. I enjoyed seeing you hit balls vs just in the shop even though I also like the shop stuff.

I did this to my old school stainless steel Ping anser2 putter, but instead of a wooden dowel I used about 4-6" of pipe foam insulation cut in half and just shoved it as far down the shaft as I it would go.

Needed this trick when I had my MP 69s!!! Great video…

Agree the pure blade will express the difference more. But likely the ultimate difference is experienced across 1000s of balls hit and the lessening impact on your fatigue factor etc. Worth a try for the life cycle of one set of grips to see. Can't hurt anything

about to re-grip my clubs. I think I'll try this. in the past, i have injured the little muscles between the ribs after hitting a 7 iron from a Arizona hardpan lie. i was unable to golf for 6 weeks And have had sore hand parts when hitting a bucket every day. thanks.

As a blade player because that's what I learned on and still love the feel and workability, I'll consider this. I do think epoxy is overkill, especially for testing purposes. I'll report back if ever I try it--could be months or years though. Thanks.

Really like your content and your humble appearance.

Would love to see a video where you take a clubs head weight and incrementally increase it while shortening the shaft and seeing if increased head weight (mass) can compensate for a shorter shaft.

Better to try the 4iron on an old set of Titleist or Hogan blades. The 2-4 iron in my Ram Tour Grinds bring tears to your eyes if you don't catch the sweetspot, or close, on a cold spring morning.

I did this on a set of old MacGregor Muirfield 20th irons. They needed new shafts when I bought them so I decided to go all out with the build. I did the SST puring and installed hickory dowel’s. I am very pleased with how they came out. I don’t think the dowels dampen vibration much but do give the irons a incredibly solid feel. Now the SST puring was a game changer.

I think blades suffer mostly from "bad press". The sting factor is definitely there but when you nut one... there's no comparison this side of heaven.

Interesting info. Thanks.

Hmmm..sounds like the Sensicore inserts in my Harvey Penick irons...but those are metal...🤔

Cork is another old-time material instead of a wood dowel. You should have done the test blind - have two similar clubs ready to regrip, you leave the room when someone else adds the dowel and installs the grips. Then you test without knowing which was modified.

Can you make a video on Tiger stepping the wedge shafts? Or other wedge shaft trimming options?

Can you do this at the same time as assembly of an iron without screwing it up or would it be best to wait until the clubhead dries then ram in the dowels with expoxy?

I've read he also has his iron shafts tipped 1/4 inch

Thanks

I cant believe that Tiger Woods mishit a shot in his life 🤯

Simple often is the best solution.

wondering if dowel pins would work with graphite iron shafts

I have been using wood dowels in steel shafts for at least 20 years.

Understand the concept but I doubt that's how tiger woods' fitter would install them due to the fact there would likely be epoxy residue left in random spots down the inside of the shaft from dropping the dowel in

I pulled the wood pieces from my dresser and my dresser collapsed.

Most people that play a lot of golf can't even hit those irons lol.

So if I have a tip weight how do I add this inside? Do I just put it on top of the tip weight?

Wood squared!

Is this similar to the Ping cushin inserts they offered at one time? By the way you are very natural and relaxed in front of the camera.

LOVE your website. I just found it but I love it!! Where are you located? Thanks for all your information!

nonetheless it is a great video. Imma modify my mizuno muscle back irons with the wood dowels.

Would it make more of a difference on longer irons vs the shorter clubs/ wedges?

How about this on the driver?

When I was a kid, guys used to use buckshot

Do you think a 1/4” diameter wood plug would be the appropriate size for graphite shafts?

AJ , would this not make the shaft a little more tip stiff with that wooden dowel / peg installed.?

Interesting

Not much of a secret if we know about it 😉 Thanks for the info.

So if you have swing weight tip weighting, would these just sit on those weights already inserted at the tip? I remember True Temper selling a "Sensicor" shaft that was designed to limit vibration - how were they constructed? Also I read somewhere that Greg Norman practiced using graphite shafts to limit the vibrational effects on his joints, but reverted back to steel for tournament play. I don't know if is true or not. Interesting though!

How do the builders at taylormade feel about that? I'm sure they've figured something else out for him. Honestly blades don't really even hurt that much unless you're using a straight butter knife. I have Callaway prototypes and there not horrible.

You have the weirdest finish... The left elbow points straight backwards.

I'm all for not getting hand sting on a cold day, but I would still want to feel a miss hit?? FYI I play mizuno 919 tour irons.. and for this winter have gone for a cavity back AP1 716 iron.

Hi, how deep that should go in? I mean I tested it with shaft, and it left about 1,5-2” inches from bottom end. Should it go more deep or is that good?

It was exciting watching this video. I initially had older Callaway X20 and X24 irons. Because of being taller, I should have had modified them from the beginning adding one inch to them. A pro convinced Mt daughter to buy me Wilson's all modified one inch longer as a Christmas present which made it impossible to return them. It was mostly that I sensed more vibration that I modified the Callaways making them one inch longer. It just felt better. Later I learned that Wilson has a set one inch longer all with graphite shafts. Can you please comment on vibration differences when it comes to graphite shafts vs metal shafts. What are the trade-offs. I notice the discomfort mostly on my thumb joints, maybe related to thumb arthritis.

So I’m assuming the dowel doesn’t sit flush all the way around inside the shaft? This is normal/not a problem?

Wonder what other materials we are allowed to use? Maybe rubber at the bottom?

Tiger gets new clubs often. Wouldn't the wood collect moisture and promote rust and corrosion?

It’s illegal to do that to a baseball bat and use it in a game aka corking bat , supposed to make the ball fly farther .

Looks like Heritage GC

Good grief another thing I'm trying.

No data to back up or contradict your feel if the shot.

This is not how it should be done. You should put the wood dowel in at the tip of the shaft right before putting the head on that way you don't have loose epoxy running down the shaft from going through the grip end and then taking a chance on it rattling later. Common sense.

Question is for us in the north how does it dampen it in 45 degree weather?