Driver Shaft Flex Thoughts

[KMP]

As I have gotten older my length of shots with my driver seems to have decreased much more than my irons. I have always played stiff flex shafts as I found dispersion higher with regular flex. What are your experiences with moving from stiff to regular or senior flex driver shafts?  My thought was to try to find a fitter at a driving range or a manufacturer demo day where I can try a few options.

[saevel25]

On 4/15/2022 at 5:38 PM, KMP said:

As I have gotten older my length of shots with my driver seems to have decreased much more than my irons. I have always played stiff flex shafts as I found dispersion higher with regular flex. What are your experiences with moving from stiff to regular or senior flex driver shafts?  My thought was to try to find a fitter at a driving range or a manufacturer demo day where I can try a few options.

This!

There could be an option out there for a regular flex that doesn't give you the dispersion problems. Maybe a stiff flex in a lighter golf shaft might be something. 

[Groundhog34]

"My thought was to try to find a fitter at a driving range or a manufacturer demo day where I can try a few options."

GOOD THINKING. What's good for the goose in this case is not good for the gander.

[TourSpoon]

On 4/15/2022 at 5:38 PM, KMP said:

My thought was to try to find a fitter at a driving range or a manufacturer demo day where I can try a few options.

My fitter put me into an X and he said the shaft he fit me into was about the bend profile and weight and not to believe the generic adages about shaft flex. I never would have gone down that road but he insisted on a blind test because he said that most people have preconceived ideas that limit them. Anyway, I can't argue with the results. I have hit stiff shafts that are boards, and this X is really smooth. 

[RayG]

It isn't always a question of moving from "Stiff" to "Regular". You can move to a shaft with a different Kick Point. People think there are only the 4 or 5 shaft stiffness choices. L,A,R,S,XS... but each of those can have 3 characteristics. High KP, low launch, Low KP, high launch, etc.. So you really get 12/15 choices. 

I was losing distance from having a "stiff" shaft, but a low KP- the tip was a bit too soft and leading to spinnier balls going left more time than not. my SS is right around 100-102, but I got fitted into a C721 with a S, but a high KP, Low launch shaft. gained 10-15 yards and dropped spin numbers right down.

[iacas]

18 minutes ago, RayG said:

It isn't always a question of moving from "Stiff" to "Regular". You can move to a shaft with a different Kick Point. People think there are only the 4 or 5 shaft stiffness choices. L,A,R,S,XS... but each of those can have 3 characteristics. High KP, low launch, Low KP, high launch, etc.. So you really get 12/15 choices. 

I was losing distance from having a "stiff" shaft, but a low KP- the tip was a bit too soft and leading to spinnier balls going left more time than not. my SS is right around 100-102, but I got fitted into a C721 with a S, but a high KP, Low launch shaft. gained 10-15 yards and dropped spin numbers right down.

It's more than just that, too, when you add in different torques, different weights, etc.

FWIW, too, the "kick point" is only about 1-2" different from a "high" kick point shaft to a "low" one. It's surprising how much that small change can affect things.

[TourSpoon]

 

 

1 hour ago, RayG said:

People think there are only the 4 or 5 shaft stiffness choices. L,A,R,S,XS... but each of those can have 3 characteristics. High KP, low launch, Low KP, high launch, etc.. So you really get 12/15 choices. 

Let's not forget that there is no industry standard on what those flexes are either! And honestly you can go down the rabbit hole on shaft profiles. 

[KMP]

Thank you all for the start on education on this topic. All very helpful!

[NHpro]

On 4/15/2022 at 5:38 PM, KMP said:

As I have gotten older my length of shots with my driver seems to have decreased much more than my irons. I have always played stiff flex shafts as I found dispersion higher with regular flex. What are your experiences with moving from stiff to regular or senior flex driver shafts?  My thought was to try to find a fitter at a driving range or a manufacturer demo day where I can try a few options.

It all depends on swing speed. Also, check your driver for any cracks, especially around the hosel that may have developed, this will effect distance.