Do oversized club heads need stiffer shafts?

Question

Yes, I know all about swing speed and going to be fit at Golfsmith, ect., ect. This is a general question. Basic physics would indicate that a club swung at the same speed using a larger high MOI club head (e.g. 460cc) would tend to flex a shaft more than a smaller club (e.g. 300-360cc) head with less MOI. Therefore, should we all be considering head size/MOI to shaft flex to swing speed interactions before we settle on a particular flex?

Answer 1

You might see some small increased in distance. Mostly depends on your club speed.

Answer 2

No

Answer 3

You're over-thinking the club fitting process a bit. If you go into the whole thing thinking you need a stiffer or less stiff shaft, you may shortchange yourself. All you need to do is find a club head that you like and hit far and straight, then get it properly set up so that you get the desired launch angle and spin rate. This will lead you to the proper shaft for your swing.

Answer 4

Be a real golfer and get rid of you oversized head.  Buy standard clubs.  Any monkey can smack the ball a mile with these oversized heads.  I played the best golf of my life with steel shafts and real wood heads.  You know why?  Cause the sweet spot was so tiny you had to really concentrate on the game.

Answer 5

The shaft is one of the most importand things overlooked in gold. It depends on the golfer. Why not experiment with a friends stiff shaft. That might not work for YOU. Believe me when you do get the right combination of golf head, speed and shaft you Will shoot lower scores. Enjoy The Game!!!

Answer 6

the shafts are thicker at the tip were the shaft joins the head , was incresed from .335 to.350  with a slhtly higher bend point . play the same flex that your launch moniter says . there is the perfect shaft out there now alsothe qualility of oem shafts are much better happy hitting

Answer 7

MOI is a measure of resistance at impact, not related directly to shaft flex, because it occurs after the shafts' initial flex. Shaft flex is affected by three things, weight and speed and internal resistance (torque). MOI in a shaft is (for most practical means) measured as torque.

A larger head does not guarantee a higher MOI, though it is likely. That being said, if possible, the highest MOI available should be an even larger consideration than flex. So to answer the question, yes and no.

Answer 8

It would take additional mass to make the shaft flex.  (MOI refers to the relationship between the head and the ball).  

In fact, head mass has remained pretty much constant over the last 30 years.

As you stated in your question, you should get fit.  And then you need to swing the club as fit before purchase.  I have been fit at the Callaway Plant, and although my Ball Speed is maximized with an "X" Shaft, I don't like the "FEEL," so I use "S".