Got fitted for a driver with an R-Flex shaft...

Launch Monitor numbers:

Clubhead Speed: 96-98 mph

Ball speed: 145-146 mph

Launch angle: 14-15 degs.

Spin - appx. 2800. (I think.. but just from my sketchy memory)

Carry Distance: 235-238 yds.

Total: 245-248 yds on the LM.

Loft: 10.5 (TM Aero burner)

Shaft: R-Flex (Matrix 50 gms).

Can't remember the S-Flex numbers but the launch and spin were not as ideal per the Golf Galaxy fitter. He did seem knowledgeable. The total distance was not that different with S-Flex but he felt the carry will be different and better with the R-Flex numbers. Have had two rounds with it and getting adjusted to the lighter and flexier shaft but distance wise I can't tell the difference compared to my Titliest 910 D2 (10.5 deg., 70 grams, S-Flex) on the course.

Anyway, anybody at 95+ mph hit an R-Flex.. experiences/opinions?

Launch Monitor numbers:

Clubhead Speed: 96-98 mph

Ball speed: 145-146 mph

Launch angle: 14-15 degs.

Spin - appx. 2800. (I think.. but just from my sketchy memory)

Carry Distance: 235-238 yds.

Total: 245-248 yds on the LM.

Loft: 10.5 (TM Aero burner)

Shaft: R-Flex (Matrix 50 gms).

Can't remember the S-Flex numbers but the launch and spin were not as ideal per the Golf Galaxy fitter. He did seem knowledgeable. The total distance was not that different with S-Flex but he felt the carry will be different and better with the R-Flex numbers. Have had two rounds with it and getting adjusted to the lighter and flexier shaft but distance wise I can't tell the difference compared to my Titliest 910 D2 (10.5 deg., 70 grams, S-Flex) on the course.

Anyway, anybody at 95+ mph hit an R-Flex.. experiences/opinions?

My swing is varies from 95 - 100 mph and most of the shafts I use are regular flex.  When I was fit for the Ping G30 SF Tec I needed a stiff flex shaft but for the Titleist and Callaway V Series I did best with regular flex.

Each manufacturer uses different shafts with different specs.  Not only is swing speed important but so is load.  Some people with a really smooth swing can use a regular flex shaft without problems but someone that has a abrupt transition might need a stiff flex shaft even if their swing speed is a little lower.

In terms of shafts, you have torque, stiffness and kick point which can all influence the performance of the club, distance and dispersion.

Your carry distances are not consistent with a 95mph SS, unless you have a really good smash factor >1.5.

236 carry is typically a 100mph swing with average contact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

Your carry distances are not consistent with a 95mph SS, unless you have a really good smash factor >1.5.

236 carry is typically a 100mph swing with average contact.

I thought SF is Ball Speed/Club head speed.. No?

Anyway, that's what I got at the LM. I am not sure what typical.

Yes, but the carry is directly proportional to the ball speed with only reductions in distance due to non-ideal launch conditions and contact. I see your ball speed numbers do give you roughly 1.5 SF numbers.

So, if the fitter told you to use R flex, and it doesn't balloon (14.5 degree launch is pretty good, but not maximum carry***) even with your 95-98mph SS then I would say use his recommendation of R.

***http://flightscope.com/products/trajectory-optimizer/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

Yes, but the carry is directly proportional to the ball speed with only reductions in distance due to non-ideal launch conditions and contact. I see your ball speed numbers do give you roughly 1.5 SF numbers.

So, if the fitter told you to use R flex, and it doesn't balloon (14.5 degree launch is pretty good, but not maximum carry***) even with your 95-98mph SS then I would say use his recommendation of R.

***http://flightscope.com/products/trajectory-optimizer/

Two rounds, no balloons. Bit higher than my S-Flex 910 but he and you might be right.

Nice!

Launch Monitor numbers:

Clubhead Speed: 96-98 mph

Ball speed: 145-146 mph

Launch angle: 14-15 degs.

Spin - appx. 2800. (I think.. but just from my sketchy memory)

Carry Distance: 235-238 yds.

Total: 245-248 yds on the LM.

Loft: 10.5 (TM Aero burner)

Shaft: R-Flex (Matrix 50 gms).

Can't remember the S-Flex numbers but the launch and spin were not as ideal per the Golf Galaxy fitter. He did seem knowledgeable. The total distance was not that different with S-Flex but he felt the carry will be different and better with the R-Flex numbers. Have had two rounds with it and getting adjusted to the lighter and flexier shaft but distance wise I can't tell the difference compared to my Titliest 910 D2 (10.5 deg., 70 grams, S-Flex) on the course.

Anyway, anybody at 95+ mph hit an R-Flex.. experiences/opinions?

I am very similar to your numbers, club speed similar, ball speed maybe 3-4 lower, spin 2300 ish (mine is an SLDR), launch 15.5 ish, carry 235 ish, loft 12, R flex speeder 57.

I am happy. I have a slowish swing transition so I don't need an S shaft anymore in my woods, I like to feel the club head and it helps me close the face better (or so it seems). I have R shafts in my woods, still have S shafts in my irons (older set), but I like to cut them so I'm still ok with that.

If you like the softer feel and don't have a quick transition, should be promising. TM claims to be good at matching shafts to fit head characteristics, and I buy into that, so its all good.

Only question I have is that for a TM driver, launch seems a tad low and esp spin a little high from optimal, but if you like the feel and the flight looks high enough, it could be that the Aeroburner just isn't as optimized at high loft/low spin as other TM drivers.

He actually started with the TM SLDR. I was secretly even hoping it would end up being my stick  but ball speed lower by 3-4 mph. Can't remember launch numbers. Once he switched to AeroB.. ball speed jumped up immediately even with the S-Flex. We eventually settled on the R-Flex.

Also, yes, the launch is LOW. But that is partly my odd set up and swing (have a My Swing thread for a read if you ever get bored and want to be bored even more) which gives me a lower dynamic loft than most. But I am working on a bit of adjustment and hopefully will get a tad bit higher launch but won't be more than a degree or two at best because of my limitation. He partly thought the R-Flex will bring up the launch eventually once I adjust.

My irons are S-Flex KBS Taper 120s and hit just fine. Anyway, I agree with you and @newtogolf about the transition. I must not stress my shaft enough to warrant a stiffer shaft.

Thanks!

I dunno, I think you are too hard on yourself! TM (as far as I recall) shoots for 17 degree launch, 1700 rpm which I think is much higher launch/lower spin spec than most other mfgs.

In general, I'd think 14-15 degree launch with a 10.5 degree driver is quite good, certainly not what I would consider low. If you can get another degree of launch out of it over the short term, so much the better

I'm not a terribly experienced golfer but I use the exact same driver, TM Aero 10.5 with R shaft. My swing speed is around 88 to 92, and my carry is average 235. I originally bought the S flex but traded back to the R and both carry and consistency improved.

At a 90 mph swing, you might mean total distance is 235?