Switching Driver to X-flex - What to Expect?

[SDGolfRookie]

Currently gaming a Cobra F8 Driver:

- ALDILA NV 2KXV BLUE 70 S-FLEX

 

Never swung and X-Flex, but giving it a try

- The exact same shaft is on the way...

- ...only difference is that it is X-FLEX (not S)

 

Kind of clueless on shafts. What should I expect with the higher flex?

- Harder to load?

- More accuracy?

- Less distance?

- It depends?

[mantan]

You'll likely swing harder trying to compensate. You'll hit the ball straighter, but likely shorter.

 

But you'll feel you're an x-flex guy and update your signature line to include x-flex. (Because X-flex guys are the only ones who feel compelled to put shaft stiffness in their signature.)

[Jagpilotohio]

If you don’t swing hard enough to effectively load the shaft you can add:

 

lower launch, harder to turn over, and more likely to leak right.

 

 

[SDGolfRookie]

LOLOL mantan

- Flex? X

- Handicap? Let’s not talk about that

[ALIF]

If you get Miura baby blades with DG X7’s you might be ready for Monday qualifying!

[MtlJeff]

If you SHOULD be playing X flex than you'll notice it works well for you.

 

If you can't load it or it feels dead, or you're losing distance....it's not good for you

 

I've played X. When I swung 115-118 I didn't notice anything about it other than it just worked for me

[Krt22]

You'll likely swing harder trying to compensate. You'll hit the ball straighter, but likely shorter.

 

But you'll feel you're an x-flex guy and update your signature line to include x-flex. (Because X-flex guys are the only ones who feel compelled to put shaft stiffness in their signature.)

 

I didn't get the memo, let me add a signature!

[mukster]

Be sure to get a “real deal” x-flex and not a “made for”,otherwise people here will question your manhood forever :)

 

I was thinking of doing the same thing, I play a Diamana Blue S-Plus 62 in stiff, was wondering about getting the same shaft in x-flex vs. getting it in a 70 stiff. I would prefer a slightly more solid feel.

 

[wkuo3]

Common for the first few session, if you had never had an X flex in any brand, you'll find tighter dispersion but generally a little shorter in distance.

 

If the new XS shaft is the same brand and model of the S flex you're using now, then we could almost certain it'll weight a few grams more and less torque in the tip section. If you could handle the extra weight and the tighter torque, you will love the new shaft.

 

I'm going the other way after passing the land mark age of 60.

[Chadwickog]

Going to make this exact change myself for next year as a test. Diamana s+ 60 xflex on the way. Currently game a stiff flex.

[gbartko]

Expect to develop a disdain for hybrids, bounce, off set, swing weight < d4 and pw < 47*.

[Chuck905]

Depending on the shaft manufacturer, the feel may not be sacrificed at all.

 

I demo a Tensei White in a x-flex and the control with shot dispersion was tops. My only concern was fatigue in doing double headers.

 

Ended up tipping the stiff shaft 1”. Eliminating left misses and being able to swing as hard as I want was well worth the upgrade in shaft.

[Jagpilotohio]

Depending on the shaft manufacturer, the feel may not be sacrificed at all.

 

I demo a Tensei White in a x-flex and the control with shot dispersion was tops. My only concern was fatigue in doing double headers.

 

Ended up tipping the stiff shaft 1”. Eliminating left misses and being able to swing as hard as I want was well worth the upgrade in shaft.

 

That is a very good option that people often don’t think about if they may be just between flexes. Tip the lesser flex substantially.

 

I generally play X or TX untipped but I’m currently playing an old original Grafalloy Blue in stiff tipped 2 inches. That shaft always ran a touch stiff and tipped two inches it’s basically a modest X now. Working quite well for me.

[PorscheFan]

I made this change last month. Even with an injured pinky finger and only about 103 current clubhead speed it improved my strike pattern massively and has led to straighter balls, with greater confidence in swinging harder.

 

No loss of distance, and no loss of height either. For me the shaft is 99% about complementing your swing for the most consistent strike pattern. I think a lot depends on how you load the shaft.

[ALIF]

Expect to develop a disdain for hybrids, bounce, off set, swing weight < d4 and pw < 47*.

 

Well played Sir! You’ve just won the Internet!

[1s1k]

You'll likely swing harder trying to compensate. You'll hit the ball straighter, but likely shorter.

