When it comes to your golf game, picking the right shaft plays a very big role in how well you will play. The True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 and X100 are two very popular shafts. But how do they differ and which one is better?
In this article, I analyzed these shafts based on their weight, flex, length, and launch to see which one would be a better fit for you.
Which is better, the Dynamic Gold S300 or the Dynamic Gold X100? The X100 is better for players who have high club head speeds and who want to keep the ball flight low. The S300 has a more forgiving flex, and is built better for those who have lower swing speeds and who want to get height on the ball.
| S300 | X100 | |
| Weight | 124g – 137g | 121g |
| Flex | Stiff | Extra Stiff |
| Length | 36.50” – 40.00” | 45.00” |
| Launch | High | Low |
Who Is The S300 and X100 Good For?
S300
- Golfers with medium-high club head speeds
- Golfers who want to get more height on the ball
- Those who need more control during their swing
X100
- Those who have high club head speeds
- Golfers who want to keep the ball flight low
Weight: S300 vs X100
The weight of both shafts also differ quite substantially, while the S300 ranges a bit, the X100 sits at around 121 grams. In all cases, the S300 weighs more than the X100. Both are technically considered heavyweight shafts, so in terms of the benefits and drawbacks, each is pretty much the same. However, it is important to break down how these weights may impact your game.
With the S300, you are likely to have more control over your swing. Generally speaking,these are the benefits of a heavier shaft:
- Higher accuracy
- Straighter shots
- Reduces spin
A heavier shaft is going to give you more control over your swing, as they are harder to deviate from their swing path. Additionally, this extra weight is going to prevent you from twisting and turning as much, granting you much straighter shots.
With the X100, you are likely going to be able to hit the ball further and generate a higher swing speed. Because the shaft is a bit lighter, you will be able to swing it around faster and generate more speed throughout your swing.
Launch: S300 vs X100
When it comes to the launch/trajectory of a shaft, there are 5 categories that a shaft can be grouped into. These categorizations are supposed to describe the relative launch height associated with each shaft. These 5 groups are:
- Low
- Low-Mid
- Mid
- Mid-High
- High
In the cases of the S300 and the X100, the S300 has a high launch trajectory and the X100 has a low launch trajectory. This is one of the main differences between these shafts.
With the S300, you are going to get significantly more height on the ball. So, if height is something you are looking to add to your shots, then this would be a great shaft to do it with. However, if you are looking for a shaft that will help keep the ball lower in the air, then the X100 will do a much better job at that.
To get into more detail, it is estimated that a “low” launch shaft will yield around a 9 degree launch whereas a “high” shaft launch will get around a 11.6 degree launch.
Flex: S300 vs X100
The flex of both shafts are different from one another, the S300 being stiff and the X100 being extra stiff. Depending on your play style, the stiffness of one of the shafts is better for you than the other.
There are 5 different types of shaft groups:
- Ladies
- Senior
- Regular
- Stiff
- X Stiff
Each of them have a range of clubhead speed that they are optimal for, but in this case I will only focus on X Stiff and Stiff as it is most relevant to the clubs in this comparison.
S300: Better for swing speeds 84 mph to 104 mph
X100: Better for swing speeds of 92 mph to >105 mph
Generally speaking, the “extra stiff” clubs are more meant for high-level amateurs and professionals, as they can generate the swing speed that is meant for this type of stiffness. Whereas the “stiff” clubs are meant for casual to regular players.
The more stiff a shaft is, the more control you will have in your swing. If you have a very fast swing, the shaft is going to move around a lot, so it is necessary to have a stronger shaft in order to be able to maintain its shape and form, thus giving you more control.
However, if you don’t have a high clubhead speed, then having too much flex on your shaft will make it harder to square the face at the point of impact. So unless you are a very high level player, the S300 is probably a more optimal shaft for you.
Length: S300 vs X100
In terms of length, the X100 is significantly longer than the S300. This means that you are likely going to be able to generate much more speed with the X100, but it is going to be harder to hit the center of the club face.
On the other side, the S300, being the shorter of the two shafts, will generate less speed, but will be much easier to center when hitting the ball.
| S300 | X100 |
| – Harder to generate speed while swinging – Easier to square the face | – Easier to generate speed when swinging the club – Harder to square the face |
Because the X100 is longer, it travels more distance through the arc of the swing, giving it more time to accelerate, generating more speed. However, given the longer shaft, it makes it more difficult to square the face as there is much more shaft that needs to twist.
For most casual golfers, a shorter shaft is the way to go as squaring the club is much more important than generating club speed.
Final Thoughts: S300 vs X100
It is important to know what kind of golfer you are in order to make the choice between these two. While they are similar, there are plenty of differences. These differences are substantial enough to make impacts on your golf game. So, understanding exactly what you need to improve in your golf game is imperative.
If it seems like one of these shafts can help fix an issue you might be having with your swing, then that is likely the one to go with.