Playing driver shaft that is too stiff

[BJG718]

what happens?

I'm playing a Graphite Design Purple Ice 75x in my Nike Sumo2. I think its too stiff. Ballflight is mid-low. Good shots are GREAT, but not common (1 in 10). Misses are high push slices and LOWWW pull hooks. I have a feeling its because I may not be able to feel the shaft load?

[oregongolf]

I'm playing a Graphite Design Purple Ice 75x in my Nike Sumo2. I think its too stiff. Ballflight is pretty low. Misses are high blocks and LOWWW pull hooks. Misses are much more common. I have a feeling its because I may not be able to feel the shaft load?

 

What you're describing is typical of a shaft that's too stiff.

 

Did you pick this up on the BST? It's time to cash that thing in man... put it back up and find something that fits. What driver did you come from?

 

Of course, you could try putting a ton of lead tape on the head and seeing if it'd improve. That's a sloppy fix and I'd doubt it would do a thing.. but you're kinda at a loss and looking for help, right?

[Bite Bite]

Definitely sounds like the shaft is too stiff for you. I would demo something with a "Stiff" or "Firm" flex if I were you and see how they feel.

[thenewbie]

misses should technically happen less with a stiffer shaft, and dispersion should actually be better, however, you won't have enough spin to keep the ball in the air, which will really cut down your carry and also give you a low flight.

 

now, if your jacking up your tempo and trying to swing harder, then I can see how you might miss more. in the end, its tough to generalize exactly what will happen with a shaft that's to stiff for everyone. I know that my new setup has been a tough change, because I can't feel the shaft and impact feels dead. but thats because its a high kick shaft that plays stiffer than my last setup. I deal with it though, because I'm getting a little more carry and WAY more roll (like 30 yards compared to 5 with my last setup).

[BJG718]

misses should technically happen less with a stiffer shaft, and dispersion should actually be better, however, you won't have enough spin to keep the ball in the air, which will really cut down your carry and also give you a low flight.

 

now, if your jacking up your tempo and trying to swing harder, then I can see how you might miss more. in the end, its tough to generalize exactly what will happen with a shaft that's to stiff for everyone. I know that my new setup has been a tough change, because I can't feel the shaft and impact feels dead. but thats because its a high kick shaft that plays stiffer than my last setup. I deal with it though, because I'm getting a little more carry and WAY more roll (like 30 yards compared to 5 with my last setup).

 

my swing speed is right on the border of S and X. i went X because i figured itd lower spin and tighten dispersion. i just cant seem to feel it load or turn it over like i can a softer flex. my best shots with it are 3 yard cuts that are long and run forever. but they are much less common than a TERRIBLE high push slice or low wormburning pull hook.

[Awalkspoiled]

Definitely sounds too stiff. If you want to check - add a BUNCH of lead tape to the head - 12" of 1/2" tape or more, and grip down a full inch. if the problem's better then it's too stiff a shaft (the weight has effectively softened the shaft). PI is a pretty stout shaft in the higher weights and that's a control head anyway - something lighter and livelier might work out really well

[thenewbie]

misses should technically happen less with a stiffer shaft, and dispersion should actually be better, however, you won't have enough spin to keep the ball in the air, which will really cut down your carry and also give you a low flight.

 

now, if your jacking up your tempo and trying to swing harder, then I can see how you might miss more. in the end, its tough to generalize exactly what will happen with a shaft that's to stiff for everyone. I know that my new setup has been a tough change, because I can't feel the shaft and impact feels dead. but thats because its a high kick shaft that plays stiffer than my last setup. I deal with it though, because I'm getting a little more carry and WAY more roll (like 30 yards compared to 5 with my last setup).

 

my swing speed is right on the border of S and X. i went X because i figured itd lower spin and tighten dispersion. i just cant seem to feel it load or turn it over like i can a softer flex. my best shots with it are 3 yard cuts that are long and run forever. but they are much less common than a TERRIBLE high push slice or low wormburning pull hook.

