Frankie: shaft is not necessarily the issue.  Loft contributes about 80% of ball flight so I'd suggest going down in loft if the shot is ballooning.

There aren't really rules on swing flex and swing speed. But heavier shafts can help deloft the the clubface.

Ryan Crysler
Head Instructor
My Golf Performance Center
512.850.5721
mygolfperformance.com

Im sorry Mr Crysler i beg to differ with you on shaft flex importantce. I can put a 69 gram S-flex in almost any driver and get the ballon effect. and i balloon S300's in my irons if there is the slightest of head winds. Shaft to afffect spin and launch angles. and yes i agree that the shaft flex is what changes the loft angle at impact but that is exactly why shafts are important its all about the whip effect of a shaft. thats why True temper just came out with the Spinner shaft what has that bubble in it. If weight kick points flex's werent important companies wouldent produce so many diffrent versions. This is the third or so Discusion i've seen you denouce the importants of shaft flex. Shaft flex dose play a huge role in club selection and thats why if someone is willing to make the investment of buying $1000ish Irons or a 400 dollar driver they should take the time to ensure all the variables of club fitting today have been looked at. I wend from a 200 yard 5i to a 200 yard 6i just on shaft flex alone.  very close launch angle but the spin changed dramaticly and stoped the baloon effect. I had bought a Cobra S-9 with a 65 gram X-stiff and i was balooning drives on the regular. changed to a diffrent shaft and gained control. I got rid of the club but thats couse i never really intended on keeping it when i got it.

John: I appreciate your thoughts.

In my opinion, shaft torque is the biggest factor affecting shaft selection based on perceived feel which influences control.  It's the biggest factor affecting driver choice.  Different flex shafts directly influence torque values within a company's line of shafts.  

There are no standards for measuring shaft flex between companies.  In fact, there are no standards for measuring torque!  But staying within the brand and using different weights, flex, torque, etc is how we lock in players. 

The club face still remains the number one factor affecting performance: at least 80% based on my experience and Trackman research.  Shaft preference is the number one factor affecting feel...and that directly affects purchase. 

Your swing speed should exceed 110mph.  That might not be your problem.  I have found that golf shaft flexes vary by manufacturer and even within the same brand the stiff flex can vary by model and price. 

Additionally, the shafts kick point has the greatest effect on  ball flight,  generally the higher the kick point the lower the ball flight.  .  Also, the loft of the driver has a great effect on ball flight. 

Try a simulator at you local golf shop, I 'm sure it will help. 

My personal opinion is that flexes should be taken off shafts.  It's all feel and how the shaft performs for you.  I think to many get caught up in the swing speed and what they've got written on the shaft when getting fit.  I've hit a number of shafts and in some instances the Stiff FEELS stiffer than another brands X flex.  Quit looking at what your hitting and pick the shaft that feels the best.

There are Tour players out there that use S-Flex in their woods, then X-Flex in their irons. You should always get fitted for the right shafts for YOU.

I also have this ballooning problem with my drives but hope to remedy it this weekend when i get fitted for a 910. One thing that is slightly disapointing is that only the stock shafts are available where i am (North east Scotland). I currently play a NV-65 S with a ping head. If its a success i will also try the fairways (I've never really been a hybrid player). Last titleist driver i played was the 983 some time ago. This will be my first go on a launch monitor as i'm just starting playing again after a 5 year break so it'll be very interesting, great forum for gaining information btw. I've always hit the driver high so it'd be nice to see if some other options can gain some distance or accuracy even! Cheers Derek

Derek:

I would stay open minded.  There's a reason why some shafts are stock:  the majority prefer them and we've got the data to prove it!  But obviously people don't want to be shoe horned into a category.  Trust the fitter and see what happens!

Ryan Crysler
Head Instructor
My Golf Performance Center
512.850.5721
mygolfperformance.com

Good point Ryan re. the stock shafts! I just had the feeling I was missing out on the possability of an amazing setup vs a good one.

I will go into the fitting with an open mind and wont even look or ask about the flex or shaft type i'll just grip it and rip it as they say and see what has great feel and good results. I'm happy to loose a little distance and gain some accuracy. I've always played with a shorter driver shaft; used to be 43" but has good a little longer now. I like a stiff shaft but it has to have some feel, i generally just know when it feels right so it'll be interesting to see if what feels right is actually correct on the launch monitor!

Thanks again for the great advise.

Derek