X-stiff in driver, stiff in irons.....what about fairways and hybrids?

[msd71]

My setup always includes an x-stiff driver (right now Fubuki Tour 73) and stiff irons (DGS300). I like the X in driver for control, but at 108 my swing is very borderline for an X. I am about to order another 3 wood, and as usual I'm torn on whether to get it in X or S flex. For those of you who in the same situation, which way do you tend to go? X for 3 wood sounds good for control off the tee, but not as easy to elevate off the deck. Thoughts?

[Fran C.]

My SS is 109-112mph and i use in my driver stiff tipped 1.5" so it's close to an x, for control and lower trajectory.
For a 3w i preffer a softer shaft for a higher trajectory and more spin, so if i want to go for the green in a par 5 i know that i have something to help to stop the ball a little.
For hybrids go with something that plays similar to your irons, if you are a swinger go for a softer shaft and keep it smooth but if you're a hitter, go with an x a hit it.

As a recomendation, with your speed, don't go to an X with your hybrid unless you have a a fast transition, the shorter the shaft the less time and space you have to bend the shaft

[24vince]

I'm same driver flex and same iron shafts as you....I went with a S in 3wood, cant say why other than ripped the 3wood set-up at fitting....Have used it off t/ground since purchase, no regrets....Prob my favorite club to hit on course (even though doesnt come out often) but its what you like, If you go X shaft in 3wood you could always get little more lofted 3wood if concerned about getting it airbourne as easy....

[kellygreen]

[quote name='msd71' timestamp='1347468332' post='5629399']
My setup always includes an x-stiff driver (right now Fubuki Tour 73) and stiff irons (DGS300). I like the X in driver for control, but at 108 my swing is very borderline for an X. I am about to order another 3 wood, and as usual I'm torn on whether to get it in X or S flex. For those of you who in the same situation, which way do you tend to go? X for 3 wood sounds good for control off the tee, but not as easy to elevate off the deck. Thoughts?
[/quote]

Not sure how you see a 108mph driver swing as being "borderline" for an x-flex shaft....but this is where a good fitting session comes in.

Because--in this day-and-age--your question isn't a simple one to answer.

1. Are you looking to maximize distance with that 3-wood...maximize control....or some combination of the two?

2. Do you generally have problems flighting a 3-wood properly when you are hitting it from the deck?

3. How do you plan on using the club? As a control club off the tee? As an approach club to par-5's? Both?

Unless (and probably even still) you have the syrupy-smooth swing of a Fred Couples or a Luke Donald, you have plenty of firepower to play a typical x-flex shaft in a 3-wood. As I think that such a shaft will give you the best accuracy. If trajectory is a problem then you can adjust that by either: choosing a 3-wood head with more loft; one with a lower, deeper center-of-gravity, or a shaft with a lower kickpoint.

But all those variables need to be worked out with your own invidual swing and launch monitor.

[596]

I play an x flex in the driver, even with a 100 ss. My irons are stiff flex. My 3 and 5 wood are regular flex. I like the softer flex off the fairway so I don't over swing and higher launch.

[b.hughes_10]

I play a stiff tipped 1 inch in driver, almost x. And an untipped x flex rombax 8z08 in three wood. I have an 108-113 swing speed I was using the stock titleist ahina in stiff before putting the rombax in. I haven't looked back since I made the decision, my flight has consistently increased(weird) but it flies farther and rolls out more. Instead of a 245-250 3 wood, it now goes 260 and much more consistently.

[Kuz013]

I'm pretty much the same as you, I play an Xstiff in my driver (Speeder 757) and stiff in my irons (KBS); however I have a 4 wood that I have an Xstiff Proforce V2 HL shaft that I think works perfectly, plays great off the tee and still allows me to hit a nice trajectory from the deck into par 5's. I've been playing this combo since last fall and I dotn see myself changing from for quite some time.

[NFD]

I do X in driver and woods and S on hybrids and irons. I use a 50g X shaft which helps me generate a little more club head speed. I prefer a more penetrating flight with my woods, and X flex allows me to do that.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='msd71' timestamp='1347468332' post='5629399']
My setup always includes an x-stiff driver (right now Fubuki Tour 73) and stiff irons (DGS300). I like the X in driver for control, but at 108 my swing is very borderline for an X. I am about to order another 3 wood, and as usual I'm torn on whether to get it in X or S flex. For those of you who in the same situation, which way do you tend to go? X for 3 wood sounds good for control off the tee, but not as easy to elevate off the deck. Thoughts?
[/quote]
Higher launch X flexes are definitely easier to get along with. It would depend on which shaft and head you went with in the 3W. Being it is supposed to be more of a control club, that means NOT swinging as hard with it, rather than flailing away with an X flex and hoping it keeps the dispersion tight. I suspect a stiff flex would probably be appropriate. Hitting off the deck can usually benefit from some more forgiveness than hitting off a tee with driver. It's surprising how stable an 80 gram quality stiff flex shaft can be. I'd say get a good quality shaft that is heavy enough in a stiff flex. I began the year with X in driver, 3W and hybrid, and stiff in the irons/wedges and I've gone stiff through the bag since. Just too much difference trying to load the X flexes for me. Getting old. Doah. I am still cracking 300 yards on occasion with good accuracy with the change with less strain on my body and better swing mechanics being able to swing a little easier. Haven't measured my SS for some time, but distances are worthy of X flex. Like another mentioned, I like the extra spin with the stiff flex. Shaft for shaft, most of the difference I feel mostly near the tip between stiff and X.

