Discussing shaft selection

[cotton]

I have been hitting a Nike Sumo2  SQ 5900,  8.5 degree, driver, with the factory shaft a Sasquatch Diamana, Mitsubishi Rayon, S-65,( Stiff flex).   I normally carry the ball to 285 yds, with a left to right draw and not much roll. I hit very high balls in all my clubs. My iron shots to the green normally plug in or short hop a few inches.  My driver trajectory is very high.   I recently purchased online (on a lark mind you) from Diamond Tour Golf (DTG) the following driver it was on sale and thought what the heck.  I purchased the SMT Nemises head, 7 degree, and paired it with a Grafalloy Prolaunch Red 65 X shaft, it was described as a low launch shaft,  in extra stiff. The head was marketed by DTG to have won several long drive championships. 

My goal in getting a new driver was to bring my avg drive closer to 300 yds, with the thought of purchasing a lower launch shaft to put my shots at a lower trajectory flight path in hopes that it would create a more efficient flight path to eek out more distance and more ball roll.  Plus my Nike driver is getting close to 5 yrs old and I was getting new driver-itis. The marketing on the SMT head sold me too, lol. 

 I took the new driver and old driver out to an outdoor driving range. No reliable distance markers on the range. So just my judgment.  

Bad news first: The SMT appeared to hit 25 to 50 yds shorter than the Nike driver.

Good news: The flight of the ball was a mid flight trajectory. I count that as an improvement. The accuracy of the hit was greatly improved, I noticed over and over again, much straighter flight path down the middle.  I consider that an improvement. My normal draw to mild slice disappeared.

Impression: The shaft firmness was very noticeable. It felt like a broom stick when I hit the ball.  I think the firmness controlled the distance, as I don't think I was generally creating enough swing speed to get the most out of the shaft. Also,  I felt that the driver was much more forgiving, but I don't give credit to the head, I give more of the credit to the extra stiff shaft. Occasionally I would burn one long  or comparable to the Nike driver with extra effort, I generally don't swing with that much effort in order to maintain some degree of accuracy and to control or prevent a slice.

Question: If my impression is accurate, that my shaft was too firm,  I was thinking of sending the driver back and have DTG install the same low trajectory shaft but with a firm flex. Hoping I would see better or at least equal distance to the Nike driver. Would I see greater distance? Would I sacrifice control or accuracy? What is the best compromise?  Although it is tempting to try the driver for a while and see if my scores improve with the straighter shots. Any suggestions or other ideas of shaft selection would be welcome. 

I know a proper fitting would be best, but I hate dragging in equipment I purchased elsewhere and ask for help. That's just rude, lol.

 

 

Edited December 5, 2015 by cotton

[mvmac]

1 hour ago, cotton said:

I know a proper fitting would be best, but I hate dragging in equipment I purchased elsewhere and ask for help. That's just rude, lol.

I disagree it's rude. As long as you pay for their time you can generally find club fitters that will help you with this, especially in South Florida. 

In terms of your issue, the shaft change can help lower the spin a bit but I would make sure you're not hitting down on the driver.

[Mr. Desmond]

Hi, I played that same model shaft in the original Nike SQ, and the stock shaft is not a true aftermarket Diamana, and that MAY account for the very high flight. Or it could be your setup - hit up with driver - or both.

If you are getting 270 carry with that shaft, I think you may be more than stiff flex, BUT flex also depends on tempo and release (late release generally calls for a stiffer flex).

I think your loft is fairly low and as noted above, the problem may be your setup. You think that a lower loft will bring down flight but you are hitting down on the driver, so the ball has more spin.

I'd re-evalutate everything before spending more money.