Long Drive Shafts?

I recently bought a Taylor Made r580XD with a stock shaft (stiff flex, low torque). I've always been able to go long off the tee (300-320), but have had trouble keeping it straight. I want to compete in long drive events and am looking into a longdrive shaft. My question is how big of a difference does a long drive shaft make (distance, lack of slice)? Any suggestions on brands? I'm looking at Accuflex Icon LD. Thanks.

Well, most long drive clubs are 48" in playing length (the USGA legal maximum), and are lofted no stronger than 8º, tops.

As I'm sure you're aware, in LD comps, you have to be long, and relatively accurate, as your shot still has to land in the grid.

I love just about any AccuFlex shaft, and the Icon series is fantastic (I prefer it to the Assassins).

The trick is going to be try, try, try. Start with an XX flex at 48", and go from there.

Why is the 580XD illegal?

I am a BIG Harrison fan. My opinion is they are the best on the market, but there is little difference in the top end shafts these days. Try a few out and go by feel and looks. If you like the look of the club at set up, it will help establish confidence.

Please note: It's only illegal in a tournament. To use it during a casual round isn't a problem.

It's not just the XD model in the r500 series that's non-conforming. All drives in that series that has no grooves on the center of the face can not be used in competition after 2008. You can get some great deals on them at the moment. A brand new r500 series driver for £60 isn't a bad investment, even if it may be only use for you for the next two years.

Thanks for the timely replies. Well that kinda sucks, I could have sworn that the 580xd was on the list of conforming clubs at the remax website. I guess I'm just interested in how much yardage on average I could possibly add with a long drive shaft. I'm fiending for yards!

I thought the LDA boys had to use USGA conforming gear. Check out the USGA website for their list of conforming clubs.

Yeah, I just went to the site and on the non-conforming list the r580xd appears, but if you click the view photo link there are two versions of the club I have the version that says it's conforming. (the one with the grooves in the middle) Is this one going to become illegal in the near future? I read something about 2008 in the previous posts?

you wanta big hitting driver Slice???


Get your hands on a Snake Eyes Viper Ti4 head from golfsmith.com and get an Accuflex Assassin II shaft for it. The ball will just go on for ever.

D.

Yes, there are conforming and non-conforming. The conforming model will not be non conforming unless there are changes to the COR limits.

No, it will be fine.