Hireko Forum

golfstuff1951@gmail.com · Joined: Jun 14, 2009 Messages: 11 Offline

Right now I have a SMT DB455 10* with an Accuflex Icon Lite Senior Flex shaft. I am pretty sure I can still swing a R shaft OK.

I hit it straight but I have always felt I "balloon" it a little too much compared to drivers I had owned previous. I have tried things with ball placement and tee height with nor a lot of satisfaction.

Since I have not purchased a new club for a while and you seem to get a lot of club for money with a Caiman I have the fever!

I had thought about picking up a TM Burner 07 on sale everywhere for $149.

So that will be my approximate budget. I have never had my SS, launch angle, etc measured.

Before the DB455 I hit a Ping TISI 10* with stock R shaft and could easily hit 230-250 average. I could hit 275-300 on occasion. I did have a fade/slice when I would lay into it.

With the DB455 I did slow my swing down some, gained some accuracy but now 200 yards is a good drive.

I would like to get some distance back without sactificing too much accuracy.

Any shaft suggestions for the Caiman?

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

I think the reason why your distance has gone down is that you may now have too flexible of a shaft, that you have had to throttle down your swing too much. By going to a stiffer shaft, you may be able to go after it without feeling that the ball will fade. If you want a shaft similar to the one that was in the Ping TISI, look at the Aldila Gamer R-flex.

Have you tried any of your buddies S-flex shafts? If so, what were the results?

Jeff Summitt

golfstuff1951@gmail.com · Joined: Jun 14, 2009 Messages: 11 Offline

I certainly do not disagree. I think too soft of flex for sure maybe too soft of tip contributing to the balloning and distance loss?

I have hit my brothers drivers all S flex and dont do bad but I dont quite feel like I load it completely.

In a Caiman 10.5* degree head I am thinking about going back to an R flex as you suggest.

Should I maybe look for something with a slightly stifffer tip to help keep the ball down some?

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

The Gamer is a pretty moderate shaft in terms of tip stiffness. If you went much stiffer, you may not feel like you are loading the shaft. Plus the stiffer the tip, usually the more expensive the shaft is. You might consider a 9.5* loft to lower trajectory and using a shaft you like the feel of. The ball speed should be higher coming off of the face of a lower lofted club and with reduced spin.

Jeff Summitt

rhirsch@ackermannna.com · Joined: Nov 22, 2006 Messages: 56 Offline

Hi Jeff

It's been awhile since we communicated but always check the site for your insightful comments.

This discussion is of interest to me in shaft flex and its relation to hook or slice. Here is the setup. Right handed golfer with average weekender swing.

It is my understanding when thinking of shaft only and how it applies to slice or hook that if the golfer tends to slice you reduce the stiffness of the shaft to help close the face. If the golfer is hooking then you stiffen the shaft to reduce the closing of the face.

Assuming this to be generally correct, at what point does it go the other way like the scenario in this thread?

Thanks and ready to receive the first shipment of the new customer aided driver design.... Great project....!!!

Rich

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2541 Offline

Hi Rich:

Shaft flex has different affects for different swing types. In some cases you hear that a softer shaft will help correct for fading or pushing the ball. You also hear that a more flexible shaft will increase the severity of a slice. Who is right? Well actually both. That is why I don't like generalities and why I encourage players or fitters to try the opposite of conventional wisdom to see what works best.

Jeff Summitt