Anyone changed from Stiff to Regular in Driver?

[perseveringgolfer]

My SS is about 100mph for Driver.

I play S in irons and fairway/hybrid but struggle with the Driver as I like a light combo and always feel I have to heave the driver into place.

I'd like to experiment with a regular shaft for feel as to where the clubhead is during the swing.

Anyone on here who plays S in irons but R in Driver?

[BIG STU]

I changed about 2 years ago now---- For years my shaft in the driver and FWs was the old Pro Force UST Gold 65 or either the Pro Force V-2------ Got to where I could not swing them anymore. most of my irons were S-300s got to where I could not swing them anymore. Right now I hit  Homna R shaft in the driver and the only FW I carry I have a R Diamana. Irons in my classic Macgregors I have the old Hogan Apex #2 steel shafts which is a senior flex but frequencies out at about a modern R-300---- My KZG CBs I am hitting a steel Rifle 5.5. I can still hit stiff shafts in the persimmon drivers and FWs but that is a whole different ball game in weight versus shaft profile. I did play and practice my 1962 Mac FC-4000s Monday with the old heavy stiff Pro Pel shafts. Trust me my back knew it Monday night. 

[perseveringgolfer]

Thanks @BIG STU I also had the Proforce V2 for awhile. Great when everything 'clicked' but that was rare.

So what difference have you seen and felt moving from S to R in Driver? mind if I ask your SS

[BIG STU]

When I first switched I had to slow down some and basically wait on it. Being a feel player I adapted rather quickly. I do not do the launch monitor thing as a whole. the other week a pro friend of mine was setting up for a lesson and he wanted to check his equipment so I helped him. He asked what I thought my SS was? I told him around 95 or so with the driver. Turns out it is more like 105 with a modern driver and about 107 with persimmon. Now I do not have a long back swing any more and my follow through is not as long as it used to be. But if his equipment is correct that aint too bad for a 62 year old. He did note I generated a lot of speed through the hitting zone. I hit the modern driver about 250 or so with roll out at sea level and the persimmon about 230 with roll out. I actually launch the persimmon a little higher with the modern ball than I do the metal and the persimmon rolls out better

[MattF]

@perseveringgolfer I asked  a very knowledgeable friend (ex PGA fitter) about that yesterday because I smoothed out and slightly slowed down my swing (same as yours with the driver) and found the fairways more often. Not as far but in the fairway. He said that it wouldn't gain me any length and the dispersion wouldn't be as good as the stiff, I could go with a lighter stiff shaft but he wouldn't recommend it. He's seen me play so I trust his advice. Having said that, I think I still might get another Even Flow Blue in 5.5 and see what happens.

[TR1PTIK]

56 minutes ago, MattF said:

@perseveringgolfer I asked  a very knowledgeable friend (ex PGA fitter) about that yesterday because I smoothed out and slightly slowed down my swing (same as yours with the driver) and found the fairways more often. Not as far but in the fairway. He said that it wouldn't gain me any length and the dispersion wouldn't be as good as the stiff, I could go with a lighter stiff shaft but he wouldn't recommend it. He's seen me play so I trust his advice. Having said that, I think I still might get another Even Flow Blue in 5.5 and see what happens.

Excellent point.

I'm not a fitter or even much of a shaft guru, but I have heard it said more than once, that golfers often gain better dispersion with a stiffer profile that doesn't whip through impact.

I also understand the feel perspective and would note that it's important to remember that there is no industry standard for shaft stiffness so simply changing from one shaft marked "S" to a different model marked "R" is not a guarantee of anything. Making that switch with the same model and possibly with the same brand would make a difference, but if you're looking at a different manufacturer's shaft then it's a coin toss.

Best advice is to talk with a fitter. In the OP's case, you could probably even talk to someone online about what you currently game and what you're looking for to get a list of potential options.

Edited September 4, 2019 by TR1PTIK

[bellairemi]

1 hour ago, perseveringgolfer said:

My SS is about 100mph for Driver.

I play S in irons and fairway/hybrid but struggle with the Driver as I like a light combo and always feel I have to heave the driver into place.

I'd like to experiment with a regular shaft for feel as to where the clubhead is during the swing.

Anyone on here who plays S in irons but R in Driver?

Not sure of what length you are playing your driver, but you could consider going a little shorter.  That is another way of making a driver feel a little easier to swing.

[perseveringgolfer]

6 minutes ago, bellairemi said:

Not sure of what length you are playing your driver, but you could consider going a little shorter.  That is another way of making a driver feel a little easier to swing.

I did that with my old Titleist 910D3, went to a 44.5" and results initially were very good, good point and thanks for reminding me.

[duker51]

I was 105 mph with the driver 3 years ago at my last driver fitting.  Went for a new fitting recently, and I'm down to 101.  Tried 7 different shafts during the fitting (most were stiff) and wound up with a regular in the end.  Gave me the lowest spin and best distance.  Like TR1 said above, there is really no standard on shaft stiffness.  I does vary by manufacturer.

You won't know until you try out different shafts which one will work best for you.  Always best to get fitted in my experience.  

And yes, I play stiff in my irons and hybrids.

Edited September 5, 2019 by duker51
spelling error

[perseveringgolfer]

Tried the HZRDUS 5.5 60G today in the Ts3- man that shaft feels stiffer and heavier than a 'stiff' shaft. Just shows you they are all different out there. Could be the torque was low as it felt quite boardy near the grip end, plus its a low spinning shaft.

