Driver Shaft - X-Stiff?

[Jeffelite]

I'm very inconsistent with my driver. I've taken several lessons and my instructor believers my mechanics are very good and thinks I need to upgrade my shaft.

I currently hit a Ft-I Speeder Stiff Shaft. My instructor clocked my swing speed between 115-122 mph. She thinks I definitely need an X-Stiff shaft and that's why I'm so inconsistent with my driving?

Would a stiffer shaft help me hit it more consistent? What do you see when your shaft is too soft? Draws, Pushes,...?

Please let me know what you guys would do - Appreciate the help.

Thx

[CoolBreeze20]

Jeez man, 120mph swing speed? What did she measure you with? I shaft that is too flexey (is that a word?) can just about cause anything from slices to pull hooks....just depends on your swing. With a SS that fast, you would DEFINITELY need an x-stiff shaft of some sort. Where are most of your misses? You can get fitted for a shaft that works for your game.

[mad max]

  Jeffelite said:

She thinks I definitely need an X-Stiff shaft

You have a female instructor. Maybe thats why you are swinging so hard, are trying to show off?

[d373rm1ned]

I guarantee if you shorten up that backswing some and swing a little easier than you will be much more consistent. I bet your distance won't change that much either.

[sc52]

  d373rm1ned said:

I guarantee if you shorten up that backswing some and swing a little easier than you will be much more consistent. I bet your distance won't change that much either.

I agree, try swinging smoother...you might even pick up a few yards..

[RC]

I think choosing shaft flex is both about swing speed and the way you transition at the top and load the shaft. I use an X-shaft for accuracy, but I think your choice should be determined by hitting both a stiff and X shaft and deciding what produces the best results and feel. Some golfers tend to push or slice a shaft that is too stiff for their swing path and release, but this is all a matter of the particular swing. I guess I am saying, "it all depends."

[Jeffelite]

She measured me with some type of electronic device. It was between 115 and 122 mph.

She also recorded my swing on video - In slow motion it looks like I have the club face squared and turning over in my follow through but the ball would push to the right.

I generally have a push to the right.

[HytrewQasdfg]

120 mph swing? That (according to the formula/rule of thumb) is a 300 yard ball carry.

What could cause you to be inconsistent?

Swinging too hard/out of control. Have you put some impact tape on your face? Do you consistently hit the same spot on the clubface.

Your torque is too high? Torque (how much the shaft twists) is different than flex (how much the shaft bends.) A high torque shaft will be more inconsistent than a low torque shaft.

Flex? Flex has more to do with distance than consitency (imho), but you will be a little more consitent with a stiffer flex.

I would put some impact tape on the face of my current club, back off the caffine, and see if I could learn to hit my current club consistently with a slower/smother swing before I spent money rebuilding my club.

The rule of thumb I've heard is you want to only swing 80% of your max swing speed on the course. So even though you CAN swing it 120, you should probably only be swinging it about 100 on the course (which would give you a carry of about 250, add 30 yards of roll to that and you've got a pretty good distance off the tee.)

[TheNatural]

i was on an S-flex(stiff) I have the same SS as poster. they made me go to a X stiff and tipped it(whtvr that means)

The problem I had with the S was that I topped the ball %70 OF THE TIME. Now I top less,, but I still top, I might need a XX Stiff. But first I will try to slow it down. HOW far do you generally drive? When Im on its a steady 250-300

[Stuart]

X stiff.....you'll have more accuracy.....if you lose considerable distance then its too stiff

[TheNatural]

  Stuart said:

X stiff.....you'll have more accuracy.....if you lose considerable distance then its too stiff

why do longdrivers go xxx and 4x if theres a loss in distance? I understand that going too stiff for your ss would lose distance...just clariification..

[mdvaldosta]

  TheNatural said:

i was on an S-flex(stiff) I have the same SS as poster. they made me go to a X stiff and tipped it(whtvr that means)

You're not topping the ball because of shaft flex. Not saying you don't need an x-flex, only that that wouldn't have anything to do with missing the ball bad enough to shank it.

[Fat Slice]

115 to 122, a spread of 7mph...that seems to me like you are a little wild or overreaching your top end. How about trying for a smooth swing that you can duplicate? Even at 112, you'll be smashing the ball.

[TheNatural]

  mdvaldosta said:

You're not topping the ball because of shaft flex. Not saying you don't need an x-flex, only that that wouldn't have anything to do with missing the ball bad enough to shank it.

I saw a slo mo of my old driver...the club head was still flexed at impact...it was a 46 inch shaft with 2 inch extesion at an s-flex...it was a wet noodle in my hands.. basically the driver head was still pointing down at impact and hadnt recoiled yet.

[Stuart]

there isn't necessarily a loss in distance......i gained distance when i switched to X......but if somebody did lose noticeable distance then that would be an indicator that the shaft is too stiff

  TheNatural said:

why do longdrivers go xxx and 4x if theres a loss in distance? I understand that going too stiff for your ss would lose distance...just clariification..

[MiniMoe]

X-stiff.. are you crazy? I have seen guys with slower swing speeds hit double x to gain control. A good friend of mine has 7.8 on his KBS shafts - really stiff. I have a swing speed of 110 and can't get the damn thing to flex.

[Jeffelite]

Well, I hit a demo X-stiff shaft today. Aldila X-65 of some sort.

It added both distance and accuracy. I did take everyone's advice and slowed down - I tried swinging at about 90-95% - Better tempo. Pretty good results.

Thx guys.

[Golfinbuddy]

There is nothing wrong to swing fast, but it can be a curse as well. I top out at a 123mph but I'm not able to keep that speed up on every tee box, but the problem is control at high speeds. I agree, looking blindly at stiff or x-stiff based on swing speed alone is foolish. For me, it's a calculation not only flex but length as well. If you load hard and have an extremely fast tempo. I highly and I repeat highly recommend if you have control issues and u find yourself changing shafts or driver often. You need to consider a shorter shaft. I went from a standard 45" to a 43.5" and it became a religious experience. It was so short it felt like a 300yrd 9 iron in my hands. I now control the club rather than the club man handling me. There is a reason why the tour players play shorter shafts than he rest of us hacks. There talented, and there egos don't get in the way of there game. Longer isn't always better!