Effect of a driver shaft that is too stiff ?

[Dave40]

Having read all the contributions, I am still not clear. I have exactly the same problem, and always assumed it was due to the shaft not being stiff enough, my logic being that the shaft is still bent at the moment of impact and therefore starts off right. I thought that getting a stiffer shaft fitted would help (I am 6'6" tall and my swing speed is just under 100 mph). If this logic is wrong, can somebody please explain why?

Keep in mind that i'm no golf pro, but this is the way I've heard it explained:  If the shaft is too flexible and is still bent at the moment of impact, the effect is like offset on a club.  The face might be more open but your body has already rotated through the ball ahead of the club head.  The result is usually a hook.

On the other hand, when i have used drivers with a shaft too flexible, the feedback of the whippy shaft has somehow caused me to create an out to in swing path resulting in a big slice.

[iacas]

Keep in mind that i'm no golf pro, but this is the way I've heard it explained:  If the shaft is too flexible and is still bent at the moment of impact, the effect is like offset on a club.  The face might be more open but your body has already rotated through the ball ahead of the club head.  The result is usually a hook.

Virtually every clubhead is in lead deflection (the opposite of offset) at impact. The hosel actually leans a bit forward down at the bottom.

[trickyputt]

Having read all the contributions, I am still not clear. I have exactly the same problem, and always assumed it was due to the shaft not being stiff enough, my logic being that the shaft is still bent at the moment of impact and therefore starts off right. I thought that getting a stiffer shaft fitted would help (I am 6'6" tall and my swing speed is just under 100 mph). If this logic is wrong, can somebody please explain why?

I find I need a slightly lower torque on longer shafts, but the more normal range like you probably have on 44" will work. Rotation of the head is different than flex but inherently related of course. Its a relationship that can be the source of misunderstanding, but at the same time have a big part in the face alignment at impact. The gurus here have good tech explanations, and probably threads exist for searching, but do yourself a favor and try a low torque shaft in the same flex you hit now just to feel the increased control. I could see a lanky guy really torqueing a shaft even with a moderate speed, because most shafts that come with clubs are set to help you close more easily and thus the torque range (2-6 degrees) is usually average, around a high 3.x or 4 degree softness.

[DevotedGolfer]

With my swing speed, it's always recommended that I play REGULAR flex.    I have a driver with stiff flex that I like, but it has this weird tendency unlike any of my other regular flex drivers to push to the right (not slice, just a straight push) ... consistently, sometimes badly to the point of flying OB straight right on an otherwise nice solid hit.

I know there are alot of variables (maybe it has less offset than my other drivers), but can someone verify in general terms if this is a common symptom of using a shaft that is too stiff ??

Thx.

It is a common misconception. What you are experiencing is an open face. There is a lot more to know about a golf shaft than simply its stiffness rating. Stiffness varies with weight. A 50S is not as stiff as a 70S from the same manufacturer in the same model. Stiffness and weight must be read as one bit of info if you want to understand what the manufacturer rates as an position in a matrix of sku's. This is the tip of the understanding of the golf shaft, but it is the beginning of understanding why there is no standard and why there can never be a standard.
If you want to know about golf shafts, visit my website, golfshaftreviews.info .
Why do you leave the face open with that particular setup is the question. How does that particular shaft load. Does its weight affect your swing dynamics? Does the head? Are they the same length? So many factors Find a good fitter and explore the issue. That is the only way you will ever truly get your question answered.

[Spitfisher]

With my swing speed, it's always recommended that I play REGULAR flex.    I have a driver with stiff flex that I like, but it has this weird tendency unlike any of my other regular flex drivers to push to the right (not slice, just a straight push) ... consistently, sometimes badly to the point of flying OB straight right on an otherwise nice solid hit.

I know there are alot of variables (maybe it has less offset than my other drivers), but can someone verify in general terms if this is a common symptom of using a shaft that is too stiff ??

Thx.

That push, block etc "can" be the result  of too stiff of a shaft, before everyone jumps all over me it can also be too weak of a grip, NOT finishing your swing ( follow thru)...... and other mechanics. You  sinply may not be squareing up the face at impact

but if you feel you have a decent swing and you consistently seam to leave it out right,  or at least on the right side of the fairway, or rough- it could be too stiff.

Lots of assumptions here,  you may find a slightly heavier shaft,but in a regular might be ideal.

Offset....there are very few drivers that even offer offset, Cobra maybe the only one still making them, most have abandoned the notion and design decades ago.

[Jakester23]