TomTuckerGolf.com

Golf Tips Newsletter
Issue 517 - Wed. August 1st, 2018
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USGTF Class "A" Teaching Professional
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Prepare to play your best golf by doing something now!

Tom's Featured Tip: Q&A: Driver Shaft Flex Question
Lesson Comments: What Students Have To Say
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Batavia Country Club
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Tom's Featured Tip: Q&A: Driver Shaft Flex Question

For simplicity, all advice on actual swings or drills is provided from a right handed perspective.



Q: Hi Tom, I purchased a M4 Driver with a Senior Flex Shaft (Fujikura Flex S Model Atmos Red 5). I thought I'd get more distance because this is the sixth season for my current 2013 Taylormade Rocketball Driver with a regular shaft.

Both clubs 10.5 loft , also I never adjusted my Rocket Ball Driver, using standard setting.

M4: Shaft Specifications: Weight 55g Torque 4.4 Tip Size .335 Launch Mid Spin Mid Tip Stiffness Mid

After hitting the M4 several times I found that my natural draw was gone and I hit lower straight shot with a slight fade. If I closed the face bit and placed the ball forward in my stance the ball would draw slightly.

Questions:
  1. Should I buy a new hi tech shaft ( what would you suggest: make , model, etc) ,
  2. is it launch adjustment,
  3. or the M4 face?
Greatly Appreciative

Rich B.

A: Thanks for the question Rich.

When I first read your question Rich, I thought it would be difficult to answer because that particular club has the new "twist face" technology. Ever since that technology was advertised, I thought it would create a dilemma for golf instructors trying to solve problems similar to yours. The reason is that I'm not sure how that "twist face" affects ball flight, and it's been my experience that ball flight always provides the first clue to identifying causes of problems.

I thought back to when I was having problems squaring up the face without excessive hand manipulation two years ago, and when I switched from a stiff shaft to a regular shaft the problem was resolved.

A lower than average ball flight with a slight fade is normally an indication that the shaft is too stiff - especially when a natural draw disappears. A switch from a regular flex to a senior flex shouldn't cause that.

So I started researching ball flight and that new "twist face", and I couldn't find any complaints resembling yours.

I also know that TaylorMade stock shafts like this one run a little soft, meaning that their stiff is a little less stiff than other brands. That holds true right down the line from my experience. That was also perplexing, because a senior flex shaft should have provided a higher ball flight with your usual - if not more - draw.

Thanks for providing the exact specs for your shaft. When I re-visited the specs on the TaylorMade website to compare your specs with their ratings, I found the answer to your questions.

Here is the link to the shaft specs on the taylorMade website:
M4 Specs, scroll down to stock shaft specs

You didn't buy a club with a senior flex shaft, you bought the stiff flex shaft. Apparently your thought that the "S" designation meant senior flex, when it actually means stiff flex. Their designation for the senior shaft flex is "A".

That totally accounts for your ball flight issues.

So here are the answers to your questions:
  1. Should I buy a new hi tech shaft
    • No. Try the stock "A" flex shaft out. It will probably be cheaper to sell your new M4 club and buy one with an "A" flex than to buy an after market shaft, unless you can hunt down a good deal on Ebay. If you bought your M4 from a retailer, ask them to swap it out for free.

      That "A" flex shaft should resolve your problem if you feel that your regular flex shaft isn't allowing the face to square up at impact with your normal swing. However, if the face is squaring up okay with your old regular flex shaft, try the M4 with a regular flex also.

  2. is it launch adjustment,
    • No

  3. or the M4 face?
    • That shouldn't be an issue either.
That "twist face" is interesting to me. Please let me know about your ball flight curvature after you've tried out the appropriate flex shaft.

Comments: ttucker@rochester.rr.com

Love your practice, own your swing, own your health,

Tom






Golf Lessons

I conduct lessons at The Plum Creek Driving Range & Practice Facility
there's a link for Plum Creek info here: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/

Lessons are available for all ages and skill levels, please contact
me - Tom Tucker - at (716) 474 3005 or email me at ttucker@rochester.rr.com
for more information.

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All the best,

Tom Tucker
Teaching Pro, Plum Creek Driving Range & Practice Facility
WGTF ' "Top 100 Golf Teacher"
USGTF Class "A" Teaching Professional
IGPA Certified Golf Psychology Coach
Cell: (716) 474-3005
Email: ttucker@rochester.rr.com
http://www.TomTuckerGolf.com

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