Driver Shaft Question

[John105]

I have been thinking about getting my TM R9 460 reshafted, but I know very little about what I should be looking at. I'm currently in a huge funk with the driver (Lot of hooking), and last round I experimented with choking up on the club. Seemed to work, and it definitely cut down the hook to more of a slight draw.

I'm two years out of NCAA D1 baseball so distance isn't an issue for me (Been around long enough to not bother posting any distance estimates). If I remember correctly, my swing speed was around 115, but I'm not totally sure. My two problems are control/accuracy and the inability to get the ball very high.

So, that being said, what should I look for in a new shaft?

[golfro]

its impossible for a bunch of strangers on a forum to make suggestions on what you should look for in a shaft. That all depends on what YOU want out of your drives.

Firs tthing to do is to go get fitted. Depending on how your ball flight is, etc, you'll have several options to choose from.

Lower/piercing trajectory? Higher trajectory? Length, Stiffness, etc etc etc.
Go get fitted and tell them what you want out of your drives and they'l make the suggestions for you.

[John105]

I thought I provided answers to those questions, but I'll try again. I can't get the ball high at all. It's like a line drive. Gave my approximate swing speed (115). Have had success, albeit small sample size, gripping down on the club to remove a lot of the hook I was battling. Want more control and accuracy over a need for distance.

I'm just trying to understand my options before I go in and put myself at the mercy of someone trying to sell me something

[mc0388]

Whats the fun in joining a forum if all you get is people telling you to go get fitted:) I have the same SS. Your shaft is propbably not stiff enough possibly causing the Hooking.

-If you want the ball up you are looking for a low - low/mid kick shaft.
-Since different OEM's have differnent criteria for Reg, Stiff, Strong, X Stiff flexes, try visiting some of there websites (Graffaloy, Graphite Design, UST, Aldila, Fujikura), they all have some sort of online fitting


Although shaft flex isnt the only thing that can cause a hook, its a good place to start.

My favorite shafts with that SS (listed in order):
Graphite Design Pershing 65 X (very inexpensive and still by far my favorite)
Fuji Xcom TW74 X
USt V2 6060 X
Prolaunch Axis Blue (never tried in X, but stiff was def high launch)
Aldila NVS

These shafts are excellent bargain shafts (<$75)

There are also alot of more expensive shafts out there that should help

[vmsea]

I know this probably isn't what you are looking to hear.. but instead of dropping $100+ on a shaft right away, what about dropping $50 on a lesson and have the pro tell you where your swing mechanic may be off.. also you can discuss with him, based on your swing type, what kind of shaft types/critierias you should be looking at?
Still get the shaft, but mabye it's not the shaft at all?

[chilly]

Harrison Saga 70X
Axivcore Black 79S

[John105]

Whats the fun in joining a forum if all you get is people telling you to go get fitted:) I have the same SS. Your shaft is propbably not stiff enough possibly causing the Hooking.

Thanks buddy, that was exactly what I was looking for. I just have no knowledge on the subject, and I definitely don't like going into a purchase without at least a decent amount of background knowledge.

Also, I know that lessons and such would be better. The problem, however, is that I am in law school and it's just not plausible for me to get lessons. It saves me a lot of precious time to go about it this way.

[Bigtank]

Here is my two cents (That is worth 1) - If you indeed have a 115mph swing speed, you need a stiffer flex with the correct kick-point for you. As a former basball guy, you are probably very "hand-sy" at the bottom and are over compensating for the face coming open at impact. Also as a baseball guy, especially you pull hitters out there, you clear your hips very early.

I have a similar swing speed and use on the lower end price wise a Fujikura Tour Series 70, about $40, and swithced to the Project X 7.0 and it is outstanding but is more like $200. I would recomend the Fuji to begin and see what you think.

But again, I am no pro and they can fix you up...Oh, and get a video camera and record your swing, it will suprise you to what you see.

[design]

As someone who had played baseball for 12 years I constantly struggled with pulls and hooks with both my driver and my irons. This was usually a result of crowding the ball and an overactive lower body. My only advise to you would be to get lessons or invest in a video camera. I know it would be great to simply swap out a shaft and cure your driving woes, however the problem is most likely technique. Your SS is above average, however I'm not sure it's enough to cause the accuracy / trajectory problems you mentioned on its own.