 

I hear you. one of my best driving rounds was with a demo L4V F with a stiff shaft. that thing felt like a noodle, but all that feel helped me slow down and feel the swing. as long as I didn't really go after it, I had great results.

 

I've heard most people on the borderline between 2 flexes have better results going with the more flexible shaft, because they don't feel like they have to go after it all the time. . .they can pull back a bit and still have good results. of course, we're all different, but thats what I've seen.

[ezra76]

Those are my misses with an X flex to a T, I might as well have wrote that ... I never learned my lesson, tried 3 of them, Speeder 757, CompNT and Accuflex Creation. I'm now playing a Speeder 757 Stiff flex and it's working great. My SS was 107-109 last I was on a monitor, got it up to 112 on a few. On the course it's more like the 107 swing max though. I'd recommend trying a heavier weight S flex.

[TKing]

Try REALLY relaxing when you start your downswing. Try to just bump one out there 150 yards and see how far it goes. I play an X and when my friends try to hit it they always try to put too much into the swing to start with and tie themselves up. When I get them to try these things they can usually swing it even with swing speeds slower than yours. Typically when they try to "just bump one out there 150" it goes 250.

 

edited to add: You still have to do a complete swing and accelerate the clubhead throught the ball but those who I've seen trying to start the swing too hard are tensing up too much to get a good release. It's clubhead speed through the ball you want, not hand speed through the swing. Of course you do have to have the muscle to accomplish the swing. Try to get the biggest crack of the whip through the ball without tension in the swing. It's of course entirely possible that the shaft is too stiff but I haven't seen an athletic guy yet who can hit the ball that I haven't been able to get a good swing out of with my driver.

 

My biggest shot dispersals were before I figured out I was swinging a club that wasn't stiff enough.

[LONG&STR8]

How far are you hitting your X flex? Nothing says an X flex is too much for you more than hitting one only 250 yards!!

[BJG718]

How far are you hitting your X flex? Nothing says an X flex is too much for you more than hitting one only 250 yards!!

 

the good ones are definitely over 250. 260-285?

[projamie]

I think that it sounds too stiff.... thats in my opinion... BUT! How old are you? If your young then theres a chance theres some more muscle to come...

 

Also how tall are you, swinging out of your shoes is never good, if your tall you can take it easier but if your a little shorter you have to work a little harder...

 

Projamie

[oregongolf]

What were you playing before this?

 

Honestly, I think that's too much stick for you... put it back on the BST or whatever. I can't think of a reason why you'd wanna change your swing to fit one club.

[BJG718]

im 22 yrs old, 6'2", 155 lbs., and athletic. i may try to reshaft w/ a PI75s instead. i want to give this head one more try. i have consistency issues with driver and the X shaft isn't helping. i thought it might, but oh well. i just checked and Graphite design has the shaft listed for 116+ mph swing speed. yikes!

[projamie]

Ahhh yea looks like its too stiff then... If your looking to keep the tighter dispersion, try a shaft that has a lower recommended swing speed range like the V2...

[kencanuck]

Try REALLY relaxing when you start your downswing. Try to just bump one out there 150 yards and see how far it goes. I play an X and when my friends try to hit it they always try to put too much into the swing to start with and tie themselves up. When I get them to try these things they can usually swing it even with swing speeds slower than yours. Typically when they try to "just bump one out there 150" it goes 250.

 

edited to add: You still have to do a complete swing and accelerate the clubhead throught the ball but those who I've seen trying to start the swing too hard are tensing up too much to get a good release. It's clubhead speed through the ball you want, not hand speed through the swing. Of course you do have to have the muscle to accomplish the swing. Try to get the biggest crack of the whip through the ball without tension in the swing. It's of course entirely possible that the shaft is too stiff but I haven't seen an athletic guy yet who can hit the ball that I haven't been able to get a good swing out of with my driver.

 

My biggest shot dispersals were before I figured out I was swinging a club that wasn't stiff enough.

 

Ahmen!!! I did the same thing and it took a few balls to get the rhythm to hit the 150 then ramped it up from there and viola...big ugly push was gone and back to my fade ball after ball...

 

Ken