Introduction
By: Matt Saternus
The shots of a tour pro, whether with a driver or a wedge, all share approximately the same apex. The shots of Joe Hacker…not so much. Gopher-killing long irons and wedges that threaten airplanes are more the norm at your local muni.
To help us amateur players hit our shots more like the pros, True Temper has released the Dynamic Gold DG Pro iron shaft. The goal of the DG Pro is to bring the flight of the short irons down while getting the long irons up. The result should be that all of shots apex at about the same height, just like the pros.
Does the reality line up with that plan?
I dusted off my 3 iron to find out.
Specs, Price, and Manufacturer Notes
According to True Temper, the DG Pro offers golfers “progressive optimized peak trajectory from long irons to short irons.” They also feature variable wall technology for ultimate feel and control.
DG Pro is available in R, S, and X flex, in weights of 109-113, 118-122, and 125-129 grams, respectively.
DG Pro carries an MSRP of $40 per shaft.
Looks, Feel, and Miscellaneous
When you first pick up the DG Pro, it feels – surprise surprise – like a Dynamic Gold. Nice and heavy, more head-heavy than counter-balanced. No adjustment needed in that department. During the swing there’s more “life” in the DG Pro than your standard DG, but nothing extreme. At impact, the DG Pro offers a feel that is largely familiar, but slightly crisper. On the spectrum of steel shafts, it isn’t quite at that uber-clean Nippon level, but it hints at it.
Unlike most steel shafts, there is a very interesting visual note about the DG Pro. As you can see in the pictures, True Temper has utilized “double steps” in the design of the DG Pro. They’re noticeable at address, but not distracting. What’s interesting is that these double steps vary in location from shaft to shaft (I assume that’s how they create the different trajectories). This varied step pattern is important to keep in mind as you build your set of DG Pros so you don’t have a heart attack thinking that you installed them improperly (I speak from experience).
On a more frivolous Looks note, I like the switch to the vertical shaft band as opposed to the traditional wraparound label.
Performance
For the Performance testing, I installed the Dynamic Gold DG Pro shafts into a set of Wilson FG Tour V2 heads. They were tested against a set of Dynamic Gold S300 shafts that were installed in the exact same heads. Testing was done on a FlightScope X2 launch monitor. All shafts were gripped with PURE Grips.
Testing was done at Golf Nation in Palatine, IL, one of the best indoor golf facilities in the country.
FLIGHTSCOPE DATA
:: Tighter dispersion with 9 iron and 6 iron. Nearly identical with 3 iron.
:: Significantly closer to the center line with DG Pro 3-iron. 2 yards closer with 6-iron. Identical with 9-iron.
:: Carry Yardage: +3 yards with 3-iron, +6 yards with 6-iron, +1 yards with 9-iron.
:: Launch Angle: Identical across the board
:: Spin rates: Identical across the board
:: Peak Heights (Apex): Identical across the board.
ANALYSIS
Let’s first address the question “Did these shafts help you hit your 3 iron higher?” Answer: It depends how you look at it. In absolute terms, no, FlightScope showed that the peak heights for DG Pro and DG were identical. BUT, to get my standard DG to that height, I have to hit cuts or pushes. The DG Pro allowed me to hit the ball straight (I heard that’s a good idea) and still get some air under it. So, to me, the DG Pro absolutely showed the ability to help me get more height on my long irons.
Now on to the thing I wasn’t expecting: a significant improvement in both measures of accuracy. With the DG Pro, I cut my dispersion by 1/3 with my 9 iron and made a marked improvement with the 6 iron. Switching to Offline, I improved my 3 iron by 80% and got my 6 iron 2 yards closer to center.
Finally, there was a small, but measureable distance gain in switching to DG Pro: +3 yards with the 3 iron, +6 with the 6 iron, and +1 with the 9 iron.
Conclusion
While I went into this test with high hopes (anything that promises higher long irons has my attention), the DG Pro exceeded my expectations. Not only did it deliver on the promise of raising the flight of my long irons, it helped me to hit the ball much more accurately. Importantly, it did all of this without my having to adjust to a new weight or feel.
If, like many of us, you need a change of trajectory with your irons, see your local True Temper fitter about DG Pro.
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Kurt
10 years ago
Can anyone compare DG pro shaft to ust recoil 808 ?