Thoughts please...

[TonyN]

Ok, a very good forum member was kind enough to send me a Cleveland halo 19* rescue wood. I tried it today for the first time and although it has a stiff shaft i was surprised how well i hit it. ( surprised i hit it at all)

Ball flight was somethin to be desired to start with. Straight as an arrow when i found the sweet spot and not too bad on off centre shots. problem is i could only get the ball to about 180 max. 150 mostly. I know range balls are cack but i can hit 150 with a 7 iron.

The ball seemed to start out low and climb forever but then just fall out of the air.

So.. what i want to know is, is the shaft causing me problems being too stiff or is it more likely me? i use a regular shaft on my FTI driver and normally hit between 220 and 250? like i said i could hit the ball pretty straight.

 

[USER1999]

If it is starting low, then climbing, you are putting way too much spin on it. This could be you, chopping down on it (may be with an early wrist break), or, it could be the kick point in the shaft doesn't suit you.

19° should stay fairly low, so try sweeping it away, instead of taking a divot.

 

[TonyN]

It was only at the range on the mat, was trying to sweep it away, mostly was smoothly struck. I was trying to get the club away low by starting the back swing with a slight forward push, do you think this is causing the early wrist break?

 

[mikest]

good advice from murph, it could well be that your push at the top of the backswing is causing an early wrist break, if your striking the ball well and squaring the club head on impact then it could well be the kickpoint on the shaft, really if your looking for a recue club then if you can hit a range ball 180 yards then on the course you would get extra yardage and when you need to use the club (ie to rescue you) then 180 yards out of the rough down the fairway would suit me fine

 

[USER1999]

A forward push before take away is a bad habit to get into in my opinion. It can do all sorts of things, but the main one would be to close the face, and encourage an early wrist break, this causes you to come into the ball too steeply, and the only thing stopping you from burying the club into the mud is the mat.

That said, when all is said and done, this may still not be the club for you.

150 with a 7 iron, off a mat, with range balls is a reasonable strike.

 

[TonyN]

i used it out on the course today, from the rough and the fairway, some shots were shat and others were really long and straight, wierd. i did use the forward push to start the back swing and i felt it encouraged me to take the club away really shallow. I might be having a lesson soon so i suppose i could get the pro's advice on this but thanks for the advice guys i will bear it in mind.

 

[RGuk]

If the shaft is too stiff, chances are you'll just push it.

180 is about the right distance, a little short for 19 degree, but not far off.

I hit range balls 150 with my 7, and my 20 degree 3H between 170-190. The beauty of a hybird is the sweet strike off turf and fantastic flight. Off a mat, it's hard to get to the low part of the face. I have my own low rubber tee for the range 6/7mm above the mat, off this the 3H is a cracker.

 

[TonyN]

If i speed my swing up a bit and catch it ok, it flies really well, but i fear i am doing the wrong thing by swinging to fast!

 

[RGuk]

Thinking about your distances (about the same as me), we are on the line between r and s. I heard a pro fitter say that it's better to go with a stiffer shaft if you can, as it can improve the dispersion/off target shots.

The good hitters on here all use stiff.....those of us in between can use either and a bit stiff shouldn't show up that badly.

 

[TonyN]

Shame there's nothing in between! I was always under the impression you had to be a pro to use stiff shafts but this halo is proving other wise... kinda

 

[USER1999]

I hate to say it, but get custom fit, and you can go in between. Depends how the club builder steps the shaft. You can have anything you want.
Also, between manufacturers, stiff can mean anything. They are not all the same. So get the right shaft fitted, regardless of what it says on it.
My driver shaft, for instance, says regular, but is stepped two points shy of stiff. This is because my swing speed is spot between stiff and regular. I can hit both, but you can have the perfect club built for you.

 

[TonyN]

Ok thanks murth, when my mrs gives me my next bit of pocket money i may just do this. Untill then tho, al just have to stick with the stiff halo.