Is my shaft too soft (or stiff).

[pfarrelli]

Hi,

New guy here. I dropped in because I have a question regarding my Ping G5 driver with a TFC100D stiff shaft. I guess it si pretty much an off-the-shelf combination.

My abilities are improving. I am a 12 and steadily dropping. I am in my fourth year of lessons with a reputable pro (about 15-17 lessons a year). My form is without a doubt improving. I have a decent inside out swing path, loose hands, etc etc.

Anyway, when I hit a good drive (have been fairly consistently this spring), it draws nicely. I can tell I hit is quite well based on impact, velocity off the tee, swing path, balance, etc. However the ball flight seems to me to be quite high, and has a ton of hang time. It doesn't seem to have a lot of roll (costing me a bunch of yards). It doesn't "rise" during flight and then drop out of the sky, but seems to have more of a consistent arc. A good drive is 230 - 250.

I feel I am losing a lot of distance with the height and was wondering if anyone has had similar experience with this shaft and if it is in fact the shaft that may be causing this. Oh yeah, the driver is 9 degrees.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

P

[Pinseeker81]

I was going to post a picture of Smilin' Bob, but I can't find one I like.

[ks8829]

I was playing in the wind yesterday and I started teeing the ball lower and in the middle of my stance to keep below the wind.

Before you change your equipment you might try changing the ball height and position and you will keep your ball flight lower with more roll. Experiment and see what works best for your swing, driver and condition of the day.

You will have a driver that you can play in any condition. In fact I hit my driver off the fairway twice on par 5's to keep it low and get the roll.

I aim slightly left and open the club face and take a slight outside to in swing path to help get the ball in the air, I have a 10.5 degree driver.

[pfarrelli]

I was playing in the wind yesterday and I started teeing the ball lower and in the middle of my stance to keep below the wind.

Been using the driver for years. I did all that .. Also I don't want to hit a driver like there is wind when there isn't. Nowhere do you see under normal circumstances "put the ball in the center of your stance". Always up front. Besides, what would I do if there WAS wind? Put it back in my stance?

\Further, putting teh ball in the center is asking for a push slice as the club hasn't had time to square up given the typical length of the driver. More comments are welcome. Thanks.

[TheNatural]

what is your swing speed? If its over 105 then an X shaft may be the one you need with lower loft 9.5 or 10.0

I got fitted 3 months ago and was clocked at 115-120 ss(im tall and played baseball) the shaft was a Stiff Flex (s) 9.5* the pro took me to a x and tipped it said 9.5 was fine for me... i saw him today! and thanked him.

[pfarrelli]

what is your swing speed? If its over 105 then an X shaft may be the one you need with lower loft 9.5 or 10.0

Swing speed? I don't know. I am 6'1". The driver is already at 9 degrees. I don't tee it all that high either. Not like some people I have seen. I don't swing up either .. more through. I probably need to go to a fitting place.

[TheLauncher]

Is your shaft too soft or stiff?






That seems like a question that only your wife or girlfriend can answer.


Sorry... I couldn't resist.



I all seriousness, I recently considered that my driver shaft may be too stiff, but I realized that my low ball flight was more a result of my swing than anything else. As a 12 handicap who has been taking lessons you undoubtedly have a more consistent swing than I do, but I would guess that the effects of your swing have a 75% impact on ball flight and the shaft 25%. I play often with a guy who is 6' 4" and 150 lbs. who should be able to crush the ball, but always hits his driver about 240, as high as most hit their seven iron. I've seen him hit regular and stiff shafts and lofts from eight to 10.5 and the results are always relatively the same. He gets a high ball flight out of all of his clubs, and it helps him from less than 100 yards.

[DaveLeeNC]

Hi,

If you are hitting a high shot but (apparently) without a ton of excessive backspin with a 9* driver, I would guess that you have a weak impact position (shaft verticle or even pointed away from the target at impact). If this is the case then your optimum change would be a swing change. You really need to be on a launch monitor to figure out the equipment side of things. dave

[anthonykim3]

get a shaft with less tourqe and one the spins less try a pro launch red stiff

[pfarrelli]

get a shaft with less tourqe and one the spins less try a pro launch red stiff

All,

Thanks for the comments .. even the "funny" one! Good days ahead! There is a Ping demo day this weekend at a local shop/range. I will try a bunch of different clubs/shafts and see what happens. Also, we have Golf Galaxy. I have thought of the launch monitor idea so perhaps I need to give it a serious try. I have a lesson this Sat. I will talk to my Pro too. I will keep you all posted. P

[pfarrelli]

I am now hitting the driver better by making a concentrated effort to keeping the hands well in front of the ball (ala J.B. Holmes .. amont others). It feels very weird and awkward for now but I did hit a 270 yarder so things are looking up. Well, down, being I am not hitting it so high.

Thanks all.

By teh way .. tried a different driver (titleist) and I hit it better too .. so it could all add up eventually.

P