Driver shaft help

[tigercolt77]

I am looking for some help/advice on some shafts out there that I am interested in.  I am looking for a Stiff flex (swing speed from 95-100mph) shaft that launches mid-high but has low spin.  I prefer a shaft with a weight in the 60's. One that I really would like to hit is the Tour AD DI 6 but man they are expensive.  The Kusala Silver looks interesting and the VTS Silver also but again expensive.  I don't mind spending the money but want to get some feedback from people who have hit these shafts first.  So anyone played these or other mid-high launch low spin shafts in a stiff flex?

[mvmac]

Yes the Tour AD DI 6 is perfect for what you're looking for but also $380, here are some less expensive options or close to it with the right head.  In other words a low spin head like an Adams, Titleist D3 or PING i20 with a GD might be perfect.  I'm going to be getting an i20 with the Project X Black because I'm looking for the same thing you are.

I did get to spend some time with the DI 6 stiff in an R11 and was very happy, had to give the shaft back unfortunately :(  But it did exactly as advertised, mid launch with lower spin, felt really solid.  It was a little softer feeling than I would have expected but the dispersion was tight.

Aldila NV 55

Aldila RIP Beta or "b"

Graphite Design GD

Project X Black http://pxshaft.com/pxshaft/product_projectx_black.asp

[mchepp]

You and I have some similar numbers in terms of ss. I have the Alida RIP in my Callaway Razr Hawk and I hit it too high. Granted it is a Regular shaft, but I tipped it 1" to try and bring the ball flight down. It did not do anything. Dang ball still lands like a wedge.

I too would love to try the DI 6 but I would get some funny looks from the wife if I spent $380 and there was no head on the shaft. I can just see the conversation now. "What? There isn't even a head on that club for $380" but I digress.

I decided to give the Talimonti PD-70 ( www. talamontishafts .com/) a try. I will let you know how it works out.

I did like the the Graphite Design shafts that Mike suggested. I hit the YS-6 for a long time very successfully.

[shankapottomus]

One of the biggest problems with spin from the driver is actually the type of ball you are using.  I am a 4 handicap and I was struggling with my distance and ball flight off my driver.  I was using a 5 piece Penta at the time.  I spoke with the tour rep from Taylor Made and he told me that the ball was probably my biggest enemy.  I switched to the Titleist Pro V1x and everything changed.  I use a Fubuki 73 gr xstiff shaft in my driver and I find that my ball flight is much lower with the new ball.  I have also had some success with the Aldilla RIP Alpha 70 gr. stiff shaft.  The ball flight is very sinilar and the RIP is a little lighter and a little more tip stiff.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by shankapottomus

One of the biggest problems with spin from the driver is actually the type of ball you are using.  I am a 4 handicap and I was struggling with my distance and ball flight off my driver.  I was using a 5 piece Penta at the time.  I spoke with the tour rep from Taylor Made and he told me that the ball was probably my biggest enemy.  I switched to the Titleist Pro V1x and everything changed.  I use a Fubuki 73 gr xstiff shaft in my driver and I find that my ball flight is much lower with the new ball.  I have also had some success with the Aldilla RIP Alpha 70 gr. stiff shaft.  The ball flight is very sinilar and the RIP is a little lighter and a little more tip stiff.

Strange experiences with the ball change. I play both the Penta and ProV1x and found them to be virtually identical off a driver.

[mchepp]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Strange experiences with the ball change. I play both the Penta and ProV1x and found them to be virtually identical off a driver.

For me the Penta spins like crazy off the driver, which makes it 10-15 yards shorter than most. I haven't played much with the Pro-V1x. The new Penta TP5 (I think it is called), is definitely much better but still 5-10 yards shorter than most of the other premium balls.

I do like using the Penta's because when our greens get really hard the Penta does spin a great deal so you can keep the ball on the green.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by mchepp

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Strange experiences with the ball change. I play both the Penta and ProV1x and found them to be virtually identical off a driver.

For me the Penta spins like crazy off the driver, which makes it 10-15 yards shorter than most. I haven't played much with the Pro-V1x. The new Penta TP5 (I think it is called), is definitely much better but still 5-10 yards shorter than most of the other premium balls.

I do like using the Penta's because when our greens get really hard the Penta does spin a great deal so you can keep the ball on the green.

10-15 yards shorter, but shorter than what? You could be right though. I don't have a large enough sampling and I typically chalk 10-15 yard differences in driver distance to impact and environmental conditions. Basically I'm not good enough to say one ball is always yardage X or distance Y. It's long enough is all I know.

[saevel25]

Low Spin and Mid Launch,

Tour AD DI 6,7,8

Diamana White 63

Voodoo VS6

Prolaunch Red

[misty_mountainhop]

Can't speak for too many other shafts but I've recently got hold of a Fujikura Motore F1 65S in a Mizuno MP-630 FastTrack 9.5° and it behaves (for me) exactly like you're after with the Mizuno in it's 'neutral' setting. Thought it might launch lower given the PR I've read on it but it's looking good currently. Feels good, nice mid-launch and, I think, lowish spin. Really good shaft all-round actually; been a bit erratic for a bit but this combination looks promising.

[shankapottomus]

Sean,

If you hit these balls on a launch monitor or a swing monitor, you will actually see, first hand, what the spin rates are on these balls.  I don't care what the manufacturer states, the machines and your swing do not lie.  When I switched to the 3 piece ProV1x, my distance and spin ration were greatly changed.  I think the 5 piece ball has a lot to do with the spin off the driver.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by shankapottomus

Sean,

If you hit these balls on a launch monitor or a swing monitor, you will actually see, first hand, what the spin rates are on these balls.  I don't care what the manufacturer states, the machines and your swing do not lie.  When I switched to the 3 piece ProV1x, my distance and spin ration were greatly changed.  I think the 5 piece ball has a lot to do with the spin off the driver.

Thanks for the followup - it might be worth it for me to rent some simulator time just to find my "go to" ball for 2012.