[innercityteacher]

Yes, I agree with all of that.

I wager $1.00 that you make a Pattern Change before April.

I found this little gem in the basement of our forum. We used to have the best basement parties in hs but I digress...Are we still settled that the best shaft for a hitter is stiff?

Originally posted by Yoda


This will no doubt be a controversial post and perhaps even the epicenter of a titanic debate. Nevertheless, it is what it is: Homer Kelley's answer to the question, "What Shaft Flex is best for me?"

Like Henry Ford -- "You can have any color you want...as long as it's black." -- Homer Kelley had one answer to the Shaft Flex question. Here it is in a Q&A format based on our actual January 1982 conversation.

Yoda: Homer, there are many Shaft Flexes available today. Flexible Shafts are recommended for average players, and Stiff Shafts are recommended for the better players. What is your view?

Homer: "Stiff. The stiffer the better."

For all players?

"Yes."

Hitter or Swinger?

"Yes."

Male or female?

Yes.

Strong or weak?

"Makes no difference."

Why?

"Hitters use muscular thrust and need the Stiff Shaft because they are actively pushing against it. That aspect isn't important to Swingers because for them, the Shaft is functioning simply as a piece of string, and Flex is unimportant. Centrifugal Force is straightening the Shaft. However, the stiffer the shaft, the less likely the Clubface is to misalign, and that is important to both Hitters and Swingers."

What about Steel versus Graphite?

"The material makes no difference. You need quality materials, of course...sturdy stuff. Beyond that, I can find no basis for the claims of the manufacturers."

What about players who 'tip' the Shaft, cutting off an inch or two at the bottom to make it even stiffer?

"Sounds like a good idea."

So, Homer, when you say Stiff Shafts for all players, you really mean it.

"If they would make them all axe handles, that would be the best thing."

http://lynnblakegolf.com/forum/showt...ght=Axe-handle # 1

This might explain why I Hit the Titleist Z-Backs, that Kevin sold me so far and hardly get any action off my senior flexed driver (well 220, at most).

Any suggestions for a reliable, affordable, stiff flex shaft?

ICT