CFS Stiff Shafts - Maybe too stiff?

Hey guys, I could use some advice.

I started golfing about 1 year ago and fell in love with it. I got tired of renting clubs so I bought a set. I found an absolute steal of a deal on a set of PING iE1s with CFS Distance Stiff shafts. They were only $550 CAD, so I felt I couldn’t turn em down. The problem is, I find them hard to hit. My 150 yard club is my 7 iron, and when I turn up the heat my SS is around 80-85 MPH. The problem is, I almost always mishit (usually fat or top it) when I swing fast, so I really dial back my swing and focus on swinging smoothly and slowly with a very laid back tempo.

What can people tell me about the CFS distance shaft? I bought the stiffs but I’m thinking I’d be better off with regular shafts. I sometimes find these shafts a little too stiff, and a bit hard to turn over. Is it worth looking into reshafting them with something lighter and less stiff? Or is the difference between a stiff and a regular shaft not going to make a huge difference for a beginner like me?

For reference I am a 30 year old male, athletic build, and shoot around 110-120. I guess I figured given my age I’d be fine with the stiff shafts, but now regretting it a bit.

I would absolutely stick with the CFS Stiff shaft, especially if you have aspirations of improving your game. The CFS Stiff plays soft to flex for sure. If I remember correctly, it's also around 115g raw weight (109 trimmed) so it's still a lightweight shaft.

My advice is you have a solid set of clubs to work on your game with. I would take them to a fitter and do a lie board check to see if the lies are a fit for you. If they are, go play you have a great set of clubs. If the lie is off, you can send them to PING for less than $50 and get the lies adjusted to where they should be. There's a lot of talk about lies and lie boards on this forum so make sure when you check your lies you do it with a fitter who knows what they are doing.

I have the Ping G25s and CFS R-Flex. I carry the 8-iron 150 and I am probably on the borderline of using either, but I prefer the softer shaft.

The CFS S-Flex is definitely not a super strong/stiff shaft. Nothing like a DG S300. Without knowing anything else, I wouldn't guess that the CFS S-flex is a horrible match for you. But everyone responds differently to different shafts so it's hard to say if a CFS R-flex would make a big difference. Have you hit the CFS R-flex in a similar club?

> @"hd.softail" said:

> I would absolutely stick with the CFS Stiff shaft, especially if you have aspirations of improving your game. The CFS Stiff plays soft to flex for sure. If I remember correctly, it's also around 115g raw weight (109 trimmed) so it's still a lightweight shaft.

>

> My advice is you have a solid set of clubs to work on your game with. I would take them to a fitter and do a lie board check to see if the lies are a fit for you. If they are, go play you have a great set of clubs. If the lie is off, you can send them to PING for less than $50 and get the lies adjusted to where they should be. There's a lot of talk about lies and lie boards on this forum so make sure when you check your lies you do it with a fitter who knows what they are doing.

Thanks for the suggestion. I just took some measurements of the distance of my wrist to floor, and based on the ping chart I am firmly a black lie, which is what my clubs are. Is it worth getting fitted in more detail than that for like?

> @agolf1 said:

> I have the Ping G25s and CFS R-Flex. I carry the 8-iron 150 and I am probably on the borderline of using either, but I prefer the softer shaft.

>

> The CFS S-Flex is definitely not a super strong/stiff shaft. Nothing like a DG S300. Without knowing anything else, I wouldn't guess that the CFS S-flex is a horrible match for you. But everyone responds differently to different shafts so it's hard to say if a CFS R-flex would make a big difference. Have you hit the CFS R-flex in a similar club?

Thanks, didn’t realize the CFS was a softer stiff shaft. I’ve tried a few regular shafts but to be honest I’m not sure my swing is consistent enough to know if they made a huge difference. I think maybe part of the problem is mental, I seem to think I have to swing harder to use these clubs because they are labeled stiff, and it causes mishits. Maybe I am wrong in that assumption.

You don’t think it will be a detriment to my development using these shafts?

It's not the shafts.

Those CFS shafts fit a large number of amateur golfers, even some PING staff using them. I think they have a good feel. They're a bit soft, the stiff play more like a regular +.

