What driver shaft?

ShriekingSheet

I currently have a Ping G10, 9 degrees with a Grafalloy ProLaunch Red shaft which is S flex.

As it happens, played with a lad with my exact driver with the X flex instead. It's been in the back of my mind that there's been a bit too much give in my own one.

I used various X flex drivers as a younger man (now 26). Also fitted for DG X100 irons so my club head speed was high and probably might still be high enough. After a 3 year break from the game I reverted to S flex clubs and 6.0 PX in my irons which I really like.

Can anyone offer any insightful pros and cons for moving to the X shaft. I did hit the X further. And preferred the more solid feel. But should I expect to lose some control? Or for it to be less forgiving?

At the moment I'm thinking that I possibly have softened up the current shaft with a year's regular play. Maybe the same S flex brand new will be perfect...

ThunderCat

Ive got the Ping G10 driver too. Class bit of stuff although ive got it in 10.5 degrees. My shaft is a V2 Prolaunch and in S. Ive a fast swing speed too but for me the shaft seems to be perfect. That said i havnt used an X shaft to compare it against. My advice would be to go with the X shaft becuase even though it may benefit you with the extra distance on the course, the main benefit will be a mental one. Let me explain - It seems that the shaft is already an issue for you and you already have doubts about your current one. Golf is hard enough without doubts running through your mind when you are standing over the tee-shot. If the X shaft makes you feel at ease and relaxed when hitting the driver, then it will defo be worth the changeover. Good Luck.;)

neckedit

At the moment I'm thinking that I possibly have softened up the current shaft with a year's regular play.


golf shafts don't soften up with play. this is a common misconception. but has no basis in fact what so ever, in many cases its the player getting dtronger that can make the flex feel lighter, but very few players increase their clubhead speed this much to warrant a change, if memory serves to use a ProLaunch Red in X, swing speed needs to be in excess off 110mph on a regular basis.:p

Sandwich

neckedit wrote: »

golf shafts don't soften up with play. this is a common misconception. but has no basis in fact what so ever, .:p

I remember going to a well known pro around these parts who shall remain nameless, and looking to get a 3 wood. Took along an oldish-at-the-time 5 wood which used to perform very well for me. My idea was to use it as a guide to choose a suitable 3. Pro took a few freshair swings with the 5 and said "that shaft is dead - its 10 years old, the life is gone out of it - you'll need to get a new 5 as well".
I got neither from him.

kagni

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

But should I expect to lose some control? Or for it to be less forgiving?

The fact that you got more distance from the X-Flex is surprising, it's generally said that a stiffer flex should give you more control, and a softer flex will give more distance.
The Prolaunch Red is a low launch shaft and the X-Flex will launch a bit lower that the S-Flex. Also if your swing speed isn't high enough to "load" the shaft you will probably tend to hit more of a fade/push.

But these are generalisations and if you've already hit the X-Flex, and hit it well, then "the proof of the pudding is in the eating".

ShriekingSheet

ThunderCat wrote: »

Ive got the Ping G10 driver too....

...It seems that the shaft is already an issue for you and you already have doubts about your current one. Golf is hard enough without doubts running through your mind...

Yeah it's a great stick. I have all of them - 3 wood and hybrid as well.

On your other point, in general I agree but in my own case I've been thinking about changing since the summer but have been playing well (by my standards). I'm guessing like myself, you're a big advocat of the mental side of the game. And the point you make is largely the reason I'm thinking about this seriously in the off-season. But I wouldn't change to remove any doubt.

neckedit wrote: »

golf shafts don't soften up with play. this is a common misconception. but has no basis in fact what so ever, in many cases its the player getting dtronger that can make the flex feel lighter, but very few players increase their clubhead speed this much to warrant a change, if memory serves to use a ProLaunch Red in X, swing speed needs to be in excess off 110mph on a regular basis.:p

Yeah that's highly likely. As I didn't play for a couple of years so I would be stronger after a summer of playing regularly.

The X is for 105mph-120mph according to most sites. I'm in that bracket but if I was advising someone else I'd always say to error on the softer side. A shaft being slightly too weak is probably better than one too stiff IMO.

kagni wrote: »

The fact that you got more distance from the X-Flex is surprising, it's generally said that a stiffer flex should give you more control, and a softer flex will give more distance.
The Prolaunch Red is a low launch shaft and the X-Flex will launch a bit lower that the S-Flex. Also if your swing speed isn't high enough to "load" the shaft you will probably tend to hit more of a fade/push.
But these are generalisations and if you've already hit the X-Flex, and hit it well, then "the proof of the pudding is in the eating".

Well yeah, softer usually does = longer and I did not expect to hit the X longer than my own - I was just looking for a more boring flight and a more solid feel, but it did go considerably longer when tried side by side with my own. It was on my own course too and where I was hitting the X was summer territory - and this was a week ago. So yeah, I was surprised too, but it was considerably longer.

Loading isn't too much of a problem. I'm 6 ft 4 and fairly athletic as I play soccer, training twice a week and matches on Sundays. Decent technique having gone to McDaid in my youth. As for the fade/push, I play with a cut so blocks don't come into it too much.


All that said, I just have a feeling that longer must equate to less accurate with the x flex. I only want to change if it'll mean taking less shots and while the difference in distance would definitely help with that, a loss of accuracy might negate that.

Apologies for the convoluted post but you can see where the uncertainty lies. I'm going to try get a hold of the x one again and try it out more and see what I think then.

Cheers for your replies, any more thoughts welcome.

Sheet

ShriekingSheet

After much thought and trial I've decided to absolutley stick with what I have, and what has served me well in '08.

