Weird Driver Problem - Ballooning

[201-pb]

I am currently using a Taylormade R7 Superquad driver with the regular flex stock shaft. I bought the club used last year when I was new to the game and my swing needed a regular flex shaft. However as I have improved my swing speed is now around 112-120.

A few weeks ago I would hit my driver and the ball was ballooning up in the air like 8x the normal height one expects on the ball flight. And the distance was suffering as well. I figured perhaps it is the shaft maybe I should get the club reshafted because I think I am a stiff flex shaft anyway.

I decide to wait until my birthday to get it re-shafted. Yet a week before my birthday I start hitting the driver well again with no ballooning at all. So I decided not to mess with a good thing and just let whatever was working alone. So then the other day on the course randomly my drives start ballooning again.

Does anyone have any ideas why this may be happening?

[grantc79]

I am currently using a Taylormade R7 Superquad driver with the regular flex stock shaft. I bought the club used last year when I was new to the game and my swing needed a regular flex shaft. However as I have improved my swing speed is now around 112-120.

Basically, you need a stiffer shaft.

We have a guy named Casey who plays on the Nationwide Tour where I take lessons and I have first hand witnessed him carry a ball in the air an unassisted 310. He's just an animal. He was playing a stock Taylormade stiff (so basically regular flex) driver for quite awhile before he "made it" and he was able time it out because he has good hands and was just used to it. You can compensate and hit anything. Hell given a couple of swings I can time out a senior flex club and hit good shots with it. But if you take a normal swing you will balloon it like crazy because it will overflex and just spin way too much.

[blackxpress]

The R flex shaft might contribute to the problem but I doubt if it's the sole cause. Impossible to say without seeing your swing but there are several swing flaws that can cause it. Releasing the hands too early, ball too far forward, improper weight transfer (hanging back on the right foot) are just a few things that can cause it. I have the same problem sometimes. In my case it's a weight issue. As long as I get my weight all the way over on my front foot with a full follow through my ball flight is just right. Otherwise, it's too high.

[MiniMoe]

so many things determine what shaft you need. Swing speed is only one part the the equation. My swing is around 110 when I really swing hard, but I play an extra stiff shaft because of the way I load the shaft. I have a late release and create a lot of torque. Guys that create less torque might be able to have a less stiff shaft even with faster swing speeds.

I guess the million dollar question is have you changed your swing to fit the club? Are you swinging smoother in order to gain control? Only you will know.