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Weird Driver Problem - Ballooning


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I am currently using a Taylormade R7 Superquad driver with the regular flex stock shaft. I bought the club used last year when I was new to the game and my swing needed a regular flex shaft. However as I have improved my swing speed is now around 112-120.

A few weeks ago I would hit my driver and the ball was ballooning up in the air like 8x the normal height one expects on the ball flight. And the distance was suffering as well. I figured perhaps it is the shaft maybe I should get the club reshafted because I think I am a stiff flex shaft anyway.

I decide to wait until my birthday to get it re-shafted. Yet a week before my birthday I start hitting the driver well again with no ballooning at all. So I decided not to mess with a good thing and just let whatever was working alone. So then the other day on the course randomly my drives start ballooning again.

Does anyone have any ideas why this may be happening?

Superquad 10.5* Aldila Shaft (the green one)
R9 3-Wood 15* Stiff
Ignite 3H
MP-52 PW-4
Vokey Tour Wedge 52,56,60 Newport Studio 2

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I am currently using a Taylormade R7 Superquad driver with the regular flex stock shaft. I bought the club used last year when I was new to the game and my swing needed a regular flex shaft. However as I have improved my swing speed is now around 112-120.

Basically, you need a stiffer shaft.

We have a guy named Casey who plays on the Nationwide Tour where I take lessons and I have first hand witnessed him carry a ball in the air an unassisted 310. He's just an animal. He was playing a stock Taylormade stiff (so basically regular flex) driver for quite awhile before he "made it" and he was able time it out because he has good hands and was just used to it. You can compensate and hit anything. Hell given a couple of swings I can time out a senior flex club and hit good shots with it. But if you take a normal swing you will balloon it like crazy because it will overflex and just spin way too much.

Certified G.O.L.F. Machine Addict

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The R flex shaft might contribute to the problem but I doubt if it's the sole cause. Impossible to say without seeing your swing but there are several swing flaws that can cause it. Releasing the hands too early, ball too far forward, improper weight transfer (hanging back on the right foot) are just a few things that can cause it. I have the same problem sometimes. In my case it's a weight issue. As long as I get my weight all the way over on my front foot with a full follow through my ball flight is just right. Otherwise, it's too high.

In the Bag:
Driver: Cleveland Launcher Ultralight XL 270

FW: Taylor Made 300 17 degree 
3-PW: Mizuno MX-23

AW: Mizuno TP-T11 52/07 (Bent to 50)
SW: Mizuno TP-T11 56/10

LW: Mizuno TP-T11 60/05

Putter: Original Ping Zing

Ball: Wilson Staff FG Tour

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so many things determine what shaft you need. Swing speed is only one part the the equation. My swing is around 110 when I really swing hard, but I play an extra stiff shaft because of the way I load the shaft. I have a late release and create a lot of torque. Guys that create less torque might be able to have a less stiff shaft even with faster swing speeds.

I guess the million dollar question is have you changed your swing to fit the club? Are you swinging smoother in order to gain control? Only you will know.

My swing thoughts:

- Negative thinking hurts more than negative swinging.
- I let my swing balance me.
- Full extension back and through to the target. - I swing under not around my body. - My club must not twist in my swing. - Keep a soft left knee

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Note: This thread is 5489 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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