Shaft flex - how to tell on Titleist 980F

[Tommy]

I recently bought a new Titleist 980F 19 deg. fairway wood - with no label indicating the shaft type. The proshop guessed it was a true temper steel R300 (regular flex) i.e. based on the kick point (distance from the lowest step on the shaft to the club head). Unfortunately, I'm not convinced. Although it feels like a regular, it has a low kick point of only 9 inches i.e. from the lowest step to the bottom of the club. My observation has been that most stiffer shafted clubs tend to have a low kick point and therefore, this club may not have a regular flex shaft.

How can I tell for certain?

Thanks very much in advance for any help.

[gas_can]

I recently bought a new Titleist 980F 19 deg. fairway wood - with no label indicating the shaft type. The proshop guessed it was a true temper steel R300 (regular flex) i.e. based on the kick point (distance from the lowest step on the shaft to the club head). Unfortunately, I'm not convinced. Although it feels like a regular, it has a low kick point of only 9 inches i.e. from the lowest step to the bottom of the club. My observation has been that most stiffer shafted clubs tend to have a low kick point and therefore, this club may not have a regular flex shaft.

Tommy, The best way to identify flex on steel shafts is to cut the grip off and look at the butt code printed on the shaft. If you do that and write down what it is, I can translate it for you. Tipping, insertion depth, stepping, and butt trimming are all variables which make it nearly impossible to use step distances to determine what flex your shaft is.

[Tommy]

Tommy,

Gas-can, thanks very much - that's extremely helpful.

I just came back from the range and am convinced its a regular flex. I will definitely take you up on your offer when I have the grip changed. Nevertheless, I have another question for you... Is it fair to say that, in terms of weight and flex, a stiff graphite shaft is 'roughly' equivalent to a regular steel shaft? This may be a naive question, however, my local pro shop is trying to convince me to buy a stiff graphite 15 deg. Titleist 804F i.e. in stead of a regular steel - as they don't have any stock left. Needless to say, I'll give it a try before buying. Your thoughts and thanks again Gas-Can.

[gas_can]

Gas-can, thanks very much - that's extremely helpful.

Tommy, No, it's not a fair assumption to say that an S flex graphite is equal to an R flex steel. In fact, I can think of some regular flex graphite shafts (accuflex evolution, GDintl PM702, Alidla Protopype) that play stiffer than steel DG S300! Perhaps, they're severly misinformed, or that shop is just trying to sell off their current stock (likely so they can make room for the August fairway releases). Either way, I'd take my business elsewhere. Any retailer with a Titleist account should be able to order you a 904 (I assume that's what you meant by "804"?) with a steel shaft.