Hi Erik -

Although tipping doesn't actually increase the flex of the shaft, per se, it essentially changes the playing characteristics to shift the hosel to a firmer section of the shaft. As a shaft tapers, the firmness decreases relative to the butt (which is always the stiffest portion of the shaft). By removing a section of the softest flexing portion in the tip, what we're doing is affixing the hosel at a point higher up the bend profile of the shaft, making it play slightly firmer overall when compared with the standard trimming guide specs.

This is super helpful! Thanks for the knowledge, Eddie!

I wouldn't worry about tipping at all, you won't feel the difference unless you are highly advanced. Find an "experienced" fitter that isn't just a salesman, preferably a Team Titleist guy. I know the search for distance has most people jacked up looking to modify clubs/shafts, the Tour guys in my little circle are actually starting to use shorter/lighter shafts. The gap between the S/X is only a few grams and very small amount of torque. Just buy the S and X if you want to experiment. A good fitter will put you in one or the other.

Most shaft manufactures do not recommend tipping their shafts unless you have have a specific change in shaft performance you desire- so tipping will change the shaft performance/characteristics (stiffer for sure) design of the shaft. As you state simply trimming the butt for your final desired club length is best especially if you were properly fitted for this shaft.