Why do better golfers use.....

[kleraudio]

Xstiff shafts in their irons?

Are they really swinging that much harder than us regular guys? And if so, how the hell do they keep everything in sync and on plane??

Guess thats why they are good... But I mean, will everyone's swing speed up in time when they get comfortable and can hit solid shots everytime?

Jim

[wedge player]

Xstiff shafts in their irons?

Yes they are probably swing harder than most.And i believe that the stiffer the shaft the more accurate it is.i think thats true i may be well off base but heard it somewhere.

[is2linda]

They lag like no other. Plus they can put strength into their shots.

[pshizz]

corey pavin uses regular flex in his irons, i use stiff flex. It's all about the ss...generally better players swing faster, and are able to control their shots better than most average golfers.

[Drifterland]

I know plenty of good golfers that use R-flex, but I like my x-stiff because they won't hook the ball and they are more accurate.

[kleraudio]

but do you constantly have to swing really hard?

I mean what about on those shots that are "easy 8 irons" or "soft 7 iron to take off some spin"??

Jim

[CG031]

Better golfers don't always use X-Flex. I know a ton of great players who use regular, or stiff in all their clubs.

Like someone already said, it's all about swing speed. For good players that have a really fast SS, it offers a better, controlled ball flight which leads to better consistency and control overall.

[Drifterland]

I play long courses so I need to swing pretty fast all the time.

[trjohnson2]

I play a x100 because my swing speed is pretty high. Plus I like to play a draw and the stiff shaft gives me a slight fade, and to compensate for it can result in a snap hooks. And swing speed isnt always about strength, player with lots of length in their swing generate more speed (see Bubba Watson).

[enduro]

I have regular flex in my irons. I carry my 6-iron 205-210, depending on ball. I have a compact stroke (I don't get to parallel in the back) and a tempo that doesn't have too much delay at the top. My irons are Burner 09's however, so the 6 plays more like a 5.5 or so. I also don't swing out of my shoes but I do swing hard. As hard as I can control reliably.

I've thought of getting a stronger flex but it seems to be working for me. I don't feel control issues.

[ControlJunkie]

Just remember that swing speed isnt the sole factor that goes into choosing the correct shaft flex. You gotta consider tempo and transition speed too.

[Drifterland]

Just remember that swing speed isnt the sole factor that goes into choosing the correct shaft flex. You gotta consider tempo and transition speed too.

Well said sir, well said.

[Ben]

but do you constantly have to swing really hard?

That's the beauty of X Stiff shafts. You can swing hard or soft without your shot going too far astray. If I had a regular flex shaft in any club I'd be so worried about snap-hooking the thing that I'd put a crappy swing on it.

[Shindig]

Just remember that swing speed isnt the sole factor that goes into choosing the correct shaft flex. You gotta consider tempo and transition speed too.

I've been thinking of this since February, when I read about a slow swinging player with a quick transition moving from R-flex to S-Flex in his irons and picking up some good yardage, too. And I've been contemplating it, too... how do you even find out if you need to move up a flex due to tempo or transition speed?

[whit53]

Xstiff shafts in their irons?

My guess is that your presumption about the use of X-Stiff shafts, has been influenced by the many posts of "internet idex players"....... Factually, x-stiff iron shafts are not as common among the "better players" you reference, as you have been lead to believe. Good players don't necessarily swing faster that poor players, they swing "better".

While it certanly influences some aspect of shaft choice, swing speed is not the most determinant factor. How a player's swing "loads" the shaft, as well as the amount of "sag" (downward deflection) throught the impact area, are far more significant factors in finding the right shaft. There is an old saying that continues to hold a great deal of merit........ "Play the softest shaft that you can control." In other words, hitting it out of the middle of the face, time after time, has little [if anything] to do with the speed with which one swings a club, but everything to do with where the clubhead is, at the moment of impact. Just my thoughts

[ControlJunkie]

I've been thinking of this since February, when I read about a slow swinging player with a quick transition moving from R-flex to S-Flex in his irons and picking up some good yardage, too. And I've been contemplating it, too... how do you even find out if you need to move up a flex due to tempo or transition speed?

I personally felt like it was more of a feel thing than anything when I was trying different drivers, fw woods, all with different shafts. I could feel an R flex whipping too much when I was making my transition to my downswing. I dont consider my swing the smoothest swing ever, but I see many people that are much "jerkier" than I am. When I switched to the AXIVCore, it just seemed more stable all the way through, where as when I'd swing a regular flex or a softer stiff flex from another manufacturer, I would catch myself decelerating in my downswing because I had the feeling there was no control over what was gonna happen (due to the excessive flex).

The flip side to this is that you should be using the softest flex your swing allows, and if think that a R flex is right for you, try some heavier shafts, and also try ones with various torque ratings. Honestly, this is the one thing that pisses me off about the shaft industry. There is no standard for flex ratings. At a demo day in June, I hit a FT-iQ with a XStiff (cant remember make and model) and hit it very well. Then I hit a Rapture V2 with a stiff Diamana White Board, and honestly felt like the White Board was more stable, and the results were even better. Trajectory was perfect. Adjustable clubs such as the R9, Str8-Fit, and FT-iQ i-mix make this so much easier than it used to be. Even if you're not interested in any of those clubs, they're great for feeling the difference in shafts. I guess you just need to ask yourself if you're able to swing hard, comfortably, without having to worry about slowing down to control the flex.

[JGulkCG]

i played both X and S shafts in my clubs. What really is the definitive part of the swing that determines the flex of the shaft is the tempo. I have been told i have great tempo, the thing like others have said, the stiffer, the more accurate, less big misses. If anyone knows about the Cleveland Launcher Ultralight driver, I have hit it numerous times and is easily the longest driver i've hit. The ultralight is a 12* Launcher with a senior (a) flex shaft that is i believe 46.5 inches long. and only 45 grams in weight. Just gotta smooth the tempo with that club and boom. But if you speed that swing up and put some lag in it. Watch for giant hooks.