The lighter shafts are the opposite of the heavier shafts. They have a higher torque, which means that the clubhead will twist more when you hit the ball. This can be beneficial because it can increase your distance.
Full Answer
How much distance do lighter shafts add to a golf ball?
If your best fit is a light iron shaft, switching over to a lighter shaft will help improve the amount of distance you get from your golf ball on the course. It’s been shown that changing to a shaft that suits you can increase your distance anywhere from 4 to 26 yards.
Do lighter shafts really make you swing faster?
In theory, lighter shafts allow golfers to swing faster with the same effort, and a faster-moving club head means more distance. But what actually happens when the concept is put into practice?
Do heavy or lightweight golf shafts have lower spin?
Heavy shafts tend to produce lower spin than a lightweight shaft. This assertion assumes that both are stuck in the sweet spot of the clubface. Your swing speed exerts forces on the shaft and makes it bend. The faster your swing speed the more bend you will get in the shaft.
How do lighter shafts affect distance off the tee?
Using a lighter shaft allows more weight to be placed in the clubhead through adjustable weights, hotmelt, etc. without increasing the total weight of the club. This “redistribution” of shaft weight into the clubhead can be one of the last tweaks in a fitting that unlocks more distance off the tee.
Does a heavier shaft increase spin?
Heavier shafts have lower launch angles to lower the ball trajectory if you hit your shots too high and it reduces the amount of spin generated off the clubhead.
Does shaft weight affect spin?
Weight. The weight of a shaft has a similar correlation to performance as flex. The heavier a shaft is, the more likely it is that your golf ball will fly low and with less spin. If it's lighter, the ball will tend to fly higher and spin more.
Do lighter shafts launch higher?
A lighter driver shaft rarely leads to a faster swing. “Only 12 percent of golfers swing their fastest with the lightest club,” Mucklow says.
What does a lighter golf shaft do?
Using a lighter shaft allows more weight to be placed in the clubhead through adjustable weights, hotmelt, etc. without increasing the total weight of the club. This “redistribution” of shaft weight into the clubhead can be one of the last tweaks in a fitting that unlocks more distance off the tee.
What happens if a shaft is too light?
A shaft that's too heavy will cause a “labored golf swing.” A shaft that's too light will hurt your ability to make solid contact. When you find the right shaft weight, you'll experience a “high energy swing” with uniform contact.
Does a lighter golf shaft increase swing weight?
Adjust the swingweight of a club by installing a heavier or lighter shaft. The swingweight increases by one swingweight point for every 9g of shaft weight added. The swingweight decreases by one swingweight point for every 9g of shaft weight removed.
Do stiffer shafts reduce spin?
So the stiffer the shaft and/or more tip stiff the shaft in relation to your clubhead speed and point of release, the less the shaft bends forward at impact and the more that shaft becomes a lower launch and lower spin shaft.
Should older golfers use lighter clubs?
While drivers and woods, because they need to be hit with faster speed, feature lighter graphite, Senior flex shafts. However, if your swing speed is very low and distance very poor as a senior golfer, make sure ALL your clubs have Senior shafts.
What happens if driver shaft is too heavy?
If you are struggling to swing through the ball, and are pushing your shots, it is likely the driver shaft is too heavy for your swing. A heavy driver shaft will further reduce your clubhead speed, which will limit your ability to generate sufficient ball speed.
Why do pros use heavier shafts?
The lighter the shaft, the faster the club can be swung. The faster the club is moving, the farther the ball goes. It is why the most popular weight for driver shaft-weights on the PGA Tour is still in the mid-60-gram range, with some players having tried shafts less than 50 grams.
Is a lighter iron shaft better?
Using a shaft that is optimized will lead to a consistently good ball and clubhead contact. That will result in improved accuracy and longer distance. The use of heavier iron shafts is said to contribute to greater accuracy, while lighter shafts are known to increase total distance.
Do lighter clubs increase swing speed?
Benefits of Lighter Golf Clubs Because they are lighter, graphite shafts are often longer (by an inch or so) than steel-shafted clubs and can, therefore, generate higher swing speeds.
What is the difference between a low trajectory shaft and a mid high shaft?
