My swing speed is in the same range, sometimes a little faster. I HIGHLY recommend you bit both on a simulator and see which one works best for you. I am telling you this from my own personal mistake of not doing that.

I figured, hey, I've always had gone stiff and since I'm not a pro I'll stay with stiff. 

I have the 913 D3 with a Diamana D+ White 72. I originally purchased the stiff and I occasionally got some shots that just did not jive with the swing I made, so I THEN went on the simulator because my fitter had suggested the x-stiff and I compared the two side by side. 

I then had to get an X-Stiff shaft to fix my mistake and am stuck with 2 shafts (one that I'll never use). 

I LOVE this setup, by the way. But even if you know you want this driver, if you haven't gotten fitted for specifics, please do so. I can't hit the 9.5* half as well as I hit the 8.5* head. They are more different than just the face angle. I wouldn't know that unless I had spent the time figuring out what was right. 

Phil,

The best thing to do is either get a fitter to work with you or at least demo both the stiff and the extra stiff and see which you like best. I really hope you go this route as I believe it will save you money.

WIth that said, given you are going 1/2" long and you like a firm feeling, I would think you might want to seriously consider an Extra Stiff and maybe even getting it tipped.

Is accuracy or distance more important to you? What is your miss?

Keep us posted but please at least demo both shafts if you do not go to an experienced fitter.

I just went through this process and it is really important to get it right and having that expert go through it with you is very helpful. I will say that Bubba really nailed what I may like so hopefully he will weigh in on this. But it is very hard to fit someone over the internet. 

Best of luck, I hope this helps and keep us up on your progress.

Guys

Thanks a lot for your quick and helpful comments. I already did a couple of fittings but only one with conclusive results. In my opinion fitters tend to stick to numbers a bit to much ignoring the players preferred feeling. It seems extremely important to me (and consequently to my swing stats) to feel the club head's position. It was obvious that shafts, which tend to be too stiff and too heavy for my swing speed and tempo, lead to better results. For what reason ever.

I'm very thankful for your comments and your ideas. I don't want to be one of those who are immune to advise ignoring the fitters' results. Given the fact that all fittings were with regular length and considering your experience, I'll opt for x-stiff.

I'll keep you up.

Thanks again!

Phil

Phil,

You are welcome.

I am really glad that you did do a couple fittings. Ultimately it is the player's call and the club has to feel good and lead to the player having confidence in the club. It sounds like you liked the feel of the extra stiff at standard length so it sounds like you are making the correct decision.

Keep us up on how things go with the new shaft. All you have to do is continue making the swing you always do and I think you'll love the shaft. Hit them well.

Phil,

One other quick question, did you always play a driver that was +1/2" or is this the first time?

Thanks

James,

I used to play an ancient 975J with Harrison Pro 2.5 +1/2 for more than 10 years until it recently cracked.

Phil

Phil,

Sorry it cracked. Bummer.

I am glad you played with a longer shafted driver before. Sometimes people go longer, get a little wild with it and then wonder what is going on. You will not have that issue.

Good luck and keep us up on how things are going with the new shaft. Play well.