Thrust vs. Speed - Clubshaft Stiffness (6-C-2-D LAG LOSS) GM#43

[Yoda]

To all:

What part, if any, does shaft flex action play in this question? I believe it is critical, because Homer said the secondary lever was both a lever on its own and an element of the primary lever. Let's say that shaft flex action is the element of the primary lever that ties the two together; and that it can be either causing the clubhead to move further away from the golfer (unflexing action) or moving closer to the golfer (re-flexing action) through the impact interval. Wouldn't that cause a speeding up of the clubhead (re-flexing) or resistance to deceleration (unflexing)?

I maintain that both shaft flex actions can and do produce effortless power and accuracy; i.e. two optimum swing methods, when properly leveraged by opposing hand actions.

Ray Cayse

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."



Topic:The Wristcock (2-P) and Release Motions (4-D-0)

I need a little fog fighting in the area of the first paragraph of 2-P.
Specifically: "Wristcock is a clubhead motion - not a clubface motion." and the last sentance of the first paragraph.

I would appreciate any discussion.