Better shaft than stock

[Pro Slicer]

Hi

I'm a 27 handicap with a driver speed of 75 mph.

I have a Ping G30 SF Tec driver 12* stock senior flex shaft.

I was curious and went for a driver fitting at Club Champion to see if maybe a different shaft with my club head could get me some better distance.

All said and done the only shaft that was used was the new Fujikura Vista Pro 45 R, even with other new brands of club heads.

I realize that where I went was trying to sell me the latest and greatest stuff.

I did see an improvement with the shaft and being 1/2" shorter, my dispersion was tighter.

Being the level of player I am is there a less expensive shaft that could do something for me?

I know I'm leaving out info, but that's why I'm asking this question.

Thanks

[jasonp87]

Lessons. As a 27hcp

[BogeyParBogey]

You may benefit from the lighter weight. How about the Graffaloy ProLaunch Blue 45 gram shaft?

 

They're typically about $40 new shaft only.

 

https://grafalloy.com/products/prolaunch-blue/

 

I have the 65g version in a Ping K15 driver that feels good, but I'm not aware of launch monitor numbers. I since have bought other drivers.

 

Dave

[sunbeltgolfer]

You may want to look at a Graphite Design G40 as well as the Grafalloy Pro launch 45. Both are in that lightweight category and much more friendly to the wallet.

[BogeyParBogey]

You may want to look at a Graphite Design G40 as well as the Grafalloy Pro launch 45. Both are in that lightweight category and much more friendly to the wallet.

 

I had a chance to visit Beech Mountain last year on a business trip. Early morning driving is fun with the fog and hills! It is a beautiful place.

 

Dave

[dunn]

I play stock g30 shaft....shoot 70's and have played numerous aftrmrkt shafts....it fwwls good to me....

 

Havnt noticed any sizeable distance variables regardless of what i use......

 

Your ballsoped and center contact are more crucial

 

Try to hit center of face more....contact superseeds everything else

[grochol17]

I did see an improvement with the shaft and being 1/2" shorter, my dispersion was tighter.

 

I'd say just play your driver 1/2" shorter (or maybe more) than it is now... stock in the Ping G was 45.75", which is really long and hard to control for people that don't have very consistent swings. There's a reason most pro's play their drivers between 44.5" and 45".

 

There's also a nice post on doing a driver tune up that gives you some suggestions of things to try and see if you can get better results from your current driver without spending much money:

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/909991-diy-driver-tune-up-diy-fitting/

 

As another poster mentioned, hitting the center of the face is the most important thing and this tune up is a great place to start.

[teeezer]

To be honest if Club Champion was trying to take you for a ride they would have recommended you something from Veylix or the Grand Bassara 29g or 39g. Vista pro is a mid cost shaft and I think you are getting a lot of value from it. Good shaft and a reasonable price.

 

The thing I don't like about Ping shafts is that they are all counter balanced. Also I've experienced that they play stiff to flex. So the vista pro 45 R might have the same CPM as the UST ping SR.

[Pro Slicer]

grochol17

Thank you for the link. Also at the fitting the recommendation was to use a 45" shaft.

 

teeezer

The instructor did say the Ping shaft was counter balanced as was the VP45R

 

I just wished I could have tried other brands of shafts along with the Vista

[halliedog]

grochol17

Thank you for the link. Also at the fitting the recommendation was to use a 45" shaft.

 

teeezer

The instructor did say the Ping shaft was counter balanced as was the VP45R

 

I just wished I could have tried other brands of shafts along with the Vista

 

It was your fitting, that I assume you paid for? Why wouldn't you ask to try some other shafts? First of all it seems odd to me that a quality fitter would not want to see your results with a variety of shafts as a starting point. I mean, how did they know that a different weight/bend profile/etc might not benefit you without even getting some numbers? Doesn't seem like a very comprehensive "fitting" to me - basically gave you one option and told you to play it 1/2" shorter (which is pretty common knowledge that a higher cap should consider anyway).

 

Seems like a pretty shoddy fitting experience, or there is some missing info on your part. I've never heard of a "fitting" where they watch you hit some balls with your own club and then can say "Oh, well in your case, the best option out of every shaft/head we carry is going to be "Brand X", so there's no reason to even try something else."

[Pro Slicer]

halliedog

I agree with you. I guess I should have said "Let's see some different brands" but I didn't. And yes I did pay for the fitting.

I was lead by the nose believing the person knew and not keeping my head clear.

So back to my question. Is there options that learned players here have for the VP45R shaft?

I see there is the R, R2, R3 what are the differences between the 3?

I looked up the Grafalloy Pro launch 45 blue. But in their specs there is no real info between A,S and R.

[Mikeski]

Look into Aerotech powercoil shafts. These shafts are great IMO. If put the 65's in 2 drivers and a 3 wood and the dispersion is awesome.

It's not the latest and greatest $300 shaft everyone wants to shove down your throat but for the price you can't go wrong. You're a 27 HC, start cheap.

https://www.golfwork...haft/p/AT0006W/

[dunn]

Yeah i wouldnt worry so much given your hdcp.....plenty of time once you get a bit better....

 

And the good thing about golf is you can drop hdcp fairly quickly from where your at....once get down to low dbl ot mid teens it gets alot harder

[Pro Slicer]

Lowering my handicap is my goal. If I can get better distance with driver it would help a lot. 150 and in I'm not bad and I usually 1 or 2 putt.

[sunbeltgolfer]

You may want to look at a Graphite Design G40 as well as the Grafalloy Pro launch 45. Both are in that lightweight category and much more friendly to the wallet.

 

I had a chance to visit Beech Mountain last year on a business trip. Early morning driving is fun with the fog and hills! It is a beautiful place.

 

Dave

 

We love it here and wouldn't think of living anywhere else. However, there are times that challenges like fog can be bothersome if you aren't familiar with the steep and winding mountain roads. Add snow to that fog and you have a real e ticket thrill ride. If you ever get back this way let me know. May be able to help with golf and accomodations.

[DivinDave]

This.

Lessons. As a 27hcp

[apprenti23]

Vista Pro is a cheap shaft already- what’d you want a $30 shaft?

[Stuart_G]

I did see an improvement with the shaft and being 1/2" shorter, my dispersion was tighter.

 

The large majority of the improvement likely came from the shorter playing length and not the shaft change. So the first thing I'd do is look into cutting down you current driver and shaft. Might even want to consider going down more then 1/2". You'll also likely benefit from the lighter swing weight.