Driver Shaft Stiffness

I recently purchused a new callaway fusion driver with a stiff shaft and ive started slicing the ball alot more . Mostly when on the back nine when im getting a little tired . should i return it for a regular shaft like on my 3 wood and 5 witch a never slice . ive also noticed im not hitting the ball as far when im not slicing too except when im fresh like the first couple tees and i can kill it then .. help

check swing speed for shaft flex.and yourself for outside in swing plane.

Chances are you're right - you've stepped up to a stiff shaft, and can't load it with your standard swing. Go back to your regular flex shaft.

Sounds like it could be the shaft. Just out of interest what driver did you use before? and what was its shaft length compared to the new one?

A stiff shaft will not hit the ball as far as a regular flex shaft. Having a stiffer flex only benefits players with high swing speeds. The only benefit from a stiff shaft the player will get is accuracy. If you can not square the face of a stiff shafted driver, you are now punishing yourself with shorter drives that slice.

Kenny,

It wouldnt be a bad idea to make a couple of swing adjustments prior to binning the new driver. Try and extend your arc and increase your hip turn. This will generate more clubhead speed without requiring greater hand and arm strength.

If you are using a standard fit Callaway shaft I can't imagine it being all that much stiffer than a regular shaft. The main problem with the driver is that to get the best out of the stiffer shaft you need to hit the ball harder. Your usual swing won't generate the clubhead speed required to square the face and the ball will come off the face slower and go less distance.

The ERC Fusion is a quality Bat so I wouldnt get rid of it. A Pro will do you a nice new regular flex shaft for about 50 pounds, I would suggest a Grafalloy prolite or similar maybe even a standard fit Callaway shaft in a regular/firm flex.

Good Luck,

D.

I'm kind of in the same boat at the moment. I bought a 11 degree and a 17 (5 wood) degree Callaway Hawkeye VFT before they were discontinued. I recently decided to get a 13.5 (3 wood) to complete the set and had to do a good deal of searching my local golf stores to only find one with a stiff shaft. I too find myself hitting further with my 17 degree than with my 3 wood, and then also see that 3 wood flying off to the right no matter what. I don't slice often, but when it comes to that one club its one after another..

Suggestions? It's kind of hard to take it back and switch it out for another one since they're discontinued. Is it possible to switch just the shaft out or something?

Thanks,
Brandon

__________________
• Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Irons 3-PW,SW, LW (Nippon 990 UNFX)
• Callaway Big Bertha Hawkeye VFT Professional Series Woods 11D, 17D (Sys 60R)
• Callaway ERC Fusion 3w - RGS (RCH Sys 55R)
• Taylormade Rossa CGB Fontana Putter(Temper)
• HX Tour / HX Hot

• Fedex Kinkos Classic 2005 Champions Tour Staff

The best solution is to get the shafts matched. If you can not find a matching shaft, the next best thing is to get both clubs reshafted.

I emailed callaway and they responded that they can switch the shafts out for $50. I don't know how to word this.. but could this really be the problem? I just want to know if this is a large contributing factor before spending money on replacing it. I can hit both my 17 degree and my driver on the sweet spot, but when it comes to this one club, no matter what I do it always gets that damn heel.

Thanks,
Brandon

BDR444,

Does this loss of distance just happen off the fairway with the 3 wood? Are you comparing the distance you hit your 7 wood and 3 wood from a fairway lie?

Okay, you are using regular flex shafts in all clubs except one which has a stiff flex shaft. You hit everything well except for the club with the stiff flex shaft. Looking at it like this it would be silly not to spend the money to get it matched, don't you think?

Kenneth,

Surely the shop you purchased this club from will do you a club swap for a regular shaft, it's a lot less hassel than swopping the shaft for $50.00 and if you hold them slightly resposible for selling you the wrong equiptment in the first place.

After all it's their job advise you about custom fitting, tell them you will keep your mouth shut if they swop it.


Ian.

p.s unless you went against their advice.

From the tee.

I contacted Golfsmith about having them change the shaft out for me just a few minutes ago. I'll keep you updated.

Went to golfsmith today and they said they didn't have a shaft for the VFT 3 wood. Instead, they gave me my money back and I put another $100 towards an ERC Fusion 3 wood with a regular shaft.




Thanks for the advice guys.

I assume you were able to test it out and it works okay for you???