> @PINGfanGuy said:

> Hey guys, I could use some advice.

>

> I started golfing about 1 year ago and fell in love with it. I got tired of renting clubs so I bought a set. I found an absolute steal of a deal on a set of PING iE1s with CFS Distance Stiff shafts. They were only $550 CAD, so I felt I couldn’t turn em down. The problem is, I find them hard to hit. My 150 yard club is my 7 iron, and when I turn up the heat my SS is around 80-85 MPH. The problem is, I almost always mishit (usually fat or top it) when I swing fast, so I really dial back my swing and focus on swinging smoothly and slowly with a very laid back tempo.

>

> What can people tell me about the CFS distance shaft? I bought the stiffs but I’m thinking I’d be better off with regular shafts. I sometimes find these shafts a little too stiff, and a bit hard to turn over. Is it worth looking into reshafting them with something lighter and less stiff? Or is the difference between a stiff and a regular shaft not going to make a huge difference for a beginner like me?

>

> For reference I am a 30 year old male, athletic build, and shoot around 110-120. I guess I figured given my age I’d be fine with the stiff shafts, but now regretting it a bit.

Questions for you.

What kind of irons and the shafts in the irons were you using prior to this set ?

Secondly, when you talked about your swing speed, was that for your 7 iron ? It is certainly adequte to use a stiff flex shaft.

You have to remember, when changing from one set of irons to the second set , not many could just pick it up and be comfortable and dialed in immediately. The true flex from different makers and the static and swing weight difference....... all play a part in this game.

Sounds to me that you are missing the timing which might be caused by the differences between the two sets.

Give the Ping some practice time and stick with it for awhile ( no going back and forth between the sets ). The ball striking will improve gradually then one day you'll just slip right into the set.

It's a great set of iron for any golfer , certainly can't beat the price for sure.

One last thing to check is, whether the set is authentic or a counterfeit set. Contact Ping with the serial number and confirm this is a real set of Ping.

I had seen a lot of the counterfeit Ping , Taylormade , titleist from tourists whom had gone to Asia for a golf trip then brought back with them a whole set of Counterfeit golf clubs, bags and clothing for less than 15% of the price point in the North America. Those counterfeit do not play like the OEM clubs, usual give away besides the quality and the marking will be the length of the clubs usually a bit shorter then std, and the shafts felt kind of dead ( stiff ).

> @PINGfanGuy said:

> I think maybe part of the problem is mental, I seem to think I have to swing harder to use these clubs because they are labeled stiff, and it causes mishits. Maybe I am wrong in that assumption.

>

> You don’t think it will be a detriment to my development using these shafts?

I think there is a difference between you "think" you need to swing harder before you even pick up the club just because it is labeled stiff vs. you "feel" you need to swing harder based on how your body reacts when you are actually swinging the club. If it's the former, just try swinging normal the next few times out and see if the ball flight is OK and if you can hit decent shots most of the time. The second one more likely means the profile of the shaft doesn't match up well for you.

> @wkuo3 said:

> Questions for you.

> What kind of irons and the shafts in the irons were you using prior to this set ?

Agree - this is a key question. understanding what changed from the old set to the new is very important in understanding what may be going on.

Also, I saw no mention of playing length. Are the lengths on this new set the same as the old set?

Shaft weight (and swing weight) actually tends to be more important than stiffness but some people (even beginners) can learn to be sensitive to the stiffness of the shafts so we can't really rule it out completely.

> @Stuart_G said:

> > @wkuo3 said:

> > Questions for you.

> > What kind of irons and the shafts in the irons were you using prior to this set ?

>

> Agree - this is a key question. understanding what changed from the old set to the new is very important in understanding what may be going on.

>

> Also, I saw no mention of playing length. Are the lengths on this new set the same as the old set?

>

> Shaft weight (and swing weight) actually tends to be more important than stiffness but some people (even beginners) can learn to be sensitive to the stiffness of the shafts so we can't really rule it out completely.

>

>

>

>

Yes, any little changes will require a little getting used to. Like changing to a new pair of shoes as the golf clubs are the extension of golfer's body.

one little change will mess up the timing / rhythm causing the inconsistent ball contact the OP was experimenting.

