KHT Autoflex shaft

[outgolfing]

Okay guys, here is my mini review of the Autoflex shaft.

 

First of all I am a 14 handicap and my driver is the weakest part of my game.  My miss is a slice to the right and is usually caused because I try and hang to far back and hit up on the ball leaving my club face way open.  I swing anywhere between 95-low 100's and my average ball speeds are 135-145 if I'm fresh.  Normal drives on the course for me are 250 total distance.  The Autoflex I tested is the SF405 made for 85-95mph swing speeds, it was tested in a Mavrik max 9* head and was tested against the stock Riptide 50g. shaft that plays 45.5" long.  The Autoflex was built to 46" long.  

 

I warmed up with my 7 iron before hitting any driver shots.  Once I was good and warm I hit a few shots with my stock set up without looking at any numbers.  I then hit 10 drives and recorded the best 5.  Now it was time to pop in the Autoflex.  Stepped up to the ball and gave it a waggle, holy crap they weren't kidding when they said this thing is more like a fishing pole than a driver shaft.  Shot 1-3 I barely made contact and I straight topped one of them making a god awful sound in the hitting bay.  I had already started to think about how I pissed away $800.  I stepped back and made a few practice swings and began to feel like was learning the timing with it.  From that point on I began making much better contact and the shank party was over.  I hit probably 40 shots with the Autoflex and worked through some settings to get the best results, I also tested 3 different balls (Prov1, Srixon XV, Taylormade TP5X).  The Prov1 is my normal ball and I am most comfortable with it, unfortunately it spun way too much for this driver, most were in the mid to upper 3000's.  The Srixon XV and the TP5x were similar but I preferred the TP5x in the end.  The driver worked best set to neutral and stated loft, I switched the weights to put the heavy weight in the heel and the lighter on in the back to allow a little more rotation of the club face.  I also ended up teeing the ball much lower with the ball only sitting about 1/8" over the crown instead of half the ball over the crown which I had always been comfortable with before.  I found this kept me down in the shot and was allowing me to close the face down and avoid my normal right miss.  

 

Results.

The short is that I was no less accurate with the Autoflex than I was with my stock shaft.  My stock shaft averaged a carry of 232 and a total distance of 253 through the best 5 shots.  The Autoflex averaged a carry of 250 and a total distance of 273 through the best 6 shots. 

 

 

All numbers are from a GC Hawk at PGA Superstore in a hitting bay, I've used this bay and system many times and can validate the numbers I see on there to what I normally see on the course.  

 

Stock shaft numbers:

 

Ball speed, launch, spin, carry, total

 

137.8 / 15.1 / 2264 / 229 / 250

135.8 / 16.0 / 2260 / 231 / 252

136.7 / 15.8 / 1899 / 236 / 259

136.9 / 14.2 / 2353 / 229 / 250

141.2 / 14.9 / 2452 / 234/ 253

Avg. 

137.7 / 15.2 / 2246 / 232 / 253

 

Autoflex numbers:

 

Ball speed, launch, spin, carry, total

 

142.8 / 15.0 / 2157 / 246 / 268

148.4 / 15.1 / 2474 / 255 / 275

139.8 / 14.1 / 2245 / 239 / 262

144.5 / 15.6 / 2098 / 254 / 278

146.2 / 14.1 / 1849 / 259 / 284

143.8/ 13.9 / 2068 / 248 / 270

Avg.

144.2 / 14.6 / 2148 / 250 / 273

 

 

 

Hope this helps some of you guys maybe on the fence.  I will update my results when I can get to the course to test it there.

 

 

[Shilgy]

On 11/17/2020 at 4:26 PM, StillCantPutt said:

Tried the XX, it’s just not for me. I couldn’t hit it as consistent as my gamer. The long ones were longgggg though. Just spun it too much. Darn it- I was hoping a $750 shaft put me in the fairway more. Guess I’ll sell it in the BST and put the money towards lessons. 

That kind of talk will get you run out of golfwrx....watch your tone. 😆

[LowAndLeft32]

1 hour ago, outgolfing said:

Okay guys, here is my mini review of the Autoflex shaft.

