Can someone get used to stiff golf shafts?

Question

i just recently got fitted for golf clubs for the first time. The measurements are pretty good. The fitter put me up with x20s with some rifle 6.0s...man they feel stiff...before this i was playing with some pretty cheap clubs with true temper featherlites...i just went to the range the first time...there was certainly an adjustment period before the ball started flying right...but its pretty stiff...im 29 years old, normal strength and athleticism...im assuming im gonna get used to the feel of these stiffer rifle 6.0s...what do you guys think? overall i feel im a pretty fast swinger....

Answer 1

You shouldn't have a problem getting the 6.0's around at your age and size. With a practice you will get your timing and will more than likely be glad you made the switch. Rifle shafts will have a little different ball flight than what you are used to, so that could be some of the problem. If the problem continues i would ask the fitter to check your specs again. You could have been swinging differently than how you normally do, especially if you were hitting into a mat instead of hitting the ball at the range.

Answer 2

I too noticed a difference when I went to Rifles from True Temper. The rifles definitely play with a stiffer feel. But I got used to them and now am enjoying the benefit of much better accuracy and -- even better -- distance control.

Answer 3

Lets put it this way, I'm an old f**t (i.e. Senior), and still play stiff steel shafts on my irons and I still get them to flex on the way down.  I don't know the specs. on the Rifle you have but I'm using the TT Dymanic Gold Light ( now SL) and love them.  I can still get 150 yds with a 9 iron.  At 29 you won't have a problem with stiff shafts.

The flex point on 6.0s is mid/high and the tip is med/firm.  This is what you feel in your hands and not the flex.

Answer 4

pushing it right is a sure sign of it being way too stiff

If normal strength....I would go 5.0's if not abit softer say 4.5's

I know someone who is 5'8" and bench 300lbs+ and only uses 5.0's

If you don't correct this and try to swing harder....what you might sub-consciously do is to close the face too early and develope a Duck Hook...YUCK!!!

Swinger harder will put the sequence of your swing out of whack!!

I would sue the person who fit you with these clubs for negligence

Its not necessarily how fast you swing but how much force you put on the shaft

While I acknowledge that a fast swing is the result of a more forceful swing....but the speed of your club head at impact is really the result of the kickback on the shaft....

The shaft will bend/flex to a point where maximum kickback is achieved.....if you are not strong enough to bend/flex the shaft to this point then you are not going to get this kickback....

The sure sign of you not being not being able to bend/flex your shaft is you pushing it to the right

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Answer 5

At your age with a proper swing you should have no problem hitting stiff shafts. The fitter surely checked your swing speed and that is the main determination of shaft flex.

I went from regular shafts to stiff two years ago and noticed an immediate improvement in the accuracy and distance of my shots and I'm 43.

Answer 6

Yes, I can tell the difference in shafts because my timing will change getting the head square at impact.  

Spend some time at the range, try to avoid making it a mental issue, commit to these shafts and clubs, and give it 10 rounds.  Then decide if you need to make any changes.

Answer 7

did you get fit by the machine on how you load the club?  the stiffness of the club shaft should be determined by your shaft load not the speed.  Rifle plays a bit stiffer than true temper when it's the same ratings.