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Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

post #1 of 11
8/24/10 at 1:45am
Thread Starter 
So my buddy was hitting balls the other day at Golf Galaxy in the simulator.
I swung the driver a few times and each swing was always around 80-82 mph. Irons about 76-78 mph.

Currently I use Ladies Flex graphite shafts on all my clubs (other than Wedges) because I always felt my swing was slow and the extra flex would give me more distance.

Lately I have been visiting the custom club/clone fitting sites like Giga and Pinemeadow.
The normally ask you to put in your distance for your 5 iron.
I currently use a 5 hybrid which is my 175-185 yd club.
Which for that yardage some sites say I need a regular flex, others say a Firm flex (which is in-between Stiff and Regular).

My question is.....Does this flex sound correct for my swing speed ?

I feel like the extra whip of the Ladies flex with my slower swing speed gives me the extra distance. For my next set of clubs, I hate to go firmer and lose the distance.

One thing to note, the fitting sites say ladies flex should be used with 60 mph swings.
So maybe they are hurting me ?

Confused to say the least.
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post #2 of 11
8/24/10 at 2:08am

Re: Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

A 5 hybrid is not quite equivalent with a 5 iron, so this may be skewing your interpretation of the shaft flex recommendation. How old are you, what is your body type/stature, and how long have you been playing?
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post #3 of 11
8/24/10 at 2:18am
Thread Starter 

Re: Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

Originally Posted by delav View Post
A 5 hybrid is not quite equivalent with a 5 iron, so this may be skewing your interpretation of the shaft flex recommendation. How old are you, what is your body type/stature, and how long have you been playing?
Age: 34
Height: 5'4" (Another reason I prefer the ladies shafts as they are 1" shorter so I don't have to get them cut down like I do with a Men's club)
Weight: 155 (average build)
Started playing 16 years ago, although started to take it more serious the past 2 years with equipment and playing more often and trying to improve my game.
I normally hit my 7i about 145 yds, 6h-160-165 if that helps any.
Driver is about 225 on average. 250 if I really connect. Rarely ever hit anything longer than 250 unless the fairway is extremly dry or sloped.
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post #4 of 11
8/24/10 at 2:33am

Re: Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

Your too young for ladies(plus as you get better your speed will come naturally), and from your 7 iron yardage I think you should play regular. Keep in mind though that not all shafts are equal. Also, your tempo can dictate the stiffness.
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post #5 of 11
8/24/10 at 2:53am
Thread Starter 

Re: Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

Thanks for the feedback. If I were to get regular stiffness, what about graphite vs steel shafts ?
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post #6 of 11
8/24/10 at 3:12am

Re: Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

Originally Posted by erock9174 View Post
Thanks for the feedback. If I were to get regular stiffness, what about graphite vs steel shafts ?
Graphite for woods and hybrids, but i would go steel for the irons (little more accurate and better feedback).
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post #7 of 11
8/24/10 at 4:09am

Re: Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

I'm 5'5" - swing a driver 95 + mph and use a stiff flex. I think you're making a big mistake by cutting down shafts or using shorter clubs. I've had numerous pros tell me it is better to adjust the lie of an iron than to cut a shaft down. You're not that short. I would seriously suggest studying some swing teachers or getting lessons to improve your swing, thus increasing your swing speed. Possibly do some stretching and weight lifting routines as well. Get yourself some regular flex standard length clubs and if you need to, get the irons flattened about 2 degrees. That is much better than cutting them down. You should be fine with standard length drivers and FW woods.

Being short is not really a hindrance to playing good golf. Trust me, I know this. I shot a 75 this weekend and handily beat the two single digit handicappers I played with. Oh, by the way, I only weigh 115 lbs. Don't let your size discourage you.
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post #8 of 11
8/24/10 at 4:10am

Re: Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

My driver swing speed is usually right around 100mph so I use stiff flex (sort of an estimation, I swung a club that told you the swing speed and it told me 110 so I'm not sure how much to trust it). A friend of mine plays with X22 tours that have R flex graphite shafts. She seems to have about the same swing speed that you do or a little slower judging on the distance she hits them and how far your 5H goes. I tried them and they were a little to whippy for me but they felt good after I slowed down my tempo. I like firm feedback so I prefer steel shafts but you might like the softer feel of the graphite shafts.

Is there a driving range or golf shop near you that would let you try a club with an R flex graphite shaft? We get demo clubs every year for people to try at the driving range where I work. That usually includes an R flex graphite shaft 6 iron.
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post #9 of 11
8/24/10 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

Originally Posted by alo1984 View Post
I think you're making a big mistake by cutting down shafts or using shorter clubs. I've had numerous pros tell me it is better to adjust the lie of an iron than to cut a shaft down. You're not that short.
Being you are only 115 lbs that probably helps with your flexibility and being able to rotate better than me.
I am pretty compact and I don't feel I generate much of a hip or shoulder turn.

Actually I'm only 5'3" without my golf shoes on. I have tried standard length clubs but honestly they do not feel comfortable to me.
Especially the driver. I feel like I am swinging a baseball bat if I had to describe it. Feels like the club path is not steep enough. I had a std length 400cc Cleveland driver and gave it to my brother after one season. Couldn't keep the thing in play, never felt like I could get the head of the club around and would always slice it. Once I switched to my Maxfli short length driver my long game got much better.

As far as my swing speed goes. If I give it my all I can swing a driver over 90mph, but I lose all control and start spraying the ball everywhere. The slower tempo works better for me. I'd rather sacrifice a little distance to keep the ball in play.

I do like your idea about stretching etc. I have been on the fence about starting up that P90X workout routine. I hear it's great for flexibility and building lean muscle. Should be a big help to a golf game.
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post #10 of 11
8/24/10 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

Originally Posted by David K View Post
Is there a driving range or golf shop near you that would let you try a club with an R flex graphite shaft? We get demo clubs every year for people to try at the driving range where I work. That usually includes an R flex graphite shaft 6 iron.
Have both a golf galaxy and a foxy golf in my area that you can try out clubs. Before I get my next set I'll plan on trying a R flex graphite shaft.
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post #11 of 11
8/25/10 at 2:27pm

Re: Swing Speed / Shaft Stiffness question

Originally Posted by erock9174 View Post
Being you are only 115 lbs that probably helps with your flexibility and being able to rotate better than me.
I am pretty compact and I don't feel I generate much of a hip or shoulder turn.

Actually I'm only 5'3" without my golf shoes on. I have tried standard length clubs but honestly they do not feel comfortable to me.
Especially the driver. I feel like I am swinging a baseball bat if I had to describe it. Feels like the club path is not steep enough. I had a std length 400cc Cleveland driver and gave it to my brother after one season. Couldn't keep the thing in play, never felt like I could get the head of the club around and would always slice it. Once I switched to my Maxfli short length driver my long game got much better.

As far as my swing speed goes. If I give it my all I can swing a driver over 90mph, but I lose all control and start spraying the ball everywhere. The slower tempo works better for me. I'd rather sacrifice a little distance to keep the ball in play.

I do like your idea about stretching etc. I have been on the fence about starting up that P90X workout routine. I hear it's great for flexibility and building lean muscle. Should be a big help to a golf game.
I have not ever finished a P90X full routine, but I know many people who have and they swear by it. Their results were quite noticeable too. You never know, it may help your game.

As far as the shaft length goes, it sounds like maybe your doing the right thing for you as of right now. Maybe as you improve your strength and stretching you would be able to try swinging standard length again. Good luck!
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