How can you tell if your shafts are too flexible/stiff?

Is there something in your ball flight that would make you think your shafts aren't the correct flex for your swing? Or is it just a matter of swing speed?

inconsistency snap hooking can be signs of a flexible shaft

Best way to find out is ask your local pro

I have heard, and somebody please correct me if this is wrong, that you want to have the least flex you can hit straight. It was compared to me with pole-vaulting, where you want the heaviest pole you can still bend. I was told that if you swing 110mph but can hit a regular flex straight that you should get the regular flex instead of stiff or xstiff. However usually at those speeds the amount of torque on the club will make it near impossible to hit straight which is why 99% of people that swing that fast should have a stiff or xstiff shaft, and why that is recommended.

I've been told that a slice could use a more regular shaft while a hook could use a stiffer shaft.

That said:

I'm just recently learning that there is much much more to shafts than simply regular or stiff. There is no set standard for what qualifies for what. Some regulars play like stiff. Some stiff play more like regulars. They have different kick points and different torque specifications. Some shafts work better in some heads than others. Not all heads with the same loft are the same degree open or closed. Those can affect a slice or a hook as well.

A player with a slow swing speed and jerky transition may benefit from a stiffer shaft.. I have a medium swing speed, but a high loft and jerky transition so I'm trying a stiffer shaft with a kick point that keeps the ball lower. I'm still slicing, but it's a little more predictable and I've gained 30-40 yards. I'm not convinced that this is the right combination, but it's the best off the shelf head / shaft combo I've found so far... I think it's the "off the shelf" part that kicks most of us amateurs in the ass..

IMHO, the only real way to know is to get on a launch monitor and find out which combination is consistent for you. If you are a high handicap with no real feel for what you are doing wrong, you're just guessing. Use the monitor, look at all the factors and then pick the head and shaft combination that works..

Good luck!

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what's a launch monitor?

A launch monitor essentially looks at multiple factors of your club head and ball as you strike the ball and it begins flight. I don't know where you are in DFW, but find the closest PGA Superstore and go for a visit. There are two in Plano. They are amazing! The one in West Plano (near Frisco) has at least 12 working launch monitors. I'm sure the one in East Plano is the same (75 and George Bush).

They also give lessons there using the launch monitors. It's super cheap.. If I remember right, it's $150 for 6 30 minute lessons. Just show up with your credit card. It's like walking into a Costco or Sams club for Golf.. I don't miss much from Dallas, but I do miss the PGA store!

Wow, I've never heard of that before. I've been out of the loop for a few years.

I'll have to check out the PGA store. I'm more on the Ft Worth side of the metroplex and we have a Edwin Watts and Golfsmith, but it sounds like it would be worth the drive to check it out.

So I guess there's an optimal set of conditions that you're looking for on the monitor? And you just try out different combinations until you find a sweet spot?

I've been to both those PGA superstores, one is in Plano one in Frisco. Are you sure that each has 12 launch monitors? I know they each have about 12 simulator bays that show you ball flight, swing speed etc but it's my understanding that those aren't an actual launch monitor like a Vector etc, just a simulator.

And also the 6 30 minute sessions for $150 isn't lessons it's using their practice "driving range" facility in the back of the store, no instruction included. The lessons are quite a bit more when I asked a few weeks ago. Golf Galaxy does have video lessons four 30 min lessons for $100 which I just started.

Huh... Well.. I was pretty sure that the "simulators" there showed all the things I'd seen on "Launch monitors" at other shops.. i.e. showed launch angle, speed, etc.. but I could be wrong. They had 8 full bays with monster driving range screens you could hit into and I thought there was a PC monitor next to you that gave you the clubhead info. Then at least another 4 bays with just nets, but I thought those had the same technology. It's possible I have my simulator vs launch monitor technology goofed up though. This could be a good excuse for you to go in and give us a test report.

When I was there a year ago I'm pretty sure the $150 was for lessons. The net time was a lot cheaper. It may have been a promotion though... I think you now have two good excuses to go spend some time in the store for us. Regardless of all that.. For the OP, your local Golfsmith *probably* has a launch monitor as well. I just really enjoy wandering around the PGA store!

Ok, I stopped at the PGA Superstore in Plano this afternoon. Wow! The place was awesome.

For six lessons using the bays with the simulators, it's $200. That includes video CDs of your lessons and a separate fitting session that's usually $80. To just use the bay with the video camera, but without instruction, is $100 for six sessions. They also have monthly and yearly packages.

It actually seemed pretty reasonable, but too far away for me to use. Although I might consider taking a lesson or two just to see how I'm looking on video. And the club fitting might be nice at some point.

Very cool! Glad you made it there... It's really hard to explain that place.. There's nothing in the golf world like it...

Did they have the golf carts out front? They always had the hummer and the hotrod when I was there. I think the hummer was like 13k! 13k for a golf cart! FOOK!

Funny. Yeah, they did have a Hummer golf cart out front. For the guy who wishes he could drive his Hummer out on the course maybe?