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how to choose the correct golf club shaft

by Elena Boyle Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Put simply, the higher the rating, the more the shaft is prone to twisting. It is the torque that also determines how the shaft feels to every player, which means that the higher the rating, the softer the shaft will feel. A shaft with a 3-degree torque will feel much stiffer than a 5-degree torque, for example.Oct 15, 2019

What type of golf shafts are right for You?

Mar 10, 2022 · Shaft Technology. Flex. Flex is absolutely important when choosing the right shaft for your club. You want a golf driver shaft that isn’t too soft because that can ...

What are the best golf shafts?

Oct 15, 2019 · – How to measure the length of a golf club shaft? 29 to 32 inches = irons should be based on a 5-iron of 37 inches. 33 to 34 inches = irons should be based on a 5-iron of 37 1/2 inches. 35 to 36 inches = irons should be based on a 5-iron of 38 inches. 37 to 38 inches = irons should be based on a ...

Should golf beginners play with a stiff shaft?

Feb 19, 2019 · Choosing the Right Shaft. Stepped Steel Shafts. When thinking of stepped shafts, imagine steps that gradually get smaller the higher you climb. In essence this is what stepped ... Rifle Steel Shafts. Graphite Shafts. Flex. The most important factor when buying a …

What shaft should I buy?

With regards to the shaft - The lighter the shaft, the longer the overall club length and more flexible the shaft is (within the players flex range), the greater the potential for distance gain. The heavier the shaft, the shorter the overall length of the club and the stiffer the shaft is (within the players flex range), the greater potential for control (tighter shot dispersion).

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What golf shaft flex is right for me?

If you're between 97 and 104 mph with the driver, you need a stiff flex. Regular – Now we are getting into the range where a majority of recreational golfers fall, and also where many LPGA pros fall. If you're between 84 and 96 mph, regular is going to be best for you.Jun 12, 2020

How do I pick the right shaft?

Generally, the more flexible a shaft, the higher the ball flight. The lower the bend point in the shaft, the higher the ball flight (minor affect). Generally, the stiffer the shaft, the lower the ball flight. The higher the bend point, the lower the ball flight (minor affect).

What size shaft do I need for my irons?

35-36 inches, your irons should be based on a 5-iron length of 38 inches. 37-38 inches, your irons should be based on a 5-iron length of 38 1/2 inches. 39-40 inches, your irons should be based on a 5-iron length of 39 inches. 41 or more inches, your irons should be based on a 5-iron length of 39 1/2 inches.

What shaft should I use for my club head speed?

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).Apr 13, 2021

What weight shaft should I use in my irons?

In general, golfers with slower swing speed and tempo can and should play a lighter shaft. Golfers with very fast speeds and tempo should play heavier shafts. Driver shafts typically weigh 55-60 grams for men and 45-50 grams for ladies. Iron shafts can be as light as 55 grams in graphite, and 130 grams in steel.Jan 6, 2017

When should I switch from stiff to regular?

If you hit the ball longer than that, say 225-250 yards, you should probably choose regular shafts. Anything more than 250 yards, stiff shafts are for you. Unless you are a huge hitter and average about 300 yards on your drives, stay away from Extra-stiff shafts.

How long should my 7-iron be?

The Complete Golf Club Length Chart
GOLF CLUBLENGTH FOR MEN (steel/graphite shaft)LENGTH FOR WOMEN (steel/graphite shaft)
5-iron38/38.5 inches37/37.5 inches
6-iron37.5/38 inches36.5/37 inches
7-iron37/37.5 inches36/36.5 inches
8-iron36.5/37 inches35.5/36 inches
23 more rows

What does shaft flex 5.0 mean?

Regular Plus
Regular Plus – 5.0. Stiff – 5.5. Stiff Plus – 6.0. Extra Stiff – 6.5. Extra Stiff Plus –7.0.

What is a 5.5 flex shaft?

Regular – 5.0. Regular Plus – 5.5. Stiff – 6.0. Extra Stiff – 6.5. Extra Stiff Plus – 7.0.Feb 2, 2018

What is good club head speed for a 7 iron?

According to TrackMan statistics, the average 7-iron clubhead speed on the PGA Tour is 90 mph. The average male recreational golfer, on the other hand, swings the same club at closer to 75 mph, which is why he hits his 7-iron about 140 yards, compared with 170 to 180 yards for the Tour guys.Dec 22, 2017

What is a good swing speed for a 7 iron?

An average golfer will swing a seven iron about 75 mph. This number can change based on the weight of the club and if it is steel or graphite. The faster you swing a seven iron, the further it will go. If you can swing at about 85 mph, you will see distances closer to 165 yards.

