Do I need a new shaft?

I bought the Adams Speedline F11 3W with only the regular flex in it. I did this before I ever had my swing speed tested. With my driver and hybrid I have stiff flex shafts. I swing at about 100 mph with my driver, probably 90-95 with my fairway metals. I am wildly inconsistent with my 3W, everything from hooks to slices, to topping it or chucking it. Very different from any other club I hit.

I'm wondering if this could be due to the fact that I am using a regular flex when I actually need a stiff flex. So do you guys think I should switch shafts? Maybe it's the entire club that needs to be replaced? Or am I just looking for excuses?

I just don't want to spend $50 or so to have it reshafted to a stiff flex and find that that's not the problem.

Any insights would be much appreciated.

Just FYI, I'm a 14 handicap

Bueller?      Bueller?       Bueller?

Okay -

I was once the same speed as your description ... it could be anything. Most 10-14 hc, in general (there are always exceptions), will have trouble with a 3 wood. It is mostly used on the ground - low loft and long length works against you - so any mistake will be exaggerated. Same for me - never knew what to expect.

Here is a test - put it on the tee and tee it so you have a nice lie - not as high as a tee shot but appropriate for that club. After you get accustomed to it, how is your consistency?

If consistently good, then I'd say, swinging a low lofted, long length shaft club off the deck is a problem. If not good, then you've got to figure out if it is your swing or the shaft. Swing a long hybrid off the tee and see what happens. If the swing is good, then it could be the shaft; or it could be that the head doesn't agree with you. Remember, the higher lofted clubs will mask your mistakes.

Then take your 3 wood and grip down an inch - you might get some tennis club tape to build it up to re-create grip diameter - what happens?

In general, I'd consider 18-19 lofts as the primary fairway for your handicap (in general) - more loft = more backspin, less shaft length = more control, and mentally, you will not feel the need to swing as hard with a higher lofted club.

43.5 is too long for me for a 3 or 4 wood - I like 42.5 inches in a 3 wood, 42 in in a 4 wood, 41-41.5 in a 5-7 wood. But that would require a clubmaker who knew what he was doing to make the club fit you.

If you think it is shaft length and not loft, you could go to one of the better club makers, have him hot melt and take an inch off the shaft (that makes it stiffer - slightly - cutting from the butt).

BUT before you do that, I'd go demo your club against other fairways on a launch monitor. See how they compare, think about it, and put a plan together.

Being that you have hooks and slices AND tops and chunks, you're having contact problems. Suggested sequence (from my lessons this summer):

1. Make sure you're not overswinging with a longer club.

2. As Mr. Desmond suggested, choke up a little when hitting off the fairway and see if this works.

3. Next stop: If the choke up doesn't work, have your pro look at your swing for the problem.

If SS is accurate, I think a stiffer flex might help. But with tops AND chunks, there's more at play.

Also consider going to a 4W. A couple of extra degrees of loft and a slightly shorter shaft can help you with both loft and control. Golf Digest published a report a couple of years back which says the 4W is easier than a 3W for most golfers to hit.