Shaft stiffness calculations

[kennay92]

Are there set numbers of swing speeds that declare what stiffness of shaft you should have (mainly driver)
(EX. 85-95 regular flex, 96-110 stiff, so on and so on)

people have told me just from looking at my swing that i need stiff shaft. but i went to a simulator and my SS was only like 96-98, but i have also heard these things could be way off.. my main reason for asking is because im pretty sure im not hitting my driver as long as i should(as i hit my snakeeyes 3 wood as long as my '09 burner most of the time), and im wondering if its because im not getting enough flex/lag in the shaft or not. Also some of the time my drives sky rocket instead of making a piercing ball flight. even on the center sweet spot hits.

[right handed phil mickelson]

I was on the simulator not too long ago right after I JUST got off being sick (still like 99.6 temp haha). Anyway, I was averaging like 102 SS, and the guy there told me I was hitting better with a regular flex shaft than with a stiff shaft. I'm going to be looking into the weight and the flex of the shafts I have. I think the weight of the shaft I have right now is like 60 grams, and a stiff flex. I'm looking to get a 75 gram shaft, and maybe regular flex. Hope It helps :)

~RHPM

[goblue107501]

Each company has different flexes. One's stiff might be another's x-stiff. There are many factors like kickpoint, tip stiffness, length, etc. I am sure there is probably a blanket number you could use, but it could vary by manufacturer.

The other big factor is the the quality of the swing. I have seen people with slower (but excellent) swings and they might use an x-stiff. Other people with really fast swings might use a regular or stiff because they their swing isn't good enough to control a stiffer shaft.

Best thing is to try as many as you can and see what works best.

[kennay92]

Each company has different flexes. One's stiff might be another's x-stiff. There are many factors like kickpoint, tip stiffness, length, etc. I am sure there is probably a blanket number you could use, but it could vary by manufacturer.

i have the stock TM re-ax superfast 60g stiff shaft

[Dub]

What did the clubfitter running the simulator have to say?

[kennay92]

What did the clubfitter running the simulator have to say?

there was no club fitter. i just went to golf galaxy and used it my self.

[MiniMoe]

Each company has different flexes. One's stiff might be another's x-stiff. There are many factors like kickpoint, tip stiffness, length, etc. I am sure there is probably a blanket number you could use, but it could vary by manufacturer. The other big factor is the the quality of the swing. I have seen people with slower (but excellent) swings and they might use an x-stiff. Other people with really fast swings might use a regular or stiff because they their swing isn't good enough to control a stiffer shaft. Best thing is to try as many as you can and see what works best.

Hit the nail right on the head. My swing speed is around 105. I play with a 75 gram x-stiff with 8.5 degrees of loft. I need the x-stiff because of how I load and release the club at impact. Other people that have smooth swings can play softer shafts with faster swing speeds. It's all very individual so one thing will not work for everyone.

[deronsizemore]

There are many factors like kickpoint, tip stiffness, length, etc.

Tip stiffness more or less dertimines the kickpoint, no? The stiffer the tip, the higher the kick point. The softer the tip, the lower the kick point.

Hit the nail right on the head. My swing speed is around 105. I play with a 75 gram x-stiff with 8.5 degrees of loft. I need the x-stiff because of how I load and release the club at impact. Other people that have smooth swings can play softer shafts with faster swing speeds. It's all very individual so one thing will not work for everyone.

Exactly and why it's crucial to get fitted correctly. When I was fitted on the Trackman, my average swing speed was around 110. I have a 9.5 degree with a 68 gram stiff shaft (AxivCore Red) but I have a more Ernie-like swing so I don't really overpower the shaft.

[Scott_K]

To the OP, I was talking to one of the guys at my local golfsmith and he was explaining to me that these simulators have to be calibrated fairly often. From what he's seen, he said that some of the numbers are fairly accurate (SS, ball speed, spin rate, launch angle, etc.). The simulated distance and dispersion are touch and go.
My SS seemed to average around 105 with some of the swings peaking at 112 and some bottoming in the low 100s.

FWIW, I found that the tee height contributes to my actual trajectory. When I tee it with about 50% of the ball above the top of the club, it goes high. When it's about 30% above, it's my desired piecing trajectory.

I find MiniMoe's and the others are saying very interesting about the type of swing being a factor. This also validates a lot of my thinking as of late. I have a very smooth swing with my irons, but my driver swing is almost violent. Needless to say, I'm much more consistant with my irons than my driver. So I can probably benefit from a heavier shaft and slowing down my swing. I have the 49gram reax btw. It's a feather.

[MiniMoe]

the weight of the shaft play a big roll in how it acts during the swing. I can't swing a lightweight shaft, even if it is a double x stiff. They just don't keep up and the head lags too much at the bottom. I have been fitted by one of San Antonio's best club fitters. I totally disagreed with him on his assessment of what I need in terms of shaft and degree of loft on the driver. Some of the fitters go by the numbers alone to determine what someone "need" or does not "need". IMHO, that is just the beginning of the fitting process. I want someone that will work with me to find a driver that fits my needs and expectations. I don't want someone to tell me that the numbers don't lie and I need to change my swing to fit the driver that is "optimum" for me.

Don't get into a hurry. It takes time to find the right driver/shaft combo.

[deronsizemore]

I don't want someone to tell me that the numbers don't lie and I need to change my swing to fit the driver that is "optimum" for me.

No doubt. The whole idea of fitting in my eyes is to find a club that fits our swing, not the other way around.

[Scott_K]

the weight of the shaft play a big roll in how it acts during the swing. I can't swing a lightweight shaft, even if it is a double x stiff. They just don't keep up and the head lags too much at the bottom. I have been fitted by one of San Antonio's best club fitters. I totally disagreed with him on his assessment of what I need in terms of shaft and degree of loft on the driver. Some of the fitters go by the numbers alone to determine what someone "need" or does not "need". IMHO, that is just the beginning of the fitting process. I want someone that will work with me to find a driver that fits my needs and expectations. I don't want someone to tell me that the numbers don't lie and I need to change my swing to fit the driver that is "optimum" for me.

So if the club head lags too much at the bottom, does this mean your shot would result in a push if you were to swing a lightweight shaft ?

[MiniMoe]

for me it was always a push when the club lagged too far behind. Then after a while, I started to compensate and flip the wrists to try to get it to hook after the push. Finally I realized the shaft was crap and I changed.

[Leftygolfer]

I am looking to make a change this winter and going to a heavier stiffer shaft. I am going to get the stuff so I can install it myself (something to do). I like my current head and the shaft works for me, sometimes. I like the way the shaft feels but I can feel it flexing a ton and if I am quick at all, it becomes unplayable. I was considering purchasing a 75 G UST pro force s and give it go. I like my ball flight right now so I am a little wiery because I don't want to lose the hieght I hit it, I just want control and something I can go after and don't miss right because of the shaft.

Does that option make sense or should I do as I preach and just go have a quality fitter help me? I think club building will be fun but don't want to make a bunch of mistakes either and waste money I can't afford to waste.