19 replies to this topic

[bogeydog]

One of the most talked about subjects here on TSG is shaft flex. Everyone has an opinion. I can't imagine how many thousands of dollars are wasted without proper fitting and learning our own true swing characteristics. I have been guilty of letting ego affect my flex choices. I have learned to research the shaft profiles as well as the flex. Fortunately, I have made great choices over the past three years.

I recall 4 years ago Tourspecgolfer telling me about an informal study done I. Florida where professionals were given clubs with Shaft flexes covered over. In most cases they hit the softer shaft better. It lead to the idea to play the softest shaft you can control. That points the finger back at the swing and not at the shafts.

I know that I have a tendency to muscle most things in life. It feels manly and powerful. But I have learned that leads to inconsistent results. My swing is no different. If I go 85%, it becomes predictable.

So I have been choosing shafts based on that idea. What fits me at 85%? I tossed the ego aside, and have stepped down in flex. The results are better scores due to more predictable shots, less fatigue, etc. My ego is now fueled by better scores and not testosterone.

I see so many friends immediately grabbed clubs and shafts that are too stout for them. Not that they can't hit them, but they need to work too hard every time. They can't do it consistently.

This weekend I had a friend hit my Akira fw woods with a regular shaft. These shafts are good up to about 100mph swing and he swings around 115. He is a great tee to green golfer with one of the most stable and solid swings I have played with. He was not only crushing the ball, but his control was very good. He commented about both feel and distance. Boy was he surprised when he looked at the flex. This is also the same guy that I fit into a Quadra Proto in S flex. Charts indicate this may be too soft but his spot on swing works well with it.

Obviously tempo and transition needs to be considered. But if you watch the pros, do you see them jerking like you buddies do at the course? They really have smooth transitions however have power due to the correct swing mechanics and don't seem to force the load on the shafts like so many amateurs.

So now I am 1/2 - 1 flex lower than what my ego says. I am having fun. Idrive has alluded to his similar thoughts and it would be interesting for him and others to chime in.

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[DaleUK]

Very interesting!.....

[charge]

For me it's been more about getting the proper shaft weight especially in my woods...

I noticed an improvement in tempo, accuracy and shot dispersion as I moved from 65g to 75g in the driver, 75g to 85g in 3 wood and 85g to 95-105g in hybrids.

I might have lost a few yards due to the added weight but that far outweighs the control I feel I have during my swing.

Bottom line is my index decreased which is the most important thing...

[robbie]

Ah flex.....I have interesting observations with different lengths and swing weights as well but when it comes to flex, I am 100% confused ! I have over 40 sets of iron shafts and it should would be nice to figure out a length and a flex but dammit, my body is so damn weird ! Some days I can be at peace with my tour concepts in reg flex or KBS tour in reg, but some days i need my hardstepped rifle 7.0 or my 315 cpm Oziks. It doesnt seem to make a difference because I dont hit the ball very far..... Im a monster with the driver ( 280 carry ) and only use stiff, but the irons are my nemesis ! My bag is a throughly confusing mix ! The SW and GW are stiff flex, the 3,5,7,9 are extra stiff and the 4,6,8,PW is reg flex....I really cant feel the stiffness in the shaft although the extra stiff is definitely more boardy ! I hit the regular flex shafts well because i can take a smooth pass and "flick" at the ball...However the xflex demands a fuller shoulder turn and also demands that i keep my hands back and compress the ball.....It would seem that stiff flex would be the best of both worlds but call it "mental" because i cannot hit a stiff to save my life, Im better off kicking the ball down the fairway with a stiff iron flex ! Ive been playing this game for over 10 years and i play quite often but everytime i stand over the ball I am frightened to death....This game is amazingly tough....Ive played college sports so I do know pressure but why does every shot feel like foul shots to tie the game with no time left ???? I find myself doing the sergio grip, regrip,grip,regrip....back off regrip, grip, back off...haha u get my point !

[bogeydog]

I know that irons are considered precision instruments and many would recommend a stiffer shaft rather than a weaker shaft. However, I find that is such a fine line and a shaft I don't need to step on to get it to load and perform is my best bet.

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[stevopagolf]

I tend to look at the top end of the shaft rating along with the tip and bend profiles to choose shafts and it has been good to me so far. I am a smooth transition swinger rather than hitter 95-100 MPH driver. My recent shafts are Stiff Regular flex. Good from 85-100MPH. Less effort and better results. Plan to do the same with my irons and have Aerotech regulars coming in..

[EdGolf]

I believe in getting fitted for the right shaft is important as everyone swings differently. Some shafts are more suited to a smooth tempo, while others are more suitable for an aggressive swing in regardless of swing speed IMO. Weight of shaft also plays an important role for tempo, which some of you have mention above.

However finding the right combo (especially drivers and FW shafts) are difficult as there are so many excellence choices out there today with so many different profile for different type of swings, players, etc.

[bogeydog]

I agree with everything said. My original post was my thoughts on how ego can cloud the decision to buy the right flex and how I came to see the light. I am amazed how many players I see that swing like they are power lifters jerking a heavy weight. I don't see the same action with the pros.

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[EdGolf]

Totally agree we shouldn't let ego effect our selection of choices. I've seem it too many times that everyone wanna play 'stiff' cause they 'think' they should

[gocchin]

But ego always affects players choices. I get customers who say they swing 90mph and hit the ball 220y and are using Stiff. (at the same time I have guys who say they hit it 270 and are using regular)

I mentioned a study about 4 years ago when a bunch of stiff flex guys who swing around 105mph were given an unmarked shaft (it was a ladies flex at under 200cpm).

They began testing and were all over the place but once they figured out its characteristics and timing, they bombed the ball much further than their current shaft.

That said, there is no standards when it comes to flex. AND flex is not the only thing that affects how a shaft performs and plays as a matter of a fact it may be one of the lesser factors affecting performance, torque, weight, bend profile, rigidity distribution, launch, spin, feel... and even the materials and quality of a shaft all come into play.

A great shaft or should I say the right shaft can make an average head amazing. The wrong shaft or a bad one can make an amazing head very ordinary or suck even.

Getting fit right is a very tough thing to do, and knowing your own swing is a huge start.

Just a note, the most popular shaft by far over the last few months is the Royal Decoration which plays softer than anything and is under 50g. This extends to players of all levels.

[DaleUK]

.... Well I played today, and I thought I'd try this theory out(mainly as I've sold my Epons).I've always thought , been told that Stiff flex would best suit my game, but today I tried some run of the mill irons with a TT Firm/mid shaft( well that's what was the shaft sticker said!)....now I've no idea of swing weight or even shaft weight,nor did I care to much for head shape or feel...BUT no word of a lie I've hit these every bit as good as my Epon which cost more than 10 times!!
I had in my mind the very thought of what OP had wrote, and after 3 holes, which btw was with a 3 Handicap player( given me 6 strokes) I found myself 2 down!
I then made a decision to calm the swing down and trust the shaft and I still can't believe the results, yes I lost a few yards, maybe even one club, but the flight and shape as opened my eyes. It's true to say you couldn't go after the shot with these shafts but a nice smooth swing and bingo....

So I guess now the hunt is on for a similar shaft set up or pull them and marry them up to some new JDM heads...??

[TourSpecGolfer]

Great Post B,

Players who don't have the good consistency tend to benefit from flexes that are overly stiff for them as it keeps the ball in play. I think that for the golfer who is able to make adjustments and knows their swing well can see some sort of performance improvement by going a bit down in flex.

For me a softer shaft also feels much better and when I get into the groove it becomes even more accurate.