 

First of all I am a 14 handicap and my driver is the weakest part of my game.  My miss is a slice to the right and is usually caused because I try and hang to far back and hit up on the ball leaving my club face way open.  I swing anywhere between 95-low 100's and my average ball speeds are 135-145 if I'm fresh.  Normal drives on the course for me are 250 total distance.  The Autoflex I tested is the SF405 made for 85-95mph swing speeds, it was tested in a Mavrik max 9* head and was tested against the stock Riptide 50g. shaft that plays 45.5" long.  The Autoflex was built to 46" long.  

 

I warmed up with my 7 iron before hitting any driver shots.  Once I was good and warm I hit a few shots with my stock set up without looking at any numbers.  I then hit 10 drives and recorded the best 5.  Now it was time to pop in the Autoflex.  Stepped up to the ball and gave it a waggle, holy crap they weren't kidding when they said this thing is more like a fishing pole than a driver shaft.  Shot 1-3 I barely made contact and I straight topped one of them making a god awful sound in the hitting bay.  I had already started to think about how I pissed away $800.  I stepped back and made a few practice swings and began to feel like was learning the timing with it.  From that point on I began making much better contact and the shank party was over.  I hit probably 40 shots with the Autoflex and worked through some settings to get the best results, I also tested 3 different balls (Prov1, Srixon XV, Taylormade TP5X).  The Prov1 is my normal ball and I am most comfortable with it, unfortunately it spun way too much for this driver, most were in the mid to upper 3000's.  The Srixon XV and the TP5x were similar but I preferred the TP5x in the end.  The driver worked best set to neutral and stated loft, I switched the weights to put the heavy weight in the heel and the lighter on in the back to allow a little more rotation of the club face.  I also ended up teeing the ball much lower with the ball only sitting about 1/8" over the crown instead of half the ball over the crown which I had always been comfortable with before.  I found this kept me down in the shot and was allowing me to close the face down and avoid my normal right miss.  

 

Results.

The short is that I was no less accurate with the Autoflex than I was with my stock shaft.  My stock shaft averaged a carry of 232 and a total distance of 253 through the best 5 shots.  The Autoflex averaged a carry of 250 and a total distance of 273 through the best 6 shots. 

 

 

All numbers are from a GC Hawk at PGA Superstore in a hitting bay, I've used this bay and system many times and can validate the numbers I see on there to what I normally see on the course.  

 

Stock shaft numbers:

 

Ball speed, launch, spin, carry, total

 

137.8 / 15.1 / 2264 / 229 / 250

135.8 / 16.0 / 2260 / 231 / 252

136.7 / 15.8 / 1899 / 236 / 259

136.9 / 14.2 / 2353 / 229 / 250

141.2 / 14.9 / 2452 / 234/ 253

Avg. 

137.7 / 15.2 / 2246 / 232 / 253

 

Autoflex numbers:

 

Ball speed, launch, spin, carry, total

 

142.8 / 15.0 / 2157 / 246 / 268

148.4 / 15.1 / 2474 / 255 / 275

139.8 / 14.1 / 2245 / 239 / 262

144.5 / 15.6 / 2098 / 254 / 278

146.2 / 14.1 / 1849 / 259 / 284

143.8/ 13.9 / 2068 / 248 / 270

Avg.

144.2 / 14.6 / 2148 / 250 / 273

 

 

 

Hope this helps some of you guys maybe on the fence.  I will update my results when I can get to the course to test it there.

 

 

Great review. Can you comment on accuracy between the two? Thanks 

[outgolfing]

5 minutes ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

Great review. Can you comment on accuracy between the two? Thanks 

 

All of the stock set up was offline 15-20 yards right, I struggle turning it over.  The majority of the Autoflex shots once it was dialed in were slight draws 8-12 yards left of center.  The few that I did miss which was completely my issue of looking up (dumb considering there was only a net in front of me) were the same 15-20 yards right as the stock set up.  But the misses with the autoflex were still just as long as my good shots with the stock set up and around 15-20 yards further than my misses with my stock set up.  

[My2Dogs]

14 hours ago, outgolfing said:

 

All of the stock set up was offline 15-20 yards right, I struggle turning it over.  The majority of the Autoflex shots once it was dialed in were slight draws 8-12 yards left of center.  The few that I did miss which was completely my issue of looking up (dumb considering there was only a net in front of me) were the same 15-20 yards right as the stock set up.  But the misses with the autoflex were still just as long as my good shots with the stock set up and around 15-20 yards further than my misses with my stock set up.  