Especially changing from sets with different static weight ( TTDG to CFS ). As I had seen in many discussion here, there is the confusion between the craftsman ( the golfers ) and the tools ( the equipments ). Craftsman would do a better job with the proper tools, but a new tool is not always more efficient in producing a better result.

How fast could the golfer "change over" depending on the individual's athletic ability. Again, there is no boxed solution as human body is not ready for the instant change.

The clubs and shafts that you have are fine. Your clubs fit right in the ping charts. Club changes should wait until you get a handle on you golf swing.

I would suggest finding an instructor for lessons. I would look for someone in your area who has had success. Ask around to find someone who is helping better players. When someone is good, their students will provide ample testimony to anyone who will listen. This could shave years off the time it takes to improve.

> @PINGfanGuy said:

> > @"hd.softail" said:

> > I would absolutely stick with the CFS Stiff shaft, especially if you have aspirations of improving your game. The CFS Stiff plays soft to flex for sure. If I remember correctly, it's also around 115g raw weight (109 trimmed) so it's still a lightweight shaft.

> >

> > My advice is you have a solid set of clubs to work on your game with. I would take them to a fitter and do a lie board check to see if the lies are a fit for you. If they are, go play you have a great set of clubs. If the lie is off, you can send them to PING for less than $50 and get the lies adjusted to where they should be. There's a lot of talk about lies and lie boards on this forum so make sure when you check your lies you do it with a fitter who knows what they are doing.

>

> Thanks for the suggestion. I just took some measurements of the distance of my wrist to floor, and based on the ping chart I am firmly a black lie, which is what my clubs are. Is it worth getting fitted in more detail than that for like?

>

> > @agolf1 said:

> > I have the Ping G25s and CFS R-Flex. I carry the 8-iron 150 and I am probably on the borderline of using either, but I prefer the softer shaft.

> >

> > The CFS S-Flex is definitely not a super strong/stiff shaft. Nothing like a DG S300. Without knowing anything else, I wouldn't guess that the CFS S-flex is a horrible match for you. But everyone responds differently to different shafts so it's hard to say if a CFS R-flex would make a big difference. Have you hit the CFS R-flex in a similar club?

>

> Thanks, didn’t realize the CFS was a softer stiff shaft. I’ve tried a few regular shafts but to be honest I’m not sure my swing is consistent enough to know if they made a huge difference. I think maybe part of the problem is mental, I seem to think I have to swing harder to use these clubs because they are labeled stiff, and it causes mishits. Maybe I am wrong in that assumption.

>

> You don’t think it will be a detriment to my development using these shafts?

I think another poster made a good suggestion, if your clubs are black dot they are neutral/standard already and you typically aren't going to go any further than 2 degrees from that, I would start with lessons and once you feel you've made some positive strides in your golf that might be a better time to get the lies checked/adjusted.

The iE1s with CFS Stiff will not be the reason your game suffers in anyway. Additionally they are a set that could stay with you all the way down to a single digit handicap. My guess is if you went in for a PING fitting and these clubs were available, you would have been fit into exactly what you have now.

So as others have mentioned, you have a great set. Go get some lessons and have fun playing the game. When you start breaking 100 consistently, that might be a good time to check back on how well the set fits you.

Thank you all for the comments. It’s put my mind at ease. I am not going to look at reshafting anymore, and will focus on playing and getting better with my clubs. Maybe even get a lesson or two. From what I’ve been told from you all, these shafts aren’t particularly heavy, nor are they pro level stiff, so it’s probably all in my head.

To those that were asking I came from using a set of hand me down graphite Spalding irons, and various rental clubs (some regular some stiff, I wasn’t really paying attention). So maybe I’m still getting used to the 105 gram weight.

Also, I got them from a golf retailer golftown in Canada, during a deal of the day promotion, so I know they are legit clubs. Just gotta put in the practice with them!

I hope to own them for decades to come. They are very nice clubs from what I can tell.

Thanks

Shafts definitely are not too stiff. You can easily handle. I play an X in CFS and stiffs in most everything else except Modus 120x. My 6 iron SS is pretty reliably at 87-89.

