Understanding shaft feel - AD DI vs Kai'li white as a test

[jjinsa]

I bought two shafts for my Driver, both what I thought were different "profiles".  A Kaili white 60x and a Tour AD DI 7x.  

From reading, the AD DI has a stiff tip and a softer mid, supposed to mid launch and mid low spin.  The Kaili is Low Low. 

What I felt was the Kaili was more boardy, more solid, but performance was good.  Mishit felt more harsh. 
The Tour AD DI has a little kick in it, felt like I was hitting with more speed.  Mishit felt less harsh.  With the Tour AD I had a couple pulls, that I didnt have with the Kaili. 

 

Now these were not HUGE feeling differences, I really had to concentrate.  

 

I also have a Kurokage XT 60 TX, tipped 0,25" on another driver, and that feels even more boardy than the Kaili. 

 

Am I getting the feelings accurately.  I dont always talk about my feelings.... 

[Streuner]

talking about feeling can help... (sometimes)

 

the GD Tour AD Di is well known for his superb feeling and most of the GD tour AD familiy are similar. 

 

ok a 7x is stiffer than most of the others, but still: if you have the swing speed that the 7x is build for, the shaft feels and perfom very smooth with good results. There is a reason so many tour players still use this shaft even if it is on the market since more than 10 years right now.

The MRC Kaili is a complete different animal, as you did notice it launches low and feels more boardy. The bend profile is different and so the results are as well. The shaft presents less dynamic loft to the ball and this results in lower ball launch.

the GD Tour AD Di I would more see similar to a MRC Kaili blue

[jjinsa]

15 minutes ago, Streuner said:

talking about feeling can help... (sometimes)

 

the GD Tour AD Di is well known for his superb feeling and most of the GD tour AD familiy are similar. 

 

ok a 7x is stiffer than most of the others, but still: if you have the swing speed that the 7x is build for, the shaft feels and perfom very smooth with good results. There is a reason so many tour players still use this shaft even if it is on the market since more than 10 years right now.

The MRC Kaili is a complete different animal, as you did notice it launches low and feels more boardy. The bend profile is different and so the results are as well. The shaft presents less dynamic loft to the ball and this results in lower ball launch.

the GD Tour AD Di I would more see similar to a MRC Kaili blue

Going to do a test on a flightscope on Friday, to see how those feels and how the numbers compare.  But just wanted to see that I was feeling the feeling properly haha. 

[Stuart_G]

1 hour ago, jjinsa said:

Am I getting the feelings accurately. 

 

Feel is completely subjective - you feel what you feel.  So there is no way you could get it wrong.  And it doesn't matter in the least as to whether what you feel matches what someone else might feel.

 

The hard part is figuring out how important those feels are to you and your swing and how they might effect the ball flight results.   And that's not something anyone here can answer.   That's something only you can figure out with continued testing and experimentation.

 

Edited May 6 by Stuart_G

[jjinsa]

1 minute ago, Stuart_G said:

 

Feel is completely subjective - you feel what you feel.  So there is no way you could get it wrong.

 

The hard part is figuring out how important those feels are to you and your swing and how they might effect the ball flight results.   And that's not something anyone here can answer.   That's something only you can figure out with continued testing and experimentation.

 

Would you say, losing a couple left with the AD DI is somewhat expected?  The Kaili never went left, at worst straight, or over cut.  I hit probably 20 with each.  

[Stuart_G]

Just now, jjinsa said:

Would you say, losing a couple left with the AD DI is somewhat expected?  The Kaili never went left, at worst straight, or over cut.  I hit probably 20 with each.  

 

When it comes to what happens to the ball flight as the feel changes - nothing should be expected but anything is possible.  

 

Sorry but there just are no shortcuts.  It's something each person has to figure out for themselves.

 

But it's not just the stiffness feel that's different in your little test, the shaft weights are different as well.  So you can't really say for sure what's causing the change in ball flight.

 

When it comes to judging profiles and it's effect on your swing and ball flight, you need to make sure you're keeping everything else exactly the same (e.g. playing length, shaft weight, grip size, swing weight) so you know what's really causing the difference in the ball flight.  

 

[phizzy30]

AD DI - Pretty smooth and had a pronounced kick in the mid.  Squaring the face was more difficult and most of my mishits were left. 

 

KW - More linear but still could feel a subtle kick closer to the hand.  I wouldn't call it smooth but it's definitely not boardy.  Easier to square the face making it more stable.  Mishits were less frequent and usually to the right.    

Edited May 6 by phizzy30

[jjinsa]

14 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

AD DI - Pretty smooth and had a pronounced kick in the mid.  Squaring the face was more difficult and most of my mishits were left. 

 

KW - More linear but still could feel a subtle kick closer to the hand.  I wouldn't call it smooth but it's definitely not boardy.  Easier to square the face making it more stable.  Mishits were less frequent and usually to the right.    

Sounds a bit like what I experienced.  

[ScooterMcTavish]

One thing I’ve learned discussing shafts is exactly what Stuart says - feel is subjective.

 

I like a shaft which is softer in the handle (like the GD) which gives me a loading feel - important for my swing timing.

 

Others will consider a tip soft shaft (like a PX Smoke Red) to have good feel as they like the lower bend point, and the feel of the tip activating at impact.

 

And some people prize low torque, and very little bend (like a PX or Tensei Black) as for them, stability is the feel they prefer.

 

Based on the results with the DI, I’m guessing you like the active loading feel under the hands.  But a snap hook can be common for someone who has played a stiffer butt staff, as the load/release feel is likely causing them to release early - their hands are sending the wrong signal to the brain/muscles.

 

The Kai’li might end up being the “better” shaft for you based on your swing, but one can certainly learn to hit a different shaft profile if they really are getting good results. 

 

 

[jjinsa]

So I took the Kai'li on course and hit it really well, 3 out of 4 fairways with it.  Baby fade all day, and nice mid flight.  Will still test on flightscope on Friday.