I ran into the same problem and told others that you have to really give this shaft a chance and dial it in.  Once you do it’s long and pretty accurate. Just can’t give up on within a couple shots.  The first few (unless your a robot like Matt) will feel strange because of the timing/weight.  Once you do, it does what it promises- longer tee shots.  I already have a + angle of attack with my driver so normal tee height for me was not a problem.  
 

I'm getting a 3 wood and another person I know is getting a hybrid.  Will be interesting if we see the same results with the Fw wood and hybrids as the driver. 
 

I won’t be able to hit for a while as I’m recovering from surgery but I’m certain others who are getting the bulk order with me will chime in.  I will give an update once I can swing again and I’ll try and post my numbers from my Mevo. 

[My2Dogs]

16 hours ago, Shilgy said:

That kind of talk will get you run out of golfwrx....watch your tone. 😆

Exactly.  Get a rope. 😂

[enfuego]

It sounds like it takes a slightly different swing to time it. Anyone notice issues going back to regular shafts in the rest of their clubs?

[My2Dogs]

not really.  When I tested against my Ventus it took a couple holes to get used to the AutoFlex but then I hit both off each tee with no issues.  Didn’t change anything, just had to get used to the feeling and really trusting it.  When I first hit it I don’t think I really trusted the swing because it felt so whippy in the waggle.  

Edited November 20, 2020 by My2Dogs

[outgolfing]

So here is some follow up to my launch monitor review of the autoflex.  I took it to the course finally this morning and proceeded to once again top it on the first tee (no range to warm up on) lol.  The timing of this shaft is unlike anything I've ever swung before.  2nd tee shot was a nasty hook to the left...this was my fault as my grip was much to strong.  Once I began to figure the timing and grip needed this thing came to life.  I hit some of my longest drives on this course and my mishits landed where a good drive would have been with my old setup.  I ended up shooting an 87 which is my best score at this course.  More testing is needed but this thing is really showing promise.  More to come!

[chocolate_rehab]

Mine is finally gripped and ready to go (if I ever get my Prototype X+ from DD's!!). The Par-tee pink Pure grips look great on this shaft.

 

[My2Dogs]

1 hour ago, chocolate_rehab said:

Mine is finally gripped and ready to go (if I ever get my Prototype X+ from DD's!!). The Par-tee pink Pure grips look great on this shaft.

 

That’s a lot of pink! 

[gsrjc]

2 hours ago, chocolate_rehab said:

Mine is finally gripped and ready to go (if I ever get my Prototype X+ from DD's!!). The Par-tee pink Pure grips look great on this shaft.

 

What length are you playing it at and what length was the driver prior to this?

[chocolate_rehab]

3 hours ago, gsrjc said:

What length are you playing it at and what length was the driver prior to this?

 

Playing it at 45.5, was playing 44.5 before.

[gsrjc]

30 minutes ago, chocolate_rehab said:

 

Playing it at 45.5, was playing 44.5 before.

Okay. Im trying to figure out where I should start first. My buddy is going to build it for me so probably 46” first and I’ll just choke down to get an idea. I currently play a nemesys 65g stiff at 45.25” with an epic flash SZ. 

[chocolate_rehab]

Just now, gsrjc said:

Okay. Im trying to figure out where I should start first. My buddy is going to build it for me so probably 46” first and I’ll just choke down to get an idea. I currently play a nemesys 65g stiff at 45.25” with an epic flash SZ. 

 

I played a Nemesys before this one too. Great shaft! Let us know how it works out. Not sure I'll get to do more testing on mine this week, but will report back when I can.

[gsrjc]

1 minute ago, chocolate_rehab said:

 

I played a Nemesys before this one too. Great shaft! Let us know how it works out. Not sure I'll get to do more testing on mine this week, but will report back when I can.

Oh nice. So you can give me some baseline specs if you don’t mind.  Hope to get the shaft on Saturday and then get my buddy to put a callaway tip on it and try it out on Trackman. Will be able to test a bunch of heads but will just need to wait for the tips to be glued enough with quickset to try. Hopefully my current head does the trick. What swing weight did you start out?

[chocolate_rehab]

2 minutes ago, gsrjc said:

Oh nice. So you can give me some baseline specs if you don’t mind.  Hope to get the shaft on Saturday and then get my buddy to put a callaway tip on it and try it out on Trackman. Will be able to test a bunch of heads but will just need to wait for the tips to be glued enough with quickset to try. Hopefully my current head does the trick. What swing weight did you start out?

