Help for a handicapped golfer

[katdaddy1]

I was paralyzed in a car accident in 2012, my injury level is T6.(chest down). Through years of rehab I am able to stand and swing my clubs again. I was a fairly successful college golfer and I have worked hard on my new swing. My problem is I need shaft suggestions. I take the club about half way back and my club head speed is 78-81. I try to play a longer shaft for more distance. I would like any feedback or suggestions on heavy shafts in reg or firm. I have a 60 g reg in a oz matrix hd 6, with a epic flash. I would like to try a heavy shaft in regular if anyone has tried before.

Thx in advance guy’s

Coach Todd

[WristySwing]

Is that driver or 6/7i swing speed? If it is driver, try a regular or senior flex, it will load up a bit easier and might release a bit harder netting you some extra ball speed. What's your release like? Is it mostly arms or do you have a bit of chest shoulder movement to help generate some speed through impact?

[Kwheat]

Just curious why you're looking for heavier at that swing speed and backswing length? Usually, not always, heavier results in slower swing speeds but better stability.

[Sean2]

Major props to you for getting from where you were, to where you are!

I have a slow swing speed and have found I get better results with a lighter shaft.

[JCAG]

If you have a quick transition from the top of the swing, a softer shaft will not work for you. In this case, go to a stiffer shaft. Light but stiffer.

 

[katdaddy1]

I have had a tough time with the lighter shaft on tempo and feeling the head of the club. With my swing being so short if my tempo hurries at all I flip the club hard at impact.

[WristySwing]

That's a swing weight thing, not a light shaft thing. Trust me, if you're swinging in the low 80s there's no need for a heavier weight regular flex shaft. You will do just fine with a 55g or lighter shaft in a senior flex. I've done hundreds of driver fittings in the past and there's not one company that would recommend a regular flex based on your speed unless you are dipping into the ultralight product that weighs 40g or less. Check out the spec pages for the Mitsubishi Bassara and Graphite Design MJ, both very smooth, easy to load shafts designed for the player that lacks a boat load of speed. Both recommend for an 80mph swing senior flex and something 55g or less.

If it really is a too light a club head sensation, you can trick yourself a little bit. For every 9g of shaft weight lost (all else being equal), you can re-add 2g of head weight to compensate. So if you are used to say a 65g shaft and then drop down to something in the lower 50s, you could add 2-3g of head weight to get the sensation back up of the heavier head. You could use a head like Ping or Titleist or Taylormade that come in reasonably head heavy (upper 190s to low 200s in grams) to maintain that sensation without having to fiddle around too much to get the sensation right. You also have to pay attention to total weight as something too heavy can actually cause you to flip it at impact too because you feel like you have to give it that extra oomph to get through the ball, resulting in a poor strike and added dynamic loft to "help" the ball in the air. One great example of this is the Ping GLE2 ladies stuff, you pick that up and I swear it feels heavier than most men's clubs but it actually swing weights in the mid C range (quite light). They just use lighter overall components and a slighty heavy head to achieve that sensation.

Good luck and I hope this helps! E-Series | mca.golf AV Blue | mca.golf Tour AD MJ Shafts – Pro's Choice Golf Shafts

[DYOS4]

I would also recommend going lighter and stiffer. Good luck!

[rexroh]

I am a senior player (77 yrs) with a short backswing. I have been experimenting with shorter and longer shafts to try and rea st distance due to age and I’ll health.

i have found that longer shafts are better for me. I have also found that lighter shafts are better for me. You may we’ll differ .

I have had good success with a long Tom shaft. I bought the club but did not like it. I tried the head with other shafts and that was worse. I then put the shaft in a Ping G30 head and played at 47 inches and that was fine.

the long Tom was a light head with a light shaft to try and keep the swing weight down.

I would suggest you try both light and heavy shafts.