True Temper Shafts Reviewed – Are They Any Good?

dynamic gold

Can you remember the days when golfers were winning tournaments with hickory shafts in their irons?

Probably not since the last time that happened was sometime in the 1930’s. Steel shafts were legalized by the USGA in 1924.

This began a massive wave of defectors to steel shafted irons.

Steel shafts were favored because they were more durable and consistent than wooden shafts.

From the very start, True Temper was on the scene producing some of the first steel iron shafts. Only, back then, they weren’t known as True Temper.

The company was actually called American Fork & Hoe. It wasn’t until 1949 that they changed their name to True Temper.

Today, True Temper makes arguably the most popular shaft on the market: the True Temper Dynamic Gold.

In the following article, we will be providing you with a brief history of the Dynamic Gold shafts as well as reviews on some of their most popular models.

Brief History of Dynamic Gold

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The company that would become True Temper began making shafts in 1923.

Later, they would create what they called “Dynamic” shafts. In truth, True Temper actually patented the step-down manufacturing process for shafts in 1928.

But it wasn’t until 1980 that the company would take a major leap forward and cement themselves as golf legends.

That is the year they released the True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts.

The company spent decades tweaking their formula and introducing new materials to the shaft-making process before releasing the Dynamic Gold shafts.

They used everything from composite materials comprised of fiberglass and aluminum.

For now, the formula is more or less set. But no one would be surprised if Dynamic Gold makes another bold innovation in the years to come.

What Dynamic Gold Does Best

Dynamic Gold is known for imparting stability to your swings.

Most of the Dynamic Gold series is made up of heavier shafts that are geared toward more experienced players.

To give you an example, Tiger Woods famously used True Temper shafts for most of his professional career. True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts are highly coveted for their smooth feel as well.

Dynamic Gold Quick Facts

Manufacturer True Temper
Category Steel iron shafts
Established 1980
Specialty Premium stability

True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 Review

True Temper Dynamic Gold 120

Selling Points:

  • Low spin
  • Low launch
  • Consistent flight

The True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 shaft is a mid-upper weighted iron shaft.

When we tested it, we were impressed that a relatively heavy shaft could be congenial to moderate swing speeds and tempos.

Another thing we were impressed with was the consistent trajectory and spin.

Even on slight mis-hits, we were getting the same launch angles and spin rates. The True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 would be a good choice for players with swing speeds in the 80 – 90 MPH range.

Options

  • Regular flex (116g)
  • Stiff flex (118g)
  • Extra stiff flex (120g)

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Very stable
  • Good accuracy
  • Low torque

Cons:

  • Not for slow swingers

Overall Score: 96/100

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True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 Review

True Temper Dynamic Gold 105

Selling Points:

  • Moderate weight
  • Mid launch
  • Mid spin

The True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 is a great option if you’re a slower swinger.

It’s lightweight but offers the same stability and accuracy as oher DG shafts. It does have a bit more of a kick, but it’s nothing that can’t be controlled. The bend point is near the midsection.

Options

  • Regular flex (101g)
  • Stiff flex (103g)
  • Extra stiff flex (105g)

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Comfortable to swing
  • Great for moderate tempo swingers
  • Excellent stability

Cons:

  • Not for fast swingers

Overall Score: 95/100

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True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 Review

True Temper Dynamic Gold S300

Selling Points:

  • Tour weighted
  • Low spin
  • Low Launch

This is where we start seeing the heavy hitters.

The Dynamic Gold S300 shaft weights 130 grams so it’s best for players with a very powerful swing that need stability upon release.

The S300 can take any load you can manage and then some. It invites you to swing outside of yourself while maintaining club head stability.

Options

  • Stiff flex (130g)
  • Tapered tip
  • Parallel tip

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Great for fast swingers
  • Loads up stably
  • Excellent stability

Cons:

  • It’s heavy

Overall Score: 97/100

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True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Review

True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Selling Points:

  • Tour weighted
  • Low spin
  • Low launch

Another one for the scratch players out there.

The True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 is a no-nonsense steel shaft that offers astoundingly tight dispersion and ridiculously low spin rates.

Our better testers were getting fantastic ball speeds from this shaft.

