Slicing/Hooking and shaft stiffness

[RidetoGolf]

Is there a direct relationship between Slicing/Hooking and shaft stiffness? For example, if you have a fast swing, but your shaft is too flex, will you slice more often than hook given that you have a proper swing?

[Focker Singh]

You are correct my friend. This is just one of could be many factors of why someone would be consistantly slicing or hooking. Shaft stiffness is quite important. Like you said, if you have a fast club head speed, you would require a stiffer shaft to reduce the flex when you tourque. If not, the result would be a slice and vice versa if you have a stiff shaft but too slow a club head speed. You can have your swing analyzed and have shafts fitted to your specs. Not that expensive either.

[VBall]

hmm... maybe that's why I slice so much... i need a stiffer shalf... too strong for my own good.

[Ego Woods]

Is there a direct relationship between Slicing/Hooking and shaft stiffness? For example, if you have a fast swing, but your shaft is too flex, will you slice more often than hook given that you have a proper swing?
There probably is a small correlation between the two....but if your slicing/hooking, and not fading or drawing, it's more to do with the fact that you're probably not squared to target upon impact of the ball.....

[Queen of the Beach]

When I bought my clubs everyone told me that ladies need graphite clubs. I am sure not all ladies have a slow swing but I actually stop my swing and suspend for a few seconds before I bring the club back down. Most of my shots go straight but occasionally some shots go straight then to the left. Does this type of shaft help those with slower swings?

[Mok]

When I bought my clubs everyone told me that ladies need graphite clubs. I am sure not all ladies have a slow swing but I actually stop my swing and suspend for a few seconds before I bring the club back down. Most of my shots go straight but occasionally some shots go straight then to the left. Does this type of shaft help those with slower swings?
HERE is your answer

[Ego Woods]

When I bought my clubs everyone told me that ladies need graphite clubs. I am sure not all ladies have a slow swing but I actually stop my swing and suspend for a few seconds before I bring the club back down. Most of my shots go straight but occasionally some shots go straight then to the left. Does this type of shaft help those with slower swings?
graphite shafts are for those with slower swing speeds.....this is because graphite is lighter and made to generate more clubhead speed.......the reason golfers with higher swing speeds don't use it is because graphite is very flexible compared with steel thus giving more chance for a slice/hook because the shaft is bending upon impact with the ball......

[Queen of the Beach]

Thank you for the detailed explanation Ego. I think I know now that graphite is the way to go for me. :)

[Mule56]

graphite shafts are for those with slower swing speeds.....this is because graphite is lighter and made to generate more clubhead speed.......the reason golfers with higher swing speeds don't use it is because graphite is very flexible compared with steel thus giving more chance for a slice/hook because the shaft is bending upon impact with the ball......
Not all graphite shafts will cause slices or hooks. I replaced a TT XS-90 with a Rapport graphite - stiff - low torque. I had never played a graphite shaft prior because I was under the same misconception.
The Rapport greatly reduced my dispersion while giving me some extra distance. The low torque is the trick. This causes less twisting of the clubface at impact. This was what the doctor (club fitter) ordered. I like the shaft so much I put one in my back up with the same results.
Assuming QB is right handed, my guess would be the shots that are going straight left would be an outside-in swing path. To many things to tell what may be causing that, with out actually seeing the swing. A good swing coach will tell you quickly.
Mule56

[Queen of the Beach]

Not all graphite shafts will cause slices or hooks. I replaced a TT XS-90 with a Rapport graphite - stiff - low torque. I had never played a graphite shaft prior because I was under the same misconception.
The Rapport greatly reduced my dispersion while giving me some extra distance. The low torque is the trick. This causes less twisting of the clubface at impact. This was what the doctor (club fitter) ordered. I like the shaft so much I put one in my back up with the same results.
Assuming QB is right handed, my guess would be the shots that are going straight left would be an outside-in swing path. To many things to tell what may be causing that, with out actually seeing the swing. A good swing coach will tell you quickly.
Mule56

Hey Mule56, yes I am right handed. I haven't tested out enough different types of clubs to know which one works better. But just all my golfer friends tell me that since I have a slow swing speed I should stick with Graphite. Just wondered...this club that you are describing...do they have a ladies version?

[Mule56]

Hey Mule56, yes I am right handed. I haven't tested out enough different types of clubs to know which one works better. But just all my golfer friends tell me that since I have a slow swing speed I should stick with Graphite. Just wondered...this club that you are describing...do they have a ladies version?
QB,

It's not the club I'm talking about. It's the shaft. With a slower swing speed graphite is likely the best bet for you. When you think of a golf club, the head is like the tires of a car. It's where the rubber meets the road. The road being the ball. The shaft is like the transmission. It makes the tires turn. Your body is like the engine, it makes everything happen together.

If we go back to your post, your shots go straight of straight to the left. This would tell me that your swing path is coming across the ball from right to left (if you’re standing behind the ball). A good instructor will be able to show you how to fix that, by changing your swing path to come into the ball in a slightly more left to right path.

The face of your club is flush to slightly closed,depending on how far left your off shots are travelling. This would tell me that your grip is good and your release is good.

In short, your equipment is not causing you the issue. It sounds like it's a swing path. Now I'm only guessing based on what you have stated. A instructor will really be able to do better than me.
Mule

[Milestones]

totally agree with mule. having the wrong shaft can cause slices/hooks but with a right shalf, you still can if your swing is incorrect. I shouldn't really talk cuz I still can't fix my slice. :cookoo:

[wigler]

You are correct, there is a direct correlation between shaft flex and a hook or slice, with of course many other factors contributing.

But the result is the opposite of what is being discussed here.

A shaft that is too stiff will produce a low fade/slice and a shaft that is not stiff enough will produce a pull hook.

Reason: If a shaft is too stiff for the player, he cannot load the shaft properly and thus it will 'unload' late causing the fade.

If the shaft is not stiff enough, it loads to quick and thus unloads too quick causing the hook.

wigler

[Hoz-ay]

Is there a direct relationship between Slicing/Hooking and shaft stiffness? For example, if you have a fast swing, but your shaft is too flex, will you slice more often than hook given that you have a proper swing?

To a degree, I guess shaft stiffness may be related to slicing & hooking. But I think its more of how the club face is at point of impact... the following links might help.

http://www.golfonline.com/golfonline/instruction/privatelessons/faults/0,,87_2_hh,00.html
http://www.golfonline.com/golfonline/instruction/privatelessons/faults/0,,86_10_ph,00.html
http://www.golfonline.com/golfonline/instruction/privatelessons/faults/0,,92_7_hh,00.html