Driver shaft help

[fairways4life]

I'm looking to make an upgrade from my current stock shaft. Although I've played golf for around 20 years and am a 7 handicap, I've never been much of a gear head so I'm going to lean on those of you who are. (I know the correct answer to my question is "go get a proper fit" but golf funds are tight).

 

My current shaft is the Fujikura Speeder 57 (stiff flex). It's the stock shaft that came in the Taylormade R15. It's a stiff flex but it's pretty much a wet noodle with a very soft tip. The head is 10.5 degrees that I play in the neutral position.

 

My swing speed is in the upper 90's and I drive the ball high with a lot of spin (too much spin). I wouldn't say that it necessarily "balloons" on me. It just gets up high, stays there and then drops straight down with very little roll (and sometimes literally no roll at all). I've hit on launch monitors before in big box stores but never with my current R15 (only with stuff off the shelf). Launch angle has been high (15+) and spin has been high (3300+). I've never hit on a monitor that measured angle of attack but I'm assuming (and feel) that I have a negative AoA (downward strike), which is probably what explains my high spin rate.

 

Okay, finally to my questions. Based on what you now know about my swing...

 

1.) What kind of launch and spin characteristics should I be looking for in a shaft? I'm leaning toward high-launch/mid spin (obviously the unicorn of high launch and low spin would be ideal).

 

2.) Will a high launch shaft cause me to launch the ball even higher if I am already a high ball hitter? Should I consider a mid-launch shaft instead?

 

3.) What about low-launch with high spin? I don't generate a ton of ball speed so if I'm going to launch it low, I will need some backspin to keep the ball in the air long enough.

 

4.) What kind of budget friendly shaft recommendations do you have? Based on the research I've done, the ones that sound like I might benefit from include:

• Aldila Phenom
  
• Matrix Ozik Xcon 6
  
• Grafalloy Prolaunch (blue? red?)
  

Am I in the right ballpark with those shafts?

 

Basically, if you had a upper 90's swinger who hits down on the ball, hits it high with a lot of spin, what kind of shaft would you put in his hands to help him maximize his distance? I'm a short hitter (240-250 carry) which is quite short for a 7 handicap (used to play at a 4.5 handicap with the same carry distance). 250 carry is fine if I'm getting another 20 of roll. But my 250 carry ends up about 251 total.

 

Any help would be much appreciated. :)

[doctorjedi]

Accra concept series sounds like it might work.

[sm_watts]

I'm always a big fan of the Aldila NV shafts, and they definitely fit your budget.

[Jackal]

Matrix Red Tie.

Mid spin, mid launch. Especially if you're already hitting it high.

You can buy these cheap on eBay.

[cfmgolf]

The high spin could equal a downward strike but your angle of attack thought of 15+ doesn't compute with a downward strike. It you hit down on the ball it should come out pretty low but with spin. If it is going high right off the club face, another cause could be a small flip at the bottom of your swing arc which is causing the thought of a high launch angle. This might also add some spin to it. If you have the ability to get on a monitor if would definitely help you determine what a better fit might be for you.

 

Based upon trackman info if you are in the upper 90's and carrying it 250, you are definitely maximizing the distance. Do a quick search for trackman optimal numbers and their chart is quite accurate based upon my experience.

 

Head loft will dictate spin and launch angle more than shaft. The shaft can certainly fine tune things though. With you being a mid single digit handicap player you have certainly learned to get the ball around the course better than most, which is great.

 

All of this being said, the Aldila NV line that is mentioned above is a great shaft that can be had pretty economically. Look for the green color. Good Luck!!

[Bobb3rdown]

I love the NV in my 905t as well. Also look into the tensei blue. They're on Ebay a lot with Taylor made adapters already. More of a tip stiff, butt stiff mid flex shaft.