But are they too long? Did you get fitted for shaft lengths? I thought the CFS Distance stiff shafts are just the CFS stiff shafts, but built longer to boost clubhead speed. Could be a half-inch longer. If I were learning now, I’d stick to standard lengths or close to it. (38 inch 5 iron is standard these days.) I play my irons 1/4 short (old standard of a 37.75 inch 5 iron.) Does not hurt my distance at all, does help solid contact more consistently. Just something to check.

> @PINGfanGuy said:

> Hey guys, I could use some advice. ...

> For reference I am a 30 year old male, athletic build, and **shoot around 110-120**. I guess I figured given my age I’d be fine with the stiff shafts, but now regretting it a bit.

Get a fitting - make sure the grip thickness and lie angle fit you.

Next, take some lessons. If you're still shooting 110 after a year, you need help with swing basics. Maybe one in 20 golfers can build a game do-it-yourself... the rest of us need lessons. Take it from me - I was self-taught for 10 years, and have spent the next 40 trying to recover.

> @ChipNRun said

> Get a fitting - make sure the grip thickness and lie angle fit you.

>

> Next, take some lessons. If you're still shooting 110 after a year, you need help with swing basics. Maybe one in 20 golfers can build a game do-it-yourself... the rest of us need lessons. Take it from me - I was self-taught for 10 years, and have spent the next 40 trying to recover.

Thanks, will consider it. The grips have always felt a little thin to me. I have normal sized hands, but I think maybe something bigger would suit me better. Are fatter grips common with irons? They are just the stock ping golf pride grips.

I know 110-120 ain’t nothing to scoff at, but it’s an improvement from my starting 150+ few games. It’s an honest score as well, counting OBs and no mulligans and what not.

> @PINGfanGuy said:

> > @ChipNRun said

> > Get a fitting - make sure the grip thickness and lie angle fit you.

> The grips have always felt a little thin to me. I have normal sized hands, but I think maybe something bigger would suit me better. Are fatter grips common with irons? They are just the stock ping golf pride grips.

Grip thickness and lie angle are two basics which fitters check out. Mismatch to golfer can obstruct good swing. Standard Pings are solid grips. Generally, golfers like all grips the same thickness. Grip thickness may be fine - just something to check.

If grips are in good shape, a skilled fitter could pull off grips, build up a little with tape, and then put grips back on.

If you are located somewhere close to Toronto you could schedule an iron fitting with Ping in Oakville. For the service they ask you to make a $50 donation to amateur golf. You'll find out pretty quickly if the shaft is suitable for you and, if the lie angle needs to be adjusted, you can leave the clubs there and Ping will usually get it done within 1-2 weeks, no charge.

> @Tommyj said:

> If you are located somewhere close to Toronto you could schedule an iron fitting with Ping in Oakville. For the service they ask you to make a $50 donation to amateur golf. You'll find out pretty quickly if the shaft is suitable for you and, if the lie angle needs to be adjusted, you can leave the clubs there and Ping will usually get it done within 1-2 weeks, no charge.

That’s a really great suggestion, thanks. Didn’t know ping had a location in Oakville that did this. Im going to book a time to get fitted for everything. I was at the range today, and grabbed a range club with a regular flex shaft in it. I felt more comfortable with it than my own, it seemed to kick more and was easier to turn over.

> @PINGfanGuy said:

> > @Tommyj said:

> > If you are located somewhere close to Toronto you could schedule an iron fitting with Ping in Oakville. For the service they ask you to make a $50 donation to amateur golf. You'll find out pretty quickly if the shaft is suitable for you and, if the lie angle needs to be adjusted, you can leave the clubs there and Ping will usually get it done within 1-2 weeks, no charge.

>

> That’s a really great suggestion, thanks. Didn’t know ping had a location in Oakville that did this. Im going to book a time to get fitted for everything. I was at the range today, and grabbed a range club with a regular flex shaft in it. I felt more comfortable with it than my own, it seemed to kick more and was easier to turn over.

>

The Oakville location is the Ping Canada head office, its at Winston Churchill Blvd. That's where you get fit for Ping clubs, never at Golftown. They'll fit you for every club in the bag and make recommendations about set composition. After the fitting they'll give you all the specs and its up to you if you want to spend any money.