==================================================== Newsletter - Issue 74 Date 10/30/08 ==================================================== ==================================================== TCT Quick Tips - The Devil's In The Woods ==================================================== The early colonial settlers believed that the devil lived in the woods. If you believe the same about yours, now's the time to replace them. Hybrids are a good choice. ==================================================== Golf Tip : Dialogue About Shafts ==================================================== This is a bit lengthy, but it touches on some very good points for consideration on selecting the right equipment for your game. One of my students that has become a student of the game, recently emailed me for my input on him changing from a stiff steel shaft to the steel Royal Precision Project X Flighted 5.5 shafts. We had some interesting discourse on the subject that I want to pass along for what it's worth. Keep in mind that I am of the opinion that most male golfers are probably playing with shafts that are too stiff for them. I'll reference the students comments with [S] and mine with [TCT] My student bought some of the aforementioned Project X shafts that turned out to be a bit short for him and he asked me if I was interested in them. [TCT] .... My concern is that they might be a bit stiff for me , I'm used to TrueTemper s300, and it seems like it's borderline from the research I've done.... I haven't had the opportunity or time to test them yet....you could put plugs in the shafts, I have a tall son who did that and he hits the ball very well.... [S]....Tough call on the stiffness factor, my existing are True Temper Dynalite S300 SL’s. One thing.. I kind of waited till seasons end to change over, I think that whatever shaft was in it before vs. new, this is the best time to switch them out, versus mid-season. I think that it’s like buying the new hi-def TV’s.. once you get it home, and watch it, you don't have anything to compare it to and you figure out how to make it work... same with shafts... you learn how to use what’s in your bag. If I was Tiger Woods and knew for a fact that my 7 iron is 160 yards with 6 feet of backup etc.. then it would make a difference.. but I'm not that dialed in. From what I have read, typically I can expect slightly lower ball trajectory, and possibly 3-5 yards more. Seeing the number of times I've played and left great shots just short of the green, I'm thinking maybe the extra bit will get me onto it.. and putting more. If you ever publish what typical shots / clubs distances should be for guys like us, share it with me, I based a lot on the toe up to toe up drill we did.. [TCT].... I respectfully disagree with the premise that it's best to switch at the end of the season. I make changes when I can still compare and when my swing is still relatively grooved, keep in mind that I normally don't swing a club much during the winter except for a brief vacation - but I actually think I'll swing regularly this winter. My handicap is at it's lowest ever and I am challenging myself to see if I can break par every third time out next year. I will make this statement before I comment on shafts, etc. - if you really work on your swing, you can get satisfactory results from a wide variety of equipment. Not optimal unless you get into the right shaft characteristics, but adequate. So......keep working on your swing so that when you have it down your decisions on shafts etc. will be more relevant to your game. Better to get a shaft that fits than to try to retrofit a swing into a shaft you have that may not be suitable - too many undesirable compensation factors creep into your swing. I see this all the time with junior golfers and females that try to use hand me down clubs that are way too stiff and/or too long for them. The absolute first thing to do is to decide on a swing and a release that you are comfortable with, then try different shafts and take copious notes. This is an instance where it would be very beneficial to test shafts under the watchful eye of an instructor that knows your swing. {Please note: this student is right handed - ball flight direction tendencies described below would be reversed for left handed golfers.} If you should be using a stiffer shaft and change to one, your carry might be a bit longer - but not necessarily. More importantly you will not have a disposition to curve the shot too much right to left, the ball flight will be straighter. You can (generally) expect a lower ball flight from a stiffer shaft. If you should be using a regular shaft and are playing a stiff shaft, your ball flight will be lower than it should be, your ball will start right and stay right, and your carry will be less than with a regular shaft. Also, it will not feel solid at impact, it will feel clunky. The toe up to toe up drill is excellent for timing and weight shift for a "classic swing" type - which is your swing type - but not necessarily for determining the shaft stiffness - ALTHOUGH - if the shaft is really too stiff it will feel that way during the drill and the ball flight will start too far right.. During the drill you will start correcting for this tendency because it's a short controllable swing, that's why it's not optimal for stiffness determination. However, if you alternate hitting five balls with your regular shaft and then five balls with your stiff shaft, you will see and feel the difference. Another consideration is whether you are a "swinger" or a "hitter". From what I saw during lessons, you tend to be the latter which favors a stiffer shaft than one a pure "swinger" might use. Don't be offended by the characterization, I am also a "hitter" and so is Sergio Garcia and Anthony Kim. Tiger is also moving in that direction as he shifts to a more rotational type of swing. There really are no "typical" distances for anyone. Some tour pros play to hit their 8 irons with 138 yards of carry as a standard distance, others hit it 160. It all depends on your swing style, your type of release, your body, your personality, your mind set, the playing conditions, and lastly your equipment. Be concerned with learning which club you have that can get the ball to carry that specific distance....forget about what club others use for that distance. It doesn't matter what club they used...get your ball to the green then out putt them. I've read that the average golfer hits his 7 iron 135 yards, but the article didn't define "average" to my satisfaction so the debate goes on..... [S].... Wow... Lots to think about there.. I guess you are right about switching mid-season, when you are grooved to know how you are hitting shots makes more sense. Keep in mind, your level of play is way beyond mine, you play for left to right, right to left being very specific where you want your ball flight, and where it ends up. I am still in the aim it at a target, and hit at it, I consider a straight shot at where I aimed a good shot, if it’s short or long of that, I can live with that, and I take mental notes. That’s the point I am at right now. When I got the new Mizuno’s at Golf Galaxy, I was fitted and measured swing speed, length, lie and all that. At the time, my options were Regular or Stiff, and due to my “aggressive move” (GG fitter wording) the stiff was for me. What I am saying is my golf swing / level of game is still not set as solid as yours, proof of that is your deliberation of changing shafts and my “jump right in” attitude. You know that changing shafts will (and should) change your game, in my case, I'm not in tune with my swing yet, and still learning and trying to tweak mine, so a change and a possible change back doesn't bother me. Basically, you use logic and that old “if it isn't broke” thought process, while I on the other hand.... besides, I've wasted $100 on other things before in an effort to be better.. although to this day I still admit.. lessons with you were the best investment... 110% better than anything else.. Anyway, I know that in reality, but will new shafts make me play better? There is no way to know right now, maybe, maybe not, but then again, I am a tinker of clubs... [TCT].... all good points....tinkering is generally good - but don't confuse tinkering with wholesale changes....if you can swing it (pardon the pun) get a different set made with the 5.5 shafts and have two sets of clubs. They would likely have good resale value, and for you, I think two sets would be a good investment, especially with another golfer in the family...then you can test each set against each other and see and feel the results. I have several sets of irons with different shaft flexes and torques, and I find it useful to change it up once in a while and play with a different flex or type of clubhead. When I'm feeling really high about my game, I pull out my KZG blades for a few rounds. That usually administers a dose of humility and sends me back to earth and back to my Callaway X-18 Pros. For me, I really need to see a very slight amount of offset in my 7 and 8 iron, and looking down at a club with zero offset and a smallish clubhead doesn't suit my eye and my swing changes - and not for the better. On the other hand, there is nothing that compares to the feel at impact when you really hit a blade type iron on the sweet spot. It's just a bit harder to repeat than with a more forgiving type of clubhead.... Would you mind if I put excerpts of our discussion in the newsletter? I think others might find it to be interesting. I'll pass on the shafts for now, just not certain....... [S].....Feel free to use any excerpts of our discussions, all I ask is not to mention my name [TCT]....thanks, will do Enjoy, Tom