First Time in an X Flex

[The Big Tuna]

I just went for a fitting and was in a Callaway ST Max with the stock Tensei blue stiff flex.  Average swing speed is 102 MPH with the odd 105-106 mph.  Went for a fitting two weeks ago and was fit into a TSR2 with an AD-IZ x flex 60 gram shaft.  I was skeptical and went for a second fitting and it was the winner again.  What is the potential drawback of using an X flex with my swing speed?  I’m considering going ahead with this.  The fitting was indoors on a trackman using an RCT ball.  I did test outdoors on a trackman with range balls and the results were terrible.  I want to believe the indoor data given the better ball and better swings that day but am still a little skeptical.  Any and all insight is appreciated. 

[phizzy30]

Moving up a flex is fine unless it feels too stiff to you which in turn can affect delivery into the ball.  This could cause dispersion and/or ball striking issues.  GD's shafts play about half a flex softer anyway.  Weight tends to be important than flex.  

[bvanlieu]

I'm right there in your speed range, and while I like my IZ 6S, it can get a tad meh on me and am in a TP 6X now which with a lot of testing just has a bit tighter dispersion for me.

 

While slightly different profiles, they are in the family and its really hard to tell the difference in terms of 'stiffness' between the two for my feel-o-meter. 

 

@phizzy30 has suggested I try the 6X in the IZ in the past, but I am a recovering BST addict so I just have the TP which I got from cally on sale last year 🙂 

 

 

[Urb]

General rule for tweeners:

 

If a smooth swinger, try down flex or weight.

 

If an aggressive, jerky, handle yanking hitter, try up.

[jda]

The flex likely will not matter a bunch.  The weight and where the shaft flexes is more important, IMO.  I do not know about that shaft, but many now have X and Tour X.  X is not what it used to be in all cases.

 

Moving up or down a flex does not affect many people.  Better to be a bit higher flex than lower.

 

If you trust the fitting process and got fitted twice, then go for it.

[RobS]

I wouldn't worry about the label on the shaft.  Flex ratings don't necessarily translate across different makes and model or even weights. I would be concerned about the results outdoors though.  What about the results outdoors was terrible?  If it was reading like launch and spin, you can potentially chalk that up to the range balls.  Something like dispersion and relative consistency, maybe not.  I'd hit it again and sacrifice a few real golf balls to the range.  Better yet, I'd see if you could take the driver out on the course for a round or even a few holes.  Anyone who has tried enough clubs has had the experience where the club is a winner in the bay but lousy on the golf course.  A TSR w/ an upgraded shaft is too expensive not to be sure on!

[Pepperturbo]

12 hours ago, The Big Tuna said:

I just went for a fitting and was in a Callaway ST Max with the stock Tensei blue stiff flex.  Average swing speed is 102 MPH with the odd 105-106 mph.  Went for a fitting two weeks ago and was fit into a TSR2 with an AD-IZ x flex 60 gram shaft.  I was skeptical and went for a second fitting and it was the winner again.  What is the potential drawback of using an X flex with my swing speed?  I’m considering going ahead with this.  The fitting was indoors on a trackman using an RCT ball.  I did test outdoors on a trackman with range balls and the results were terrible.  I want to believe the indoor data given the better ball and better swings that day but am still a little skeptical.  Any and all insight is appreciated. 

For most of my golf life, due to my tempo, I've been borderline X or S flex in woods and irons.  Some years I played X while most other years S flex.  With the advent of lighter weight, and ultra-light weight shafts, X now in certain profiles is still an option for me, and I am in my early 70s.  My current Driver shaft is Velocore TR Blue 58g, 5S.

 

Worst-case scenario, you play X flex for a while only find it doesn't feel right, so you move to S flex.  The other option is go to an ultra-light in the sub 60g range in X flex.

