Question for the Shaft Guru's

[leighthebee]

I'm currently using a 10o Ping G2 with Prolaunch 65R.

 

Now, my swing speed will probably be in the 105-115mph range (depending on result of last hole), so this would put me in the Stiff to X-Stiff category correct.

 

Now the thing is, I am hitting this shaft pretty much where I want it. High fades, low draws, down the guts. Probably hitting more fairways than ever.

 

Yet, despite this, I feel like the shaft is at its limit in terms of distance. An easy swing will only be about 10-15metres short of a full lash.

 

I'm guessing that most people will say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

 

To cut a long story short, am I losing distance by playing a regular shaft despite my higher swing speed? From previous experience, I should be duck hooking it left with a soft shaft, yet the harder I swing the straighter it "usually" is.

 

For some reason, I love the feel of the Fujikura shafts. Is there one that has the same Low kickpoint characteristics of the Pro Launch in a stiffer setup?

[scotte]

well this is a double edged sword,

 

my thoughts have always been and will always be, play the most flexible shaft you can control. It took me 24 years of golfing to learn this, but it's right.

 

When you start to outswing a shaft the usuall ball flight will be high and to the right, because the club face doesn't close do to the lag and twist in the shaft.

 

I guess ask you, are you able to hit the ball in the middle and above the center of the driver pretty consistantly?

 

If you can, stay with the shaft you have, you aren't outswinging it.

 

just my thoughts,

 

Scott

[arkstorm]

A stiffer shaft doesn't necessarily equal more distance. Now here's the caviat:

 

A stiffer shaft does lower the ball flight. Therefore, if your reg. flex shaft tends to give you too high a ball flight, with some balooning action, a stiffer shaft might be a benefit.

 

But you are playing a high launching shaft to begin with, so you're probably not fighting a high ball flight.

 

If this is the case, go with as soft a shaft as you can control.

 

Before looking at shafts though, I would make sure to get a very accurate measure of my swing speed. By this I mean, not my swing speed after batting balls at the range for 15 minutes, but in simulated playing conditions, I.e. loosen up, Hit a driver shot, wait five minutes, hit an iron shot, wait another five minutes, then hit a driver shot again and measure the speed on that last swing. That last driver swing will be a more accurate reflection of your "tee" ss as opposed to your "range" ss. (b/c as we all probably know our range swing and tee swing are often a little different.)

 

Next, I would narrow my shaft options and take some different shafts to the range before making a final choice. When I figured out the shaft I want, I would try to compare it head to head in all flexes and choose the one that gives me the most desirable results.

 

If you are indeed a 105-115 mph ss then most shafts for you will be s or x. But make sure that ss figure is correct. From the sound of it you are controlling a high launching r flex shaft, which leads me to want to double-check that figure.

 

As far as Fujikura shafts go, I would look at the Tour Platform series, and if you can still find one, the Vista Pro series. These are all mid to low kick shafts with somewhat stiff tips and mid torque. Most of Fujikura's more touted tour shafts tend to be mid to high kick, but I wouldn't eliminate them or committ myself into only looking at lower kick shafts. Check out all of them because you never know exactly which combination of shaft, weight, bend points, tip stiffness, torque, flex, etc. will give you the best results. Plus, fujikura has one of the broadest lines of shafts in the biz, and each model feels unique. Don't expect one Fuji model to play like another, and do check out other brands too. E.g. if the Vista Pro 70 is almost perfect but not quite, you may find that there is another brand that makes a shaft similar to the VP that is perfect for you.

 

Anyway, good luck.

[leighthebee]

thanks gents, points well noted. looks like its back to the analysis of the swing. my iron swing speed comfortable is around 90-94mph, but i really chase a driver. will take all into consideration and get some more analysis on my swing