In a typical driver fitting, for example, a Low trajectory shaft may produce a 9 degree launch while a Mid-High trajectory shaft may only increase the launch to 11 degrees , and spin may only increase from 2,500 to 2,900.
How many categories of shafts are there?
Shafts are typically identified by launch or trajectory characteristics in five categories: Low, Low-Mid, Mid, Mid-High and High. The same categories apply to the spin characteristics.
How Much Difference Can 10 Grams Make?
The average golfer has no regard for shaft weight. They’ll buy a new driver without once considering if the new shaft is markedly heavier or lighter than their current one and how that may help or hurt their game. “It’s just a few grams,” they’ll say, “how much difference can it make?”
How We Tested
For this test, we brought together ten golfers. Each player went through two different testing sessions – one with a driver, one with an iron. For the driver test, they hit seven drives each with a 50, 60, and 70 gram shaft, all using the same head.
The Results
Whether you put a premium on distance or accuracy, getting fit for the proper shaft weight is essential to making a golf club perform for you.
Conclusion
It’s my hope that this data has inspired you to think carefully about the shafts that are in your clubs. As you can see, it’s not unreasonable to think that you can be longer, straighter, and more consistent in 2017 simply by dropping (or gaining) a little weight.
Why are lighter shafts better for golf?
In theory, lighter shafts allow golfers to swing faster with the same effort, and a faster-moving club head means more distance.
How many grams of shafts does a golfer have?
As a note, both of these golfers disliked the feel of the lightweight shafts and preferred the confidence and stability the heavier weights gave them – one actually has an 80-gram shaft in his gamer driver. There are golfers out there, however, who will get great results from ultra-lightweight driver shafts.
Why are 70 gram shafts losing distance?
If there was any bias in this test, it was likely in favor of the lighter shafts, as the 70-gram models were losing distance because of launch angles and spin rates that were too low. The heavier shafts’ general outperformance of the lighter weight shafts despite that handicap was impressive and very telling.
Who changed Scotty Cameron putters?
Justin Thomas is in action across the pond this week at the Scottish Open and has changed Scotty Cameron putters as he bids to halt a poor run of form on the greens.
What happens when a golf club shaft is lighter?
When a shaft is lighter, it reduces what’s known as the total weight of a golf club, which is the weight of all components: the head, the shaft, the grip, and the things that hold them together such as the tip, tape, and epoxy. When the total weight of a club is reduced, it allows some golfers to swing faster.
Why use lighter shafts?
Using a lighter shaft allows more weight to be placed in the clubhead through adjustable weights, hotmelt, etc. without increasing the total weight of the club. This “redistribution” of shaft weight into the clubhead can be one of the last tweaks in a fitting that unlocks more distance off the tee.
What is the difference between a lighter and heavier package?
Both packages are the same size and shape; the only difference is the weight inside. To carry the lighter package, you may only require the strength of your hands. With the heavier package, you will likely need the strength of your arms, shoulders, and core muscles… potentially even your legs.
Why is the weight of a golf club head important?
This is because, at impact, the transfer of energy is related almost entirely to the weight of the clubhead.
How many inches of shaft is closest to clubhead?
The first four inches of the shaft nearest to the clubhead also play a role in energy transfer, but it’s a minor role as the first four inches of the shaft, regardless of shaft model, does not vary as much as clubhead weight.
How to increase distance on golf clubs?
There are two factors that are critical to increasing distance, and lighter shafts can help with both factors. These factors are: 1 The Speed The Club Head Is Travelling At Impact 2 The Mass Of The Club Head
Can a lighter race car beat a heavier race car?
If all other factors are the same, a lighter race car will beat a heavier race car to the finish line every time. This is how it’s possible for a weaker golfer to achieve the same clubhead speed as a stronger golfer if the stronger golfer is using a shaft that’s too heavy for him or her.
Why do golfers need a weaker loft?
Slower swinging golfers that struggle with consistent carry and total distance , may prefer a weaker loft to help them with launch.
Why do my golf shots end left off the tee?
If your shots are consistently ending left off the tee, it may be due to a light driver head that you are twisting on your backswing. Adding weight to your clubhead will help to stabilize it for a squarer impact.
What is the difference between swing weight and head weight?
Swing weight determines the heaviness of your club when you swing it. While head weight determines the load of the driver head. The swing weight scale ranges from A0 to G10. A0 is the lightest swing weight, while G10 is the heaviest on the scale.
