Tip #29: Get the Stiffest Shaft You Can Handle

When it comes to your driver, I'm an advocate of getting the stiffest shaft of club you can handle.

Playing with the stiffest shaft you can handle will allow you to swing more aggressively.

This is particularly true if you have a hooking problem. The stiffer shaft does not whip through and close the clubface as easily as a whippy shaft does, so in effect you can swing more aggressively.

Of course, there's such a thing as too stiff a shaft. When you hit all your tee-shots dead to the right, it usually means the shaft is too stiff for you to square up the club. In such a case, you should back off from that one level of stiffness. If that shaft is an X (for extra stiff), go down to an S (stiff); if it's an S, go to an R (regular).

The only golfers who should not seek the stiffest shaft possible are players in desperate need of distance. If this is the case with you -- if you're not getting your longest tee-shots much farther than 175 yards or so -- try a more flexible shaft in your driver. With an R or L (ladies') shaft you'll have an easier time "closing the door" of the clubface in the hitting area, and you'll likely develop a draw or hook which will give you a few extra yards of roll. Just be aware that these yards may come at the expense of accuracy.

You should also pay attention to what's called the face depth of the driver. The term should actually be "face height" because that's what it is, the distance from the bottom of the face of the driver to the top. In any case, the shallower the depth of the face, the lower the center of gravity of the club and the higher you'll hit the ball. The deeper (taller) the face, the higher the center of gravity and the lower you'll hit the ball.

Another thing to consider is the length of your shaft. I became a straighter, more solid driver the day I shortened the shaft of my club by three-quarters of an inch. If your driver is longer than 43 inches and you're currently erratic with it, consider having your pro cut it down an inch. My bet is that you'll be pleasantly surprised at the improved compactness and timing of your swing and at the better control your tee shots will have.

- Greg Norman