I'll try another R tomorrow hopefully.

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, perseveringgolfer said:

Tried the HZRDUS 5.5 60G today in the Ts3- man that shaft feels stiffer and heavier than a 'stiff' shaft. Just shows you they are all different out there. Could be the torque was low as it felt quite boardy near the grip end, plus its a low spinning shaft.

I'll try another R tomorrow hopefully.

Which hzrdus version? 

[perseveringgolfer]

5 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Which hzrdus version? 

smoke black

[RickyBobby_PR]

27 minutes ago, perseveringgolfer said:

smoke black

While that shaft will play slightly softer than the original black it is a very stout shaft and tip stiff.  Iirc the torque in the smoke black 5.5 60g is 4.0 and 3.5 in the 6.0.

the black smoke like the original black is designed for aggressive swingers or those with aggressive transitions.

[perseveringgolfer]

2 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

While that shaft will play slightly softer than the original black it is a very stout shaft and tip stiff.  Iirc the torque in the smoke black 5.5 60g is 4.0 and 3.5 in the 6.0.

the black smoke like the original black is designed for aggressive swingers or those with aggressive transitions.

did some googling and you are spot on. It even suggests its for strong players with fast transition who want low to mid launch and low spin, it also says it will feel firmer...............everything I'm not and dont seek in a regular shaft

would you have any suggestions as you seem to know about shafts?

[RickyBobby_PR]

7 minutes ago, perseveringgolfer said:

did some googling and you are spot on. It even suggests its for strong players with fast transition who want low to mid launch and low spin, it also says it will feel firmer...............everything I'm not and dont seek in a regular shaft

would you have any suggestions as you seem to know about shafts?

I’ve had the benefit of visiting px and have had the hzrdus yellow in several drivers. Also tried the original black and it was too much for me and the smoke when I demod earlier in the year was still a bad feel for me.

what are you lookin for? Weight range? Type of launch and spin? 

Edit: counterbalance shaft? What’s your price range?

[perseveringgolfer]

3 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

what are you lookin for? Weight range? Type of launch and spin? 

Edit: counterbalance shaft? What’s your price range?

Light - medium launch - medium spin. Something that I know where the head is during the swing.

I have a smooth transition.

My Callaway 4+ wood has a firm flex and feels perfect if that helps?

no idea on prices but nothing silly, ideally stock shaft price range.

[RickyBobby_PR]

16 minutes ago, perseveringgolfer said:

Light - medium launch - medium spin. Something that I know where the head is during the swing.

I have a smooth transition.

My Callaway 4+ wood has a firm flex and feels perfect if that helps?

no idea on prices but nothing silly, ideally stock shaft price range.

A couple off the top of my head would be Mitsubishi ck blue or orange, diamana red, ust proforce v2

[THEZIPR23]

Have you tried the Ventus? Best feeling shaft through the swing that I have felt. Just not sure how it would fit in your swing and it is $$

[THEZIPR23]

I would also suggest at your SS staying in the S range, if you can find one that fits. Dispersion will increase, maybe dramatically, going to an R. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

32 minutes ago, THEZIPR23 said:

Have you tried the Ventus? Best feeling shaft through the swing that I have felt. Just not sure how it would fit in your swing and it is $$

The ventus isn’t a stock price as he mentioned is something he is looking at price range wise. Also they play a little tip stiff and even the red may be a little more beefy than he’s looking for.

31 minutes ago, THEZIPR23 said:

I would also suggest at your SS staying in the S range, if you can find one that fits. Dispersion will increase, maybe dramatically, going to an R. 

Swing speed is only one aspect and transition plays as much a role as ss does. He’s someone that could go either way depending on profile

[perseveringgolfer]

1 hour ago, THEZIPR23 said:

I would also suggest at your SS staying in the S range, if you can find one that fits. Dispersion will increase, maybe dramatically, going to an R. 

That is my concern in looking at R, however, as @RickyBobby_PR mentioned SS is only one aspect. Without sounding brash I can hit a heavy stiff and even a tour X and it will be ok, but not consistently and certainly not comfortably. As a predominantly 'Feel' player I'm hoping a lighter more flexible shaft will fit me better and bring the fun back to driving. It's trial and error now I'm afraid.

[perseveringgolfer]

Pro shop had a Tensei regular shaft at 49g that fitted the TS3- took it onto the range full of excited anticipation.

At this stage you'd expect me to say it produced great feel and long gorgeous flights with a small draw!

It produced low skittery duffs that ran about 140yds, it felt horrible...I think the head must have been about 2 feet in front of the shaft at impact

Back into the shop and tried the stiff Tensei at 55g and it was much better............but not perfect.

The combo I need might be found in a shorter Stiff shaft thats 60g - continuing the WIP

[BestGuess]

First I did change my irons to regular shafts and felt "strong again".....then all my fairways last year to regular (actually gained distance with 3 and 5 wood).   This year it was time to change driver shaft, first I bought a regular shaft for my Rouge, that did not work at all as I could not get center hits enough....I now have a Ben Hogan new driver with a regular "Hazard Smoke" shaft and it is working just fine...will tell you it is clearly 10 to 15 yards shorter then the Rouge but only when the Rouge was hit in the center.