Tempo or Clubhead Speed?

[Vegas_Matt]

Which is more important when choosing flex?

**Let me preface this post by saying I understand that the best way to select a shaft is to go see a professional clubfitter. I'm in the process of buying a whole new setup, and I would like to have as much information as possible before I invest $2000 or so, regardless of if I have a professional there to guide me through the selection process.**

I'm sure this question has been posted before, and I apologize ahead of time if it's repetitive.

I've read up a little bit on clubfitting, and most of what I have seen has said that stiff shafts are for hard swinging players with fast tempos, and that players with even, fluid tempo should use regular flex shafts. But after filling out the clubfitting survey on Ping's website, it said I should use stiff shafts based soley on my 6 iron distance, with no mention of tempo or ball flight. I think my swing tempo is more on the even, fluid side, and my ball flight is fairly high.

So which is more important in selecting a shaft flex, tempo or clubhead speed? Why?

I understand if you cannot suggest a shaft flex, but I'd like to improve my accuracy and consistancy as compared to my old clubs, hopefully without sacrificing a whole lot of distance. My 6 iron distance is approximately 170 yards. That is with my 10 year old set of Spalding clubs, which have graphite shafts that say "medium firm" on them.

[Angenend]

really both.

 

while most programs/fitting charts online use swing speed, you have to look at tempo due to the amount of load you put on a shaft.

 

My swing speed is around 118, with a long, yet still agressive swing, and I use an X flex.

My father, who's swing speed is only 103, uses the same X flex, because his short stubby swing never lets his arms get past parallel, so he generates all that speed in such a limited swing (we're working on it!).

 

So if you have a general sort of swing, and nothing unusual, based on your distances, and assuming you don't deloft a HUGE amount you should be fine with a stiff flex steel shaft.

[BrisVegas]

i think clubhead speed is a good guide to choosing flex. The weight and profile of the shaft however are more based on the tempo and technique, which a club fitter should be able to help with.

[The Boom Bapp]

Both.

 

Tempo - tells the fitter how much or little you "load" the shaft at the top before your downswing, this allows info on the weight and flex to be read helping with swingplane and TEMPO.

 

Clubhead speed - provides the info that determines what fits you best according to your desired ball flight, kick=low/med/high flight, tip stiffness=sidespin/deflection/accuracy, ball spin=balooning/boring/knuckleball/hook/slice/draw/fade trajectory, and what loft you should be fit for to increase/decrease ball spin, flight, launch angle, accuracy1

 

You cannot have one without the other, you also have to remember that you will not swing to same each time you play, fitters attempt to set you up for what they see at that time of the fitting assuming this is how you swing each time you use that club.

 

Getting fit for the shaft is the "MOST IMPORTANT" itme when being fit properly. Grip size is the "Key", the shaft is the "engine" and the head is the "car"!

[Vegas_Matt]

Ok, thanks guys.

 

One more quick question: Would clubfitters have a problem doing the swing moniter and all that and helping me pick out iron shafts, even if I don't buy them there? I may get a 3 wood and driver from them, but I will most likely be getting my irons from somewhere else that does not have clubfitters in my area, unless I drive to Cali which is probably not going to happen. (FYI, I've pretty much decided I'm going to splurge on my irons and go with a set of Scratch Golf TC-1's. Some people like to blast a drive, I like to stick one in close from 175 yards, so I'd must rather have a top tier set of irons than anything else. )

[The Boom Bapp]

Not at all, they are there for the fitting process and occasionally they will build a club in the Tour Van or the workshop. "If" their is a clear intent to buy from the fitter while the customer waits then they can choose to do so but, the buyer is not obligated to fulfill this agreement if they so choose.

 

The OEM gathers all the spec's from your fitting such as shaft (steel/graphite), flex, loft, lie, grip size, etc, and It is up to you whether you buy it directly from the OEM or from or someone else (Golf Galaxy, Edwin Watts, Golfsmith, etc.)

 

During a fitting session, if the fitter attempts to use this angle, (however highly unlikely) you are NOT obligated by any means to purchase any club or clubs once fit by the OEM. If you did not sign your name on a contract stating that you would aggree to "buy" any and all items that you were fit for, then you have the right to simply walk away!

 

If this ever did occur, then you must write a letter to Customer Support of the OEM (Nike, TM, Ping, etc) and clarify the name of the fitter who "attempted" to fit you and complain! This goes against their better business practices and you can bet somebody would either be canned or removed from ever performing customer fittings!

[joey3108]

Lots of factors need to be consider before discussing options and what to do.

 

One more thing to remember, Clubfitting are like a chef...Their knowledge and motivation are not the same but a good one will come up w/ a similar taste result w/ different spices. :shok: