golfrewind.com

Hello all, I have been lurking for a while but this is my first post.

At the beginning of this year I bought a 20 degree hybrid to replace my 3 iron. I went with, and built, a Snake Eyes Quick Strike Q3U hybid. Being my first build I went with their kit that includes a high torque shaft that I got in the regular flex. I love this club the ball flight and distance (about 200 yards) are just right. So I decide to build a 23 degree ......

For some reason I decided to try a different shaft . This time I went with a bundle deal Golfsmith was having and got it with a Aerotech SteelFiber shaft that is mid torque. Since my swing speed has increased a little I went with the stiff flex.

Now the question: This club shoots the ball very high and only travel about 160 yards. Is this 40 yard difference normal for a 3 degree change in club? Or would the stiff shaft cause the problem? Or did I somehow build the club wrong?

Thanks for any advice that can be provided.
If it helps I have a pretty smooth swing with a speed around 90.

You've got a several possible variables.
1) Shaft stiffness differences can cause changes in distances.
2) Shaft kickpoints can cause differences in ball launch heights.
3) Possible differences in the shaft weights can cause the swing speed to be lower, effecting distance.

Now, I don't think any one of these things is likely to cause a 30 yard gap when there should only be a 10-12 yard gap. But using a different brand, and stiffness of shaft may well have thrown all three of these factors together, which might be able to cause a 30 yard gap.

If I were you, I'd seriously consider getting another of the shafts that came with the first one.

The difference in distance with a hybrid, going from the most ill-fitting shaft to the best possible fit can be at most 15 yards. Frank Thomas, Golf Digest's club guru wrote a recent article that appeared in Golf Digest on driver distances.

He wanted to put to rest the statements people make about changing shafts and gaining 30+ yards. He did some subjective testing and determined the maximum distance difference between a very bad fit and a perfect fit was something like 12 yards. I think we can assume the same holds true for a hybrid.

As 83 posted, get the same shaft as in your 20* and see if that solves the problem. That would be my recommendation.
Not sure I'd put too much faith in what Frank Thomas says. He's seem to have his head in a cloud quite often if you ask me. Only 12 yards difference with a driver. from an XX stiff flex to an L flex. I don't believe it, and neither do the pros on tour that spend days getting the right shaft fit for their drivers. Kick point can make a hugh difference is ball flight and carry distance. Less back spin means more roll. Softer flex can mean a more powerful release of the head coming into the ball for more ball speed. Assuming the kick is at the right time in the swing. All of which tells me 12 yards is a bit low.

I didn't want to speak ill of Frank Thomas. Some people seem to believe he's some sort of guru, while others think he's full of... I'm of the latter persuasion.
On this one, I've got a 10* Tour Edge Carbon with a ProForce 85 in X-flex that I'd LOVE to see how much distance someone with an 80 mph swing speed loses trying to hit it.

How much distance did you lose with it.

Couldn't tell you Bob. I used it one round. The shaft was too heavy for the carbon-crowned head. I couldn't feel the clubhead at all during the swing.
I hit a couple in the 280+ range. With a swing speed over 115, I don't tend to worry about finding a driver shaft that's too strong. I usually worry whether or not it's going to be strong enough.

BTW Bob, I wasn't laughing above at those with lower swing speeds. I was laughing at the notion that someone with an 80mph swing speed would only lose 12 yards using that club, as Frank Thomas seems to believe. I think it'd be alot more than 12.

Thanks for all the responses. Just to let everyone know I put the same shaft in it as the first hybrid I built and all is good. It still was probably a error in the building of the club but the new shaft works great.

Thats the problem with this hobby of club building - always wanting to find a better shaft, head, etc. Learned a good lesson though.

Thanks.