How to hit a fade in Tiger Woods?
If you want to hit a fade in the league of Tiger Woods, you may want to set your driver head in a fade bias position. To do this, add weight to the toe of the driver. That will help to keep the face open at impact, reducing duck hooks and helping you hit a more natural fade.
Where to place CG on a golf driver?
If you are getting too much height and spin rpm off the tee, you will want to manipulate the weights to place the CG in the front part of the sole of the driver.
Does a heavier head slow down tempo swingers?
A heavier head may further slow down the swing speed of moderate to slow tempo swingers. Moderate and slow swinging players will struggle to get the ball airborne. Loss of carry and total distance for slower swingers. Susceptible to pushing shots.
Who is the Taylormade M5 driver coach?
Golf coach James Robinson, conducted a test of the performance of the Taylormade M5 driver, with no weights, standard weights, and enhanced weighting. The differences are remarkable. Of course, the results will differ from golfer to golfer, but it gives you an idea of the impact drive head weight has on your shots. YouTube. James Robinson Golf.
How to measure torque on a shaft?
One way to measure torque is to clamp one end of the shaft and apply a constant couple-moment (turning force) to the other end. The more the shaft twists, the higher the torque.
Where is Erik from Ping Golf?
Erik currently manages the Innovation and Fitting Science Department at PING Golf. He obtained his Ph.D. in 2010 from Arizona State University, where he studied plasma physics and micro-satellite propulsion. Since starting at PING in 2010 as a research engineer, Erik has played a part in the development of various technologies and projects, including iPing, Turbulators, nFlight fitting software, and the PING Custom Fitting Manual.
Is there a difference between high and low torque?
From a performance standpoint, there was little difference (at least statistically) between shafts of high and low torque. There did appear to be some minor evidence to suggest shafts with lower torque delivered the face more shut, while shafts with higher torque delivered the face more open relative to path.
Does a shaft work with one driver model?
Another important thing to note is just because a shaft worked well with one driver model or set of irons, does not mean it will perform optimally for the same player in another model. The way a shaft behaves and delivers the club head depends on the characteristics of the head itself. The mass properties of the head (things like total mass and center-of-mass location) can change quite a bit from model to model. As a result, a player may find that one shaft works really well in one model, but another shaft works best in another model.
Does a ladies flex have more stiffness than an X flex?
The amount the shaft bends corresponds to its stiffness. In general, a Ladies flex will bend much more than an X-flex using this method. In many cases the softer the overall stiffness, the greater the launch angle and spin rate. This is not always the case, as players can respond differently to variations in stiffness.
Why do you need a light shaft in golf?
A light golf shaft will help to keep your muscles from wanting to pull out of your shots and thus help you from making thin shots. You hit your shots towards the hosel. This is usually a sign that your golf shaft is too heavy for you and causes a swing across your golf ball from pulling too much from the top.
Why use a golf shaft?
Using a golf shaft that’s best fitted for you will improve your control over your club immensely. This greater amount of control means you’ll hit closer to your target more often and hit your golf ball with the correct amount of distance more consistently. That brings us to the next point.
What does it mean when your golf club shaft is too flexible?
Having a shaft with too much flex means your club face will be open which will make most of your shots lean to the right (assuming you’re right handed).
What is an iron shaft made of?
If it suits you then use it; this is a valuable maxim to use when picking a golf shaft for yourself. Iron shafts are usually made of graphite, steel or a metal alloy. Lighter iron shafts are usually made of graphite while heavier iron shafts are made out of steel or a kind of metal alloy.
What does it mean when an iron shaft is too weak?
In this case weakness means how much your iron shaft bends. Having an iron shaft that’s too weak for you can mess up your performance on the course.
What happens if your iron shaft is too flexible?
If your iron shaft is too flexible, you’ll hit your golf ball more left, right or down the middle then you intended to. This has the side effect of making you lose confidence on the tee because you’re not confident in the outcome of your shots. You spray your golf balls everywhere.
How to tell if iron shaft is too soft?
A simple way to tell if your iron shaft is too soft is to check if there’s a noticeable “kick” sensation throughout the impact when you hit your golf ball.
What happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?