[NorCalHacker77]

Right now I currently switched back to steel shafts in 3wood and Driver, and just ordered them +1/2" little loss in distance, but gained in control, and I feel comfortable with stiff flex in these.

[superman912]

108 is not very borderline for an x stiff. Its hardly even borderline. That's a clear stiff even with an aggressive transition. Many people here will disagree because they're also swinging 110 mph and think they're an easy x stiff because they need to boost their ego. But if you're getting the results you want from an x stiff, then that's good enough. Go get a fitting. Probability is the fitter will recommend a stiff. If you like the control from an x stiff but still want the spin and launch of a stiff, maybe tip an extra 0.5".

Also for those who say tipping an inch makes it close to an x stiff, don't kid yourself. All you've done is knock off a few hundred rpms off your spin.

[Pinmaster]

I'm an odd ball.. X-flex Driver, Stiff 3W, Reg 5W, 4hybrid and Irons are Reg too. 100ss

[nmanoles3]

I used to be right around your swing speed, and I loved my 70ish gram ProForce V2 in S. I tend to think most people dont hit the 3 wood high enough so I'd favor the Stiff over X.

[valmario]

[quote name='Pinmaster' timestamp='1347478578' post='5630249']
I'm an odd ball.. X-flex Driver, Stiff 3W, Reg 5W, 4hybrid and Irons are Reg too. 100ss
[/quote]


That is an oddball setup, I swing 110-115ish smooth transition, with a tempo on the slower side, i play X in my driver and stiff for everything else. im not too concerened with maximizing distance with my other clubs.

Pinmaster, sometimes when i see a killer deal on some regular shafted irons I am tempted to pick them up. which irons/shafts you using?

[BigHook25]

I swing a little faster than you, but just moved to an extra stiff in my driver, 3-wood, and just ordered an extra stiff for my hybrid. My irons are DG s300's and they work fine. Basically what I'm finding is many of the graphite stiff shafts can be a little soft, so anything graphite (driver, woods, hybrid) I'm going to extra stiff. With the irons the S300 is fine, although I would like to get my spin and high trajectory down some.

I just find that stiff in steel tends to be plenty, but many of the graphite shafts (especially the stock shafts) are higher in torque and don't play stiff enough if I go after it some. I've found my mishits stay online a lot better with x-stiff with the longer shafts.

[msd71]

Thanks for the feedback - lots of different opinions. Even about whether 108 is stiff, x, or borderline. (Mitsubishi Rayon suggests 106+ for the Fubuki X.)

Specifically, I'm thinking about picking up a TEE CB5 with the Fubuki. I don't think that's known as a particularly stout shaft for a given flex, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Fran C.]

[quote name='msd71' timestamp='1347541260' post='5633591']
Thanks for the feedback - lots of different opinions. Even about whether 108 is stiff, x, or borderline. (Mitsubishi Rayon suggests 106+ for the Fubuki X.)

Specifically, I'm thinking about picking up a TEE CB5 with the Fubuki. I don't think that's known as a particularly stout shaft for a given flex, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
[/quote]

If you have 108 with your driver and want a fubuki in your 3W go with the X, that shaft is pretty soft to flex, high launch and mid spin, great for a fw but it can be too inconsistent if you go for a weaker stiffness.

Also, the CB5 it's a damn rocket!!

[cmusic]

I currently play an x-stiff UST Axivcore Tour Green tipped 1" in my driver, an x-stiff Blueboard 83X tipped 1-1/2" in my 3-wood, a non tipped MFT Ahina stiff in my hybrid, and KBS Tour stiff shafts in my irons. I have a swing speed around 105-108 mph. I have played many other stiff and x-stiff shafts in and I have found that, [i][u]for my swing[/u][/i], x-stiff gives me greater accuracy and distance. I have two whiteboards, one stiff and other an x-stiff, and the x-stiff simply performs better for me when I had them in my driver.

