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So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

post #1 of 16
6/11/10 at 3:22pm
Thread Starter 
I have a set of Ping Zings, black dot that I bought used about a month ago.

They have Ping KT-M(?) steel shafts.

One problem I have always had with my irons is that I feel the trajectory of my shots is too low, more so with the 7-8-9 irons. How much of this could be effected by the shaft of the club? I know I need to keep working on my swing, but I would also like to know how the shaft can make a difference. I have a what I would think is a medium swing speed, but I have never had it measured.

Thanks!
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post #2 of 16
6/11/10 at 3:30pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Low trajectory with the short irons is usually very desireable. Are you unhappy with it? But yeah, from an equipment POV, the shaft is the primary factor on how high or low the ball flies.
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post #3 of 16
6/11/10 at 3:53pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Originally Posted by DavidFehertysBike View Post
Low trajectory with the short irons is usually very desireable. Are you unhappy with it? But yeah, from an equipment POV, the shaft is the primary factor on how high or low the ball flies.
exactly what he said.

A high kick shaft launches the ball lower, low kick launches it higher.
A stiffer shaft will launch the ball lower, a more flexible shaft will launch it higher
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post #4 of 16
6/11/10 at 4:10pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Originally Posted by DavidFehertysBike View Post
Low trajectory with the short irons is usually very desireable. Are you unhappy with it? But yeah, from an equipment POV, the shaft is the primary factor on how high or low the ball flies.
Yea, I agree a lower ball flight is better but that's a result of controlling distances from said flight and utilizing spin. It's been my experience that most high handicappers that are getting a low trajectory from their short irons are not getting the benefits of the distance control or spin. Usually it's either a swing mechanics issue (ball position comes to mind) or as the OP asked too stiff of a flex on the shaft. My question to the OP is are your approach shots generally carrying the distance over front side bunkers and such and stopping on the greens? If your forced to hit short of the green just to get the ball to stop somewhere on the back edge of the putting surface then the lower trajectory isn't helping. If your landing on the green and stopping within an acceptable distance then that's the ticket!
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post #5 of 16
6/11/10 at 4:19pm
Thread Starter 

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Originally Posted by 1par2win View Post
Yea, I agree a lower ball flight is better but that's a result of controlling distances from said flight and utilizing spin. It's been my experience that most high handicappers that are getting a low trajectory from their short irons are not getting the benefits of the distance control or spin. Usually it's either a swing mechanics issue (ball position comes to mind) or as the OP asked too stiff of a flex on the shaft. My question to the OP is are your approach shots generally carrying the distance over front side bunkers and such and stopping on the greens? If your forced to hit short of the green just to get the ball to stop somewhere on the back edge of the putting surface then the lower trajectory isn't helping. If your landing on the green and stopping within an acceptable distance then that's the ticket!
My problem is that I can usually hit just in front of the green or the front of the green. But the ball has no backspin and keeps rolling, usually off the back of the green!
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post #6 of 16
6/11/10 at 4:21pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Originally Posted by bocbass View Post
My problem is that I can usually hit just in front of the green on the front of the green. But the ball has no backspin and keeps rolling, usually off the back of the green!
I guess your not a long hitter then?
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post #7 of 16
6/11/10 at 4:30pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Originally Posted by bocbass View Post
My problem is that I can usually hit just in front of the green on the front of the green. But the ball has no backspin and keeps rolling, usually off the back of the green!
Yea, a higher trajectory would help you quite a bit. Since you have pretty good clubs already I would suggest working on your swing to enable you you hit the ball higher. Since that's stating the obvious any number of factors come into play such as your set-up, how steep you come into the ball (ie hitting down on the ball), and the like. Since we do not know what your swing looks like I suggest taking a trip to see your local friendly PGA pro.
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post #8 of 16
6/11/10 at 4:37pm
Thread Starter 

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Originally Posted by James_Black View Post
I guess your not a long hitter then?
I guess I don't really know. I can hit a 7 iron about 140 give or take. PW about 110.
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post #9 of 16
6/11/10 at 4:38pm
Thread Starter 

