Stiffer Shaft & less distance

[huskerjew]

I was slicing the ball quit a bit using a regular graphite flex shaft. It was suggested to me that since my swing speed looks to be on the faster side that I may look into stiff shafts. So I went to the golf show and bought a driver that had a True Temper steel shaft. It did help, I have more control and tend to hit the ball straighter. Also, I went from a 12 loft to a 10 loft. The catcher is before I was hitting a ball 300 plus yards ,if I did not slice it to bad, but now the ball will only carry 250-270 yards. I guess I am ok with not hitting it as far but I know down the line I might make another shaft choice. What are some thoughts here??

CJ

[gord962]

Re: Stiffer Shaft & less distance

It's almost impossible to determine what the main cause is for the change in distance is. You changed club heads, lowered your loft on the club head, changed from (I presume) a graphite shaft to a steel shaft and from a regular flex to a steel flex. Every one of those changes will have an impact on accuracy and distance.

A stiff shaft will help out a fast swinger by keeping the path a bit straighter, but a loss of distance is also factored in.

A steel shaft is a bit heavier than graphite, which will also help keep you a bit more accurate, but with a loss of distance.

Last, you changed heads! How can you copare distance then and now if you use two completely different heads?

The decrease in loft will also factor in a bit - the optimal trajectory for a driver is 14* - 15*. Depending on the kick point in the shaft, this will vary from club to club.

It is impossible to pin point the exact cause but I gaurentee everything mentioned above had a bit to do with it.

If you want to know for sure if it's the shaft or not, switch shafts with the other club and try both shafts in both club heads.

[jamesh]

Re: Stiffer Shaft & less distance

Vector





I have been thought literally 5 drivers in the last year (two of them were old Callaway’s which broke) and if I had to do it again I think I would opt for some kind of Ball Launch or Vector Technology see:







http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HFI/is_11_53/ai_99326434







If you can have the particulars of your swing analyzed it takes out the guess work. I haven't participated in one of these programs, but I would be interested in feedback from those who might have. Finally, a lot of major golf retailers will offer this service for free - some kind of promo - in Canada - golf Town has these programs underway.











James

[huskerjew]

Re: Stiffer Shaft & less distance

Yeah, I agree with everything that was said by Gord. But the loft?? I am hitting the ball down a bit more which is giving me more control over the ball after I release. I definately am thinking of getting a graphite stiff shaft to try out but are unsure of the loft. I am afraid if I start hitting the ball with greater lift that I am going to loose a little control over the ball once it starts hitting that highter trajectory. If I am hitting the steel shaft a lesser distance but with better control, should I stay with the steel shaft until I have perfected my use of this club or should I just go to the next club?? I understand trying out the other club, but is there any benefit working on my game with the steel shafted, less lofted club??

CJ

[gord962]

Re: Stiffer Shaft & less distance

Yeah, I agree with everything that was said by Gord. But the loft?? I am hitting the ball down a bit more which is giving me more control over the ball after I release. I definately am thinking of getting a graphite stiff shaft to try out but are unsure of the loft. I am afraid if I start hitting the ball with greater lift that I am going to loose a little control over the ball once it starts hitting that highter trajectory

The higher the ball is launched, the more backspin is on the ball. The more backspin that is on a ball, the less side spin that can be on the ball, therefore, a straighter ball flight.

If I am hitting the steel shaft a lesser distance but with better control, should I stay with the steel shaft until I have perfected my use of this club or should I just go to the next club?? I understand trying out the other club, but is there any benefit working on my game with the steel shafted, less lofted club??

If you are happy with your distance and are looking for more control, then go for the club with more control, which ever one that might be. There is nothing wrong with steel shafted drivers - I have one that I use when I go to tighter courses. I'd much rather be at the 150 yard marker in the middle of the fairway than 130 - 140 yards in the tree or rough.

[huskerjew]

Re: Stiffer Shaft & less distance

Yes, thank you again gord, that answers my question very well. Adding clubs to my bag is the key to adjusting my game to meet the course demands. That helps a lot. I will be practicing with the steel shaft for a little while longer and then I wil start experimenting with other clubs. Great advice, thanks again.

[gord962]

Re: Stiffer Shaft & less distance

No problem. Keep us updated of your progress and let me know if you have any other questions!

[Mizunoman]

Re: Stiffer Shaft & less distance

Just to add to Gord's comments. You might want to experiment with heavier graphite shafts if you want to minimize distance loss. Steel shafts usually weigh in at 130g, compare that to a good quality graphite which will be between 65 and 70 grams. You see where the distance has gone here dont you?

Simple physics dictate that you can't move a heavier object as quickly as a light one using the same amount of force.

The good thing is that you can imitate the behaviour of a steel shaft to a certain degree by using a heavier graphite. The increased weight lowers the torque of the shaft. for comparison the torque on a True Temper Dynamic gold (130g) is 0.0 the torque on the latest Grafalloy Blue CNT (64g) is 3.1. If you go to a heavy graphite shaft (about 85 grams) the torque is lowered to 2.7. Get them trimmed half an inch and the torque will be lower again with little loss of distance.

The main disadvantage is that you need to be pretty strong to use a heavy graphite shaft (but not, oddly enough, to use a 50g lighter graphite shaft). It takes a bit more power to 'load' the heavier shaft and you might find that you hit too heavy a graphite low and to the right.

Good Luck,

D.