Shaft issues

[slicer365]

I had a golf lesson today at lunch and while I was on the launch montior, my swing speed with a 5 iron was 83 mph, the pro said I need regular flex, however, when I got fitted at Golf Galaxy, the guy swore up and down that I was a Stiff flex. I'm confused, what's the difference another 7 mph to my swing, I'd be a Stiff flex. Is this the fault of Golf Galaxy. I can't just go out and buy new clubs, at the drop of a hat. What would y'all do???

[spk74]

Measuring swing speed can be tricky: different methods (instruments) can yield different results: Different launch monitors, swing-speed-specific devices, golf simulators, etc.

 

 

Ideally, shaft selection wouldn't be based entirely on a swing speed measurement...rather, you would try out the different clubhead and shaft combinations to see which you like the most, using swing speed as an indicator of which range to include in your sample.

 

 

I wouldn't worry too much about it. as long as you like the feel of the shafts, you'll be fine. stiffer shafts will potentially give you better accuracy, less-stiff shafts will likely yield better distance (costing you accuracy). It's a tradeoff, especially if you're in between.

[taylormadefan]

Slicer, who are you taking lessons from? I know some GREAT instructors in your neck of the woods who can help you a lot.

 

An experienced PGA pro should be able to tell by eye (and swinging your clubs) what flex you should be using based on how you're loading the shafts and how far you're hitting them. Just out of curiosity, how did a launch monitor session work its way into the equation?

 

spk74 hit the nail on the head. Launch monitors are good for comparing different setups, but shouldn't be the be all end all of fitting. That should be left to on course demos. If you're comfortable with your irons and how you're hitting them, stick with it.

 

From now on, when you're looking into buying clubs, don't go to Golf Galaxy, Golfsmith, or any of these mega marts. While there are definately some knoweldgeable guys at these stores, they are few and far between.

 

There are a few great stores in the Greater Houston Metroplex that are worth the drive because of the knowledge of the guys there. Golf Etc. Clear Lake, Strictly Golf in the Galleria area, and my favorite Bob's Golf Westheimer @ Voss are all great stores with prices in line with the mega marts, but much better service and experienced staff.

 

Bob's a great guy, I was in his store the other day looking for hybrids and he was helping one of his customers was drooling over a set of X tours. He was begging Bob to sell them to him, Bob said, "you can't hit those, you're not good enough yet." The guy kept insisting offering to pay full sticker, and then even $100 over. Bob still refused, he said, "Go buy them from someone else and I'll fit you for them." He's probably the most honest guy in the business. He's not afraid to tell you exactly what he paid for something and what he'll sell it to you for. He's a heck of a character and has so much practical experience with clubfitting / building there's nothing he can't do. He's not afraid to tell you when something's a ripoff and when you need to get something done.

[slicer365]

I'm taking lessons from Golf Galaxy 5 for $229.99!!! He's a pretty good guy and he noticed that on the first swing it was rather slow and then I took another with the same results. So we walked over to the launch monitor, and I hit some balls which equaled out to about 83 mph. I peaked around 86 mph. He said for the most part that stiff would be o.k. and that if I went to regular, I might be all over the place. What I should have done, in the first place, was to get Callaway X-18 with the uniflex shafts.

[taylormadefan]

If that's five hour lessons for $229.99 that's a good deal. If it's for half hours, well I've got that beat (cool)

 

I don't know how I feel about lessons in doors. I think there's so much you can learn from ball flight and divots, neither of which are reall possible indoors. However, if they're working for you, great! If not, shoot me a PM for some options. :golfer:

[alexthegrrr8]

Hey All:

 

Slice, it's just a thought but in reference to shafts and so on. Perhaps the gent that told you that you needed stiff saw something at the top of your swing with how you loaded it. For the longest time, I thought that I needed a regular flex (at the time had a stiff) based on my swing speed. This is until a fitter assured me that with my strength and the manner in which I loaded the club I definitely needed stiff. I currently have S300 shafts in my irons. My driver could be an X but I prefer the softer shaft in my driver. I'm about to re-shaft my 3 wood even though I hit it very well as it is a stock shaft R flex. Good luck.

 

Hit'em Pure,

 

Alex