golfrewind.com

Hi all, I'm new in here so forgive me if I am asking an already well-asked question ...

I just returned to golf (after a 15 year hiatus) at age 38 ... I have "rediscovered" my swing of old but find technology has moved on some. I "acquired" a 2nd hand set of Cleveland Ta7's for a song (Steel shaft, regular, $300 NZ through a mate whose Dad owns a pro-shop) and also picked a 2006 Ti Launcher (10.5 deg, stiff fuji launcher 65g shaft, $180 NZ off "Trade-Me" - much like eBay).

My query concerns the Driver - I was really after a regular shaft as my swing is more smooth than quick ... I've had the beast at the range and on the odd occasion I am smoking it but generally it is not going as far or as straight as I would like - I suspect most of this is down to the stiff shaft as my SS (although not measured) would be under 100 MPH.

I have been looking at many different shafts on the "net" (fuji, aldila, graphite design, ust, etc)and it seems the Accuflex Acculaunch 60 or 70 shafts in regular could be the answer to my prayers - any thoughts or comments from you guys?? We don't have as much access to launch monitors, etc here in NZ - there is only one guy who deals with Accuflex shafts and he lives 6 hours away.

Many thanks for making it this far into my blurb - I eagerly await your replies.

Jeremy (aka KiwiFan)

I agree that is sounds like you might need a shaft with alittle more pop to it but first can you answer a few questions for me?

What is your launch angle with your current club? (low, mid, high)
What is your current carry distance in yardage?
What is your drivers current lenght? (ex. Standard, 44" ...etc)
How Tall are you?
What is your WTF (Wrist to Floor)
What is your tempo? (slow, medium, or quick)
and lastly ...
Do you consider yourself to be a smooth player are possibly semi-aggressive

Try to answer as many as you can and I will let you know what shafts I would suggest (from the AccuFLEX lineup) for your swing. Its easy to suggest AccuFLEX because they always have something that fits a customer well.

I probably don't SS quite as fast, ( older guy), but have a smooth tempo and late release using the R flex stock Launcher on my Cleveland Driver. 3.7 Torque..55 gms..set at 44". Great Driver.! Consistant plus some yardage gains and accuracy ..

SRG - I've put some details in blue ... my "old" driver is an old "Golfgear" model with what was at the time a large head (looks pretty small now though) .. since I've been back into golf my launch angle with it has been low-mid but I think a lot of that has to do with things like my set-up and how high (or low) I am teeing the ball ... with the Launcher the range tees only place a 1/4 of the ball above the face so that may have something to do with the launch angle also. (I have Cleveland TA7 irons with Reg Sensicore shafts and they play spot on.)

I would give the AccuLAUNCH 60 R-Flex the nod with all the information you have given.

Another thing I would consider is cutting your shaft down a half in to 44.5". It won't hurt your distance and should help with accuracy.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have anymore questions.

Thanks,
Christian Gammon
Solid Rock Golf

Hi Christian,

Thanks for your reply - I contacted the NZ rep for Accuflex shafts and he quoted me NZ$178.00 for a shaft change (I paid NZ$180.00 for the club) ... he said that he would have to use an adapter because of the different tip size (the Launcher is .350" whereas you would already know the Acculaunch is .335") ... would trimming the tip by the 1/2" you mentioned change the tip size? The NZ $$ is pretty strong against the US$$ at present (almost 80c) so I am alomost tempted to buy the shaft myself and get one of the local pro's to fit it - would that be a realistic idea?

Thanks for your help,

KiwiFan

You can't sub a .335 tip for a .350 under any circumstances. There's a tip section with a constant diameter (usually 2 to 4 inches) and then it tapers up to .600 or .610. Sorry, no metric conversions...

That AccuLaunch might be a fantastic shaft, but you can find something a lot cheaper with nearly exactly the same performance characteristics. For that price, you may as well custom order a new driver with your pick of shaft.

Adapter, Shaft, and priortiy shipping will come to only $82.00 if your interested. Not as bad as one might think.

Let me know if you have anymore questions or need anything else.

Thanks,
Christian Gammon
Solid Rock Golf

Hi Christian,

Let me get this straight - US$82 includes postage to NZ?? Sounds like a steal ... how long is that offer good for?

I've emailed two other Accuflex dealers here (after much searching I found some more) and am waiting to hear back from them ... if I don't (or don't get a good deal) I will likely be taking you up on your offer.

Regards,

KiwiFan

That offer is good for as long as the post office doesn't change their prices.

Hi Christian,

Just thought I'd let you know that I got the shaft you recommended (found a place that did the whole shebang for NZ$145 so that was good) - HUGE difference ... not quite as much distance as when I really connected with the stiff shaft (maybe 5 -10 yds less) but it's a lot straighter (95% off the sweetspot) and I don't have to try and "force" it to get the ball to go ... I think with a little more range time I'll have it sorted and may even make up some of those extra yards.

Thanks for all your help,

Regards,

Jeremy (aka KiwiFan)

Glad I could help and to hear that the recommendation is working out well for you.

Hope you do pick up those extra yards....