When the shaft is too stiff, you won’t be able to get enough spin on the ball, causing it to come out very low, and look like it’s falling out of the sky. If it’s too stiff, your shot shape will be from left ...
Why does my golf ball go high?
When the golf ball is struck it will generally have too much spin if the shaft is too flexible, this will cause a ‘ballooning’ effect on the shot and it will tend to go quite high. You might have an inconsistent shot shape if the shaft is too flexible.Having a shaft that is too flexible can also cause the ball to hook uncontrollably, ...
What is shaft flex?
Shaft flex is how much the shaft bends throughout the swing, someone that swings it slow will need a more flexible shaft, while someone that swings it fast will need a stiffer shaft. You get Ladies, Senior, Regular, Stiff and X-Stiff shafts in Woods and Irons, generally your Woods and Irons will be the same flex.
How is shaft flex determined?
Your shaft flex will be determined mainly by your swing speed, and then by your ability, age and personal preference. Within each shaft flex there are different weights and kick points (bend points). Shaft flex is very important as it will help with your distance and accuracy.
How to know if you need to go stiffer?
You should move to a stiff shaft once your swing speed moves into the next bracket, if you can’t track your swing speed here are some signs you need to go stiffer. Feels ‘whippy’ in your hands. Feels too light. Your ball is ballooning in the air. Your ball is behind your pitch mark when you hit your driver.
What monitors your swing speed?
These are called launch monitors, they track your swing speed, loads of other parameters. Unfortunately they do cost quite a bit of money, which makes it hard to get your hands on one.
How to know if you need to go more flexible?
You should move to a more flexible shaft once your swing speed drops into the next bracket, if you can’t track your swing speed here are some signs you need to go more flexible. Feels to heavy. Feels like a ‘broomstick’ in your hands. You struggle to get the ball up in the air with your driver.
Matching Trajectory and Spin
Spin and Trajectory Differential
- The reality of shaft fitting is that the differential in spin and trajectory from lowest to highest is actually quite modest. In a typical driver fitting, for example, a Low trajectory shaft may produce a 9 degree launch while a Mid-High trajectory shaft may only increase the launch to 11 degrees, and spin may only increase from 2,500 to 2,900. Of course this can be significant in optimizing dista…
Fitting Wizard Recommendations
- When you input your Tempo, Transition, Release and desired trajectory, the TrueFitClubs Fitting Wizard uses that information to determine a shaft profile (Trajectory and Spin) that will give you the desired results. That, in conjunction with your distance, determines the butt stiffness, or flex, shaft weight and swing weight recommendation.
Building Clubs and Shafts to Your Recommendations
- When we build your clubs or shaft with tip adapter, we build to the EXACT specifications recommended. Learn More. We DO NOT just install an A, R, S or X Flex and hope the results are correct. We know that each shaft has its own characteristics (weight, CPM(cycle per minute), loading curve profile). This means that we may have to use a different flex than what is labeled …
How Much Difference Can 10 Grams Make?
The Myths
- Myth #1 – Shaft weight is a Critical Part of a Club’s Performance Myth #2 – Lighter Shafts Produce Longer Shots Myth #3 – Heavier Shafts Produce Straighter Shots Myth #4 – Heavier Shafts Are More Consistent
How We Tested
- For this test, we brought together ten golfers. Each player went through two different testing sessions – one with a driver, one with an iron. For the driver test, they hit seven drives each with a 50, 60, and 70 gram shaft, all using the same head. For the iron test, they hit seven shots each with an 85, 95, and 105 gram shaft, all using the same head. Every shot was measured by Track…
The Results
- Whether you put a premium on distance or accuracy, getting fit for the proper shaft weight is essential to making a golf club perform for you. In our iron test, we routinely saw a 10 or 20 gram change in shaft weight produce distance variations of 8-10 yards. You could possibly be a full club longer by finding the right shaft weight!Accuracy improvements were similarly impressive. We s…
Conclusion
- It’s my hope that this data has inspired you to think carefully about the shafts that are in your clubs. As you can see, it’s not unreasonable to think that you can be longer, straighter, and more consistent in 2017 simply by dropping (or gaining) a little weight. And keep in mind that all these changes happened without changing the shaft model! Just imagine the possible gains that you …