High Launch Shaft

[steve617]

I was told that with my club head speed (mid to upper 80's) that I may get more distance with a high launch shaft. My driver is a titleist 907 D2 that is 10.5*. The shaft is a spec grid 67 R flex that is more mid launch. If so I was possibly looking at the USt V2 64g R flex high launch. Thanks for more info.

[indacup]

Those are decent shafts....have you considred going up a loft as well?

With an 88 mph swingspped, and a 10.5 stated loft, you'd be averaging about 183 yards carry.....go up to a 12* and you'd gain about 8 yards carry.....then go with a high launch shaft and you'd add considerable more.

[steve617]

I have read that you need a softer tip to get a high launch shaft. Just wonder what my current shaft is compared to a V2 high launch 6700R.

My current shafts specs
tip freq. 786 butt freq 241.
I did the wizard on the UST website and it recommend the V2 High 6700R that is 64g. I saw the 53 and was wondering if that would be to wippy and thought the 64g would be good longer as I improve my swing speed.

[jcrob902]

You could also check into a womens shaft(not trying to be funny or offend) but I actually no a guy with the same problem that put an aldila womens shaft in his driver with 11.5* driver head and helped him out alot, most fitters probably wont even mention this to you so as not to offend, but it's worth a try I'd do it if it would work for me.

[indacup]

I have read that you need a softer tip to get a high launch shaft.

That is true.....but there's more to that...a soft tip DOES induce a higher kick...but the entire shaft charactoristice need to be taken into consideration....these days shaft profiles are done...checking the performance of the shaft at specific beam lengths....aka Shaft Profiling.

Just wonder what my current shaft is compared to a V2 high launch 6700R.

A shaft profile between the two is the only way to find out...while I have shaft profiles on the V2, I do not have it on your current shaft...But a competent club fitter, who does profiling can take it and do it for you.

My current shafts specs tip freq. 786 butt freq 241.

That's a start...but what you need to know is the performance/profiles on the six beam lengths in between the tip and butt.

I can tell you right now that just based on those two figures you have a shaft that is more tip stiff than most R-flex shafts....(bearing in mind that there is no industry standard on shaft flexes).

I did the wizard on the UST website and it recommend the V2 High 6700R that is 64g. I saw the 53 and was wondering if that would be to wippy and thought the 64g would be good longer as I improve my swing speed.

Actually, what we found was ironic with those shafts.....the lighter shaft is designed for those with a slower swing speed who need less static weight to move the shaft faster....or wish to use a longer shaft without adding too much weight.

To do so, the lighter shaft is actually a bit more rigid than the 64.

[indacup]

You could also check into a womens shaft(not trying to be funny or offend) but I actually no a guy with the same problem that put an aldila womens shaft in his driver with 11.5* driver head and helped him out alot, most fitters probably wont even mention this to you so as not to offend, but it's worth a try I'd do it if it would work for me.

This is great advice...for those with the proper swing.

I have a friend on the TourSwing long drive team...he also is a club fitter and worked on may players in the Champions tour. His swing speed is about 105.....but he uses a senior or ladies flex shaft, and drives the ball 300 yards...CARRY. His smash factor is thru the ceiling....around 162-165. Bear in mind, he has the swing to do this...many people who have a slow swing speed think they are swinging a lot faster because they are muscular and gripping tight and swinging hard...all things that are counter-productive to high swing speeds.

[EquipmentJunkie]

Yeah I have a couple of playing partners that are older or have been hurt in the past and quite a few are using the Aldila pink in there drivers, I certainly wouldn't knock it if it fit your swing. Having said I recently took my dads old Nike 9.5* 400CC w/ a stiff fuji shaft and replaced it with a Hibore XL 11.5* w/ a 65g UST high launch and he is much happier with the results.

[steve617]

As for the weight I also have a 983K 9.5 and the shaft is a titleist 4560 62g and I can drive the ball as far or even slightly farther however besides using in on my driving range I have only played 27 holes with it.

I am planning on going in the next 2 days to a reputable club builder. If my shaft is more of a mid launch which I think it is I probably lean toward the 64 V2 HL. I also think as I play more my swing will improve and the 64 will fit me better for a longer period. However the clubfitter may have other ideas.

Thanks

[steve617]

One other note the R Flex 64g V2 HL stiffness profile is Butt 256, Mid 6.4 and Tip 24.

[indacup]

One other note the R Flex 64g V2 HL stiffness profile is Butt 256, Mid 6.4 and Tip 24.

Again, true shaft profiling is done at all 8 beam lengths.

I assume that the fitter you go to will have this knowledge and be able to profile you true shaft profiles of what you have now and what he recommends (as well as a few others)....then, you can make a wise decision......have you considered the added loft I mentioned earlier?

[ScruffyScraper]

UST ProForce V2 HL seems to be a good driver shaft for me. But more importantly, 10.5°, which has somehow become the de facto standard, is a little strong for many recreational players. I like a little more loft as a senior.

[steve617]

Right now I plan on using the 10.5. I just bought the club 1 month ago and hate to have to buy another one. A lot of my decision will have to be when I see the club builder.

[st0wgolf08]

This is great advice...for those with the proper swing.

