Driver Shaft Needed ASAP - PLEASE HELP

[Derek02]

First of all, thanks for reading and any replies.

Second, just assume that my swing is not the reason I'm not getting the ball flight I want.  It's the shaft.

I'm a 7hcp, ~100mph ss with a relatively quick transition, and I've been taking lessons all season from a respected pro in my area.  I generally do not have issues with slicing, but 8 out of 10 of my drives have a 10-15 yard fade.  I play a Cobra AMP Cell 9.5* and I have ideal launch/spin stats: nice high launch low spin.  It's just the (strong) fade that I can't get rid of.  I've been working hard on my swing, and I don't have a fade with my 3 wood (RBZ Stage 2 stock stiff flex), hybrids (stock stiff) or irons.  I had the fitter test the stock shaft in my 3 wood, and it's actually X stiff, and the TM website indicates it has a higher torque 4.5 (assuming it really does).  I love the 3 wood.  Nice trajectory and ball flight (even off the deck).

My driver has a stock S flex that plays closer to a R flex (had them test that too).  Torque is around 3.5 if I remember correctly (assuming it conforms).  I've done my homework on shafts yet there are so many out there and specs are not uniform across all companies.  As a reference (if it helps) I was able to test a stiff flex Tour AD shaft (orange) since they have one that already has the Cobra adjustable tip, and it helped reduce the fade, but still didn't get me where I want to be.  Ideally, I'd like to have a little draw (wouldn't we all), but I'd def. settle for a more consistantly straight ball flight.

My question is:  Again, assuming my swing is not the issue, which shafts (or shaft specs) would help me to straighten out my ball flight? Stay with a S flex or go to X flex?  Higher or lower torque?  I realize that without testing them myself, I ( or you) can't be sure which would really be best, but does anyone have suggestions on shafts to try or specs that might be better suited?

Feedback is much appreciated!

[brice]

For 100mph club head speed, an R is probably a bit too weak for you. Do you know what spin rates you get on your current shaft by any chance?

btw good trajectory off the deck probably isn't going to happen unless you're playing an extremely low cc head lol

[newtogolf]

You've already done a lot of homework, now it would be best to try out a number of shafts and see which fits your swing best.  Typically shafts installed on off the shelf drivers are not as still as the aftermarket versions.  You want to find the right shaft stiffness, kick point and torque that fits your swing and in your case eliminates or reduces the fade.

Have you tried adjusting the AMP Cell head to 9.5D to see if that reduces the fade?

[Mr. Desmond]

100 mph and quick transition... strong stiff. Depending on quickness, you may tip the stiff a tad. But first, I'd try a shaft that a lot of people like that is not too exotic (not too pricey), but Furyk played it for years.

Look at Oban Devotion 65

Do a google search for reviews.

www.obanshafts.com

[Mr. Desmond]

100 mph and quick transition... strong stiff. Depending on quickness, you may tip the stiff a tad. But first, I'd try a shaft that a lot of people like that is not too exotic (not too pricey), but Furyk played it for years.

Look at Oban Devotion 65

Do a google search for reviews.

www.obanshafts.com

It's a tough post... I typically don't think of a shaft fixing ball flight unless you have too much swing for the shaft. From my experience, you will see inconsistent flight when the shaft does not fit - right and left.

The Oban Devotion will generally lower launch and spin -- stiff -- 04 flex-- may fit. Don't know if its low launch aspects will fit you.

Try something in the Mitsubushi and Matrix lineup ... you can usually find more deals. Oban is tougher to find.

[brice]

It's a tough post... I typically don't think of a shaft fixing ball flight unless you have too much swing for the shaft. From my experience, you will see inconsistent flight when the shaft does not fit - right and left.

The Oban Devotion will generally lower launch and spin -- stiff -- 04 flex-- may fit. Don't know if its low launch aspects will fit you.

Try something in the Mitsubushi and Matrix lineup ... you can usually find more deals. Oban is tougher to find.

Hmm when I got fitted for a driver shaft, once he put the club in my hands I went from hitting a consistent 20y cut to less than 100 rpms in either direction. But mine might be an extreme example since I went from a light S to a heavy XS

[Mr. Desmond]

Hmm when I got fitted for a driver shaft, once he put the club in my hands I went from hitting a consistent 20y cut to less than 100 rpms in either direction. But mine might be an extreme example since I went from a light S to a heavy XS

Apparently, you had a shaft that did not fit...

[Derek02]

For 100mph club head speed, an R is probably a bit too weak for you. Do you know what spin rates you get on your current shaft by any chance?

btw good trajectory off the deck probably isn't going to happen unless you're playing an extremely low cc head lol

Thanks for the reply.  My avg driver spin rate is around 2100 with a 14* launch.

[Derek02]

It's a tough post... I typically don't think of a shaft fixing ball flight unless you have too much swing for the shaft. From my experience, you will see inconsistent flight when the shaft does not fit - right and left.

