Stiff graphite shafts bad for slow swing speeds?

atomheartmother · August 20, 2012

Are stiff graphite shafts not particularly good for slower swing speeds. I have no idea what my swing speed is, but it's definitely on the slow side. Back when I started in April, I bought a second hand set of Titleist DCI OS irons to get started out on. They have Titleist Select Custom Graphite Technology S (stiff) shafts, with the PW actually having an Apache PM-40+ graphite shaft (not sure about the flex, but it feels stiff).

http://www.titleist.com/historical_clubs/details.asp?id=14

I've read that having a shaft that is too stiff for a particular swing speeds will often result in a lower trajectory, shortened distance, and slight (or worse) pushes to the ride than an appropriate flex shaft.

I often feel that my shots iron shots definitely have a lower trajectory than I'd expect, aside from the PW and occasionally my 9. I get high loft on my SW just fine. I often struggle with pushing irons shots a bit, particularly as the irons get longer.

Though, this could always be more due to issues with my swing that need to be worked out. I've had several lessons and have begun to develop a solid swing that just needs practice. Though, my instructor did comment off-hand about how stiff the shafts were ("stiff as a board" to be precise).

Would there be any benefit to looking into some replacement irons with a more flexible shaft? These aren't exactly game improvement irons either. The soles are pretty thin and the cavities shallow (compared to modern game improvement irons). Perhaps a more flexible shaft combined with clubheads with modern game improvement specs would help my iron game? Though, I'm not looking for a band-aid or anything.

Or am I wasting money and just need to spend more time a the range and stick it out with these?

I've been eyeing these:

Callaway Diablo Edge R irons ($300, closer to $230 on eBay)

Used Taylormade Burner 2.0 (~$300 used)

Used Titleist AP1 (~$320)

**lumpuckeroo** · August 20, 2012

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head. What you have described is the general results of having clubs with too stiff of a shaft. I'm not going to try and convince you any one way, but if you intend to continue playing I think you would find more enjoyment by having clubs that are more suited to your ability. I would suggest going to a club fitter and having them help you determine what shaft flex would be best suited to your ability. More than likely they will try to sale you a set that they make, which might be a good option, but you can also take that information and find another set that would be a better fit.

**WUTiger** · August 20, 2012

Sounds like you're getting serious about the game.

It's time to get on a launch monitor and get some data on how the ball flies with different shaft and head combinations. That's what you want to do before you change out irons or other clubs: find out what you actually need to hit the ball well.

A good golf shop can check you out on the monitor and steer you toward used irons with appropriate shafts.

Ask the clubfitter if you can have the printouts of the launch data on the irons you get. You can use that as a baseline for future fine-tuning of your clubs and swing. Start a ring-binder with club-related info.

**inthehole** · August 20, 2012

Originally Posted by WUTiger

Sounds like you're getting serious about the game.

It's time to get on a launch monitor and get some data on how the ball flies with different shaft and head combinations. That's what you want to do before you change out irons or other clubs: find out what you actually need to hit the ball well.

A good golf shop can check you out on the monitor and steer you toward used irons with appropriate shafts.

Ask the clubfitter if you can have the printouts of the launch data on the irons you get. You can use that as a baseline for future fine-tuning of your clubs and swing. Start a ring-binder with club-related info.

I would love to dig deeper into my swing and find a club fitter that has the equipment to do this - the only launch monitor I've seen is at Golfsmith - I'm leary to go there for a proper fitting. How do I go about finding a club fitter that has this kind of equipment ?? Seems like it would be more common in major metro areas than where I live ... I've always wondered about this - thx.

**GaijinGolfer** · August 20, 2012

Originally Posted by atomheartmother

Are stiff graphite shafts not particularly good for slower swing speeds. I have no idea what my swing speed is, but it's definitely on the slow side. Back when I started in April, I bought a second hand set of Titleist DCI OS irons to get started out on. They have Titleist Select Custom Graphite Technology S (stiff) shafts, with the PW actually having an Apache PM-40+ graphite shaft (not sure about the flex, but it feels stiff).

http://www.titleist.com/historical_clubs/details.asp?id=14

I've read that having a shaft that is too stiff for a particular swing speeds will often result in a lower trajectory, shortened distance, and slight (or worse) pushes to the ride than an appropriate flex shaft.

I often feel that my shots iron shots definitely have a lower trajectory than I'd expect, aside from the PW and occasionally my 9. I get high loft on my SW just fine. I often struggle with pushing irons shots a bit, particularly as the irons get longer.

Though, this could always be more due to issues with my swing that need to be worked out. I've had several lessons and have begun to develop a solid swing that just needs practice. Though, my instructor did comment off-hand about how stiff the shafts were ("stiff as a board" to be precise).

Would there be any benefit to looking into some replacement irons with a more flexible shaft? These aren't exactly game improvement irons either. The soles are pretty thin and the cavities shallow (compared to modern game improvement irons). Perhaps a more flexible shaft combined with clubheads with modern game improvement specs would help my iron game? Though, I'm not looking for a band-aid or anything.

Or am I wasting money and just need to spend more time a the range and stick it out with these?

I've been eyeing these:

Callaway Diablo Edge R irons ($300, closer to $230 on eBay)

Used Taylormade Burner 2.0 (~$300 used)

Used Titleist AP1 (~$320)

If you arent loading the shaft properly, you wont get as much distance and the club wont release properly into the ball. You dont always have to swing fast to hit a stiff shaft, sometimes if you just have a quick tempo a stiff shaft could be good.

A weaker shaft will lag behind you more and give you more time to close the clubface and by loading the shaft more, you will get more distance and higher shots because there will be more of a whipping action and you will be getting more spin.

There are some people who think that a stiffer shaft will cause more accurate shots and a tighter dispersion pattern but Ive always felt that you need the shaft to load and then release properly in order for it to work properly.

I wouldnt be afraid to go to Golfsmith to get a fitting done. All they are going to do is have you try different shafts and see what difference it makes on launch angle and spin. You will be able to see for yourself on the computer screen what the difference are and should give you a much better idea of what shaft is right for you.

atomheartmother · August 23, 2012

Thanks for all the replies. They've been helpful. Any more thoughts, anyone?

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