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Originally Posted by 1par2win View Post
Yea, a higher trajectory would help you quite a bit. Since you have pretty good clubs already I would suggest working on your swing to enable you you hit the ball higher. Since that's stating the obvious any number of factors come into play such as your set-up, how steep you come into the ball (ie hitting down on the ball), and the like. Since we do not know what your swing looks like I suggest taking a trip to see your local friendly PGA pro.
I plan on doing that very soon! I don't know if it would be worth it to re shaft my irons if that is one of the problems, or just get a whole new set.
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post #10 of 16
6/11/10 at 4:48pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

I would suggest to stick with what you got and work on the swing. Those Ping Zings are something else to look at but I'll tell ya I have seen some pretty good rounds shot by people gaming those clubs. Besides, isn't it more fun to beat other people with shiny new clubs with your old school Pings?!?!
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post #11 of 16
6/11/10 at 10:38pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

One other relatively cheap fix might be a ball switch. Perhaps the Bridgestone e5. It has a urethane cover so it'll check more around the green and it promotes a higher ball flight.

Maybe worth the $25 to get a dozen and see what happens. With irons I think one's trajectory is more a result of one's swing than the shaft.

TW
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post #12 of 16
6/11/10 at 11:22pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

I have a couple thoughts I figure I would contribute since I recently was in the same boat as the OP before taking lessons this summer.

The first is the whole "Hit down on the ball!!!" advice and thought process. It's actually something that was, before lessons, very harmful to my game. The hitting down on the ball idea, while correct, is harmful without explaining what goes into it. The mind thinks that to hit down on the ball, you have to come down at a vertical angle, which of course kills your swing plane. So yes hitting down on the ball is the idea, it has to be explained fully to understand the golf swing.

To me, if you aren't getting the height you want, but the distance is fine, then it sounds like you are just hitting it thin and almost scooping which is causing the ball to shoot off the face with a line drive.
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post #13 of 16
6/12/10 at 2:56am

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

At a 30 handicap, no piece of equipment is going to affect you that much. The swing will be far more important at that point in determining the flight of the ball. It's not until you start striking the ball cleanly and solidly each time that equipment becomes a factor. For me, it wasn't until I reached about an 8 handicap that I started to need to worry about my equipment whatsoever.

I would focus on getting the swing in order, and hitting the ball high and solid, then worry about equipment later. The clubs you have are a good, middle of the road set, and anyone from a 30 handicap to a PGA tour pro could play them without much problem.
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post #14 of 16
6/12/10 at 5:13pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Originally Posted by Shanks A Million View Post
At a 30 handicap, no piece of equipment is going to affect you that much. The swing will be far more important at that point in determining the flight of the ball. It's not until you start striking the ball cleanly and solidly each time that equipment becomes a factor. For me, it wasn't until I reached about an 8 handicap that I started to need to worry about my equipment whatsoever.

I would focus on getting the swing in order, and hitting the ball high and solid, then worry about equipment later. The clubs you have are a good, middle of the road set, and anyone from a 30 handicap to a PGA tour pro could play them without much problem.



once again mr knows everything about golf but still has a 6.7 handicap makes me lol once again.
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post #15 of 16
6/12/10 at 5:52pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Originally Posted by kevinbomb123 View Post
once again mr knows everything about golf but still has a 6.7 handicap makes me lol once again.
Dude, you need to chill out. You have, once again, added a useless comment to a thread in an effort to stir something up. Do yourself a favor and read rather than writing so you can add useful comments to the threads.

To the OP. If you are considering new shafts, I would recommend new irons. Or, if you really like your current irons you could just get new short irons. Some of the newer stuff will promote higher ball flight with additional weight shifted toward the sole of the club. As someone mentioned previously, I would be looking into a different ball, like the e5, as it could be a cheap solution. Good luck.
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post #16 of 16
6/12/10 at 6:05pm

Re: So tell me how the shaft effects ball flight.

Originally Posted by kevinbomb123 View Post
once again mr knows everything about golf but still has a 6.7 handicap makes me lol once again.
do you need to be a pro to know about equipment or the swing?
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