 

But you'll feel you're an x-flex guy and update your signature line to include x-flex. (Because X-flex guys are the only ones who feel compelled to put shaft stiffness in their signature.)

Expect to develop a disdain for hybrids, bounce, off set, swing weight < d4 and pw < 47*.

 

Why are my ears ringing??!!

[SDGolfRookie]

Loving the “able to swing harder” potential :) and thank you all for the input. The tipping option is interesting and blew my mind. May consider that based on how I dance with the new shaft.

 

Not to veer away from driver, but:

- Does X-flex in driver mean X-flex in 3 wood?

 

My 3 wood is currently better than my driver in terms of dispersion and more penetrating ball flight..but still prone to hooks

- it has same blue shaft as current driver

- Stiff. Fairway model

[Fubuman]

I thought you only got flamed for hitting it 300.

So playing X also gives free membership to the Get Flamed Club.

Anyway to the OP, if you on the border of stiff/ x stiff, x could be the best thing for your driving.

For me, I was right on the border at 110mph ss & made the move, what a game changer it was, so much so that my driver swing became my most confident swing in my bag.

As a result I pushed the driver harder & harder which came with more clubhead speed that had me moving over totally to x flex shafts.

Give it a go & get ready for the flame brigade & if you feel up to some 20+ flame posts I suggest you quote a couple 300y drives & a few par5’s in two etc.

Good luck & let’s hear how the x goes.

[SDGolfRookie]

If I stick with X flex, does that mean I can start wearing a white belt?

 

Or are those unrelated?

[daveltb]

Hey, try it, it might be the best thing you've ever done. I'm 60yo with slow SS but quick transition. Hit a 24 degree hybrid about 160. Found a new one on ebay that i wanted to try. Price was right but it had a X flex shaft in it. I figured WTH I can always swap shafts from old hybrid and sell old club with X flex if it doesn't work. It was a great buy, and I love the feel and flight of the X flex in the hybrid. Goes straighter and more consistent distance than I've ever had in a hybrid. i don't know if X flex would work in any other club I have, but the 24 degree with X is a great way to transition from irons to longer clubs. Makes it feel like it's just a longer iron. Flex on shafts is irrelevant, it's how it feels and works that count.

[MtlJeff]

I thought you only got flamed for hitting it 300.

So playing X also gives free membership to the Get Flamed Club.

Anyway to the OP, if you on the border of stiff/ x stiff, x could be the best thing for your driving.

For me, I was right on the border at 110mph ss & made the move, what a game changer it was, so much so that my driver swing became my most confident swing in my bag.

As a result I pushed the driver harder & harder which came with more clubhead speed that had me moving over totally to x flex shafts.

Give it a go & get ready for the flame brigade & if you feel up to some 20+ flame posts I suggest you quote a couple 300y drives & a few par5's in two etc.

Good luck & let's hear how the x goes.

 

It does seem that people who use X flex tend to list the flex in their signature. Seems odd to list flex unless it's part of the name (like S300 for example, or the old Voodoos like XVS7)

 

I dont know if that's a flame but someone mentions that every thread and i always chuckle because it does seem to be true

 

I mean why play X if people on the internet don't know you play X?

[JCAG]

Currently gaming a Cobra F8 Driver:

- ALDILA NV 2KXV BLUE 70 S-FLEX

 

Never swung and X-Flex, but giving it a try

- The exact same shaft is on the way...

- ...only difference is that it is X-FLEX (not S)

 

Kind of clueless on shafts. What should I expect with the higher flex?

- Harder to load?

- More accuracy?

- Less distance?

- It depends?

 

I say expect it to feel harsher, lose some distance, pickup some accuracy but that is just the general belief. YMMV

[ChronicSlicer]

If I stick with X flex, does that mean I can start wearing a white belt?

 

Or are those unrelated?

 

Yes, you can start wearing a white belt, just not in public.

[bblack_91240]

I had been playing stiff flex across the board for the last 14 years from all the way back in high school. I always thought X would be way too much for me. Couldn’t understand why I hit a big sweeping hook all the time.

 

Reconnected with an old friend who is an assistant pro and he let me hit his X flex clubs. Let’s just say I made the switch to X flex across the board. At first I definitely tried way too hard. Once I put a normal swing on it and started getting it loaded correctly it was amazing. Accuracy was way better and more predictable and I picked up distance too. You’ll know if it’s too much shaft for you pretty quickly. You also may have a eureka moment! Lol good luck!