 

I dunno if my baseline will work for you, I'm a woman and my driver swing speed is low to mid 90s. That being said, I was playing a VA Nemesys 55 Three on a PXG 0811XF head at 44.5" total playing length. Swing weight was D3 and I had some hot melt in the head to get the weight up to that SW.

 

The autoflex I tried was 46" with an 0811XF head and the swing weight was D2 or D3. It felt fine and I hit some bombs (for me) with it, but I can't really give a full review on like 10 swings.

 

Not sure what the SW on my new setup will be. The Prototype X+ I have coming I don't plan to hotmelt or add weight unless necessary to get into the D1 range that they recommend. Based on some other people's experiences, I figured 45.5 would be about right to hit that number, but won't know exactly until I have the head.

[gsrjc]

7 minutes ago, chocolate_rehab said:

 

I dunno if my baseline will work for you, I'm a woman and my driver swing speed is low to mid 90s. That being said, I was playing a VA Nemesys 55 Three on a PXG 0811XF head at 44.5" total playing length. Swing weight was D3 and I had some hot melt in the head to get the weight up to that SW.

 

The autoflex I tried was 46" with an 0811XF head and the swing weight was D2 or D3. It felt fine and I hit some bombs (for me) with it, but I can't really give a full review on like 10 swings.

 

Not sure what the SW on my new setup will be. The Prototype X+ I have coming I don't plan to hotmelt or add weight unless necessary to get into the D1 range that they recommend. Based on some other people's experiences, I figured 45.5 would be about right to hit that number, but won't know exactly until I have the head.

Thanks. Being a woman doesn’t make one bit of a difference. You could have played in college and have a great swing. My driver speed is generally 101-102 so my ball speed is really consistent at 152-153 mph so I have a good smash factor. My epic flash SZ is SW at D4 I believe and from what I’ve read that might be too high for the Autoflex. Who knows though as I’ll try all settings. 
 

Attached are my swings with the nemesys so I’m excited to see what Autoflex can do. If I can perhaps get 156-157 mph then great. If i can hit 160 mph than that will be superb but I’m not thinking I can get that fast with it. Who knows. But I will say my current setup will be hard to beat with my numbers. 

 

Edited November 25, 2020 by gsrjc

[My2Dogs]

Gsrjc-

 

Recommendations from the OEM are to play it at 45.5 with a swing weight of D1-D1.5.  However I think D2 to D2.5 also work well.

 

i would start at 46 and see if it works.  Then choke down before cutting from the butt end.  
 

the Mavrik line makes it easier to change the swing weights because of the weights can be changed to be lighter/heavier. 
 

Chocolate-Rehab- 

 

same with the PXG Proto X+ or X.   You won’t have to add hot melt to the Proto head.  It will be around D3ish at 46.  You can always change out the heavy 15g weight to a 10 and that puts you right in their recommendation for swing weight.  D3 could work as well you just have to get used to the timing.  Getting over D3 (at least for me) had both positives and negatives and so I won’t go past D3 on a swing weight but everyone is different.  I’ve heard some hit it well at D4 but it’s not the OEM’s recommended SW. 

Edited November 25, 2020 by My2Dogs

[gsrjc]

1 minute ago, My2Dogs said:

Gsrjc-

 

Recommendations from the OEM are to play it at 45.5 with a swing weight of D1-D1.5.  However I think D2 to D2.5 also work well.

 

i would start at 46 and see if it works.  Then choke down before cutting from the butt end.  
 

the Mavrik line make it easier to change the swing weights because of the weights can be changed to be lighter/heavier. 
 

Chocolate-Rehab- 

 

same with the PXG Proto X+ or X.   You won’t have to add hot melt to the Proto head.  It will be around D3ish at 46.  You can always change out the heavy 15g weight to a 10 and that puts you right in their recommendation for swing weight.  D3 could work as well you just have to get used to the timing.  Getting over D3 (at least for me) had both positives and negatives and so I won’t go past D3 on a swing weight but everyone is different.  I’ve heard some hit it well at D4 but it’s not the OEM’s recommended SW. 

That is my plan. I can choke down to mimic length of the driver shaft because once it’s cut I can’t really put the length back unless I did extensions but that will affect the shaft. I’ll try d2-d2.5 and see how it goes. 

