Stopped by a yard sale today and the guy had some a set of 5-GW Sterlings shafted to 7iron length I think on AA flex wishon graphite. No way the shafts will work for me, but I have been wanting to try the concept before DeChambeau ever came around and the price was too good to pass up. If I don't like them, I will be able to flip these for a nice profit to fuel other purchases.

Anyway, I'm currently playing Wishon 979ss irons on DTG Vivid shafts trimmed to stiff. My 8iron is about my 150-155 club.

I have no clue where to start as far as reshafting these Sterlings. Anyone have any advice where to start?

    Dufferman I have no clue where to start as far as reshafting these Sterlings. Anyone have any advice where to start?

    I have the Sterlings and played them yesterday. I have also had four other sets of SL clubs over the years. I think people get confused when building SL based on playing length. Tip trim them to your normal equivalent non SL head weight. If your normal head weight for an 8 iron at 274 g tip trim them accordingly. If you want to play them at a different length butt trim them as you wish, but be sure to tip trim the shafts according to the head weight.

        Rickochet
        So, when I trim the new shafts, don't weigh the heads, just follow the normal trimming instructions for that specific iron? Then just butt trim them to matching over all length?

        The current shafted irons are graphite and all of the labels match up? Wouldn't that indicate the shafts were tipped the same about for each club? Or does Wishon make specific shafts for each head since the shafts are Wishon also?

            Dufferman So, when I trim the new shafts, don't weigh the heads, just follow the normal trimming instructions for that specific iron? Then just butt trim them to matching over all length?

            I always weigh the heads. I am guessing all of your heads are going to be 274 or 275g unless there is a weight stuck in the weight ports. I trimmed mine for an 8 iron head weight which is 275g. I went to the trim chart for the shafts I use and selected the tip trim for an 8 iron for my senior flex. This is not rocket science. These were designed to swing like an 8 iron but each club having a different loft.

                Rickochet 8 iron head weight which is 275g.

                That's a bit light for an 8i head, isn't it? That's about the weight of my typical 7i head, and if they are less, I add weight to make them around 273/274.

                    Par4QC That's a bit light for an 8i head, isn't it? That's about the weight of my typical 7i head, and if they are less, I add weight to make them around 273/274.

                    Check the head weight charts for components from the various vendors. I think my Sterlings were all at 275g which is closer to an 8 than a 7. Regardless I am preaching to tip trim the shaft for the head weight whether it is 272g or 277g.

                        I don't think that's light for an 8-iron. The 8-iron for Wishon 565 is 275 and the Dynacraft Prophet is 277.

                        Rickochet

                        I believe the sterlings are meant to be built at 8 iron length with their 274g heads. In terms of shafts, I would recommend finding a shaft that you feel will be able to launch your long irons high enough for your liking. Wedges will launch high no matter what shaft in my opinion.

                        One more thing, give the sterlings a few rounds you'll be glad you did- I love mine!

                            shokosugi I believe the sterlings are meant to be built at 8 iron length with their 274g heads. In terms of shafts, I would recommend finding a shaft that you feel will be able to launch your long irons high enough for your liking. Wedges will launch high no matter what shaft in my opinion.

                            Well, after playing SL for many years it is my opinion that none of the SL clubs work for lofts greater than the 6 iron. And at age 70 I decided to abandon my 6 iron yesterday. So I wouldn't do shaft selection based on long iron desires.

                                Rickochet

                                I can see that, especially with a declining swing speed as hybrids would likely be better. Even at my swing speed (110mph with driver) elevating long irons is a consideration for shaft choice. I'm guessing as my speed slows as I enter my 50's in a few years, I'll likely need to go to a 4 and maybe 5 hybrid if I'm still playing SL

                                  If you do a little research you may find that people will go with one shaft but “flight” the long irons.

                                  if you go with say a FST 115 you could trim the 5 iron shaft 1 “ less tip trimming to give it just a little extra help up in the air. Play your mid irons tp listed trim specs and do 1/2-1” more trimming in the wedges to try and help flight the ball down.

                                  Rickochet Regardless I am preaching to tip trim the shaft for the head weight whether it is 272g or 277g.

                                  Right. But if I build a set with a head that weighs 274/275, I'm building it to 7i length. My 8i head would weigh around 280. So, if my (SL) heads were actually 277, I'd be kinda in between, but I would either build to 7i, or add 3 gr. and build to 8i. Just the way I do things. 😃

                                    Anyone have any cost effective shaft suggestions?

                                    I think OP is asking if he should trim each iron differently. As in 6 iron with 6 iron trim, 8 iron as 8 iron trim, etc. The answer is no. You trim them all the same.

                                      DonM Yes, that was my poorly worded question earlier. I'll weigh them and trim shafts to that club weight. I'm guessing these are going to be 7 or 8 irons length.

                                        Being graphite, compared to my steel shafted irons they are slightly longer then my 7. So, I'm guessing they were built to 7 iron length.

                                          I think before I do any purchasing, I'm going to look through my shaft bin for some 7/8 irons shafts and shaft a few of them and take them to the range. I think I have a pretty good selection of different shafts.

                                          • DonM replied to this.
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                                            Dufferman

                                            The Sterlings I used to have had Wishon S2S White graphite shafts in them, and total length to the end of the grip was 36.75”.

                                              My suggestion is to pick a proven shaft you've liked in the past and build a test club, and I'd pick the one that you are gonna go weight/lengthwise in the sterling set. If you are thinking 7i weight/length, then build the 7i. Tweak from there.