Shaft Flex doesn't matter! - Mark Crossfield

[saevel25]

I would have to agree with Mark on this.

[Ernest Jones]

Wow! That is a great video.

[Grndslmhttr3]

During a high school golf match, Ben Witter was doing a trick shot demonstration at the course's driving range. Only got to see the end of it but he used a driver with ridiculously flexible shaft (could bend it so the head almost touched the grip) and bombed a drive with it. It was pretty cool to watch.

[billchao]

Thanks for sharing, Matt. I always wondered if I should switch flex and whether it would be of any benefit or not, but now I'll stop thinking about it.

[Jakester23]

So what does this mean for all the $$$$  aftermarket shafts costs? Are they worth the $$$$?

[saevel25]

So what does this mean for all the $$$$  aftermarket shafts costs? Are they worth the $$$$?

Personal preference.

Look at it this way, I played a 910 D2 with a 72 gram 'Ahina shaft stiff flex. I also played a Ping G10 with a Proforce V2 x-stiff shaft. I hit both extremely well, and the same distance, and similar consistency.

Given the Titleist club felt WAY better to me.

Basically it is what Mark is talking about. The golf swing matters more. If you find a shaft that can tighten the variable a bit, then it can be an advantage. Minimal from a numbers stand point, but mostly from a feel and confidence standpoint.

There are PGA tour players who play $300+ dollar golf shafts, and there are some who play Proforce V2, which is sub $150 dollar shaft.

[BENtSwing]

Very cool. I like hearing this kind of stuff...puts everything in a better perspective.

Parfield and the Buzzman also put out good stuff.

[acerimusdux]

So what does this mean for all the $$$$  aftermarket shafts costs? Are they worth the $$$$?

For most people, they certainly aren't worth it.

There's a guy named Tom Wishon, who is one of the more knowlegable guys in the industry (notable club designer, researcher, and author of best selling books on golf equipment) who regularly comments at GolfWRX, and he basically says, flex and bend profile matters "a little, but not even close to as much as what you can do for the average golfer with the best fit for his length + loft + face angle + shaft WEIGHT + swingweight."

And even with regard to feel, which can be impacted by these flex and bend profile differences, Wishon says you can also match "feel" if you match bend profile, weight, torque and balance point. And that the bend profile of that expensive new shaft can quite often be matched by a less expensive or older design.  And he has apparently done lots of scientific testing which backs that up.

[WUTiger]

Wishon's remark that flex profile matters " a little" matches what clubfitters have been telling me lately. One fitter described flexpoint or "kickpoint" as a fine-tuning element in selecting shafts, after best loft and other  shaft factors were determined.

[saevel25]

PART 2

[Jakester23]

This is one of the best threads Ive ever read.

[Dave2512]

I'd like to see how the numbers change with a higher handicap golfer, someone incapable of hitting the center of the face most of the time.

[Jakester23]

I'd like to see how the numbers change with a higher handicap golfer, someone incapable of hitting the center of the face most of the time.

The point of the videos is to show that where you hit the ball on the club face matters much more than the shaft. As does loft.

[hallryu]

I'm brand new to golf (other than thumping the ball around my local municipal as a teenager, many years ago!) and I spent some time researching this topic before buying my current Mizuno irons. I did happen to catch Marks take on shaft types before I bought so just went with a stiff shaft as the clubs were at the right price. For anyone coming into the sport the shaft types and club advertising guff is mind bending to say the least.

[Dave2512]

The point of the videos is to show that where you hit the ball on the club face matters much more than the shaft. As does loft.

Yes obviously, I did watch it. Still would like to see how it affects a higher handicap golfer. What shaft variances make them more and less likely to be able to do that. Seeing a pro hit a bunch of different shafts should produce predictable results. Just saying fix your swing is a common answer and many think club fitting benefits the more skilled golfer, and I would agree. Still would be interesting to see it they could find something best suited to a lesser skilled golfer if it's even possible.

If you've ever been fit you probably noticed some shafts just felt bad for you and others better.  Mark kind of splits hairs here. While 6 yards and two degrees may be a mile of difference to him a poor golfer probably sees a 100 yard difference between their best and worse drives on any day. What I'd like to know is if being fit for a shaft tightens it up a bit for that golfer. Say take 3-4 of their swings where the swing numbers are somewhat close and see how different shafts change the ball numbers.

[Jakester23]

I've honestly never picked up a club and thought to myself that i don't like the feel of that shaft. I've always based how much I do or don't like clubs on how they look and feel/sound. I don't hit a ton of different clubs though.

[Grndslmhttr3]

For any round in particular, possibly (I've never come close), but in the long-term, in my opinion, definitely not.

EDIT: I replied to the wrong thread (meant to post this in the "absolute satisfaction" thread); too many tabs open...

[Dave2512]

I've honestly never picked up a club and thought to myself that i don't like the feel of that shaft. I've always based how much I do or don't like clubs on how they look and feel/sound. I don't hit a ton of different clubs though.

Have you ever been fit?