[Aozozbag]

I'm pretty sure this was brought up multiple times before but thought I ask.

I'm looking to mess with some different shafts for my driver to get more distance. Currently I have a Diamana Kai'li 65g in Regular on my 910D2. My swing speed is 95-98 ish, 105 ish when I really crank it up. I had this fitted for me at GolfSmith but for some off reason, I can't fully trust the guy who helped me as he was distracted a lot when helping me out.

My question is with my "specs", is Regular flex the "right" flex? Should I go with a lighter shaft and stiff flex? Your feedback is much appreciated!

[Aozozbag]

To add, I have a Mid trajectory, draw the ball even when I have the head at C1 which is the most open and -.75 loft.
Oh and my driver is a 9.5. I don't know if this helps.

[Nfxutkpa]

Honestly mate, that's not really something someone can help out with when they can't see your swing. Swing speed is an important number but unfortunately it's not everything when fitting someone into a general flex. Then there's the issue that flex isn't universal (try swinging a regular Motore F1 vs a stiff Kai'li for example and you'll see what I mean).

Are there any out of whack scenrio's to why your wondering? For example is distance suspect vs the speed/launch you have? Is the ball spraying everywhere? Is it consistently missing right or left? Does it look like it climbs up in the air, hit a peak then fall out of the sky? Does it travel along at a good clip and then just drop rapidly?

Driver shafts are rather tricksy in this.
If you look at recent numbers stuck in various threads for example, TC, Ary and I are all around the same speed with our irons but are in entirely different profiles and flexes and that's just for iron shafts. When you move to driver/fairway/hybrid shafts, those differences are only going to be magnified.

[Aozozbag]

Honestly mate, that's not really something someone can help out with when they can't see your swing. Swing speed is an important number but unfortunately it's not everything when fitting someone into a general flex. Then there's the issue that flex isn't universal (try swinging a regular Motore F1 vs a stiff Kai'li for example and you'll see what I mean).

Are there any out of whack scenrio's to why your wondering? For example is distance suspect vs the speed/launch you have? Is the ball spraying everywhere? Is it consistently missing right or left? Does it look like it climbs up in the air, hit a peak then fall out of the sky? Does it travel along at a good clip and then just drop rapidly?

Driver shafts are rather tricksy in this.
If you look at recent numbers stuck in various threads for example, TC, Ary and I are all around the same speed with our irons but are in entirely different profiles and flexes and that's just for iron shafts. When you move to driver/fairway/hybrid shafts, those differences are only going to be magnified.

I really don't have reasons other than to gain some yardage. I have no probrem hitting the fairway. Never out of control. So no complaints there. I like my mid trajectory, and the draw. No problem there. But I do have that club open to the max and I still draw.
The thing is I make a good swing at it consistently and I feel that with my swing speed, I should hit it further than I am now. I mean, I'm not reaching for 300+ but 280 consistently would be really nice.

[durootrium]

I really don't have reasons other than to gain some yardage. I have no probrem hitting the fairway. Never out of control. So no complaints there. I like my mid trajectory, and the draw. No problem there. But I do have that club open to the max and I still draw.
The thing is I make a good swing at it consistently and I feel that with my swing speed, I should hit it further than I am now. I mean, I'm not reaching for 300+ but 280 consistently would be really nice.

If your driver swing speed is usually around 95-98 mph, 280 yards (carry plus roll) is asking a lot. My driver swing speed is over 100 mph, and 280 is a really good drive for me. You have an advantage over me in that you don't have any problem hitting the fairway!

A couple of questions about your draw: is that your shot shape with all of your clubs, or just with your driver? Also, does the ball start off straight and then draw, or does it start out to the right (assuming you are a right-handed golfer) and then go to the left? This could help in figuring out whether the draw is more due to your swing or shaft.

[Nfxutkpa]

I really don't have reasons other than to gain some yardage. I have no probrem hitting the fairway. Never out of control. So no complaints there. I like my mid trajectory, and the draw. No problem there. But I do have that club open to the max and I still draw.
The thing is I make a good swing at it consistently and I feel that with my swing speed, I should hit it further than I am now. I mean, I'm not reaching for 300+ but 280 consistently would be really nice.

I think you're going to have to go see a really good fitter for a better match up.
280 is possible with a good roll out but you're going to have to get pretty much a perfect fitting to get there. With 105SS if you are consistent on the 1.50 smash factor you should get 157.5MPH ball speed. Couple that with a 14 launch angle and 2400 spin and you should get 265ish carry which with a good descent angle should see about 280 around Sea Level. To hit those numbers though, you're going to have to be dialed in perfectly and consistent hit the 105 mark. If it's more around the 98SS mark, with a consistent 1.5 smash we're looking at 245ish max carry with a perfect setup which probably won't hit 280.

Either way, to really dial in like this is going to require and experienced and very good fitter.

[Aozozbag]

If your driver swing speed is usually around 95-98 mph, 280 yards (carry plus roll) is asking a lot. My driver swing speed is over 100 mph, and 280 is a really good drive for me. You have an advantage over me in that you don't have any problem hitting the fairway!

A couple of questions about your draw: is that your shot shape with all of your clubs, or just with your driver? Also, does the ball start off straight and then draw, or does it start out to the right (assuming you are a right-handed golfer) and then go to the left? This could help in figuring out whether the draw is more due to your swing or shaft.

Yeah I might have to agree. 280 is bit much but I've hit 280+ 3 times last saturday.
I have a natural draw on all my clubs except for my wedges. Usually starts from the middle and draws 5-15 yards. But once again, I have that club open .75 degrees.

