General Shaft Flex/ball flight question

[Gioguy21]

Guys (and girls),
Just have a general question. If a club has too whippy (not stiff enough), will you draw, or fade the golf ball? (yes i know there has a lot to do with swing/clubhead, etc)

[drglew]

IN GENERAL too stiff a shaft will cause lower ballflight and encourage fade/slice; too soft a shaft gives more erratic results and can encourage hook.

(individual results may vary; please don't use too stiff a shaft if you use nitrites for chest pain; if you experience a sudden loss of vision please consult your physician, etc)

[nuck81]

I think generally most guys use to stiff a shaft and helps them justify, their overworked, over aggressive swing.

One of the most impressive thing about pro's (most of them at least) is how relaxed and easy almost all their swings look, especially their drives. The Bomb and gouge guys (Phil, Tiger and the likes) look like they swing hard, and hit i far, but also spend a lot of time in the woods after a drive, but they have the short game to justify the risk which no amateur can even dream about.

So IMO at least, if you're on the fence, it's better to get a more flexible shaft, and just relax your swing....

[Gioguy21]

For clarification purposes, I have a ss of 104-106 with my driver. I currently have a fubuki stiff noted in my sig...could/should i get a stronger shaft? my current ball flight is draw but sometimes if i juice it it can have a downright hook. Yes, i know some will say "we need to see your swing", but I have a consistent swing, and with all other clubs i'm fine, only the driver am i having this issue. (used to hit a fade)...

[Scott_K]

FWIW, I have a similar SS. I know my shaft is too "whippy" and have the occasional snap hook. My shaft is too long and is too light. I've choked up on it to compensate, but I think I have to get a heavier/stiffer shaft.

Don't know anything about the fubuki shaft's weight but you may need something heavier. Lots of other variables as well.

[saevel25]

when i am swinging good, its 85-90% full force, in balance. I love my x-stiff flex on my shaft. It tightend up my dispersion pattern, gained my about two more fairways per round.

[umpiremark]

FWIW, I have a similar SS. I know my shaft is too "whippy" and have the occasional snap hook.

I'm confused ... shafts don't whip back and forth, that's a misconception. Shafts that are too light or spined wrong will bend in a direction from the hands to the clubhead, but they don't "whip" promoting a left to right or right to left ball action. The "snap hook" is more than likely caused by a swing fault, not the shaft.

[Gioguy21]

...Umpiremark, I hate to break it to you but if that's the case then no shaft should ever have a flex rating... clearly this gentleman is swinging it wrong, and nothing to do with the shaft.

I will try an xstiff in my driver...I was told before that I should've switched to an X but, i went for the deal instead of the correct fitting. Thanks guys :)

[Scott_K]

I don't think shafts whip back and forth. When I say whippy, it's that it has too much flex for me to control on the downswing. Maybe I should say "noodle" instead. I don't think it's limited to just the shaft flex either. I'm sure torque and weight is involved as well.

[jamo]

For clarification purposes, I have a ss of 104-106 with my driver. I currently have a fubuki stiff noted in my sig...could/should i get a stronger shaft? my current ball flight is draw but sometimes if i juice it it can have a downright hook. Yes, i know some will say "we need to see your swing", but I have a consistent swing, and with all other clubs i'm fine, only the driver am i having this issue. (used to hit a fade)...

I would stay with the stiff shaft. That's probably not your problem, a problem with your swing is more likely. Either way, shaft flex is not the same across manufacturers, get properly fitted if you are going to buy a whole new shaft.

I'm confused ... shafts don't whip back and forth, that's a misconception. Shafts that are too light or spined wrong will bend in a direction from the hands to the clubhead, but they don't "whip" promoting a left to right or right to left ball action. The "snap hook" is more than likely caused by a swing fault, not the shaft.

Shafts do whip back and forth. For example, if you have the club at the top and drop your hands quickly, the shaft flexes as the club moves slightly slower. A little bit before you hit the ball on the downswing the shaft whips back the other way.

A byproduct of that is torque. The club twists slightly open in the backswing and slightly closed on the downswing.

[Gioguy21]

Thanks...i don't believe it's my swing, long story short I went to a PGA professional yesterday (whom i know) to hit some balls after work, he told me his recommendation after viewing video and watching me hit some balls is to get an xstiff shaft. Thanks for all your input guys.