How to Pick the Right Golf Shaft
- Step 1. Choose between graphite and steel shafts. When they were first introduced, graphite shafts were meant for...
- Step 2. Pick shafts whose flex is right for your swing. Simply, flex refers to the amount a shaft will bend while you...
- Step 3. Factor in the weight, length and torque of the shafts when you are purchasing new golf clubs.
Full Answer
What type of golf shafts are right for You?
- Steel shafts are less expensive than their counterparts’ graphite and multi-material shafts.
- As these shafts are made with heavy steel, you will get great control over the golf club you are using.
- Though these shafts will ensure control, you may suffer when it is about taking the ball some extra yardages. ...
Should golf beginners play with a stiff shaft?
When To Move To A More Flexible Shaft
- Feels to heavy
- Feels like a ‘broomstick’ in your hands
- You struggle to get the ball up in the air with your driver
- You get no spin on the green when you approach with your irons
- You hit a slice
- Your accuracy drops
- You start losing distance
What is the best golf shaft for me?
Which are the 10 Best Golf Shafts In 2022?
- Fujikura Ventus Black 6 Shaft. The Fujikura is the first to introduce all-new VeloCore Technology to its Ventus Shaft line. ...
- Project X New HZRDUS Smoke Black. The True Temper Project X HZRDUS Smoke is a new generation shaft with low spin and low launch power.
- Aldila Rogue 60 Graphite Wood Shaft. ...
- Aldila NVS 65 Graphite Shaft. ...
- Graphite Design Tour AD IZ-6. ...
How to choose the right golf grip for You?
When choosing golf grips you need to consider 4 main factors:
- The grip size.
- The grip material.
- Individual personal preferences.
- Cost of the grip.
How do you determine what golf shaft you need?
Which flex rating you use will depend on the type of swing you have. For example, beginners and those with less powerful swings tend to use a shaft with greater flexibility to propel the ball more. On the other hand, if a player has a high and powerful swing speed, they will require a stiffer shaft with less flex.
How do I pick the right shaft?
Choosing the Best Shaft for Your GameSwing Tempo. A slow swing tempo, not necessarily swing speed, requires a soft flex. ... Trajectory. Your preferred ball trajectory is another factor to consider. ... Direction. ... Distance Or Control. ... Shaft Selection. ... Material. ... Steel Shafts. ... Stepped Steel Shaft.More items...•
How do I know what shaft flex is right for me?
Some General Guidelines About Shaft FlexTake a look at the distance you hit your driver. ... If you have a very smooth swing, you might benefit from a softer flex even if you swing fast. ... If your drives go left, you might benefit from a stiffer flex; if your drives go right, you might benefit from a softer flex.
What shaft is best for my swing speed?
In general, golfers with a fast swing should use a stiff shaft and slowed swings should use a regular flex shaft. To check your swing speed a shot tracking device will be the most accurate method. Based on your swing speeds here are our recommendations: 80-95 mph swing speeds should use regular shafts.
What flex should my irons be?
In general, golfers with driver swing speeds over 95 mph should play stiff flex shafts, and those under 95 mph should play regular flex. Shafts also come in extra stiff (105+ mph) and senior flex (under 85 mph).
Will I lose distance with a stiff shaft?
If the shaft flex is too stiff, your average distance will remain low.
What happens if shaft is too stiff?
There are a few tell tale signs that your shafts are too stiff, firstly you will lose the ball to the right, because the shaft is to stiff it will be hard to square up at impact, causing the face to be open when you hit the ball, this is going to produce a fade or slice shot, generally ending up on the right side of ...
What happens if your golf shaft is too flexible?
Having a shaft that is too flexible can also cause the ball to hook uncontrollably, because the shaft bends incorrectly, it will come through with a closed clubface causing the ball to go left, this is because the shaft can't handle your swing speed, and the head is rotating too much.
How far should you hit a 7 iron?
Average 7 Iron Distances are following: Beginning golfers- 100 yards (men) or 60 yards (women) Intermediate golfers- 135 yards (men) and 75 yards (women) Advanced golfers- 165 yards (men) or 140 yards (women) PGA Tour Players- 185 yards (men) or 160 yards (women)
What happens if shaft flex is too soft?
If a golfer is using a shaft that is too flexible, here are the likely results: 1. The ball will possibly fly higher for any given loft. If the golfer is using the proper loft for his or her swing mechanics, this could cause a slight decrease from the golfer's maximum potential distance.
When should I switch from stiff to regular irons?