There were strong winds up at the weekend so I took it as an opportunity to try the different shots with the driver that I felt a stronger shaft might help with. Mostly just firing low ones that turn over slightly or at least hold straight in a left to right wind. Something you couldn't really do with a shaft that was too soft.

I have to say, it really did perform well. While there is a bit of give in the shaft the kick point seems to be high enough so you can start it low and keep it there. Not unlike the Project X iron shaft.

I can also see how the shaft/club wouldn't suit a lot of people. Guys like Graeme1982 really didn't like it and even I thought the club was kinda cumbersome (and ugly!) when I got it, there is something about it that suits me though.

I might get a bit more out of the x flex but I think I my misses could be worse. So I've decided against it.

In the season just gone, on my home course I averaged 5.4/14 fairways which may not sound like a lot but that's in all sorts of conditions and being very strict about what is on and what is off the fairway. I'm longer than average too so will always be slightly less accurate. In 6 out of the 25 rounds I hit either 8 or 9 fairways out of 14 which I'm happy with.

soundsham

keep the whole thing simple, go get your swing speed measured and get the shaft to suit the swing speed
on any given day you may get lucky with someone else's gear but what you want is what suits you & works more often than not for you

i have the same type of aldila shaft in my driver, 3 wood and rescue club(20g heavier) and its a lot better to make the same swing with the longer clubs you have more control....;)

ShriekingSheet

soundsham wrote: »

keep the whole thing simple, go get your swing speed measured and get the shaft to suit the swing speed
on any given day you may get lucky with someone else's gear but what you want is what suits you & works more often than not for you

i have the same type of aldila shaft in my driver, 3 wood and rescue club(20g heavier) and its a lot better to make the same swing with the longer clubs you have more control....;)

Cheers yeah, I know my swing speed, and I'm in the X bracket just about. Happy with my decision to stay with the S flex for reasons I mentioned earlier.

Like yourself, I use the same shaft and flex in all my long clubs.

ImDave

Don't forget, moving to a stronger shaft will have a negative effect on ball spin rate (in theory anyhow). If you have the opportunity, check your spin rate with your current driver, and your mate's driver at the same time if possible. You would want to keep your spin rate within your optimal window. If you go to low you risk loosing overall distance.

soundsham

ya too right dave what i meant to say was get tested on a launch monitor that also measures lauch angle,carry, run out, and spin rate and all that jazz:cool: to get the optimum shaft

normally the cost of this test is deductable from the price of a new club if your going to invest,

p.s. i also hit a few 3 woods while there f.o.c. against my own 3 wood just to see was there anything out there that would suit me better which happily for the pocket there wasn't:D

Sionnachster

Shrieking Sheet - You play a Ping G10 Driver is that correct?

I play a TM r7 and quite happy with it to date, when it's hit correct I'm happy with the feel etc. However, I was playing indoors last weekend (Won't say where!! ) and asked to try out the Ping G10. The conditions were equal for both clubs. Anyway, I was quite surprised that my average was 300+ over fifteen drives with it?!?! Longest was 330y compared to my longest with my own at 313y. My normal shape is a slight draw but this had a tiny fade to it. You'd lose 10 yards easily in real conditions but all the same...

I love my Titleist blades but tried out the Taylormade CGB (whatever they are called) and was averaging 220y 6-Irons?!?! Stupid length and great feel from a cavity back type... Loved it.

I'm almost depressed and wished I hadn't tried them at all...

Would anyone consider this justification to buy a club or change shafts?

(Please say No - it's a recession out there you know)

Sandwich

Sionnachster wrote: »

I love my Titleist blades but tried out the Taylormade CGB (whatever they are called) and was averaging 220y 6-Irons?!?! Stupid length and great feel from a cavity back type... Loved it.
I'm almost depressed and wished I hadn't tried them at all...
Would anyone consider this justification to buy a club or change shafts?
(Please say No - it's a recession out there you know)

I think you know the answer! Unless you are an exceptional golfer (115mph swing) then 'Stupid Length' it is indeed, so dont be depressed.
Even as a comparison, the test has little value unless you normally hit ball those distances in the real world bouncing down a grassy fairway.

copacetic

Sionnachster wrote: »

Shrieking Sheet - You play a Ping G10 Driver is that correct?

I play a TM r7 and quite happy with it to date, when it's hit correct I'm happy with the feel etc. However, I was playing indoors last weekend (Won't say where!! ) and asked to try out the Ping G10. The conditions were equal for both clubs. Anyway, I was quite surprised that my average was 300+ over fifteen drives with it?!?! Longest was 330y compared to my longest with my own at 313y. My normal shape is a slight draw but this had a tiny fade to it. You'd lose 10 yards easily in real conditions but all the same...

I love my Titleist blades but tried out the Taylormade CGB (whatever they are called) and was averaging 220y 6-Irons?!?! Stupid length and great feel from a cavity back type... Loved it.

I'm almost depressed and wished I hadn't tried them at all...

Would anyone consider this justification to buy a club or change shafts?

(Please say No - it's a recession out there you know)

each to their own on driver shafts, but I've had a few cavity back irons that I hit miles and they were fantastic from the rough, the problem I had with them was the variation between a little off centre and totally pure hits could he 10 yards or more, making club selection a nightmare. I know it sounds backward, but I actually think I amn't good enough for a big cavity back iron!

I find with clubs with a little less forgiveness the variation isn't so much, and I seldom get 15 yard flyers and the like. I pick the right club knowing I'll come up short if anything.

I wouldn't be in a rush to change your irons.