Is it worth it to change shaft?

[James_Black]

I've got a bendy regular shaft (nearly a ladies shaft)
I think I need a stiff.
I hit the ball 220-250 yards so I guess that'd put me in the stiff shaft category.

Shafts cost 80 euro (120 dollars) over here though.
Half of what I spent on the driver!

Is it worth it to get fitted?

[deronsizemore]

Yes and yes. Yes it's worth getting a new shaft but only if you get fitted correctly and get the CORRECT shaft. Don't be so focused on the letter on the shaft either. There's not a set standard for shaft stiffness, so one company may have a regular flex that is the same as another company's stiff flex. Just get what gives you the best ball flight regardless of what stiffness the shaft says it is and what category you think you belong too.

[James_Black]

Yes and yes. Yes it's worth getting a new shaft but only if you get fitted correctly and get the CORRECT shaft. Don't be so focused on the letter on the shaft either. There's not a set standard for shaft stiffness, so one company may have a regular flex that is the same as another company's stiff flex. Just get what gives you the best ball flight regardless of what stiffness the shaft says it is and what category you think you belong too.

The shaft I have at the moment is the standard mitsubishi Rayon shaft that comes with cobra's it's got a "57" next the the R.

I heard that there's different levels of shaft stiffness like stiff "60" and stiff "90"

[pingman]

I think I need a stiff. I hit the ball 220-250 yards so I guess that'd put me in the stiff shaft category.

shaft stiffness does not come from how far one hits the ball, it all depends on your swing speed....however, changing the shaft would be a good idea....just make sure you get fitted and have an idea to what shaft suits your game....fix your equipment to you, not yourself to your equipment

In The Bag: Driver: i15 9* Project X Graphite 7.0 shaft Wood: i15 3 wood Project X Graphite 7.0 shaft Irons: S57 2 thru PW Project X 6.0 shaft Wedges: Tour-W Wedges 56*, 60* Putter: Redwood Black Satin Anser Ball: Srixon Z-Star Bag: Under Armour Links Stand Bag

[deronsizemore]

The shaft I have at the moment is the standard mitsubishi Rayon shaft that comes with cobra's it's got a "57" next the the R.

Yeah, there again it just depends on the company. Typically the number on the shaft has to do with the weight of the club. The "60" would be heavier than the "57" and the "90" would be heavier than the "60."

For example I have the UST AxivCore Tour Red which comes in with a 69, 79, or 89 on the shaft and it deals with weight. for the AxivCore shafts, if you go from a 69 to a 79, you're increasing the weight of the shaft by about 10grams but you're increasing the stiffness only slightly. However, I think the heavier the shaft, the stiffer it feels even though it may not technically be stiffer. I'm most familiar with the AxivCore shafts as that's what I've got in mine and I've hit a few of them. Other companies may be different and if you increase the weight, you may also get a significantly stiffer shaft. There's so many options and why it's always best to try a bunch of shafts out before just grabbing one.

[denver_nuggs_15]

I've got a bendy regular shaft (nearly a ladies shaft)

Fitting is always a good idea. It does cost money, but it is worth it. You may find that a regular will do the job better than a stiff. Plus, one company's stiff is another's regular.

What are your reasons for wanting to switch in the first place? Ball flight? Distance? Etc?

[WUTiger]

JB,

The pro I work with was talking to me about players who have gotten clubs reshafted.

He cautioned that a new shaft will have an effect on swingweight and feel. It the new shaft is heavier, and longer or shorter than the original, it can really change the feel of the club.

Follow the advice of pingman and denver and get fitted.

[Danattherock]

Is it worth it to get fitted?

Absolutely, not just for flex, but so many other factors. A good fitting will give lots of info and with all the shafts out today, odds are nearly zero that you are currently hitting the right one. I have a shaft in my new Callaway that is unreal. Not for distance, but direction. I have hit other drivers further, but I have never hit one so straight. I can't slice it or hook it with the new shaft. Nearly impossible. I can block it, but no slice. I can pull it, but no hook. Modern technology is pretty impressive, eh? Get a new shaft. My Callaway has the Matrix OZIK XCON 6.

[ryohazuki222]

shaft stiffness does not come from how far one hits the ball,

I'm going to say it all depends on your swing characteristics. Of course swing speed is a factor, but so is tempo and transitioning and attack angle... etc etc.... which is the whole idea behind why fitting is "so great."

[Danattherock]

Good points above. This is what kept me in a stiff shaft. I am 6'6" and hit it long, yet when fitted, I was told to use a stiff shaft. Only a pro fitting can get you the info you need. We all achieve distance in different ways. Nothing you could do worse than look at ball speed from some cheap device at the golf shop and then go buy a driver shaft. It is only one piece of the puzzle.

[j_moo]

Where do you guys get a pro fitting?

I've gone to a couple of golf shops, Golfsmith did the Mizuno measurement, which told me regular shaft, and the other just had me hit balls and eyed it, and told me stiff.

The second shop also lend me some demos to hit at the range. I hit them okay, but they don't feel as solid as my clubs with regular shafts. Part of the reason can also be my clubheads are 2 degrees flat.

[James_Black]

Where do you guys get a pro fitting?

For an experienced fitter that's all they need.

[Fat Slice]

Someone made a good point about it not being about swing speed only, but about swing characteristics.

Case in point: I think flex has to do with max acceleration, not max speed. I have a very short backswing (and swing, obviously) and while my swing speed is not 115, my swing is so compact that the acceleration is fast enough to warrant an XS shaft. Every stiff shaft I tried would not release in time and I would have the whippy slices without fail. After switching to an XS I am straighter and longer and much more consistent. So, yes, get fitted - the shaft is more important than the clubhead.