Need opinions on a driver build

[naj959]

I just wanted to get some feedback on whether or not you guys think a shaft change would get me closer to my desired ball flight. I'll give you guys a little background to start off. I have had my old reliable r9 460 with the stock regular flex reax shaft in the bag for quite a while now and it has become one of the best clubs in my bag. The club is pretty much point and shoot; the only problem is I am loosing some yardage due to the moon balls I hit with this club. After taking online lessons with Iteach and packing on almost 20 lbs in the gym I'm swinging faster and hitting it farther than ever. With the R9 I'm averaging between 250 and 260 which is up probably 20 yards from last year. After reading some of Tom Wishon's articles I decided that a lower lofted head would be that answer to my prayers. I ended picking up a used 9.5* dymo with stock axivcore shaft in regular flex. I'm averaging 12 extra yards and only hit the ball on a slightly lower trajectory. I just cant get over the sound of the Nike and moved on to building an Adams F11 9.5* at 45 inches with a stiff xcalibur 6+ based on Mr. Arthurs recommendation. I hit this combination by far the longest but my misses are horrendous. With this club the hole course is in play due to a two way miss if I don't bring my A game. The shaft also feels kind of light and non-descript and the head feels horrendous (maybe I should have gone with the T7?). I can hit this thing all over the face ( maybe I screwed up the SW?) However, that high penetrating trajectory is a thing of beauty when I catch one.

 

So long story short I've decided to reshaft the R9 for sh@ts and giggles. I'm thinking of trying out either a whiteboard, PL Red, or Harrison Saga. I've tried the Kai'Li in my club and loved the shaft but didn't see a noticeable change in ball flight. I've been fitted before for a Pl red in a G10 head but that was many years ago and I have no Idea If I'll still like that shaft. Do you guys think the shaft swap will get me that piercing trajectory I'm after?

[Colej]

My experience would say if you are missing both directions and it feels light, the swingweight and/or the total weight is too light. The F11 is shafted at what length and swingweight?

FWIW I love the T7

[Stuart_G]

Lots of possibilities but we can only guess. You're going to need to do some testing to find out.

Weight is certainly a good place to start - largely because it's easy for you to get some lead tape and do some testing.

Since you went shorter and based on the shaft weight of the previous drivers that were working well, I'd suspect light SW over too light a static weight. Just add some lead tape to the head a few grams at a time and see how things progress.

Since the previous driver shafts you were playing were reg flex and the new one is stiff, it's also possible that the firmer feel of the stiff shafts might be throwing off your swing (even if the numbers do say a stiff would be a better fit). This could possibly explain the 'non-descript' feeling. The fact that you 'love the kai'li' is another indication you might have a preference for the feel of softer shafts. If that's the case, you may have to make a choice between a shaft that feels good (soft) vs a firmer tipped shaft that is generally needed to give you the lower trajectory.

[naj959]

The F11 is playing at 45 inches and i believe it came out stock at 46. Lead tape does seem to be a good idea to get a feel for the head. I figured a heavier shaft at a shorter length would be close to the original SW but I must be mistaken. Hireko has Pl reds for $15 so I will probably grab one for the hell of it. I seem to be partial to mitsubishi shafts but dont know if I could handle a whiteboard.

[Colej]

[quote name='naj959' timestamp='1400364210' post='9315227']
The F11 is playing at 45 inches and i believe it came out stock at 46. Lead tape does seem to be a good idea to get a feel for the head. I figured a heavier shaft at a shorter length would be close to the original SW but I must be mistaken. Hireko has Pl reds for $15 so I will probably grab one for the hell of it. I seem to be partial to mitsubishi shafts but dont know if I could handle a whiteboard.
[/quote]

If those PL Red shafts are anything like the ones I got from Diamond Tour they are weak versions of the originals. I bought 2 stiffs and the butt frequencies are at 235-236


Try adding some lead tape to the shaft just below the grip and add a little to the head.

[naj959]

Well I demoed a 10.5* g25 head with a ahina 70 s shaft and I hit that club just as high and as far as my R9 so swapping shafts is out and I guess Ill be hoing another 9.5* club. Thanks for all the tips. I might try the lead tape but I think I might pick up an I20. Im really dissapointed with how my F11 turned out and think Ill let the professionals build my next one.

[johnnythunders]

I would put your xcaliber stiff 6+ in your r9 or go the the t7 or my old favorite in the r9 was a stiff matrix hd6.