[Aozozbag]

I think you're going to have to go see a really good fitter for a better match up.
280 is possible with a good roll out but you're going to have to get pretty much a perfect fitting to get there. With 105SS if you are consistent on the 1.50 smash factor you should get 157.5MPH ball speed. Couple that with a 14 launch angle and 2400 spin and you should get 265ish carry which with a good descent angle should see about 280 around Sea Level. To hit those numbers though, you're going to have to be dialed in perfectly and consistent hit the 105 mark. If it's more around the 98SS mark, with a consistent 1.5 smash we're looking at 245ish max carry with a perfect setup which probably won't hit 280.

Either way, to really dial in like this is going to require and experienced and very good fitter.

Yeah, I'm going to a local mom and pop shop fitter instead of Golfsmith.

[RayFairhurst]

Yeah I might have to agree. 280 is bit much but I've hit 280+ 3 times last saturday.
I have a natural draw on all my clubs except for my wedges. Usually starts from the middle and draws 5-15 yards. But once again, I have that club open .75 degrees.

Well, if you hit 280 3 times last round, then I'd say the driver is pretty freakin dialed in as is. Honestly, I'm happy when I drive it 280 and my swing speed above 115 mph.

[Aozozbag]

Well, if you hit 280 3 times last round, then I'd say the driver is pretty freakin dialed in as is. Honestly, I'm happy when I drive it 280 and my swing speed above 115 mph.

Those 3 times, I really cranked it up though. Like Bubba, coming off the ground, out of control swing. I can't swing like that all the time.

[RayFairhurst]

Those 3 times, I really cranked it up though. Like Bubba, coming off the ground, out of control swing. I can't swing like that all the time.

Gotcha... but I dunno, I swing like that all the time, its more fun.

Honestly though, assuming you're at the 105mph SS, as SuperTuna has stated, 280 is absolute top end without wind or cart paths. And for your regular 95-98 SS, no shaft on this planet is going to get you to 280 with legal equipment. If your current shaft/driver combo are keeping it in play, hitting lots of fairways, I think you should sleep easy with the fitting outcome you got regardless if it was purely lucky or not.

[Aozozbag]

Gotcha... but I dunno, I swing like that all the time, its more fun.

Honestly though, assuming you're at the 105mph SS, as SuperTuna has stated, 280 is absolute top end without wind or cart paths. And for your regular 95-98 SS, no shaft on this planet is going to get you to 280 with legal equipment. If your current shaft/driver combo are keeping it in play, hitting lots of fairways, I think you should sleep easy with the fitting outcome you got regardless if it was purely lucky or not.

Yeah, that's true. I'm not losing any sleep over my driver performance but that extra yardage would be beneficial.
I was really looking into the 12' Cleveland Classic driver. Intriguing because C. Kua shafts are generally lighter right? So I was thinking switching to a Stiff flex with a 43g. My head is telling me, lighter shaft, lighter head translates to faster swing speed but stiff flex to keep it in more control since it's going lighter... dumb thought process?
My head is spinning.

[RayFairhurst]

Yeah, that's true. I'm not losing any sleep over my driver performance but that extra yardage would be beneficial.
I was really looking into the 12' Cleveland Classic driver. Intriguing because C. Kua shafts are generally lighter right? So I was thinking switching to a Stiff flex with a 43g. My head is telling me, lighter shaft, lighter head translates to faster swing speed but stiff flex to keep it in more control since it's going lighter... dumb thought process?
My head is spinning.

I don't think its a dumb thought process, but I've found the Miyazaki shafts to be pretty stout for their flex rating and hold up well, so you may not need the stiff. You can certainly find at most big box stores both the stiff and regular to see for yourself, but probably not with the 12* head. I definitely believe the lighter drivers give you extra swing speed. I saw it for myself on a monitor. The super light drivers were about 3mph faster for me than the driver I used to play. And if you can find one that you still hit straight, its a no brainer decision to go lighter. And for the fatigue factor towards the end of a round, its even better.

[Aozozbag]

I don't think its a dumb thought process, but I've found the Miyazaki shafts to be pretty stout for their flex rating and hold up well, so you may not need the stiff. You can certainly find at most big box stores both the stiff and regular to see for yourself, but probably not with the 12* head. I definitely believe the lighter drivers give you extra swing speed. I saw it for myself on a monitor. The super light drivers were about 3mph faster for me than the driver I used to play. And if you can find one that you still hit straight, its a no brainer decision to go lighter. And for the fatigue factor towards the end of a round, its even better.

I'm 60% certain that I'm switching to the Classic (which is a crazy thought because my 910 works) but it's so pretty looking. We shall see though. I'm going to try it today and I might walk out with a new driver. BUT it has to be drastically different than my 910.

[tramadolwithall]

Yeah, that's true. I'm not losing any sleep over my driver performance but that extra yardage would be beneficial.
I was really looking into the 12' Cleveland Classic driver. Intriguing because C. Kua shafts are generally lighter right? So I was thinking switching to a Stiff flex with a 43g. My head is telling me, lighter shaft, lighter head translates to faster swing speed but stiff flex to keep it in more control since it's going lighter... dumb thought process?
My head is spinning.

It's going to sound a bit weird, but from your posts in this thread, I'm not sure you'd like the lighter head/shaft combo. I found that moving to a lighter combo like that, I get better results with a controlled swing (and probably more speed as a result). You may find yourself trying to swing for the fences with that.

I'd still try it out though!