Could a specific shaft or flex help with iron compression by the way it bends?

[WJack13]

Gentleman I hope a few golf Scholars could help answer this. Perhaps there is no answer.

 

     To preface I'm a 8.41 handicap. I've been a shot or two higher and I've definitely been lower.

 I've got a driver and shaft combo I absolutely adore in the Ping G 425 and the hazardous blue PVD Stiff (tipped) American flag lettering version. I carry around 280 on a good poke.

 

Short game is phenomenal and and my specialty around the greens getting up and down with a 61.5 degree wedge. Stats currently show short game @ +1 handicap.

Puttng is pretty good.

 

Recently I've begun struggling badly my iron game.

Such as tour Pros get the putter yipps, I've got the iron yipps.

Last 2 rounds have seen a shank each round with two Shanks in one round that both when OB.

 

Here's my question guys, specifically I'm really struggling with compression and shaft lean.

 

    Now that I've prefaced this with a Shameless but hopefully somewhat necessary plug about my game, get to the question Already Jack!

 

Obviously I need to go see an instructor and review some tape but do you guys think there are any shafts out there that might help improve compression even just the tiniest bit?? 

I need a lesson not to count on a shaft to help I know.

 

I'm in the market for some new irons looking at the p770's- don't necessarily have a shaft preference other than the Nippons I used in the past... so it'd be a good time to change.

You guys think a shaft that could help a little with compression would be something more boardy like the Project X or something more like the Nippon modus 120 that has kick to it?

I appreciate any and all replies

[mvhoffman]

Hate to be the person to point out the obvious, but that is what a fitting is for. That is the whole purpose, to find what fits best. 

[RogerinNewZealand]

Series of lessons first.Regain confidence.Then reassess if fitting needed. 

[2Down]

If you never hit them well maybe a shaft thing but I doubt it.   Get a lesson.  
 

[ChipNRun]

First, welcome to WRX! One thing that's lacking - because you have just joined - is a WITB listing of bag mix: clubs and shafts. Without that, it's difficult to tell where  you're at. (Maybe put it into msg text?)

1 hour ago, mvhoffman said:

Hate to be the person to point out the obvious, but that is what a fitting is for. That is the whole purpose, to find what fits best. 

 

And, how old are you? I'm not being snarky on this - I'm 71 and the last decade most of my club changes have related to less weight, to recover CHS.

 

The shanks indicate you may be fighting the shaft. A fitting might get you something that will allow you to swing on tempo.

 

Regarding on tempo, if your fitting puts you into lighter shafts, make a special effort to swing on tempo. If you still use ye olde kill the ball swing from your older, heavier shafts, you won't get much benefit from your new clubs.

[Red4282]

Shaft profile? No, but flex may have a small affect on compression, and i mean small. If its too weak you may be adding too much dynamic loft. Curious, how do you know you have bad compression? What are your speeds, ball and club? Smash?

Edited June 26, 2022 by Red4282

[Valtiel]

3 hours ago, WJack13 said:

Recently I've begun struggling badly my iron game.

Last 2 rounds have seen a shank each round with two Shanks in one round that both when OB.

 

Here's my question guys, specifically I'm really struggling with compression and shaft lean.

 

...but do you guys think there are any shafts out there that might help improve compression even just the tiniest bit?? 

I need a lesson not to count on a shaft to help I know.

Unfortunately no, not in any practical way. There are multiple things at play here and I get the feeling you're looking for something that you feel like will help, even a little, but shaft flex for this purpose is not it. If you're struggling with shanks then looking at shaft flex is like trying to stop an arterial bleed with a bandaid, it's just the wrong tool for the wrong job. "Compression" as a concept is achieved by forward shaft lean, control over your AoA and path so as to deliver the club with a tight face to path relationship, and solid center contact. If you're shanking the ball then your delivery is very likely quite far away from these parameters and should be the only thing you focus on via instruction. 

[Stuart_G]

You've already got a lot of good advice.

 

12 hours ago, WJack13 said:

Obviously I need to go see an instructor and review some tape but do you guys think there are any shafts out there that might help improve compression even just the tiniest bit?? 

I need a lesson not to count on a shaft to help I know.

 

I'm in the market for some new irons looking at the p770's- don't necessarily have a shaft preference other than the Nippons I used in the past... so it'd be a good time to change.

You guys think a shaft that could help a little with compression would be something more boardy like the Project X or something more like the Nippon modus 120 that has kick to it?

I appreciate any and all replies

 

If a shaft change didn't cause the problems to start with, it's not going to help them go away and shouldn't be the focus on what shaft to buy for new clubs.

 

But to answer the question in the simplest form, yes it might sometimes - but not in a predictable or useful way.  For some people the feel from the shaft can have some influence on the swing and delivery in a variety of ways.  Both in terms of shaft weight and stiffness feel.  For other people it may have no effect what-so-ever.  And for those that it does effect, it's impossible to predict what shaft change will trigger what change to the swing.  It's just way too subjective.   Also the longevity of those changes isn't guaranteed.  If it did help with something, as they get used to the new feel, it's possible for the old swing tendencies and traits can return.

 

So think of a shaft fitting as a way to be able to give you the chance to let your natural swing out w/o any interference. To make sure the shaft isn't adding any problems or making things worse.   It should never be thought of as a means to fix anything.