From: bohdan.kiszczuk@rose.com (bohdan kiszczuk)
Subject: haft stiffness, Swing
Organization: Rose Media Inc, Toronto, Ontario.
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 19:51:43 GMT
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Date Entered: 04-15-92 14:35

F(> Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf
F(> From: foley@helix.nih.gov (Charles K. Foley)
F(> Subject: Shaft stiffness, Swingweight explanation?
F(> Message-ID: <1992Apr6.195122.5946@alw.nih.gov>
F(> X-Gated-By: Usenet <==> RoseMail Gateway (v1.2)
F(> Sender: postman@alw.nih.gov (AMDS Postmaster)
F(> Organization: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda
F(> Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 19:51:22 GMT
F(> 
F(> I would like to learn about the various ratings of shaft stiffness and
F(> of club swing weight.  What do the stiffness ratings of S300 and R300
F(> really mean, and how do they relate to some manufacturers ratings of
F(> Stiff and Regular.  For swing weight, what do the various ratings mean?
F(> 
F(> I would appreciate it if someone could point me to a reference or 
F(> explain these measures directly.
F(> 

   Charles,
            The stiffness (resistance to bending) is designated by an 
arbitrary numbering/naming convention. Different manufacturers of 
shafts designate their shafts differently. True Temper uses the 
R100/X500 designation. R100 being the most flexible X500 (xtra stiff) 
being the stiffest.
             Swingweight is a measure of club balance. The higher the 
swingweight the more the club balances towards the head of the club. A 
lower swingweight will feel "lighter" to swing although swingweight 
has nothing to do with the weight of a club, just it's balance. Irons, 
for men, usually are around the D0 to D2 range. Womens (or seniors) 
tend to choose lighter swingweight such as C9 because they're easier 
to swing. The swingweight designations run from C0-C9, D0-D9. D9 is 
not practicle. You'd probably hurt yourself trying to swing that. The 
Pros tend to use irons in the D2 range. Most good clubs of the rack 
are D0-D2. Above all, swingweight is a personnel preference. My 
current clubs are D1 with S300 shafts. 
            Now to try and put this all together. These are just 
guidlines and not absolute truisms. Assuming a basically sound swing:

     - if you push the ball try a less stiff shaft R (same as R300)
     - if you hit the ball too low try a less stiff shaft
     - if you want to hit it farther try a less stiff shaft
     - it's harder to hook or draw a ball with a stiffer shaft
     - a stiffer shaft will not hit as far as a less stiff shaft
     - a stiffer shaft is more accurate
     - a siffer shaft will hit lower than a less stiff shaft
     - if you tend to get to quick from the top try a heavier 
       swingweight. Don't go higher than D2
     - clubs usually come with R (R300) or S (S300) shafts (True 
       Temper designations) 
     - shafts are usually fitted based on swing speed
       if you normally hit a 5 iron > 165 and a driver > 250
       you could probably benefit from a stiffer shaft (more accurate)
       S300. This one is a very rough guidline.

You can experiment with different swingweights buy taping lead tape to
the bottom/back of your irons/woods. Unfortunately there's no way to 
simulate different shaft flexes.
            
I hope this has been of some help. Good luck !
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