Should I keep the new set or send them back for different shafts?

Hi all,

I'm a fairly high handicap player who wants to become a better golfer. Part of this is upgrading from my current box set of $99 Wilson clubs. I purchased a set of custom golf clubs through Gigagolf and chose the R-flex steel shafts for my irons, graphite shafts for my driver/5 wood, which was based on my 150 yard 7-Iron carry. I'm a young woman and now I'm hearing I should have selected the L (ladies shaft).

So I've taken the clubs out to a driving range twice since I got them almost a month ago (haven't played a round with them yet) and I've noticed a few things. One is that my ball now tends to go right no matter the club. The other is that when I really hit the ball well, it goes further than before (definitely the case with my driver and 5 wood, not so much with the irons); however, probably 75% of the time it does not go quite as far as before. That's an improvement over my first trip to the range, as it was probably close to 99% of the time that I did not make solid contact. I think after a few more times out, I could probably increase my reliability with hitting shots more.

Here's my predicament. My 30 day play guarantee is up in 3-4 days, which means my time to return the clubs for re-shafting is almost up. Is it possible to adjust to the R-flex clubs? Do any women play the R-flex, or is it true that most play the L-flex? Should I just send these back or see if I can adjust? And if I can't adjust, how much would it cost me to eventually change back to a less stiff flex?

So wait, you're a "young woman" and have a 7 iron carry distance of 150 yards?  Yet carry a 20 handicap?

Most women do play L flex, but then again, most women don't carry their 7 iron 150 yards. I'm assuming that if you carry a 7 iron that far then a 5 iron should be 170ish (about 10 yards or so between clubs) so according to the GigaGolf eFit system you could have gone with the "firm" flex, which is between regular and stiff. That being said, if EVERYTHING is going right that sounds like they could be to stiff for you, so sending them back might not be a bad thing. If you do, you may want to consider an A (senior) flex, which is still stiffer than a L but one down from the R.

Were the Wishon's Graphite?

At 150 yards for a 7 iron, you should be at a regular flex. The steel shafts may be more difficult for you to torque than the Wishons.

It take some time to get used to hitting a different shaft. I would say keep them and give it time, but that's just my own opinion.

Just to give you a point of reference.  My wife is about 5'9" and pretty athletic.  She carries her 8 iron about 130 and can hit a 7 wood 180 yards (with roll) off the tee.  She plays graphite L flex clubs and has no problem.

tigerfan,

It seems like you've been studying up quite a bit on golf clubs as you made your move to better-fitting equipment.

Some women do play R flex clubs. If you are taller or somewhat athletic (former softball player maybe?), you can generate the leverage it takes to play R flex clubs. My late aunt was slender and 6-foot tall, and won several golf tournaments while serving in the Air Force. She played R-flex clubs.

My wife, on the other hand, is only 4-foot-10, and she plays the old Square Two Petite clubs. These are designed for women 5-foot-2 and under, and are an inch shorter in the shaft and have a flatter lie, and have a soft flex.

It seems you are on the line between L and R flex. As you get used to the new clubs, this should increase the amount of solid contact you get. But, you could play a smoother swing with more flexible shafts. With shaft flex, you're always trying to get distance without losing control. I have experience from the other end. I played stiff shafts until I was 57, but toward the end I just couldn't bend them enough. It cost me distance and totally messed up my swing tempo . I use R-flex now, and should have switched sooner.

Not sure what to advise you in your situation. You might call Giga Golf, explain your situation, and see if they would give you an extra week. If you have a pro that has worked with you on lessons, see him or her and get advice on which way to go.

If you really don't feel good about it, return the clubs and get new ones in a face-to-face fitting. This would allow you to test different combinations of clubheads and shafts and find out which ones work best.

My sister starting getting better at golf and decided that she needed a new set of irons instead of the garden hose flex ladies clubs she had.  She hit nearly every set of clubs golf galaxy had from the newest whippy women's club to a men's steel AP2.  She settled on some R9 senior flex clubs and she crushes them!  The flex is respectable but not overpowering and they seem perfect for her.  My dad bought his girlfriend a set of senior clubs too and she loves them.  I think that moderate flex is the best for a strong female golfer who can hit a drive over 220.