To reshaft...or not to reshaft

[RoRo]

Hey all,

I a new here so forgive me if I botch any protocols. Here is my situation:

I have a Ping Si3 9* driver and TSi3 fairway woods standard stiff Ping shafts (5 wood is regular flex...ebayed that one). I hit them all fairly well. Mid to high teen handicap, but I can crush the ball off of a drive...sometime pretty consitiently

Here is what I was wondering...would better shafts help my game out? The Ping's have very light heads and I heard the stock shaft is usually enough, but I would like a little more length in the shaft (see vitals below for why) and if aftermarket shafts help that much...why not change it all.

Here are my vitals:
6' 5"
275
39" arm length

Sorry...I do not know my head speed yet.

Thoughts?...Recommendations???

RoRo

[Rainmanp]

This is just my opinion and worth what you are paying for it.

I don't think "better" shafts will improve anyone's game significantly. If the shafts are just wrong, say a small woman or elderly golfer hitting stiff shafts, it can cost distance and comfort and maybe a stroke here or there. A guy your size probably does need stiff shafts. As long as you are getting decent distance you probably won't gain much with new shafts. The most important clubs in your bag are the short irons and putter where shaft type/stiffness has less significance.

Again, just MHO, and I'm a little warped.

[obagain]

Imagine a car with a 2.0 engine and one with a 4.0.

The shaft is what does all the work. If you are balooning a shot you can use a low spin shaft to bring it down and vise versa.
Reshafting is the best way to get the club to perform the way you want it.
If you find the right shaft you will not get rid of the driver until it falls apart. Find a store that has a launch monitor and they can show you what different shafts will change and the best set up for you.

[RoRo]

So that is one yes...one no...

What are your guys thoughts on extenders? If I just need another 2"s...are the plugs good enough if I am regripping? I hit the ball on a good trajectory...at least I think so

[obagain]

As tall as you are, 2" could create problems. If you have a lot of power you might end up breaking the extension.

[RoRo]

Thanks for the info...I will go to my local pro shop and smack the ball around on the launcher. I will let you know what they tell me about my swing.

Thanks again.

[Rosmo]

I don't think "better" shafts will improve anyone's game significantly

I gotta say I think you are dead wrong with this statement. The right shaft in your clubs will make a world of difference. For some golfers the difference between a stiff shaft and regular is night and day. I had a stiff stock shaft in my 975J driver and just upgraded to a regular flex NV65 and I have never hit the driver better in my life...I've added 25yrds and so much accuracy its hard to believe..but this is just one mans story

[Woosey]

Off topic a tad - is there anywhere in the UK that actaully sells shafts?

[dave.]

Rosmo

thats great if you have a swing to start with,but i agree witht he original statement in as much as changing shafts will not correct a dodgy swing,yet so many in these forums seem to think that changing shafts will suddenly turn them into Tiger

shafts between manufacturers do very dramatically so experimenting is worthwhile,but they can't sort out a bad swing

[Rockford35]

But a shaft can be a hinderance on one's swing.

As OB touched on, the shaft is by far the most important aspect of a club. Most clubs these days are asthetic based - basically, if it looks good to you, then use it because the one you hated will hit the ball just as well if it's set up for someone else. But the shaft is the mechanism that gets the ball airborne or not, gives you the distance you want or robs you of it and allows the feedback or lackthereof.

If you experiment with shafts you will see that there are HUGE differences, even between aftermarket high end shafts. Differences in torque, frequency, stiffness and kick can all be a positive or a negative on one's swing.

But once you have it dialed, it can really make the game alot easier. While having sound mechanics is also very important, of course, having equipment set up for your swing is also something that is often overlooked.

If you're crushing the ball off the tee, and consistently, you should try and set up all your woods with the same flex shaft. Find out the specs on your driver shaft and match up to that in terms of flex, torque, and kick. I also believe that because you play X-stiff or Stiff in your woods, that doesn't necessarily mean you play X-stiff or stiff in your irons. For some, they have a wicked swing off the tee, but are alot smoother with their irons and need a shaft that reflects that change.

And, shafts aren't a macho thing. If you find out you are a regular, play a regular. Don't try and over-do it with a Stiff or X-Stiff, just to have it in the bag. It will cost you strokes, I guarantee.

Learn to putt, get set up right and this game becomes a whole lot easier.

R35

[RoRo]

OK...so I should look into a new shaft. I was thinking about the Grafalloy Blue shaft because I heard they are stiffer than Ping standard and they remain almost as light. Ping Si3 Heads are really light.

I know I need to go to a lunch montior first to make sure this is the shaft for me, but have any of you tried this combination of head and shaft?

[obagain]

Just go in with an open mind. Don't settle for a shaft because the salesman says it looks better to him.

Ask what ball spin and launch angle mean and how they can affect the ball flight. The launch monitors are the greatest tool you can use but you need to know what the numbers mean.

[Rockford35]

OK...so I should look into a new shaft. I was thinking about the Grafalloy Blue shaft because I heard they are stiffer than Ping standard and they remain almost as light. Ping Si3 Heads are really light.

I know I need to go to a lunch montior first to make sure this is the shaft for me, but have any of you tried this combination of head and shaft?

Ping offers their drivers OEM with the Grafalloy Blue, so I'm sure it's a good combo....

R35

[wirehair]

I've got 2 of those Ping Si3 drivers, original (340cc) w/ grafalloy blue stiff & Si3-380 w/ stock R shaft.

I was swinging about 85 & found the blue way too stiff for me & on the 340cc head it was solid but was wrong for me. Both 10* black dot.

I've been working on my turns & got my speed up to around 95, the 380 has started to balloon unless I throttle back. I'm gonna try the blue 340 again tomorrow, if I can get it away from my kid.

I think the light weight 340cc head & the blue shaft might be tough to maintain consistency.

Another thing to think about is that plastic hosel, but I understand that ping's WRX will reshaft for a reasonable price. $75-$100 which includes the shaft. Of course, you could probably buy the club w/ the shaft you need for close to that.

[Farquod]

I've got 2 of those Ping Si3 drivers, original (340cc) w/ grafalloy blue stiff & Si3-380 w/ stock R shaft.

I was swinging about 85 & found the blue way too stiff for me & on the 340cc head it was solid but was wrong for me. Both 10* black dot.

I've been working on my turns & got my speed up to around 95, the 380 has started to balloon unless I throttle back. I'm gonna try the blue 340 again tomorrow, if I can get it away from my kid.

Oh yeah, you took the pledge. You ho, you.