I can't get properly fit right now, but want a new 910D right now.

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By Doug E

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  • 7 Replies
  1. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    I am recovering from shoulder surgery, but have started playing again after a six month recovery period. I am not fully back yet to my normal swing, but want to purchase a 910D. I am afraid that getting fit at this stage would not be completely indicative of my actual swing characteristics. I realize I will be able to change loft and lie once my swing get back  to normal, but I want to make sure I have the right shaft to start with. I am a 10-12 hdcp right now, and expect to be able to get back to single digits once I can practice daily and hit buckets of balls with little pain or inflammation. In the meantime, my short game has been saving me. Presently, my swing speed is 92-94 mph. I expect to stay close to that, maybe 1-2 mph more, once fully recovered. I play a regular shaft in my 11* FT-iQ driver now and when things are good, drive the ball pretty straight most of the time. Fairways-hit stat is around  65%, playable drives around 90%. Driving distance averages 233 yards. I am 55 years old. I play 2-3 rounds per week on average from April to November. I feel like a little lower trajectory might give me some better run out., but of course, I don't want to lose any fly distance.

    So my questions are, of the shafts offered as standard, which would you recommend I start with and would a 9.5* head be a better choice than a 10.5. My thought is a 9.5, rather than a 10.5 because it gives me the option of a 10.25 and an 11* setting, whereas the 10.5 gives me no loftier option that I would want to consider. I'm feeling the 11* I play now is already a bit lofty. I am assuming you would suggest a regular flex shaft, but which one....and why? I know there are many other variables to consider, but I am just looking for a good baseline suggestion so I can get something now. If, later on I get fit and find a better shaft, I'll change over to it.

  2. Ryan Crysler

    Ryan Crysler
    West Palm Beach, FL

    Well, if you can't get properly fit, let the record show that we still really want you to get fit!  However, the three Titleist Diamana shafts are so good, they can handle just about every player.  I would say a 910 D2 9.5 would be a good all around choice.  I wouldn't say regular shaft, I'd go stiff and depending upon a few factors, I'd say the Blue Kaili or the Black Ahina are good choices.  The Kaili has a little more torque and will feel softer.  The Ahina is a little more stout and will feel stiffer. I suspect the Kaili will be better for you coming off the DL. 

    The good news is that having the head is more important than the shaft.  Shafts are easy to switch out.  Heads, are a little more expensive but can be done. 

    RC

  3. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    Thanks for the reply Ryan. I am not surprised you recommended the KAILI shaft, but a little surprised you suggested it in STIFF flex. I play regular shafts in my 909F2 and my 755 irons. I hit them straight for the most part. I have a nice, smooth swing tempo with easy transition at the top. Certainly, I would like to play a stiff shaft in my new 910 driver like all the young guns around me, but I don't want to lose an inch of distance doing so. Nor do I want to have trouble keeping it straight. Is it realistic that I could gain distance with only a 93 or 94 mph swing speed? If you believe that to be true and can give me a feasible reason why, I will definitely go with the KAILI stiff. (If nothing else, it would make me FEEL better psychologically that I can still hang with the young guys.) Thanks again, in advance, for your reply.

  4. Ryan Crysler

    Ryan Crysler
    West Palm Beach, FL

    Not all stiffs are stiff and the Kaili plays soft. Plus, it's not a permanent shaft, it's really easy to swap if the Stiff turns out too stiff. We have very few playing the regulars.
  5. How much would it cost to get a new shaft? Say a project x with the SureFit Adapter? 

  6. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    Okay, now I'm really confused. Finally got a fitting today at Golf Galaxy. Something doesn't seem right. They say I should be hitting an Ahina stiff. My club head speed seems low to me for that shaft. It was only 93-94 mph. I had spin rates of 2200-2500 with the ahina. With the kaili stiff, my spin rates were a little higher, maybe 2400-2700 and my distance was shorter by 10 yards or so. I would have expected better results with the kaili with my low-mid 90s swing speed. Could the ahina really be better for me? Unfortunately, they didn't test me with any other shaft. I was playing an FT-iQ with Fubuki 60, R-Flex, but was told by the pro at GG that he thought it was too soft for me. Yardage seemed to be a touch better with the ahina than my reg flex fubuki FT-iQ, but only a touch. Average spin with the fubuki was 2700. I was all set to buy the kaili S-flex before the fitting. Now, after the fitting I show better numbers with something even stiffer---the ahina. Should I have a more thorough fitting somewhere else? Any thoughts would be appreciated?

  7. Craig A

    Craig A
    St. Simons Island, GA

    Doug, I agree with Ryan.C that it would be best to get fit. Even if you feel that you are not 100% yet, you will be able to get it to work well now and the fitter will help you choose something that can work later with one or two adjustments. If you just don't want to get fit right now, then setting a 910 D2 9.5 to 11 deg or 10.25 would not be a bad idea as it will close the face a touch to match the FT-IQ you have. If memory serves my right, the FT-IQ had a Fubuki 60 (for Callaway) shaft. At low 90's on club speed, you are kind of on the fence for flex, but if you are trying to lower the flight and anticipate gaining a few miles per hour once recovered I would probably suggest and stiff shaft, but not one that is overly stout or heavy. A good middle of road shaft that will feel similar to what you have is the Titleist/Mitsubishi Kaili 65. Try to at least demo one before you make a decision so that you ca be sure you like the feel and flight. Call Team Titleist with questions, they are very knowledgable and extremely helpful.

    Good Luck,

    Craig Allan 
    Manager & Club Fitter
    Sea Island Golf Learning Center 

  8. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    Thanks for your input Craig. I DO think I will have a fitting before making a final decision, even though I am not 100 healthy right now.  Swinging at full tilt, over and over without much time between swings really takes its toll on my shoulder right now. I figured I'd have to swing quite a bit in a fitting. Playing 18 isn't so bad because I get a good rest in between full hard swings. Even so I feel it by mid-round. However, a fitting seems like the smart way to go, if for nothing else, to satisfy my mind whether stiff flex or regular is the better choice for me.  It's all about confidence. Having doubts about shaft flex can lead to other issues, separate from just distance maximization.

    You are correct that the FTiQ has a Fubuki 60 shaft.  Though I hit it well, I was not properly fit for that shaft. I have just accepted the fact that it was okay for me due to my swing speed. But, frankly, have always questioned whether or not I am leaving a few yards on the table.

    BTW, I notice you are from Sea Island. I'm dying to play there. Maybe this winter. Hope to see you there.

     

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