Tony Finau makes driver shaft change to address spin issue

After a disappointing begin to the season off the tee from Tony Finau, he has opted to make a giant gear change.

The Ping G430 LST driver stays in his bag for the Texas Kids’s Houston Open, however Finau has made a shaft change that’s meant to deal with a problem with the quantity of spin generated by the membership.

He conceded that he could have gone fallacious together with his setup and felt the selection to alter his shaft was a no brainer.

Finau traded the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Restricted 70TX driver shaft he has been utilizing for a while now for a brand new Mitsubishi Diamana GT 70T.

Mitsubishi claims the GT mannequin’s deal with part is the stiffest of any Diamana machine, and its softer tip and mid-section mix in flawlessly with Finau’s distinct launch and transition.

“My driver’s been a bit excessive spin for me during the last month or so, and so I simply figured it was time to in all probability try the gear,” Finau instructed GolfWRX.com.

“It positively confirmed me that I used to be utilizing a shaft that was perhaps too tip-stiff for me, the way in which I load the membership now.”

Finau’s latest change comes after he spent the winter specializing in swing velocity will increase.

The six-time PGA TOUR winner has made noticeable progress to start the season.

Through the 2022-23 season, Finau averaged 118.3 mph clubhead velocity, 178.1 mph ball velocity, and 304.2 yards per drive. In 2024, he has gained 5 miles per hour in each membership head velocity (123.9 mph) and ball velocity (183.30 mph).

Nonetheless, he’s averaging 2.2 yards fewer off the tee, at 302.0 yards per shot, on account of his hovering spin charges. His driving accuracy has decreased from 60.7% to 54.9%.

Spin isn’t essentially a damaging factor; usually, larger spin is probably going to enhance accuracy; however, for such a quick participant, 3,000+ rpm is perhaps counterproductive whereas pursuing perfect distance and accuracy. Finau’s stat sheet demonstrates that. The 34-year-old has by no means completed within the prime 50 in SG: Off-the-Tee, though he’s presently ranked exterior the highest 70.

“I’m simply getting stronger with my decrease physique,” Finau mentioned. “I’ve all the time had velocity, however I’ve a stronger physique, so it’s simply simpler to maneuver the membership quicker.”

Finau doesn’t make too many modifications to his gear and it seems this transformation has been pushed by a transparent and current downside for the PGA Tour star.