A driver swing speed between 85-90 mph will be the kind of golfer looking for a regular flex. A regular shaft will help maximise the distance you can generate from your golf swing. This is when you need to be honest with yourself and if you need more help then accept it.
How do I know what driver shaft weight to use?
The easiest way to think about it is that, in general, the faster you swing it, the heavier the shaft you should use. However, things like how you load the shaft during the transition can make change what weight works best for you. It's always best to get properly fitted by a pro.
What shaft is best for a slice?
Unlike the pros, you should look for shafts with weaker tip sections that allow for more release of the club head as it comes into impact. A more active tip section will generally allow for a faster rate of closure, which is beneficial to golfers suffering from a slice.
How many yards can you add with a golf club shaft?
To set the record straight, with the right shafts, you could add an additional 20 to 25 yards to your game as well as improve your accuracy.
Why are graphite shafts used in golf clubs?
But that is no longer true. In fact, many touring professionals have made the transition to graphite shafted drivers, including Tiger Woods, because graphite shafts are lighter so more of the overall weight of a club is in the club face.
What is flex in golf?
Pick shafts whose flex is right for your swing. Simply, flex refers to the amount a shaft will bend while you swing. If you choose the wrong flex, the club head will not hit the ball squarely which will have an impact on your distance and the trajectory of the golf ball. Although there are no standards established, there are 5 different levels of flex: Ladies, Senior, Regular, Stiff and Extra Stiff.
How many levels of flex are there?
Although there are no standards established, there are 5 different levels of flex: Ladies, Senior, Regular, Stiff and Extra Stiff. If your drives carry less than 200 yards, you should probably have Ladies shafts, and if your ball carries between 200 and 225 yards, you should buy clubs with Senior shafts.
Can you swing a golf club with a lighter shaft?
The weight of a club is a matter of preference. Generally, you can swing a club with a lighter shaft faster, thereby increasing your distance. But you most likely will sacrifice some accuracy. Length is also a personal matter, and clubs with longer shafts generally hit the ball further. But clubs with shorter shafts are easier to hit ...
What is the best shaft for golf?
Steel – A steel golf shaft is usually stronger and more durable (less likely to snap) than a graphite shaft. It’s also less expensive and sometimes stainless steel is used in the creation of the steel shaft. There is also two variations, stepped steel and rifle steel.
What to know about golf shafts?
In today’s guide we will review everything you need to know about golf shafts. Picking out the proper golf shaft is very important as it will impact several components of your golf swing. For example, picking the wrong golf shaft flex can cause you to hook or slice the golf ball. It also can hinder the total distance the ball flies by having too much spin or too low of launch. But don’t worry, at the end of reading today’s guide you’ll be much more educated on the buying process and how to pick out the right golf shaft. Lets Get Started!
Why does my golf shaft have a slice?
When the golf shaft is too stiff, it doesn’t unload properly at impact. This can lead to the face staying open and result in a slice golf shot. Beware, a slice isn’t always an indication the shaft is too stiff so if you already have a slice, it could be caused by another fault in your golf swing.
What shafts do golfers use?
For most golfers, a graphite shaft works great. Most iron sets are made with graphite shafts as well so you get that material type by default usually unless you specifically seek out steel shafted irons. With steel shafts, you may find that golf shots are easier to control.
Why do golf clubs have shafts?
During the golf swing the shaft causes deflection (bend) that causes the clubhead to be in a forward and toe downward position relative to the grip of the club.
What is the most common shaft material used in golf clubs?
Graphite Shafts. Graphite – this type of shaft is usually lighter weight compared to a steel shaft but it’s less durable and more expensive to make. Graphite is one of the most common shaft types used in golf clubs and can arguably be considered the main shaft material used, beating out steel.
How much does a graphite shaft weigh?
Graphite shafts are also much lighter weight (50-85 grams) while steel shafts can start at 120 grams in most cases.
What is a golf shaft?
When it comes to performance the golf shaft has been referred to as the transmission of the golf club. The flex, length, and weight can all effect how you are hitting a golf ball. In fact, the correct shaft can help any golfer hit the ball straighter and farther. Take a closer look at the different types of shafts usually offered, and find the one that’s best for your swing.
What shafts are best for a senior golfer?
With greater swing speeds and flex you will lose some accuracy with the club. Graphite shafts are best suited for senior golfers and lady golfers who cannot produce a lot of swing speed.
Why is flex important in golf?