The Oban Devotion will generally lower launch and spin -- stiff -- 04 flex-- may fit. Don't know if its low launch aspects will fit you.

Try something in the Mitsubushi and Matrix lineup ... you can usually find more deals. Oban is tougher to find.

I'll check these out.  Thanks!

[saevel25]

My question is:  Again, assuming my swing is not the issue, which shafts (or shaft specs) would help me to straighten out my ball flight? Stay with a S flex or go to X flex?  Higher or lower torque?  I realize that without testing them myself, I ( or you) can't be sure which would really be best, but does anyone have suggestions on shafts to try or specs that might be better suited?

Feedback is much appreciated!

There is no general rule of thumb on this. Primarily there is too much variance between shafts and inconsistent labeling to really know. Basically it's your swing that matters more.

The only thing you can do is try out shafts yourself and find one what works.

I know Golfworks has put together a ranking system. http://www.golfworks.com/article.asp_Q_ai_E_496

[Derek02]

You've already done a lot of homework, now it would be best to try out a number of shafts and see which fits your swing best.  Typically shafts installed on off the shelf drivers are not as still as the aftermarket versions.  You want to find the right shaft stiffness, kick point and torque that fits your swing and in your case eliminates or reduces the fade.

Have you tried adjusting the AMP Cell head to 9.5D to see if that reduces the fade?

That's kind of the problem.  I've had difficulty trying out shafts since my driver is last years model, and places don't have shafts with the correct tip.

I have adjusted the setting to draw, and it does help to an extent (not perfect), but I would prefer to get a better shaft and play the neutral setting if possible.

[brice]

Hmm those are interesting numbers. You should probably just head to your local golf shop and try out some stiff shafts with different weights (probably around 55-60) and torques until you figure out which one you hit the best. A lot of the bigger stores offer free club fitting, you'll get more reliable advice from them

[newtogolf]

That's kind of the problem.  I've had difficulty trying out shafts since my driver is last years model, and places don't have shafts with the correct tip.

I have adjusted the setting to draw, and it does help to an extent (not perfect), but I would prefer to get a better shaft and play the neutral setting if possible.

If the draw setting helps then that would indicate the fade is being caused by the club face remaining slightly open at impact.   I'd look at higher torque shafts first to see if that eliminates the fade.  The shaft torque controls twisting and it sounds like the shaft might not be returning to true at impact because of your swing speed and quick transition.

[Pretzel]

Hmm when I got fitted for a driver shaft, once he put the club in my hands I went from hitting a consistent 20y cut to less than 100 rpms in either direction. But mine might be an extreme example since I went from a light S to a heavy XS

When I swapped shafts I had a similar experience. I was spraying my driver using a ProLaunch Red regular flex and switched to a UST Proforce V2 X-stiff and found much greater consistency. I went to a slightly heavier shaft, which may have helped a bit (the ProLaunch Red is a lightweight in regular flex at 62g, but I found around 70g to be perfect for me), but I would say the biggest difference was the flex and the shaft itself. The Proforce V2 is nice because you can feel it kick just right when you really hit a solid drive, and it's stiff without feeling boardy to me. That said, I would buy a Diamana Blue (which is what I was fitted for as the optimal choice) if I could justify spending $150 on a shaft pull from eBay.

[joekelly]

The Oban driver shafts cost $350 each, according to website.  And very well written descriptions of shaft too.  Many colors available.

[Derek02]

When I swapped shafts I had a similar experience. I was spraying my driver using a ProLaunch Red regular flex and switched to a UST Proforce V2 X-stiff and found much greater consistency. I went to a slightly heavier shaft, which may have helped a bit (the ProLaunch Red is a lightweight in regular flex at 62g, but I found around 70g to be perfect for me), but I would say the biggest difference was the flex and the shaft itself. The Proforce V2 is nice because you can feel it kick just right when you really hit a solid drive, and it's stiff without feeling boardy to me. That said, I would buy a Diamana Blue (which is what I was fitted for as the optimal choice) if I could justify spending $150 on a shaft pull from eBay.

I actually have a Proforce V2 76g Stiff in my old driver.  I did like it, but it's attached to a Callaway Hyper X and fells like I'm swinging a rock now.

[Mr. Desmond]

The Oban driver shafts cost $350 each, according to website.  And very well written descriptions of shaft too.  Many colors available.

The Oban Kiyoshi is $350 -- the yellow and purple are the higher launching shafts.

The Devotion was once $160, now shows at $190 -- but it's for high speed guys who need to launch it low before spin takes it higher

[jballard388]

I have a 105-110 mph swing speed and that is me swing where I can control it. I can really crank it up and hit 120 on clubhead speed but the ball will be either a slice or hook. At 105-110 and controlled I use a project x 6.0 in my driver which is a cobra bio cell and it works pretty well. I am 200 plbs of solid muscle and have some strength. I used to struggle with the driver till I got fitted for one and the guy who fitted me put me with the 6.0 and it helped out tremendously.