Titleist 718 AP1 Graphite Shafts Breaking @ Hossel (3x)

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By Nick V

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  1. Hey guys,

    I am trying to figure out what could be the culprit of three broken irons in the span of 7 months. Let me give you guys some background:

    1. Whole iron set are Titleist 718 AP1s with Tour AD 65i Flex S graphite shafts. These were bought in 2013 after getting custom fitted at a Titleist retailer.

    2. These clubs were purchased when I was young. Graphite shafts were installed because of an issue of transferring weight through my swing due to a malformed left leg. The idea was to use graphite to help gain some power and create lag. I swing like Gary Player's step through drill.

    3. 9 years later I am much stronger, swing speed is up, and so the graphite shafts feel a bit whippy to me, but I hit them quite pure. The AP1s are pretty forgiving though...

    4. I played a decent amount from 2012-2017. Took a break until just about 1 year ago. Since getting back into it last year, 3 irons (7,8,9) have all broken in the exact same place right at the hossel (see pictures).

    5. I moved coast to coast in 2019. My clubs were taken on the airplane in a hard shell case. There was a lot of care to make sure the clubs were bouncing all around, but maybe something could have happened during that trip.

    6. When each iron broke, I felt them weaken before the head came off. The clubs had a different feel when struck, and the head felt noticeably wobbly. Only one head came flying off, the others just fell off from a light pull. It almost felt like an aging thing was at play here as the head sort of crumbled away from the shaft. It was not entirely clear if there was a crack. The joint at the hossel felt super weak when they were ready to go.

    Side tidbits of info:

    1. I hit at ranges with mats. Its the only thing I have near me

    2. I do occasionally leave my clubs in my car during the week so they do get exposed to heat. Ferrules have moved around from epoxy expansion but thats jut cosmetics. Pretty much, all three irons have broken in the exact same way.

    Looking closer at the tips of the shafts, the graphite tip itself looks a bit "worn". Similar to what you get when you have old dried up and cracking rubber. Maybe these shafts have just aged over time? Not sure. If anyone has an idea as to what could be happening (I know you don't know how I swing, but I promise I am not whamming these puppies into the ground). Currently debating reshafting the entire set but at that point it may be worth it to invest in a new set of clubs.

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  2. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    I'd say it's just the combination of years of stress from hitting them hard. You have almost 10 years on them and as you said, hitting down on mats on the range. If you love them, get them re-shafted. Also consider upgrading to the T Series, ideally getting fit so you make sure the new shaft better fits your newer, more powerful swing. That should cover another 10 years of fun on the links. Best of luck with whichever direction you decide to go.
  3. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    The clubs are approaching 10 years old. Based on your comments, it might be worth re-shafting the 712’s at this time, anyway, just from your physical improvements.
    If the mats are over concrete, then thank your shafts for absorbing the shock that otherwise would go to your wrists. While not routine, this is still likely characterized as normal wear and tear.
  4. Brock L

    Brock L
    Fort Myers, FL

    Perfect storm of everything NOT to do with golf clubs, especially graphite shafts. Mats are horrible on golf clubs, not to mention wrists and elbows. Exposure to heat when left in a car will break down epoxy and certainly weaken softer materials. That heat, when combined with aging graphite will certainly weaken the shafts over time. That said, probably not worth reshafting them at this point, unless you REALLY like them. They are 12 year old clubs, so time for new set of irons... at least something more recent.
  5. Barry M

    Barry M
    Reno, NV

    You probably didn't do anything wrong with them, and I don't think there was any defect with them. You just wore them out. Getting 10 years out of a set of irons with graphite shafts for an average golfer is an accomplishment. Reward yourself with an upgrade.

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