Is it the shaft?

Question

I have a rather high club head speed, 105-110 mph, and I am a very good ball-striker. Hence, my handicap of 4. But if there is anything that is holding me back it is my driving. I am currently playing the Nike SQ 10.5 REGULAR SHAFT. I have a straight/draw ball flight with my irons, but my driver's ball flight is always a fade, and about once or twice a round, a slice. I will be re-shafting soon and switching to a tour burner, but do you think my current problem is the shaft being regular?

Any help would be awesome, thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Your swing speed is in the range for a stiff shaft if accurate.  However your ball flight may only because your clubface is a tiny bit off square on contact.  An occassional Hook or in your case slice is normal.....heck even the guys who play on TV on Sunday do that.  I'd have a go at testing several different shafts on a launch monitor...the data will give you the direction to take......as for the fade and slice thing...... a lesson from a good teaching pro might just correct that for you cheaper than replacing your driver.  Good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

Most likely it is the shaft if that is not your typical miss with the driver. At that swing speed range you could almost be an X-Stiff (depending on how you load the shaft) and how consistent your swing is. Do yourself a favor and get professionally fitted to get best results.

Answer 3

I don't think those Regular flex OEM shafts are right for you.   Please see a Professional clubmaker to get your swing analyzed.   Don't just pick a shaft because you like the color.  Every shaft has different specifications that will only fit for specific individual.

Answer 4

Mate I'm amazed that you managed to get to a 4 handicapp, I've honestly never met a person or played with a person on a single handicap who can't hit a Driver.  You must really play well from Roughs and trees.  I agree to go to a stiff shaft and even maybe drop your club head size (if you have a 450cc got o a 420cc or something).  Good luck buddy and once you sort this then you should be on a scratch.

Answer 5

Sounds like the shaft may be too whippy for you and the result is the clubhead is lagging behind at impact, not squaring up, and the resultant open face causes the fade or slice.  I don't know any 4 handicappers with a 110 mph clubhead speed that are using regular shafts so I would guess that is the cause.

Answer 6

i have the identical problem!same in every way!haha!what you should do is swing the club on your driver slower(the smoother you hit the more yards you get).and probably on your downswing your head gets left behind, therefore opening your clubface as you hit it.  try not to leave your head on the ball,right after you hit it,look at the target. hope that helps

Answer 7

Yes, it's the shaft.  Spend 100 bucks and change it to stiff.  I had the same trouble and was steering my driver, I would fight a hook with my regular shaft, hence I would lay off and have to bunt a drive out there, which usually had a soft fade to it.  Once I changed to stiff, I hit a lot more fairways and dropped down from a 9 to a 5 hcp.

Answer 8

Switch to a stiff shaft and a driver with less loft

Answer 9

If you are fading/slicing a regular shaft, your most likely swinging to fast for yourself, which i know is something you don't want to here. Slow your speed down a little, you'll be suprised how far the ball will still go, after the problem is solved begin spedding up again, if you don't do it naturally, phase more speed back into your swing making sure you are still able to bring your hands round fast enough.

Answer 10

At that swing speed and with a regular flex shaft, I'm surprised you're not fading/hooking more shots!

I think you answered you're own question when you said your irons are always straight (I'm assuming they're steel uni-flex shafts)?

Go to the pro shop and hit a few balls in their simulator with a stiff flex shaft and see how you do.  I'd bet that you'll come with a sweet draw with that stiff flex.

Good luck.