28 replies to this topic

[JaySallemi]

I hear great things about this shaft.  I have a chance to pick up a fairway pretty cheap with this shaft.  The only thing I am worried about is the 05 x-stiff flex.  I am a 4 handicap with a swing speed of 102-106.  Has anyone hit this shaft in a fairway? Do you think this will be too stiff for my swing speed.  Thanks, in advance, for the advice.

[ladahl]

SS is driver or with a FW?

I had a 65 04 in my driver.. Loved it! But tried a 05 flex Devo 6 in the exact same head, and it was too stout for me...

FWIW my driver SS is very similar to your numbers

[jmcdonald]

I play this shaft in my driver and hybrid.  If your driver swing speed is what you say I would go with a 04 flex. I have a driver swing speed of 115 and play the 05. It's a stout shaft and plays true to flex. Great shaft though!

[JaySallemi]

Yea, my driver swing speed on average is 105-106.  Thanks guys!  Everyone is telling me the ideal swing speed for the 05 flex is above 110.

[Mirage]

Jay,

Our swings sound similar.  I hit an 05 flex  Kiyoshi that I picked up here on the BST a couple years ago in a three wood briefly, but if it wasn't tipped then it was clearly way too stiff for me.  My driver SS is close to yours, but it was like a phone pole.  Fortunately, I didn't have much in it.

Later that year, I bought a near-new 04 flex 65 gram Kiyoshi for my 9064LS, and loved it.  In my Fast 12LS, I go back and forth between it (now with an Adams adapter) and the stock Fubuki, which I'm learning to like.  Between those two, I find the Kiyoshi plays slightly stiffer to flex - I don't miss left with it as much as I do with the Fubuki.  

I'm looking for a 75 gr. 04 version right now for my three wood.  I would think that you're underneath the cut line for a Kiyoshi in 05 if you're a smooth swinger with that driver SS.  If you can find an 05 flex to try out in either 65 or 75 gr. weight, you should.  I certainly wouldn't buy one for any more than a steal without having tried it first.    :-)

[JaySallemi]

Thanks...It is a 75g 05 flex, and it is untipped.  I may still pick it up and try it, because it is a steal, but it sounds like the 04 flex will be much better.

[SALUKI LEFTY]

I have very similar SS and have the 65 Gram - 04 stiff version in my 910 D3 which is perfect for me.

Last week I just ordered from Ping a I20 3 wood with Kiyoshi purple in 75 gram version in 04 - Stiff flex.

Great shaft.   No way I could play X flex FWIW.

[gatewaygolfer]

I have similar swing speed and used the 65 05 flex for over a year and had no problem. Could hit it low, high, draw, cut...whatever. Its a very responsive shaft. Used in I20 and loved it.

I had an 04 as well and dispersion is worse. It really depends on your swing and release.

[JaySallemi]

You make it slightly more promising.  I have had x-stiff shafts on my fairways the last few years, and never thought they were too stiff.  I like the control

[OspreyCI]

I hit my buddies Devotion X 05 yesterday in a G20 driver I it was SO STRAIGHT. Was not overly stiff. 103 SS.

[JaySallemi]

Well, I am going to receive mine on Friday.  I will let everyone know how it goes

[1big_whipper]

Just glued my 04 65 into adapter for my Xhot. Hopefully it will get above freezing to hit some balls with it this weekend. My swing tops out at 102.

[Foreleft]

Had an 5 in a TM head (swing speed similar to yours, smooth tempo) and it was too stiff - lost feel.

[PaulBoy]

Well as many people here will tell you "it's not how fast you swing, it's how you swing fast" - In other words are you a smooth swinger or do you swing hard & fast (like me) - I have driver ss of 105 but my fitter told me x suits my short fast handsy swing - Since I have switched to x in my driver & fairways my driving has improved beyond all recognition
I have had a Purple Kiyoshi in my driver & 3 wood and had not problem hiting them - I also could feel the shaft nicely so it clearly wasn't too much shaft for my meagre 105 ss
So get on the range or out on the course & see for yourself - Good luck & let us know how it goes ... Paul

[1big_whipper]

Well, I hit it today outside and though it was good, it was just a tad too much shaft for my 99-102 swing. I was comparing it to my AD DI 6s and the Kiyoshi took more effort to load with a less desireable feel than the AD.  My best shots with it were when I really went after it. My buddy who is in the 104-108 range hit it better but didn't care for the feel compared to the AD also. It is the most beautiful paint job out there I think though!

