Move up to X-Flex shaft?

[sonicblue]

Generally speaking, my swing is the "tightest" it's been ever. I feel like I really understand my swing right now and am able to do it more consistently than ever. With that, though, I don't feel I am actually making consistent contact, so I think at the end of this season I may treat myself to a complete fitting, but wanted some advice here first, specifically with my driver.

I bought a HiBore XL early this year and am hitting it longer and with much less variation than ever (10.5, 65g red stiff shaft), but I'm still managing to miss a lot of fairways. I was playing a round the other week and hit a couple really big drives. One of my playing partners commented on what my clubhead speed may be. I told him I'd never been formally monitored, but he said he's spent a lot of time around monitors with his son (who is nearly a scratch, I think I overheard) and he said I was definitely up near 120.

Just about any chart I've seen says that would definitely put me in X-Flex category, but I don't want to blindly stick to that if such a shaft would be too advanced. So, I guess the question is, is an X-Flex definitely for more complete, advanced players, or is it just a matter of matching speed to flex? I'm wondering if this is potentially the missing component for that last little bit of really good control with the driver.

[play4him]

You didn't mention where are you missing your drives ? Are they always left or right or what ?

[asianpsuation]

if ur missing them left, then ya x flex should cross your mind. I'd get on a launch monitor, i've though about switching to xstiff but im also a bit apprehensive.

[sonicblue]

When I make a good swing, and still miss, it's usually to the right, but not by much. It's like a really small push or really slight leak.

[bwinger79]

Someone watched you swing, and told you that you were up near 120??? I am sorry, but nobody can just look at a swing and tell you. You need to hit a launch monitor, not just for swing speed, but all variables in your swing.

X-Flex would be preferred if you are clocking in at 120, but there is more to factor into shaft selection than just swing speed. Tempo may be more important than swing speed. Nobody is going to be able to tell you what shaft is right for you. I would highly recommend treating yourself to that fitting. But you first need to be making consistent contact with all your clubs, otherwise your numbers are going to be all over the place and the launch monitor results will mean nothing.

[sonicblue]

Trust me, I was incredulous and was reluctant to be like, "yeeeeah, that felt like about 120-122 or so....", but the guy insisted. Anyways, one of the reasons I'm reluctant is because I have a slow tempo, I think; i.e., if I try to swing hard, I'll absolutely fall apart (which is why I found it hard to believe I could have that kind of clubhead speed), but that may be own issue to deal with, to not overswing or try to get fast just because I get a stiffer shaft.

Related question: not to be snide, but if I was making consistent contact with all my clubs, why would I need a fitting? I mean, I guess there's a fitting to get you the proper equipment, but I was thinking more along the lines of a fitting to adjust lies/lofts/etc... It occurred to me that as long as I could make consistent SWINGS during the fitting, then one could discern whether or not a different lie/loft could improve my consistency of contact.

[bwinger79]

As far as hitting off a launch monitor, you need to make consistent contact otherwise the numbers are going to be all over the place. I guess I had already assumed that you had been statically fit, and were just looking for a dynamic fitting. If you havent been statically fit(measured for club length, lie)definitely have that done first. Once thats done, take a few months to get used to anything that may have changed since the fitting(length, lie) and make sure you are making consistent contact before moving on to dynamic fitting(launch monitor).

[sonicblue]

^^ thanks.

[Golf4life]

everything you're discussing is based on speculation and hear say from a person using eye sight to gage your ss. If you never had a lesson by a pro instructor it's time you do so for best recommendation, then get fitted. Sounds like you have a good handle on your game, so spending 40.00 for a 1/2 session or so, i think it's worth every penney and perhaps the start of taking your game to the next level.

[iacas]

I will say two things:

1) It's virtually impossible for anyone to guess anyone else's swing speed just by looking. At least accurately.

2) After I watched 20 or so people go through the Titleist driver fitting for which I wrote an article, I could pretty accurately guess two things after someone hit a drive: the ball's spin and it's launch angle. I didn't try to guess ball speed and the only way to really guess clubhead speed was to watch the ball, see how far it went, and guess based on the spin and launch angle.

So really, #2 backs up what I say in #1. To this day I can get pretty close to someone's launch angle and spin rate, but even the pros who spend their entire YEAR fitting people wouldn't guess clubhead speed - it's just too hard to tell, and everyone's rhythm and tempo are too different to be able to guess consistently.

[sonicblue]

Points taken, thanks guys. I am definitely going to explore a good source near me for a lesson/fitting.

[mikejm121]

Ok first of all, theres some things that you either didnt explain good enough or you jus dont know.
No one can jus come look at a swing and say thats 120mph. No one!
Do you realize how much money you would be putting in the shaft?
I have a Ping G10 9 degree, and i put x flex in it.
I was spraying the ball all over, but now my ball flight las lowered and im acurate as cud be.
When you say some really long drives, wat are u tlakin?
210-240 dont go for x flex
if ur above, u may consider it
But i dont no with the driver you got ( Hi Bore ) it may be like an offset because its made to lauch the ball up and the shaft keeps you lower

[OliverHart]

210-240? long? Try 310+ You guys suck.