Flex. The most important factor when buying a shaft is the flex because it affects your distance and direction. In essence flex is the ability of a golf shaft to bend during the golf swing.
Why is my golf ball inconsistent in all directions?
Improperly fit shafts can cause inconsistency in flight direction, due to the mismatched flex characteristics of the shaft to the player, and the players perception and compensation for the mismatched flex. Generally, too flexible a shaft can cause inconsistent directional ball flight in all directions. Too stiff a shaft can lead ...
Can club fitters analyze data?
Yes, we as club fitters can analyze data we acquire on many of the wonderful launch monitors that are available, and narrow down choices based on the data. This does take some of the guess work out of the decision and gives us performance data to base a decision on.
Do shafts always equal performance?
A broad range of prices exist in the shaft category. Price does not always equal performance. From a performance standpoint, shafts should be chosen based on their specifications and how those specifications fit the players swing characteristics, providing the desired trajectory, feel and consistency.
Why do you need a shaft in a golf club?
The shaft is a critical component of the golf club. The shaft is used to transfer the energy of your swing to the golf ball. You should not pick a shaft solely based on the popularity of a brand name or on what type of shaft your old clubs had. By taking the time to pick a shaft to match your golf swing, you can ensure your clubs will help improve ...
How to determine if you need shafts that are longer or shorter than the standard length?
Request to have your local pro shop measure the distance from your hand to the floor to determine if you need shafts that are longer or shorter than the standard length. The pro shop will have a fitting chart that is tailored to different shaft models.
How far should you hit a driver with a stiff flex?
If you normally hit the driver in excess of 275 yards, an extra stiff flex rating will be appropriate. Driver distances from 250 to 275 call for a stiff flex, 230 to 250 regular flex, 200 to 230 senior, and less than 200 yards a ladies' flex.
Where is GolfSmith located?
GolfSmith: Golf Club Shafts. Writer Bio. Based in Memphis, Jackson Lewis has been writing on technology-related material for 10 years with a recent emphasis on golf and other sports. He has been freelance writing for Demand Media since 2008.
Why do you need a shaft in golf?
The right shaft can help you play your best golf, prevent injury, and allow you to make improvements instead of compensations.
How to know if a shaft is the right one?
Testing out different shafts to see how they perform for you is really the only foolproof way to figure out if a shaft is the right one. Sometimes the best shaft on paper isn’t the best in real life, so the testing portion is absolutely crucial. As you test out different shafts – aside from strictly performance – take note of how a shaft feels. If it’s too harsh or too soft, verbalize that to your fitter. If the shaft doesn’t feel right to you, that’s probably for good reason.
What is flex in golf?
Flex: This measures the ability of a shaft to bend under the force of a golf swing. Generally, slower swing speeds find better performance from more flexible shafts (ladies, senior, regular flex), whereas faster speeds need less flex (stiff or x-stiff flex)
How to test shafts?
The most effective way to test out shafts is to minimize variables as much as possible. You want an apples-to-apples test between two or more shafts, so if the fitter has a system such as Club Conex, it’s a huge win. The Club Conex hosel system will allow the fitter to interchange any shaft with any head, so you can test out a variety of shafts in the same head.
How to minimize errors in golf shaft?
To minimize any errors, make sure you get confirmation from your fitter on exact shaft specifications that you need. That way, you can pass along these measurements to the person who’s actually building your clubs. For example, if you got fit into a shaft that is supposed be 44.5 inches and tipped 1 inch, but the builder forgets to tip the shaft, it may perform much differently than the shaft you actually got fit into.
What is the most important thing about a golf club?
The shaft doesn’t make contact with the ball, and you’re not technically holding onto it either. But, the shaft is arguably the most important aspect of a golf club; it’s the engine that can make or break your performance on the golf course.
What are the components of a golf club?
There are three main components of a golf club: head, shaft and grip.
What happens if you play golf with clubs that don't suit your swing?
If you end up playing with clubs that don't suit your swing, you're not going to get most out of them - worse, you can end up adapting your swing and developing bad habits.
What happens if you don't play golf clubs?
If you end up playing with clubs that don’t suit your swing, you’re not going to get most out of them – worse, you can end up adapting your swing and developing bad habits. By building the right 14-club set for your swing, you’ll shoot lower scores and get more enjoyment from the game.
Do you need high handicap drivers for iron play?
You might need the best high handicap drivers, or your iron play may lack consistency .
Is the custom fitting fee waived?
That peace of mind is well worth the custom fitting fee, which is often waived when you make a purchase in any case.