[mukster]

So, I found a Diamana Blue S-Plus 62 in X-flex on the Callaway Pre-owned site and ordered it. It arrived this morning. I also had it cut down by 3/4 inch to match my current stiff shaft. Popped down to the range to hit a few balls this morning. Not my usual range, but it was on the way home. It was 7*C and one had to hit off the mats. There were no plastic tees and regular tees weren't sticking at a consistent length. So not ideal testing conditions.

 

A few comments; the X is certainly a little tougher to load. The misses for me were straight pulls and pushes. Looks like I am losing a bit of distance. Hit a few nice ones with it as well.

 

I am off to my regular range tomorrow. Easier to judge distance and better mats/tees, so I will hit a bunch more and report back.

[SDGolfRookie]

Thanks for all of the replies. Went out today with the X (full disclosure: no white belt, but it was cold, so I wore tights under my shorts).

 

Initial thoughts:

- Felt “smoother†through the swing

I have a fast takeaway and transition. Maybe the stouter shaft helps counterbalance/even that out??

 

- Felt like I could only miss right, which was nice! Aimed down the left edge of the fairway all day and it worked out

 

- Distance seemed to be the same, maybe slightly further

 

Height was the same, which I always have felt was “too highâ€. Currently have my Cobra F8 at 10.5 degree. Going to try 9.5 degree next time.

 

Sooooo - I like it so far! The good news is that my driver seems to be in control with almost all potential of snap hook left eliminated if I keep my form during the swing. Bad news is the next crop of thoughts: X-Felx the 3 wood? X-Flex the irons?

 

Behold, the madness of golf equipment questioning and tinkering. God forbid I just go practice.

[A.G. Pennypacker]

I went from stout S flex shafts (like whiteboard and hzrdus black) to Pro Orange 70tx this year, and it was an awesome move. Hitting it straighter and further, and in the process of getting the rest of the bag into xflex as well. Does a great job to eliminate the left miss. I always used to think X was out of my league for some reason, but it's great (111-114SS fwiw).

[Fubuman]

Thanks for all of the replies. Went out today with the X (full disclosure: no white belt, but it was cold, so I wore tights under my shorts).

 

Initial thoughts:

- Felt “smoother†through the swing

I have a fast takeaway and transition. Maybe the stouter shaft helps counterbalance/even that out??

 

- Felt like I could only miss right, which was nice! Aimed down the left edge of the fairway all day and it worked out

 

- Distance seemed to be the same, maybe slightly further

 

Height was the same, which I always have felt was “too highâ€. Currently have my Cobra F8 at 10.5 degree. Going to try 9.5 degree next time.

 

Sooooo - I like it so far! The good news is that my driver seems to be in control with almost all potential of snap hook left eliminated if I keep my form during the swing. Bad news is the next crop of thoughts: X-Felx the 3 wood? X-Flex the irons?

 

Behold, the madness of golf equipment questioning and tinkering. God forbid I just go practice.

Awesome, glad it’s working out for you, the move to X was my best move in all my golfing years.

I also wondered about the switch over in all the other clubs, eventually done it & ive not looked back or doubted it once, just remember to not put X flex in your signature.

[Jackal]

I have a 106 mph driver swing speed.

A few years ago switched to a Matrix Red Tie x flex in driver.

Nice mid-launch and carry, some roll out, and tighter dispersion.

My average drive is about 260-270.

Some people have told me that I don't need x flex.

I'm sure the right fit with a stiff would work.

Just don't have the time\money to experiment.

My driver is an 816 Alpha DBD and it works for me.

[Z1ggy16]

I think the mantra of 'using the stiffest shaft you can handle' is fairly true. It really depends how you load shafts in general and what feel you prefer. I find that there aren't HUGE differences in feel between the same type of profiles, especially something that loads quite a bit. Generally they just feel a bit more tight and snappy, and opposed to loose and whippy.

 

I went from S to X flex in the whole bag (Except wedges) and it's helped a ton. Could be because I saw a massive jump in speed though within one year... I wasn't even close to being borderline anymore. Driver went from about 100-105mph to 110-115mph within the season. I was still using S flex at the higher speed and it was causing some inconsistency issues. A nice mid/low launch in X flex felt so much better.