[My2Dogs]

1 minute ago, gsrjc said:

That is my plan. I can choke down to mimic length of the driver shaft because once it’s cut I can’t really put the length back unless I did extensions but that will affect the shaft. I’ll try d2-d2.5 and see how it goes. 

I think that’s perfect.  When I went too light the head seemed to get away from me a bit as I had a hard time feeling where the head was.  Throw in the whippy feeling at first of the AutoFlex and it was totally opposite of what I’m used to. I liked the D2.5 SW but I was also coming from a D4.   If I played around with it at D1 I think I could have timed it up but luckily I just put the heavier weight back in and then it was really easy to get used to.
 

 

[gsrjc]

10 hours ago, My2Dogs said:

I think that’s perfect.  When I went too light the head seemed to get away from me a bit as I had a hard time feeling where the head was.  Throw in the whippy feeling at first of the AutoFlex and it was totally opposite of what I’m used to. I liked the D2.5 SW but I was also coming from a D4.   If I played around with it at D1 I think I could have timed it up but luckily I just put the heavier weight back in and then it was really easy to get used to.
 

 

This is helpful to know. 

[shaolingolfer]

12 hours ago, gsrjc said:

Thanks. Being a woman doesn’t make one bit of a difference. You could have played in college and have a great swing. My driver speed is generally 101-102 so my ball speed is really consistent at 152-153 mph so I have a good smash factor. My epic flash SZ is SW at D4 I believe and from what I’ve read that might be too high for the Autoflex. Who knows though as I’ll try all settings. 
 

Attached are my swings with the nemesys so I’m excited to see what Autoflex can do. If I can perhaps get 156-157 mph then great. If i can hit 160 mph than that will be superb but I’m not thinking I can get that fast with it. Who knows. But I will say my current setup will be hard to beat with my numbers. 

 

 

I may be a hair faster but no where as efficient as you.  My ball speed is right around 150, launch about the same, spin may be a bit less.  Playing with 45.75 Raijin, 10.5 Sim with heavier front weight to approx. D4 also.  My TXG order is going to be here at early December and going to start at 46.5" long and go from there.  Going to lose some smash with lighter head weight but let's see.

 

Also anyone want to try this with Jumbomax ultra lite?

[1s1k]

Standby!!! Grab hold!!!

[My2Dogs]

6 hours ago, 1s1k said:

Standby!!! Grab hold!!!

Glad you got it and it arrived safely.  We just need an update soon.

Edited November 28, 2020 by My2Dogs

[gsrjc]

8 hours ago, 1s1k said:

Standby!!! Grab hold!!!

Nice. Mine is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Congrats. What do you plan on building the specs to?

[1s1k]

9 hours ago, gsrjc said:

Nice. Mine is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Congrats. What do you plan on building the specs to?

8* straight in and 46.5" with a Tour Velvet +4 grip.  I'll see how that goes and butt trim from there if necessary. 

 

I'm waiting on the TM adapter and epoxy I ordered which should be here Monday. 

[gsrjc]

10 hours ago, 1s1k said:

8* straight in and 46.5" with a Tour Velvet +4 grip.  I'll see how that goes and butt trim from there if necessary. 

 

I'm waiting on the TM adapter and epoxy I ordered which should be here Monday. 

Cool. USPS delayed as usual. 

[outgolfing]

I played another 9 today with mine, I'm finding that I am having trouble turning it over.  I'm thinking I should have gone with the SF 505 and not the SF 405.  My ball speeds have been increasing and I normally hit in the mid 140's now.  I originally picked up the SF 405 because it was one of the first to pop up on ebay and I grabbed it for less than it would have cost to buy a new one from South Korea. 

Anyone else deviate from the standard swing speed chart when they bought this thing?  What were your experiences so far?

Thanks

[My2Dogs]

19 minutes ago, outgolfing said:

I played another 9 today with mine, I'm finding that I am having trouble turning it over.  I'm thinking I should have gone with the SF 505 and not the SF 405.  My ball speeds have been increasing and I normally hit in the mid 140's now.  I originally picked up the SF 405 because it was one of the first to pop up on ebay and I grabbed it for less than it would have cost to buy a new one from South Korea. 

Anyone else deviate from the standard swing speed chart when they bought this thing?  What were your experiences so far?

Thanks

The SF405 is lighter than the SF505 so why would you think the SF505 would be easier to turn over?