Questions & Answers Responses from PGA/LPGA Teachers on FINDaLESSON.com                                                                                  << BACK From Jeff, golfer: Does anyone know of a chart that would cross-reference shafts with a recommended ball for that shaft? I've been told that for every shaft there is a recommended ball that has rotations per minute that optimize launch angle. Thanks for any help with this. PGA/LPGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL RESPONSES: Connecticut "I feel there is no ball that will work with a particular shaft in a specific way. A lot of this is done from trial error testing at manufacturer sites. I think Taylor Made tried to make golf balls for their equipment and it did not work or succeed in their marketing campaign. I noticed that certain golf balls travel great off the driver and fairway woods, but the same do balls not spin correctly on short irons. To answer your question, truthfully, I do not think shafts are made with intention for particular golf balls. The test comes from playing different balls in various conditions, etc. I hope the fitting to your clubs is satisfactory -  this is the most important element to a golfer. Having fitted golf clubs is especially important when the player has been golfing a long time. Thanks for the question." - Mike Martin, Teaching Professional Florida "Dear Jeff: That is a great question. In my experience with driver fittings through the use of a launch monitor, there are quite a few variables involved in fitting for the correct golf ball.  Everyone I have talked to does not agree that there is one ball for each particular shaft. There is a better ball than another for each person's launch characteristics. Those characteristics include club head speed, angle of attack, path, face angle, centeredness of contact, alignments, as well as driver specifications. It is a very intricate process that should be done in front of a professional on a launch monitor. We, at Inverness, have purchased a launch monitor to accurately fit our members for the correct loft, length, weight, shaft flex, and ball type. I am confident when they leave that we have maximized there launch characteristics and distance.  Please feel free to call me with any further questions.  I spend my winters at the Jim McLean Golf School in Miami, FL, but my summers at the Inverness Club in Toledo, OH. You can reach me at 800-723-6725 ext. 1, and we can discuss the possibility of getting you on the launch monitor this summer. Best of luck."  - Jason Carbone, Teaching Professional Florida "There can be no such cross reference. A qualified club fitter is doing their best to insure centeredness of contact and proper shaft release at impact (=distance) with a proper lie angle to insure directional control as well. However, body size, shape, flexibility, and neuro-muscular coordination can 'make' the same shaft launch the ball at different angles, AND different golfers 'see' the optimum launch angle differently (some think a low boring flight is good, while others think a high flight is best), and different courses and course conditions can also influence that angle. Therefore, golfers 'need' the variety of choice in dimples and dimple patterns to vary their games as desired and needed."  - Joe Sciortino, Teaching Professional New Mexico "As an experienced clubfitter and teacher, I feel this is a case of over-analyzation by either the clubfitter or Jeff. It sounds too scientific...when what is most important is how a particular ball feels and performs with the player's swing and, to a lesser extent, his/her equipment."  - Carleton Hasbrook, Teaching Professional North Carolina "It is my understanding that balls are better matched to one's clubhead speed vs. shaft and obviously there are variations in shaft depending on the style and feel one prefers and the flex will help match the clubhead speed. I would contact Sandy Jascol at Titleist or Pat Lange at Lange Golf to get more detailed answers. I am curious if I am not accurate as well." - Andree Martin, Teaching Professional Texas "Jeff, the best way to find the ball and shaft match is to go to a facility that has a launch monitor so they can match your shaft and ball speed to a desired spin rate and launch angle. Since everyone has a slightly different angle of attack and impact position that is a difficult question to answer honestly without seeing you in person." - Dan Winget, Teaching Professional