Edited by 1big_whipper, 04 March 2013 - 08:09 PM.

[Russ757]

1big_whipper, on 04 March 2013 - 08:08 PM, said:

Well, I hit it today outside and though it was good, it was just a tad too much shaft for my 99-102 swing. I was comparing it to my AD DI 6s and the Kiyoshi took more effort to load with a less desireable feel than the AD.  My best shots with it were when I really went after it. My buddy who is in the 104-108 range hit it better but didn't care for the feel compared to the AD also. It is the most beautiful paint job out there I think though!

hearing that makes me really happy I hopped on that 03 flex

[yoshiod9]

I'm 100-104 with my driver and the feel of the 04 65g is great but it launches too high and doesn't roll at all for me.  I have a fairly hard transition and I think that I should have purchased an X-flex for my r11s.  Then again, I'm also coming from a 70g RIP Alpha to the Kiyoshi... Maybe I just need to give it more time?

[gibbyfan]

PaulBoy, on 02 March 2013 - 02:37 PM, said:

Well as many people here will tell you "it's not how fast you swing, it's how you swing fast" - In other words are you a smooth swinger or do you swing hard & fast (like me) - I have driver ss of 105 but my fitter told me x suits my short fast handsy swing - Since I have switched to x in my driver & fairways my driving has improved beyond all recognition
I have had a Purple Kiyoshi in my driver & 3 wood and had not problem hiting them - I also could feel the shaft nicely so it clearly wasn't too much shaft for my meagre 105 ss
So get on the range or out on the course & see for yourself - Good luck & let us know how it goes ... Paul

Yep, that is my experience with it as well. I wish I had ordered the X flex for the driver. I had titleist tip it 3/4 additional to stiffen it up, but it wasn't enough. I have a friend that swings faster than me and he loved it in an in between Stiff and X.

[dberry90210]

Bump...how'd it work out?  Hopefully good but if not....I'd be interested in taking it off your hands

[JaySallemi]

Guys, I should be hitting my kiyoshi this weekend.  I will keep everyone updated

[wtoomey]

Experiment over. Tried the 05, going with the 04. I don't have the "gitty up" to load the 05. However, the 04 fits the smooth swing nicely.

[yoshiod9]

I've got to get an X-stiff.  The Kiyoshi has been hitting moon balls for me.  All carry, no roll.

Stupid hard transition...

[GooseHook]

Kiyoshi is a great Mid launch shaft for an aggressive swinger. Low spin, and pretty stout to its stated flex.

I'd say if you're in question, go down in flex.

[divotbeltran]

yoshiod9, on 08 March 2013 - 11:17 AM, said:

I've got to get an X-stiff.  The Kiyoshi has been hitting moon balls for me.  All carry, no roll.

Stupid hard transition...

Try the Kiyoshi Black

[yoshiod9]

Will do-- think I should stay in the 04 flex or go up to the 05?  I'll have to read up a bit more on the black-- low/low but with the purple's feel?  I'd be okay with that...

[JaySallemi]

Guys, I hit the 05 flex today and it was way too stiff for me.  It takes a huge swinger to handle it.

[ladahl]

JaySallemi, on 10 March 2013 - 10:25 PM, said:

Guys, I hit the 05 flex today and it was way too stiff for me.  It takes a huge swinger to handle it.

I wasn't making it up.

[JaySallemi]

Yea I was surprised.  The club felt great swinging, but once I hit a ball I had no feel.

[gatewaygolfer]

JaySallemi, on 10 March 2013 - 10:25 PM, said:

Guys, I hit the 05 flex today and it was way too stiff for me.  It takes a huge swinger to handle it.

To you.... I've had plenty of people that are by no means a huge swiner handle it just fine. I have people actually have more trouble with the weight of the 75 (which is 79) than the actual flex. Everyone is different.