I used to play DG S300s in my irons and hit my 7 iron around 150 yards. After moving to the KBS Tour stiff, same length and loft, I am now hitting my 7-iron 155-160 yards. The KBS Tour stiff is a slightly stiffer shaft than the S300. I'm considering trying a KBS Tour in stiff+ or x-flex to see how going stiffer performs for me.

In my driver and 3-wood, I recently cut the shafts down to 43-1/2" for the driver and 42" for my 3-wood. I have actually picked up some yards with my driver because I am now hitting the center of the club face more consistently. Before the cut-down I was averaging 260 yards, now I am getting over 270 yards with great accuracy with most of my drives. I feel shaft length is more important than having a too-stiff shaft.

As Tom Wishon has said in other posts here on WRX, the choice of stiff or x-stiff has more to do with your overall swing, specifically when you release you wrists in the downswing, than your overall swing speed. The later you release your wrists, the stiffer the shaft can be.

[Pinmaster]

[quote name='valmario' timestamp='1347481738' post='5630583']
[quote name='Pinmaster' timestamp='1347478578' post='5630249']
I'm an odd ball.. X-flex Driver, Stiff 3W, Reg 5W, 4hybrid and Irons are Reg too. 100ss
[/quote]


That is an oddball setup, I swing 110-115ish smooth transition, with a tempo on the slower side, i play X in my driver and stiff for everything else. im not too concerened with maximizing distance with my other clubs.

Pinmaster, sometimes when i see a killer deal on some regular shafted irons I am tempted to pick them up. which irons/shafts you using?
[/quote]


I20's with stock Ping regular graphite shafts

[MarkFromTheUK]

I used to go X in my driver, then stiff in everything else... that was until I got the chance to play with a trackman and an assortment of exotic shafts.

I now play X tipped 1/2" in my driver, standard X in my fairway and hybrid, and 6.0 in my irons and wedges.

The difference a stiffer shaft made in my fairway and hybrid in terms of accuracy was remarkable.

[NSCohen17]

Currently I have x flex rombax in my driver, s flex motore f1 in my 3 wood and s flex motore f3 in my hybrid. However, I have x100 in my irons because I like the feel and control.

I've thought about changing my fairway/hybrid shafts but, the truth is, I like them the way they are.

I don't think there are any hard and fast rules for any of this stuff. Certainly, I've played S shafts from one manufacturer that feel more stout than an X from another (try hitting an old-school grafalloy blue - S is hardy enough for just about anyone!) Hit what makes you happy and what feels the best to you; it will make the game that much more enjoyable.

[ST7]

I'm kinda the opposite. I play a Regular in my driver and Stiff everything else. But for my 3W, I went with a shaft with a softer tip. My ss is around 100 but I'm pretty sure it drops to 95 or so in the later holes.

[Howard_Jones]

[quote name='msd71' timestamp='1347468332' post='5629399']
My setup always includes an x-stiff driver (right now Fubuki Tour 73) and stiff irons (DGS300). I like the X in driver for control, but at 108 my swing is very borderline for an X. I am about to order another 3 wood, and as usual I'm torn on whether to get it in X or S flex. For those of you who in the same situation, which way do you tend to go? X for 3 wood sounds good for control off the tee, but not as easy to elevate off the deck. Thoughts?
[/quote]

Depending on shaft choice, and how you want this club to play, consider X flex, but DROP tipping for 3W and install strait in.
- It would "save launch" by a longer tip section, but give you "the frame work" of the X flex design when you are going after it.
Tip trimming does more to launch than to flex, and if you are happy with feel of flex in X, but worried about launch, then a 3W where you drop tipping might be what you should go for.

[kwooten31]

I go x in driver, usually x in fairways though I have gone stiff before, stiff in hybrids, stiff in irons, X100 SS in my 52° and TT Spinners in my 56° & 60°…

[Howard_Jones]

...Hybrid shafts, try PX Blue series and go by weight , and for what feels right, (different tipping might be considered) and by the next cross road, try DG - X100, maybe as SS would be the right choice for you, many players prefer the feel of the X design in DG, even at club speeds and swings who normally would be judged to fit DG S300.

[kg92lefty]

Im at 110mph ss and play an x tipped a 1/2" in driver, 1" in 3 wood, stiff in irons and c taper s+ in wedges.
Weird but it works. Ordered the 3 wood blind and the thing goes as far as my driver.

[markheardjr]

Driver: TX RIP'd VS Proto
3FW: X P9003
5FW: TX P9003
4H: [b]Stiff[/b] Altus 85 (I like how easy I can swing it for that pesky 200y shot my irons don't like.)
5-PW: [b]Stiff[/b] Nippon Proto 2S14's (Super heavy though, like 138g)
Wedges: S400

[BIGDAWG82]

I have x in the driver. Stiff in 3 wood and hybrid and Reg in my irons,  I go after driver , semi fast with the other woods and smooth and easy with irons for accuracy,  works for me 😁😎