Stiff or X-Still

RE: Stiff or X-Still

Christopher V — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 17:48:45 GMT

Typically they tell you to err on the side of less stiffness when it comes to shaft questions like yours. Your ball trajectory is going to have more to do with the bend point and launch characteristics of your shaft and not your shaft flex. I'm fitted for an X-Stiff, but I sometimes leave my club head open resulting in hitting a cut. I got the same shaft in stiff and started poking the ball out there straight more often, I bought myself an extra millisecond to get the head square at impact. What level of club fitter did you use? Retail fitter, or an actual Titleist fitter/Club Champion fitter?

RE: Stiff or X-Still

Lou G — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:46:11 GMT

The other thing to think about is direction. If the shots tend to push or fade, consider less flex. If the tendency to pull or snap hook exists, go to a firmer shaft. Better to err on the side of more flex.

My fitting is weird. My driver is Bassara A flex and I hit about 230. Fairways are 60g regular and A flex would cause a snap hook or pulled shot. I actually get 4 more yards out of a 70g regular shaft vs 60g on the hybrids. Project X 5.5 is best for 6-9 irons for me. Wedge flex from 50-64. I'm capable of hitting stiff but give up 5-10 yards.

Also, like Don stated, shaft flexes are not consistent between vendors. An Aldila regular feels more stiff than a Diamana stiff does. I find little difference between a Bassara A flex and Bassara regular as far as feel but ball flight is the difference.

RE: Stiff or X-Still

Chris92009 — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:08:24 GMT

I have similar numbers and I prefer the X Stiff in all my clubs...I feel as though the dispersion is tighter when hitting the X Stiff shafts.... IMHO!

RE: Stiff or X-Still

Mike M — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 09:40:02 GMT

I like heavy shafts, primarily because I load late. I've got stiff shafts on my driver and 3 wood (910D3 and 910F), 73grams and 82 grams respectively. I hit both well. That said I've got an x-stiff on my 16.5 fairway, and I hit that one best. It's an old Graphite Design YS-7 x-stiff,heavy and with really low torque.

I think I'd go with the x.

RE: Stiff or X-Still

Fred T — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 02:26:22 GMT

Easy way to tell. On the course hit a 7 iron with your usual swing intensity.
Hit another and take 10 yards off that swing.

If you hit way short of your target with the x its because the shaft stopped working on your backed off shot, take the stiff.

RE: Stiff or X-Still

Ricky F — Thu, 23 May 2019 15:13:51 GMT

I'm between x and s as well. I opted for a heavy S flex shaft, dispersion was better. I found with X I had to swing harder than I felt comfortable to get the best out of it.

While I agree the fitter knows best, you also need to be comfortable.

RE: Stiff or X-Still

Dr. Kovatchian — Mon, 20 May 2019 20:55:22 GMT

Listen to your fitter.
For some crazy reason I was fitted into an X-Stiff shaft for my TS3.
For some crazy reason my TS3 is the best driver I have ever played.

A Great Titleist fitter knows best!!!

Cheers,
Dr. K

RE: Stiff or X-Still

Don O — Mon, 20 May 2019 19:19:23 GMT

Shaft flexes have no standard. Whatever shaft gets the head through the ball square works. Too much flex with a rapid transition will result in a wider dispersion pattern as the shaft is still flexing through impact. Club head speed at impact does not define shaft flex, nor is X-Stiff the same flex across multiple shaft lines. It is only "more stiff that stiff" in that one shaft line. The best way to find out is to work outside with a knowledgeable pro and a Trackman and find the shaft that provide optimal ball spin, launch, and descent for maximum distance at both of your swing speeds.