neurotic equipment question shaft flex

[scratchingballs]

Doubt anyone will make it through this post but I figured I'd lay my heart out on the line for my first post.  But feel free to tear me a new one.

Question:  I am under the impression that swing speed is mostly governed by technique and timing rather than strength, that is why the pros appear so effortless.  So here's my question: Many people have told me to go with a stiff flex but I wonder if as my technique and timing improve, so will my swing speed.  So while a stiff shaft may be right for me know, could my swing speed increase as I improve?  I am all about feedback and using it to improve so my fear is that if I use a stiff shaft I could get negative feedback from swinging too fast when my technique and timing are improved.  The last thing I want is negative feedback but doing the right thing.

If anyone is still with me, is this a theoretically valid concern?

I just bought a used driver on ebay. PIng i15 with x-stiff shaft but am willing to re-shaft.  I hit it today and did not feel the shaft load as much as my old club but I'd rather put it on the fairway and I seemed to have more control.  I may have lost a little distance but it was 50 degrees so I don't know and it wasn't that much lost.  Anyway I feel I could learn how to load the shaft better and get back that distance with more control.

Secondary Question:  Could using really stiff flex (like xx-stiff) be used as a training tool to teach how to properly load the shaft?

I'm pretty sure no one is still reading but here's a little more background on me:

I'm 23 years old and I've been playing golf for 2 years in July.  I have had the bug since I started and play a lot of golf as long as it is over 30 degrees.  I am also pretty athletic and have a background in collegiate tennis.  I have never calculated my handicap but I would say I'm somewhere between 10-14.  I just broke 80 for the first time at the end of December in 32 degree weather (tips were up a bit but the temp makes up for it I think).  Never had a lesson but I watch a lot of the Golf Chanel haha.  The point is that I am very committed and I like to think I can improve all facets of my game and become a scratch or near scratch golfer and am very driven to achieve this.

My swing speed varies when I use the launch monitor at golfsmith but it ranges from 100 to 110 sometimes up to 115 but generally closer to 105 but often not really warmed up.  My distance varies as well but when I'm hitting them well I can hit it over 300 on the monitor (312 max).

I also wouldn't trust the stat numbers too much so please don't base you answer on them solely.  I am really looking to find out weather my theoretical approach to my equipment, feedback, and improvement is completely crazy or just slightly crazy.

Not to offend anyone but I also would prefer answers from people who really know what they are talking about. Also please don't just tell me to get fit because I can't afford new clubs or a fitting and that doesn't really answer my question anyway.

[inthecup]

Originally Posted by scratchingballs

Doubt anyone will make it through this post but I figured I'd lay my heart out on the line for my first post.  But feel free to tear me a new one.

Question:  I am under the impression that swing speed is mostly governed by technique and timing rather than strength, that is why the pros appear so effortless.  So here's my question: Many people have told me to go with a stiff flex but I wonder if as my technique and timing improve, so will my swing speed.  So while a stiff shaft may be right for me know, could my swing speed increase as I improve?  I am all about feedback and using it to improve so my fear is that if I use a stiff shaft I could get negative feedback from swinging too fast when my technique and timing are improved.  The last thing I want is negative feedback but doing the right thing.

If anyone is still with me, is this a theoretically valid concern?

I just bought a used driver on ebay. PIng i15 with x-stiff shaft but am willing to re-shaft.  I hit it today and did not feel the shaft load as much as my old club but I'd rather put it on the fairway and I seemed to have more control.  I may have lost a little distance but it was 50 degrees so I don't know and it wasn't that much lost.  Anyway I feel I could learn how to load the shaft better and get back that distance with more control.

Secondary Question:  Could using really stiff flex (like xx-stiff) be used as a training tool to teach how to properly load the shaft?

I'm pretty sure no one is still reading but here's a little more background on me:

I'm 23 years old and I've been playing golf for 2 years in July.  I have had the bug since I started and play a lot of golf as long as it is over 30 degrees.  I am also pretty athletic and have a background in collegiate tennis.  I have never calculated my handicap but I would say I'm somewhere between 10-14.  I just broke 80 for the first time at the end of December in 32 degree weather (tips were up a bit but the temp makes up for it I think).  Never had a lesson but I watch a lot of the Golf Chanel haha.  The point is that I am very committed and I like to think I can improve all facets of my game and become a scratch or near scratch golfer and am very driven to achieve this.

My swing speed varies when I use the launch monitor at golfsmith but it ranges from 100 to 110 sometimes up to 115 but generally closer to 105 but often not really warmed up.  My distance varies as well but when I'm hitting them well I can hit it over 300 on the monitor (312 max).

I also wouldn't trust the stat numbers too much so please don't base you answer on them solely.  I am really looking to find out weather my theoretical approach to my equipment, feedback, and improvement is completely crazy or just slightly crazy.

Not to offend anyone but I also would prefer answers from people who really know what they are talking about. Also please don't just tell me to get fit because I can't afford new clubs or a fitting and that doesn't really answer my question anyway.

So you want to be fit "in theory" on the Internet by people that have never seen your swing. I think if you are willing to change shafts then you are willing to spend money on a long grueling fitting experience based on guesses and what is cheap on ebay.  If I were you and the driver is what is really holding me back I would save up the coin and spend the $50 to be fit.

All shafts are different.  To pick one with out trying dozens or having experience with dozens is a crap shoot at best.  You don't even know what the appropriate loft is.  Look at it as a long term goal work on your swing and save towards it.

Good luck.

[indyvai]

Whatever works...

[tiger187126]

why not just head to a big retailer and hit an i15 with a couple different shafts? if they think you're going to buy they aren't going to charge you to try some clubs out. you don't say what kind of driver you used before, but are you thinking you went too stiff? if so i don't get your question about being able to go stiffer.

inthecup is correct about anonymous internet people not being a good way to fit, and plenty of people around here will tell you buying stock clubs instead of getting fit may save you some money up front, but fitting is well worth it. i buy used clubs and get them fitted and that kind of makes it the best of both worlds.

swing speed, imho, is more natural than learned. i watched that haney project with phelps and he constantly gets on phelps for how slow he swings, so phelps cranks it up and swings in the mid 110s. then he goes to a pro-am and watches bubba swing it in the 130s (i think that's what haney put him at) and admits that it's not attainable for him. more swing speed doesn't always help and finding a comfortable speed that consistently puts the ball in play is going to go a lot further than getting an extra 10 yards swinging out of your shoes.

take it or leave, i say stick with your club and see how you score with it. if you can't get it to work and your old one works, then compare the differences in the club. you could also take a lesson for the same price as a fitting and a pro could probably tell you if it's the club or your swing.

best of luck with scratch.