[John105]

I'm really not expecting a fix per say. Just looking for some help in mitigating the problem. I know a lot of the problem is me, but I also feel like the shaft and length may be exacerbating the problem.

Also, I'm confused about ordering a shaft online. They say it is 46" uncut. Would having a golf shop cut it down to 44.75 or 45 change the flex to even stiffer? I know the swing weight gets changed, but I don't really know the actual issues that may bring about

[chilly]

All shafts, basically, are 46" uncut, they're designed to be cut down, so if it says "Stiff" then it will play to that flex when cut down to play at 45" (BTW, the shaft will generally be around 43.5" when playing in a club that is 45" overall which is standard). If you cut it down more to play at say 44.5", and cut it on the tip, it will play a little stiffer. When the shop installs it, they should adjust swingweight to whatever the club was before the new shaft install...or tweaked to whatever you like.

[he4dhuntr]

I'll agree that with that swing speed you may need a stiffer shaft, but I'll also echo that this is probably not your (major) problem. Technique is usually the issue and taking a lesson (even if just a 30 mins one) will help you more than the new shaft (I would think). I don't quite get the reasoning as to why you can't get a lesson because you're in law school. Is it the money or the time? It's cheaper than buying a new shaft and it takes just as long as going to the range, and much less time than playing a 9 or 18-hole. No?

Anyway, I'm no expert on shafts, but it seems like you've gotten some good advice as far as that goes. Good luck and let us know how it works out!

Cheers,

[John105]

I'll agree that with that swing speed you may need a stiffer shaft, but I'll also echo that this is probably not your (major) problem. Technique is usually the issue and taking a lesson (even if just a 30 mins one) will help you more than the new shaft (I would think). I don't quite get the reasoning as to why you can't get a lesson because you're in law school. Is it the money or the time? It's cheaper than buying a new shaft and it takes just as long as going to the range, and much less time than playing a 9 or 18-hole. No?

I meant lessons plural. I wasn't considering the fact that one lesson could fix it all. My time constraints are going to basically limit me to 18 holes in a Friday law school league and that's it.

I guess my thinking is that the shaft will most likely make a difference even if I also take lessons. So it's not like I'm thinking that it will be the total quick fix or cure-all for my problems.

[he4dhuntr]

Sounds good. Let us know how the new shaft works out when you get it!

P.S. What law school and what year are you in? I'm starting law school this fall (although up here in Canada). You liking it?

Cheers,

[customdusty]

I'm in a similar situation. As a former baseball player and competitive athelete, I've not struggled with distance, but accuracy - hooking drives (and irons) with a stiff shaft and 105-110 mph SS. I tried a couple of different flex shafts before ultimately getting a video swing diagnosis and lesson. Ultimately I found out that I was far too handsy (and armsy) and was "flipping" my hands through impact, closing the clubface early and putting that excessive hook-spin on the ball. I've worked on swing mechanics and although it feels as if I swing less violently now (less arms) and more controlled (using the body), my swing speed has more or less stayed the same although it is far more effortless. I'm not there just yet, but to make a long story short it didn't matter what shaft was in my hands, I eventually hooked it due to my swing. Find the time to get a video diagnosis, it shouldn't even take an hour.

[Tugglife2]

double post

[Tugglife2]

I'm in a similar situation. As a former baseball player and competitive athelete, I've not struggled with distance, but accuracy - hooking drives (and irons) with a stiff shaft and 105-110 mph SS. I tried a couple of different flex shafts before ultimately getting a video swing diagnosis and lesson. Ultimately I found out that I was far too handsy (and armsy) and was "flipping" my hands through impact, closing the clubface early and putting that excessive hook-spin on the ball. I've worked on swing mechanics and although it feels as if I swing less violently now (less arms) and more controlled (using the body), my swing speed has more or less stayed the same although it is far more effortless. I'm not there just yet, but to make a long story short it didn't matter what shaft was in my hands, I eventually hooked it due to my swing. Find the time to get a video diagnosis, it shouldn't even take an hour.

It's scary how so many of us former baseball players have exactly the same problems.

[John105]

Sounds good. Let us know how the new shaft works out when you get it!

The first year is tough for sure. Just remember to work your butt off because you'll never look back and think, "Man, I wish I hadn't worked so hard." However, you might think the opposite if you don't work as hard as you could.

I'm at the University of Kentucky