Shaft flex and distance.

[Eracer]

I often hear talk about "getting softer shafts for more distance, and firmer shafts for more accuracy".

I understand how flex can affect accuracy, but how can shaft flex influence shot distance?

Force = Mass x Acceleration

Force is what is applied to the ball to make it go.

Nowhere in that equation do we see flex. How does shaft flex affect either mass or acceleration, and thus the force applied to the ball, and thus the distance the ball travels?

Swing speed at impact isn't affected by shaft flex - or is it?

Does the potential energy stored in the shaft during the swing actually accelerate the clubhead through impact? And can more potential energy be stored (and unloaded) in a shaft with softer flex?

[Rynamite]

I believe you answered your own question. The shaft is flexing more on your swing. It is then straightening itself back out right as you're hitting the ball which causes it to be moving faster than your actual swing. So you're increasing the acceleration...which increases the force.

[obagain]

I could go 3 pages with an answer, but I wont.
There is much more to it that "get a softer shaft"
You want to find a shaft the will unload at impact, without a launch monitor you are going to spend a lot of money testing shafts to find the right one.
When you find it there will be no doubt, you will know.

[dave.]

A stiffer shaft is more stable,its as simple as that.

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by obagain

I could go 3 pages with an answer, but I wont.
There is much more to it that "get a softer shaft"
You want to find a shaft the will unload at impact, without a launch monitor you are going to spend a lot of money testing shafts to find the right one.
When you find it there will be no doubt, you will know.

From your experience, how measurable is the benefit of having a driver and shaft fitted this way? Are we talking an extra 3 yds or is it distance and accuracy? I think it would be interesting to have this done but wonder if it would be worth it.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by obagain

I could go 3 pages with an answer, but I wont.
There is much more to it that "get a softer shaft"
You want to find a shaft the will unload at impact, without a launch monitor you are going to spend a lot of money testing shafts to find the right one.
When you find it there will be no doubt, you will know.

What the heck did they do before launch monitors?

[dave.]

I think Seve just said 'I sink I like theese one"

[obagain]

A launch monitor is an incredible tool, if used properly.
I would say most people will see a 5-10 yard increase but they will see a 10-15% increase in fairways.
Before launch monitors they spent days or weeks hitting shafts to try and find the right balance.
I stiff shaft is more stable but put that stable shaft in the hands of someone swinging 80 MPH and it is now a board.
Like everything else in golf you have to find the balance.

[Loop]

Originally Posted by DaveE

From your experience, how measurable is the benefit of having a driver and shaft fitted this way? Are we talking an extra 3 yds or is it distance and accuracy? I think it would be interesting to have this done but wonder if it would be worth it.

It IS worth it, on both accuracy and distance. It's a matter of ball speed, flight, spin, carry, etc....
You only need one condition though: that you keep the same swing when you hit the balls. And if you keep changing swing day in day out, it won't be too useful.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by obagain

A launch monitor is an incredible tool, if used properly.
I would say most people will see a 5-10 yard increase but they will see a 10-15% increase in fairways.
Before launch monitors they spent days or weeks hitting shafts to try and find the right balance.
I stiff shaft is more stable but put that stable shaft in the hands of someone swinging 80 MPH and it is now a board.
Like everything else in golf you have to find the balance.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a place where we could hit every shaft/clubhead/ball combination, under the watchful eyes of an expertly tended launch monitor? We could spends days testing until we found the combination that works best for us.

Wait a minute - you mean all I have to do is become a PGA tour pro? Why didn't you say so?

Wait - maybe there is an answer for us mere mortals. We could go to a big retailer that has hundreds of demo clubs, and maybe even a simulator that at least comes close to being a true launch monitor. We could spend days there. Yeah, we could wear out a couple of gloves testing a whole bunch of clubs. We could find one that WE REALLY LOVE !!!!!

Then we can go on the internet and buy it cheaper.

Screw those guys at Edwin's Pro Golf Galaxy. They have the nerve to charge $299 for a driver I can get for $269 on the web. Well - $280 with shipping. But that's $19 I can spend on six ProV1s.

[obagain]

If you have a guy that knows what he is doing you will spend about an hour before he will have the shaft that works best for you.

[Eracer]

That is an interesting reply, Obagain. While I agree that a good pro can guide you towards a certain groups of shafts (flex, kickpoint, weight, etc.) only by trying a LOT of clubhead/shaft combinations can you find a club (and I'm mostly talking about woods here) that you really like.

I've taken the advice of three different clubfitters who have spent the "hour" with me and suggested very particular shafts for the clubhead I already owned. I ended up selling the clubs soon after, because I didn't like the results AT ALL.

Did I have the misfortune of finding three guys in a row who were incompetent? I just don't think so. And, while I believe that you are much more knowledgable in this area than I, my rule now is to demo, demo, demo.

The point of my last post (which I'm sure you know) was simply to pay for the privilege of testing. Make no mistake, I've bought plenty of clubs off the internet (eBay mostly). But if I enlist the help of a retailer in the clubfitting process, I will buy the clubs from them. Its only right.