Picking up speed with The Stack -- new driver/shaft recommendations -- or just stay where I am??

kjmtthws · April 19

Got fitted for a driver about 2.5 years ago (TM Stealth plus at 9 degrees, Tensei White shaft - 50gm stiff) when my average "cruising" driver clubhead speed was about 101-104mph and could get 108mph if I was coming out of my shoes (smash factor has always been around 1.45-1.48 with driver).. Been working out with a trainer, using the Stack (which I can't recommend enough) for a couple of years and now seems that my driver cruising speed is around 110-112mph and trying to kill it can get to 116mph..

I haven't really noticed any change in dispersion (just hitting alot more wedges and 9 irons into greens these days), but will sometimes absolutely hit a balloon ball that looks like its 500 feet in the air.. My preferred look is a lowish/medium flight with a bit of a fade..

My question is this -- should I be looking at just a stiffer shaft, or a whole new set up in general? I like the looks of the TM and Titleist heads, but will freely admit that I don't know or understand that much about shaft technology (don't feel like I am smart enough to understand those charts that the manufacturers put out).. If the graph of my Stack increases in swing speed is still going up, would it just be better to wait till I hit a plateau before investing in a fitting again???.. I could go cheap I guess by getting the same shaft in a stiffer version from ebay or something like that (but does it even work that way??).. I have also heard (once again, internet stuff) that shaft flex isn't as important as once thought, so am I just wasting money as I just got fitted only 2 years ago??

Thanks in advance for any advice -- most of the responders on this forum seem ALOT more knowledgeable about this stuff than I am

Dan Drake · April 19

My first question would be whether or not you think you are kinda "topped out" on speed, or if you think you still have more to gain. If you think you are about there, I'd say go get fit again. Its a small price to pay to be dialed in and confident over the ball on your tee shots. If you think you might get another 5+mph at some point in the next year or so, I'd say wait and just deal with it for now so you aren't asking the same question again in a few months. Good luck and great to hear about your GAINZ!

Kmagnuss · April 19

Congrats on the added speed.

ac6 · April 19

If you like how the club feels but the ball flight isn't what you want I would say yes, go get re-fitted so that it does. I think you're well within range of moving into an X, but remember shafts are nothing but a timing device. One guy at 110mph may have a smooth tempo and like the feeling of the shaft loading and play a lightweight S-flex, another guy with the same SS may have an aggressive tempo and hate to see the ball hook and play the stiffest possible TX they can handle.

If you're still gaining more speed, you can always get re-fitted if the new shaft isn't a good fit for you, and you'll have a better knowledge from the fitting of what flex/bend profile works well for you now. I just think it'll be a poor fit if you keep improving and get up to a cruising speed of 120 and you're making weird compensations because that 50S is now a very poor fit for you.

phizzy30 · April 19

Since you like the head, I'd say look into possibly getting a stiffer shaft. Maybe even going up in weight to 60 grams.

downbylaw11 · April 20

with that much speed gain you should probably get re-fit, assuming youre unhappy with various aspects of your ball flight. theres nothing wrong with getting fit every season or 2 depending on how serious you are. our swings change all the time and what might be fit for our swing one year could be completely wrong the next, especially in your case where youve gained a significant amount of speed

Brokensticks · April 20

A 500 feet in the air sounds like you borderline top the driver so I would check that first.

A shaft "giving up" makes it deflect sooner so divehooks. Sure, go get fit but dont expect anything.

Urb · April 20

Same deal as you. Got back into golf a year ago after very long time away from the game.

Over the the past year, I've been through three driver shafts and two heads. Had two fittings and both were good setups at the time. My mechanics got more efficient and my tempo became a bit more aggressive. Speed went up around 8mph. I too, probably have another 5-8 mph in the tank.

I did learn that heads control spin and shafts are a loading/timing device. So if all your training is causing you to have a different tempo or a more aggressive move into the ball, you might need a new shaft (shaft feels like it can't stay with you). If you're throwing up 3000+ spin on the launch monitor, consider a new head or turn down the loft.

Edited April 20 by Urb