His smash factor is 162-165? 17010 mph-17325? My god he kills it. I think you mean 1.62. I doubt this is true, as most pros are somewhere between 1.45-1.50 and I don't think 1.62 can even happen. I'm pretty sure that defies physics. And if you mean ball speed instead of smash factor that puts his smash factor at 1.54, which I'm still pretty sure is impossible. Just looked it up and 1.50 is the very very very highest you can go while being legal. That means your swing is as efficient as it can be.

Quote: off a site that reviews smash factor in depth If your smash factor is 1.55 or 1.7, you're using either an illegal ball or illegal driver.

[steve617]

This AM I went to a local club maker and got to hit on his system. After a couple practice swings he recorded my ss at 90. He said I probably dont get any roll on my drive (and I don't) said my spin rate was around 4500 said. My launch was 18.1 He said my high spin came from my swing said I was bringing my club up and not keeping it low on my backswing. Also pointed that I need to make a adjustment in my grip and I need to stand slightly more upright. He gave me a number said this guy can help me probably in 1 lesson. I called the guy and I am taking a 1 hr lesson in the guys golf shop were I had my swing analyzed (he is closed tommorow) and we are going to use the launch system. The owner said when I get my swing fixed and then he will work on the driver.

[indacup]

His smash factor is 162-165? 17010 mph-17325? My god he kills it. I think you mean 1.62. I doubt this is true, as most pros are somewhere between 1.45-1.50 and I don't think 1.62 can even happen. I'm pretty sure that defies physics. And if you mean ball speed instead of smash factor that puts his smash factor at 1.54, which I'm still pretty sure is impossible. Just looked it up and 1.50 is the very very very highest you can go while being legal. That means your swing is as efficient as it can be.

LOL...yes, I left out the decimal...and I am dead serious when I say a smash factor of 1.62.

I would LOVE to know where you looked up that 1.50 is the furthest a person can go and be legal......LOL

[jcrob902]

This AM I went to a local club maker and got to hit on his system. After a couple practice swings he recorded my ss at 90. He said I probably dont get any roll on my drive (and I don't) said my spin rate was around 4500 said. My launch was 18.1 He said my high spin came from my swing said I was bringing my club up and not keeping it low on my backswing. Also pointed that I need to make a adjustment in my grip and I need to stand slightly more upright. He gave me a number said this guy can help me probably in 1 lesson. I called the guy and I am taking a 1 hr lesson in the guys golf shop were I had my swing analyzed (he is closed tommorow) and we are going to use the launch system. The owner said when I get my swing fixed and then he will work on the driver.

Good job,most people get so caught up in getting a new driver they skip the important part, FYI if you struggle a little with the swing adjustments don't worry keep working you'll get it right. Good luck.

[st0wgolf08]

LOL...yes, I left out the decimal...and I am dead serious when I say a smash factor of 1.62.

Simple google search highest smash factor possible.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20...40322/1005/ACC The scientific equation is the ball speed can be 1.5 times or 50 percent higher than your clubhead speed. That is taken from the site Search yields more, but I'm pretty sure that makes my point.

[Stacey_E]

This AM I went to a local club maker and got to hit on his system. After a couple practice swings he recorded my ss at 90. He said I probably dont get any roll on my drive (and I don't) said my spin rate was around 4500 said. My launch was 18.1 He said my high spin came from my swing said I was bringing my club up and not keeping it low on my backswing. Also pointed that I need to make a adjustment in my grip and I need to stand slightly more upright. He gave me a number said this guy can help me probably in 1 lesson. I called the guy and I am taking a 1 hr lesson in the guys golf shop were I had my swing analyzed (he is closed tommorow) and we are going to use the launch system. The owner said when I get my swing fixed and then he will work on the driver.

First off, Kudos for fixing your swing and not immediately resorting to an equipment change.

I've tried rereading all the post a couple times to make sure I had this right. Someone told you that you might need a HIGHER launch shaft to get more distance? Now that kinda makes sense with a 90 MPH swing. I can relate because I am spot on 88 MPH 4 out of 5 times with about 1 in 5 hitting 89 or 90. But then I read where you are launching it at 18.1*? And I think I also read that you don't get a lot of roll after touchdown? That makes me think one of two things. Someone said you might try a higher KICK (lower launch) shaft OR they had never seen your ball flight. Either way that is irrelevant. And I agree with the poster who said at 90 MPH you might need more loft. But at 18.1* I don't think so at all. I will say this, the newer clubheads on drivers, with their deeper center of gravity, seem to launch higher from what I've seen. I hit a 9* Cobra LD F speed on the range this week that brought rain. If I was guessing, it had to hit....2 or 3 * higher (?) that my 12* Ping G5. But what struck me most about your post was that you are the exact opposite of what I am, or am trying to move away from. I've been launching it way too low. After filming myself I see I am standing too tall and taking it back too flat. I have actually been delofting my driver 3 or more degrees and my ball has been spinning way too little (less than 2,000 RPMs). After one range session of taking the club more upright and addressing the ball with a lower spine angle, I added a ton of launch angle to my drives. What were wind cheating knuckballs are hanging in the air forever. The point of that is this....Just from my experience it sounds like you lucked out and got some pretty sound advice. Once you tweek the swing, you can tweek the driver. I suspect you wont need to change your shaft yet though. Good Luck!