Driver Question

[Onethatwobbles]

I have a Taylormade R7 460 Draw Driver that I bought used with a regular shaft. I just got into this summer and just went around and got a used to set of clubs to start out with. I got my swing speed tested at Golfsmith the other week and I averaged a 120 mph swing. I love the rest of my clubs but the driver is so erratic for me that I just use my Hybrid off the tee. Would I benefit from a shaft replacement or would it be smarter to just buy a new driver all together? I am a lefty btw so it makes finding sale clubs harder to find.

[nbaresejr]

wow thats some SS. 120 is faster then Mickelson was doing last weekend in the skins game. I am lefty too so i feel your pain with finding equip.

All depends on what you want to spend. Shafts can range from $40 to $300 or more. I would go back to the place you got your swing speed tested at and ask to hit some different clubs or try to different shafts.

[TyCobb]

120 mph? Holy crap. It sounds like you're trying to kill it everytime, which is probably why it's so erratic.

[Titleist Man]

What shot type do you usually hit and/or struggle with?

[Onethatwobbles]

I am 6'3" and have played baseball my whole life if that helps explain the ss. I usually am really comfortable with my irons and hybrid but I seem to not be able to get my driver in check. Typically I hit 2 of 5 drives well and the mishits slice but sometimes it will hook. So do you guys think its my poor form with the driver? Or the club not being fitted for me?

[TyCobb]

"I am 6'3" and have played baseball my whole life if that helps explain the ss"

Same here, but I'm around 110 mph.

[Onethatwobbles]

So maybe I should just slow down a bit? I don't try to kill it everytime but it couldn't hurt to try and work on that instead of money on a new club!

[Titleist Man]

I agree try to fix the swing before the club and if all else fails id probably try a few different shafts and reshaft the club. Just my input

[RocketSauce]

whoa, a 120mph ss and you're using a regular flex shaft? thats probably why you are so erratic. you probably need an x flex. get fitted though to be sure. good luck. wish i had a ss that high. i think my back would snap

[Pat007]

being 6ft.3 doesn't mean anything to swing speed. I'm 5ft9 and can swing to 118, but I never do. It's pointless.

[rebby]

My SS is 118mph. With most standard mid-high torque S flex shafts I tend to overload them which results in very erratic shots. Unless my timing is perfect, the ball tends to go all over the place. As a result, I swing very low torque X flex shafts in my woods. A new shaft may be a huge help for you especially if you're currently swinging an high torque R flex shaft.

You may also want to consider working on your swing. At 118mph (+/-2mph avg), I'm swinging at roughly 80-85%. I find that this gives me very consistent/predictable results. If, at 120mph, you're swinging at 100%+... You probably need to slow down a little.

[Petden]

Work on accuracy right now, trim the speed a little.

Defenitly when swinging over 100mph R flex shafts are too loose.

Whats your carry like, distance wise?

[EquipmentJunkie]

being 6ft.3 doesn't mean anything to swing speed. I'm 5ft9 and can swing to 118, but I never do. It's pointless.

That is incorrect. While it is a blanket statement (and untrue) to say that a taller person will always swing faster than a shorter person. Height does a play a factor in swings speed (in general this is not specific to golf). It is a simple matter of biomechanics. Height is not the only factor but is one (length of shaft, wrist to floor measurement, ect). In general, the club travels around a larger axis and plane, this takes longer and considering all other variables, can generate more speed. Granted this probably applies more to sports like hockey, tennis and baseball than it does golf but to say it is not a factor at all is a little silly.

[Onethatwobbles]

The 120 is about my 85% swing. For shits while I was there I gave one a 100% and I hit 131mph. Equipmentjunkie hit it dead on with what I meant by saying I was tall. Do any of you have a suggestion on what shafts to start looking at? I am on a budget with golf equipment so I can't afford the exotic stuff! I usually hit the ball about 260 at the range but I don't know exactly since it clears the range I hit at. Accuracy is defintely my goal right now and I would gladly sacrifice yardage for spots on the fairway. Is there any training tips you all have on a database somewhere?

[tim31x]

I am 6'3" and have played baseball my whole life if that helps explain the ss. I usually am really comfortable with my irons and hybrid but I seem to not be able to get my driver in check. Typically I hit 2 of 5 drives well and the mishits slice but sometimes it will hook. So do you guys think its my poor form with the driver? Or the club not being fitted for me?

same here, im 6'4" and have been playing baseball since i was younger. my swing speed is 119 average with solid contact, and 125 with a straight drive just slightly worse contact. i was recommended a UST ProForce V2 X-stiff shaft. this should work for you as well. the slices and hooks come as a result of the club head twisting due to too much tourque on the shaft.

[Petden]

From what I hear the ProForce shafts are phenominal for the price.

[Onethatwobbles]

Thanks for all the help guys. I ended up buying a Nike sumo driver with an extra stiff shaft for $100. We have 12 inches of snow right now, so I will have to wait to try it out!

[ks8829]

I would bring in your driver and go to the local golf store and have them recommend some other drivers and hit other driver and compare them with yours on the launch monitior and it could make a big difference on your game, worth the try.

They might even do a trade in that might make more sense to you.