driver shaft fitting

**stebed** · May 18, 2009

Hey Guys,

I currently have a Taylor Made Tour Burner 10.5 degree driver which I was custom fitted with a Proforce V2 shaft. It is a 66 gram shaft with 3.0 torque stiff flex. My swing speed is about 95mph. (12 handicap) I average about 250-260yards. I feel I could hit the ball higher and will lose 2 or 3 drives to the right per round. Recently tried a 909 D2 with a voodoo regular shaft and hit a few really nice out to about 270-275 (I even used it to defeat a 6 handicapper in an early round of the club knock-outs) I know the shaft wasn't perfect for me but did like the higher flight than I am used to. Does the torque create higher flight? Should I get my V2 put into a D2 or go for full fitting again?

Thanks in advance

**jorruss** · May 18, 2009

Torque is a measure of the resistance to twisting of a golf shaft. It also plays a part in the overall feel of the shaft. The lower the number, the more resistance to twisting the shaft will have, especially on off-center hits. 3.5 seems to be in the middle range and is a good starting point. If you have a fast tempo and hit the ball hard, you might be best served with a low torque shaft. Smoother swingers with slower swing speeds can get more feel with a higher torque shaft. Generally, lower torque shafts feel stiffer or "boardy", compared to higher torque shafts.

If you are looking for a higher trajectory than the V2 shaft, look for a lower kickpoint shaft that is designed for higher launch, such as the Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue, Diamana BlueBoard, or the V2 High Launch.

If you swing at 95 miles per hour you shouldn't have too much trouble getting the ball airborne. Try one of the previously mentioned shafts in a lighter weight class, like 55 to 65 grams. For a lower ball flight you'll want to go with a heavier shaft, something in the 75 to 85 gram range.

**DJYoshi** · May 18, 2009

Torque is a measure of the resistance to twisting of a golf shaft. It also plays a part in the overall feel of the shaft. The lower the number, the more resistance to twisting the shaft will have, especially on off-center hits. 3.5 seems to be in the middle range and is a good starting point. If you have a fast tempo and hit the ball hard, you might be best served with a low torque shaft. Smoother swingers with slower swing speeds can get more feel with a higher torque shaft. Generally, lower torque shafts feel stiffer or "boardy", compared to higher torque shafts.

right on! honestly..I suggest taking the driver head that you like... and going to get fit for a shaft. with all of these interchangeable shaft gadgets out..it's as quick as a pull, push, twist and you're seeing how the shaft effects the ball flights.

if you already know what you want for your driver... then try out golfshaftsdepot.com. they're pretty competitive with prices... or you could always ebay it. but as I recall. the whippier the shaft...the more distance you can get out of it...and the stiffer you go..you'll lose SOME distance...but gain more control.

**MiniMoe** · May 18, 2009

The Voodoo shaft is a good shaft. I'm hitting a 8.5 degree Burner with a 75 gram x-stiff V2 shaft. I like ti because it hits the ball a little lower. Getting fitted for a shaft is only a starting point. My driver is not "optimum" when it comes to spin and launch angle, but I hit it more consistent and I have the feel I'm looking for. Would I hit another shaft 10 yards farther, maybe, but I also might discover a new miss I never had before the switch. Finding a new shaft is as much trial and error as it getting the numbers to be good off a launch monitor. If you like the one you have, keep it, and start over with a new head and shaft. That way, if it is not working, you have the "gamer" to play with while you are looking for the perfect combo. Look at Tiger. He still can't find the perfect combo for his swing.

**jorruss** · May 18, 2009

Yeah, I can't agree more that finding the right shaft/head combo can make a huge difference. I switched from a 8.5 degree Titleist 907D1 driver with a Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue 75x (D- 6 swing weight) to an 8.5 degree 909D2 with pured Grafalloy Epic 68x shaft (E-0 swing weight). The difference was dramatic, to the tune of 30 yards!

**Leftygolfer** · May 18, 2009

Wow.....30 yards.

I am in a similar situation. Can you just get fit for a shaft? I like my old head and don't have a ton of money (new drivers are expensive). My good driving days are great but when I really go after it I hit big big hooks. I have been really missing them recently and my shaft feels whippy at times. But when I time it well I can hit it about 255 carry. Do you think there is more in me? My swing speed is about 100. I could afford to spend 80 bucks on a shaft.

**jorruss** · May 18, 2009

Wow.....30 yards.

If your swing speed is 100, you have the potential to hit it further than 255. 100MPH is right on the cusp between a stiff and extra stiff shaft. How it performs for you is dependent on your tempo, how you load the shaft, and the shaft properties like kick point, torque and weight.

I couldn't tell you if your hooks are due to your swing or a weak shaft, but that is one symptom of a shaft that is too flexible. I would go to a good clubfitter and get on a launch monitor to get a better idea of what the right shaft might be for you.

**DJYoshi** · May 18, 2009

If your swing speed is 100, you have the potential to hit it further than 255.

maybe he means carry?

2.5 * 100 = 250 carry and that's optimal launch. my ss is 100 - 105, and I use a stiff shaft. xs is a BOARD to me! but then again..depends on the manufacturer.

**Leftygolfer** · May 18, 2009

I did mean carry. My plan is first get a lesson to figure out what I am doing that is causing such bad results (it is not just my driver). Then I am going to look at reshafting my driver with a good club fitter/launch monitor.

I really like the head. It is the old Launcher and is about 6 years old. But it has a great sound and the .830 COR face. So I see no reason to buy a new driver. I also really like the trajectory.

**jorruss** · May 18, 2009

Yeah, it's all relative.

Shafts and heads vary so much, it takes a long time to find that perfect combo. I have a lower swing speed than many players of similar ability (108 to 112), but I average 290 to 310 off the tee. I found a good combo shaft/head, and I'm fortunate that my swing naturally produces lower spin with a driver. The last time I was on a launch monitor I was producing 2350 rpm at a 10.5 degree launch angle. When I catch it just above the sweet spot on the D2, it launches at 12 degrees with even less spin and goes forever.

With my old D1 driver, The launch angle was 12 to 13 degrees at 2900 rpm. Still lower spin than most, but that higher launch and spin robbed me of that extra 30 yards.

Test a few drivers on a launch monitor and then take it to the course head to head with your current driver, you'll find the right combo eventually.

**jorruss** · May 18, 2009

I wanted to add a note about the article in last months' golf magazine that compares Tiger's swing and the swing of JB Holmes. While their swing speed and ball speed is identical, JB hits it ~20 yards past Tiger. How can this be? The article went on to point out that while JB hit's slightly up at the ball at impact, Tiger hits slightly down on the ball. The difference is JB's drives fly with lower spin than Tiger's. If you can hit up on the ball to launch it high with low spin, you'll gain yardage. Hitting down on the ball will impart more spin and the ball will stop faster after landing.

The goal is to match a shaft and head combo that will help you achieve an impact position that looks a bit like this one:

http://www.golf.com/golf/gallery/art...8530-8,00.html

Try not to hurt yourself now!

**Leftygolfer** · May 18, 2009

Thanks for that. I am aware of this. I know one big keys for me is not breaking tees. When I do this I get the most carry and most role. The importance of this can not be overstated. My buddy swings 10 miles an hour faster than me but I consistantly keep up with him becuase he doesn't get good launch conditions (low spin high launch). I tell him, he doesn't listen. He likes the way it looks teed low and back and is constantly not getting what he should. I like the way it looks with low spin and high launch.

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driver shaft fitting

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