Whats the difference between stiff and x-stiff?

[ScottyCameron]

How are the performance factors different between stiff and x-stiff for a driver shaft? How are they different in:

1. spin
2. distance
3. straightness
4. and any other thing you can think of...

Thanks!

[clonewars222]

Well, it would probably make the ball go a lot lower. Get it only if you have really high swing speeds and the ball goes way too high for you at the moment.

(Sorry that's all i can think of :P)

[OnePutt]

Obviously the shaft that performs best for you is one that matches your swing speed, so you don't have too much whip but also not a shaft that remains perfectly straight through the entire swing. The idea is to find the shaft that perfectly matches your swing, optimizing all of the conditions.

My advice is to grab both from the same brand and see what happens.

[ScottyCameron]

Obviously the shaft that performs best for you is one that matches your swing speed, so you don't have too much whip but also not a shaft that remains perfectly straight through the entire swing. The idea is to find the shaft that perfectly matches your swing, optimizing all of the conditions.

Yeah, I know that, but do you know by any chance if one of them spins lower or is straighter?

[Laxplayer201092]

As a rule of thumb, you should probobly use the weakest flex that you can.. so if you swing 110, you can use an X, but its probobly better to use a Stiff.

I play X in my irons, woods and hybrid, not in the driver. But i used to play a Diamana WhiteBoard X flex. here are my thoughts on them (i swing about 110)

The X eliminated the left side of the course for me.. I would sometimes "overpower" my stiff flex if you will, and it would just snap through impact and not end up well..never had that problem with the X.. dont get quite as much spin on days when i am not swinging well (or fast) but thats not a huge deal to me. distance wise, on days i was swinging well, No distance change over my stiff flex, on bad days, not a big difference, just a little more roll rather than carry.. Really like the X driver as it keeps the ball low if i dont go after it, and on some days i really need that out here lol.

I felt it was more controllable, to the point that i really just hit it pretty straight, I honestly really like them.. I play a Candy Code 6 X and its a great shaft.. It has all the charecteristics of an X, but it feels like a stiff, if that makes sence..( she goes left tho when paired with a nike 5000 lol)

[timtim]

I am sorry if you already know the below stuff, and are simply asking about how the shaft stiffness effects the things you mentioned.

If you are interested in that stuff, you also need to look at the flex point and the torque. Shafts with a higher flex point keep the ball lower, and shafts with a lower torque should hit the ball more consistently straighter.

Playing with firmer grips also help you be more consistent with your direction. Those soft sponge grips can twist in your hands.

If you look at the

http://www.aldila.com/

web site, you will notice that they list what their shafts expected launch angle is, and what the torque is. And you will notice that the heavier shafts have lower torque numbers.

I would recommend going to a heavier stiff shaft with lower torque numbers before going to an x stiff shaft, if you are on the margin.

Here is a wonderful page:

http://www.fittingworks.com/Technolo...criptions.aspx

Here is another great page. Warning, the following web page will keep you looking at it for maybe hours:

http://www.titleist.com/909_driver_g...iver_Stock.pdf

It shows all the shafts available in Titleist 909 drivers, and where they compare on launch and spin. Fantastic.

[EightBlue]

Yeah, I know that, but do you know by any chance if one of them spins lower or is straighter?

the kick point of the shaft will impact launch angle and spin much much than stiffness of the shaft. Lots of people who don't like their shaft try to change stiffness instead of kickpoint.

[deronsizemore]

Generally you can expect to see a lower ball flight but a little tighter shot dispersion. If you're using a regular flex shaft with a 115 swing speed then you're likely to hit it all over the place.

The thing to remember is that all shafts are not created equal. One company's stiff is not the same as another company's stiff (or x-still or whatever).

I was fitted recently for a new 909D3 with the Trackman. My average club head speed was 112. I'm now playing a "stiff" although every chart out there will tell you if you swing like 105+ you need extra stiff. It really all depends on your swing.