[The Big Tuna]

Thanks for all the replies.  I am going to go ahead and trust the two indoor fittings.  I think the outdoor was due to a little fatigue having played my first two rounds of the year that weekend and being a little sore and all adding up to poor swings.  
Everything felt great with the Titleist RCT ball and the TSR two dispersion was considerably better than my current gamer.  

[HGLucky13]

I am close to the same speed maybe a little faster, but not much. I got fit into a 75X shaft at my last driver fitting and love it. I feel like I have more control with the heavier stiffer shaft. So much that I went to DG 120 x100 shafts in my irons and love the feel of them also. So much more control. If 2 separate fittings gave you this result I'd run with it. Try not to second guess yourself too much.

[jholz]

Results are going to be the only real measure. I play a range of flexes throughout my bag - from X to R and each has it's place. 

 

After many, many years of trying to make sense of shaft nomenclature and flex ratings, I get the sense that it is purposely confusing by the OEMs. They want to put the demons in your head. Once the demons get there, it's amazing how you second guess any bit of equipment in your bag. 

 

It's a great way to get the average golfer to purchase three shafts (or putters, or drivers, or iron sets), instead of just one. 

 

 

[The Big Tuna]

1 hour ago, Pepperturbo said:

For most of my golf life, due to my tempo, I've been borderline X or S flex in woods and irons.  Some years I played X while most other years S flex.  With the advent of lighter weight, and ultra-light weight shafts, X now in certain profiles is still an option for me, and I am in my early 70s.  My current Driver shaft is Velocore TR Blue 58g, 5S.

 

Worst-case scenario, you play X flex for a while only find it doesn't feel right, so you move to S flex.  The other option is go to an ultra-light in the sub 60g range in X flex.

Yea, it just feels like point a shoot coming from the Tensei blue.  Makes me think about getting all my shafts looked at.

[apprenti23]

If it sucked outside it’s going to suck outside. 

[robbie91]

First, it's important to remember that every companies definition of x flex is quite different. There are x flex shafts that play like stiff flex in other manufacturers. Second, your swing tempo and shaft load have just as much influence on the shaft flex you need as raw swing speed. Third, if the ball goes straight and far, it really doesn't matter if you are playing a senior flex or a long drive shaft -- just go with what works! 

 

Typically the downsides to a shaft that is too stiff is too low of launch, too low of spin, and difficulty with dispersion. If you aren't encountering these issues and the fitting data is good, buy away. 

[Brokensticks]

Flex is just - flex. 

 

There is no definition of what a flex should be so this misconception of "GD playing half a flex soft" is just what it is. Watched Ian at TXG using a stiff at 116mph and it held up fine, we see tour guys at 120mph playing no more than a X. Moving up a flex you will lose distance but you tighting up dispersion. 

 

Let the results be the judge and for the love of god dont use indoor results if they sucked outdoors.

[Jackal]

I was playing a project X hzrdus silver in a 60 gram x flex.

It felt like something wasn't right.

A buddy of mine has the same driver with a 70 gram hzrdus silver , but with a stiff flex.

That was perfect for me.

Now I'm playing that and realized that weight was more important than flex for my swing speed .

Edited May 5 by Jackal

[The Big Tuna]

So I went ahead with it and two rounds in I’m super impressed.  It has a higher ball flight and the dispersion is tighter.  I’m not getting a lot more distance but it is a little longer.  Very consistent and when I want to step on it a bit it doesn’t let me down.  I know it’s an older shaft now but would recommend.

[phizzy30]

On 5/5/2024 at 2:42 AM, Brokensticks said:

Flex is just - flex. 

 

There is no definition of what a flex should be so this misconception of "GD playing half a flex soft" is just what it is. Watched Ian at TXG using a stiff at 116mph and it held up fine, we see tour guys at 120mph playing no more than a X. Moving up a flex you will lose distance but you tighting up dispersion. 

 

Let the results be the judge and for the love of god dont use indoor results if they sucked outdoors.

You won't necessarily lose distance by going stiffer as it can lower spin and actually increase distance.