Options

  • Stiff flex (132g)
  • Taper tip (.355”)

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Produces great ball speed
  • Excellent for powerful swingers
  • Releases smoothly

Cons:

  • Not for slow swingers

Overall Score: 97/100

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True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Review

True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

Selling Points:

  • Famous Tour shaft
  • Medium spin
  • Low launch

This is the shaft made famous by none other than Tiger Woods.

The X100 is the iron shaft he used for most of his career. The X100 works well if you have a moderate to fast tempo and feels smooth throughout your swing.

It’s very comfortable for its weight class and offers the trademark Dynamic Gold smoothness.

Options

  • Chrome finish
  • Onyx finish
  • Extra stiff flex (130g)

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Low torque
  • Comfortable kick point
  • Workable spin

Cons:

  • A bit pricey

Overall Score: 97/100

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True Temper Dynamic Gold R300 Review

True Temper Dynamic Gold R300

Selling Points:

  • Tour weighted
  • Low spin
  • Low launch

The True Temper Dynamic Gold R300 is a very manageable shaft.

It has a stout profile but it doesn’t feel overly board-y. If you have a swing speed in the 90 – 100 MPH range, you should get along well with the R300.

However, it’s not a good shaft for anyone who struggles to get the ball in the air.

Options

  • Regular flex (127g)
  • Parallel tip
  • Taper tip

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Releases smoothly
  • Tight dispersion
  • Great for fast swingers

Cons:

  • Subpar feedback

Overall Score: 96/100

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True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 Review

True Temper Dynamic Gold S200

Selling Points:

  • Stout profile
  • Low spin
  • Low launch

If you like the Dynamic Gold R300 but you want a stiffer flex, the S200 would be a great choice.

It’s the same weight  but it has a decidedly stouter profile. There isn’t much action with this shaft; but that doesn’t mean it feels stifling. It is insanely accurate even if it doesn’t help much with club head speed.

Options

  • 127 grams
  • Parallel tip
  • Taper tip

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Clean design
  • Works well with moderate tempo swingers
  • Tight dispersion

Cons:

  • Doesn’t do much to improve smash factor

Overall Score: 96/100

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Performance Evaluation

Forgiveness – The Dynamic Gold series isn’t exactly known for its forgiveness. While the DG shafts we tested weren’t bad for moderate tempo swingers, you still have to be fairly accurate with the club head.

Distance – Any of the shafts that we reviewed above would work well for players who swing 80 MPH and faster.

That’s because the lower spin and trajectory will work well for these speeds in terms of distance. You will likely see a half iron’s worth of distance increase with the DG shafts.

Launch – As you can see, almost all of the DG shafts we tested produced low launch.

The only outlier was the Dynamic Gold 105 which, not surprisingly, was also the lightest DG shaft that we tested. It produced a mid launch but could still be kept low in skilled hands.

Accuracy – Every shaft we tested offered amazing accuracy. Shot dispersion was tight across the board and we were able to work the ball through tight fairways and around hazards deftly.

Durability – There’s nothing that we saw in our testing sessions that would make us think that the DG shafts wouldn’t last for at least 10 seasons.

They seem to be very well crafted and are stout enough to stand up to punishment in the bag, on the course and general usage.

Price/Value – Now most of the Dynamic Gold shafts will cost a pretty penny brand new.

However, if you buy one of these shafts, you are investing in a piece of golf gear that will last for years. Plus, there is always the option of buying used DG shafts.

Overall, while the price is high we would also add that the value you get from them is also high.

Who Are Dynamic Gold Shafts for?

Tiger Woods used X100 shafts in his irons at his peak so that should tell you something right away.

The Dynamic Gold shafts are typically fitted to players with moderate to fast swing speeds.

While most of them work well with moderate tempo swingers, you will still need to produce good club head speed to get optimal use out of them.

What Pros Use Dynamic Gold Shafts?

The list is immense and features names like Keegan Bradley, Antoine Rozner, Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, Min Woo Lee, Collin Morikawa, Will Zalatoris, Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson.

Final Thoughts

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So are Dynamic Gold shafts any good? Absolutely!

If  your swing can optimize DG shafts, we say go for it. They are a great investment and will help you to continue to lower your score.