Is senior flex good for beginners?

Senior flex can be an excellent choice for beginners with slower swing speeds and can benefit from this type of technology.Aug 23, 2021

Choosing The Best Shaft For Your Game

One of the most difficult aspects of fitting today is choosing the best shaft for a player. There are so many variables, that club fitters and play...

Shaft Selection Primer 1.0

Single most important determining factor in shaft flex (indicator of overall strength of the player).General Swing Speed / Ball Speed ranges and co...

Swing Tempo - Pace of The Swing

1. Fast 2. Medium 3. Slow Generally, the faster the tempo, the stiffer the shaft flex needed. The slower the tempo, the softer the flex needed.

Trajectory - Height of Ball Flight

What is the players ball flight? What is the players preferred ball flight? 1. High 2. Mid 3. Low Generally, the more flexible a shaft, the higher...

Flight Direction Tendency

1. Hook 2. Draw 3. Straight 4. Fade 5. Slice Improperly fit shafts can cause inconsistency in flight direction, due to the mismatched flex characte...

What is the kick point of a golf shaft?

The kick point of a golf shaft refers to the area that bends the most as you initiate the downswing and make contact with the golf ball. It’s important to understand the difference between low kick, mid kick, and high kick shafts because this feature plays an important role in determining the trajectory of each shot.

What is a low kick point shaft?

A low kick point shaft is one that will bend most at the lower end of the shaft, closer to the clubhead. Low-kick points help to produce a higher ball flight.

What is torque in golf?

Torque refers to the twisting forces that act on the golf club during the golf swing. It is measured in degrees and can range anywhere between 2 and 8 degrees. The higher the torque of a club shaft, the more it will twist during the swing, and vice versa.

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Can you combine steel and graphite?

It’s also possible to combine steel and graphite together to make a composite shaft. The idea behind this design is to minimize the weight of the shaft while maintaining its durability.

Does swing speed affect spin rate?

Unfortunately, sometimes when your swing speed increases, so will the spin rate. This means that although you’re swinging faster, more energy is wasted, and you likely won’t hit the ball further.

Who is Ivan Boychuk?

Ivan Boychuk is a freelance writer, golf-enthusiast, and the founder of wired2golf.com. From writing about golf to playing in tournaments to instructing junior golfers, he has been heavily involved in the golf scene for more than 15 years.

Is graphite shaft better than steel shaft?

When considering graphite shafts just remember they are lightweight and more flexible than steel shafts. This allows for more swing speed and distance, but that doesn’t always mean more accuracy. With greater swing speeds and flex you will lose some accuracy with the club.

What is a stepped shaft?

In essence this is what stepped shafts are. They are a pattern that gradually gets smaller towards the tip of the shaft, where the club goes into the hosel. Why? The stepped process allows for more consistency throughout the shaft, so it’s not weighted more at the bottom or the top. The benefit to evenly weighted shafts is each club feels the same. The majority of manufacturers use stepped steel shafts, so you’ll see these in most golfers’ bags.

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.

Choosing the Best Shaft for Your Game

One of the most difficult aspects of fitting today is choosing the best shaft for a player. There are so many variables, that club fitters and players alike almost have to have a 6th sense to determine what is the best shaft for their game. There are programs that exist, that with a little bit of input, will spit out a shaft recommendation.

Shaft Selection Primer 1.0

Single most important determining factor in shaft flex (indicator of overall strength of the player).

Trajectory - Height of Ball Flight

What is the players ball flight? What is the players preferred ball flight?

Price

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.

What does flex mean in golf?

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, ...

Who is Bill Herrfeldt?

Bill Herrfeldt specializes in finance, sports and the needs of retiring people, and has been published in the national edition of "Erickson Tribune," the "Washington Post" and the "Arizona Republic.". He graduated from the University of Louisville.

How to determine golf shaft flex?

Start by using a launch monitor to analyze your golf swing speed. If your swing ranges between 85 mph and 95 mph then you should start with a regular flex. If your swing speed is faster than 95 mph, then you should try a stiff shaft.

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 use steel shafts in golf?

With steel shafts, you may find that golf shots are easier to control. Steel shafts place a greater focus on accuracy as opposed to distance. Since they don’t get as much distance as graphite shafts, steel shafts require faster swing speed to make up for the loss of distance compared to graphite.

What is the difference between a steel shaft and a graphite shaft?

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. Stepped is the use of steps down the shaft or ridges you see while rifle is smooth all the way.

What is a multi material shaft?

Multi-material – this shaft uses both steel and graphite to create a multi-material that offers the best of both worlds. Usually the shaft is steel with graphite at the tip to help limit whip. A multi-material shaft can be found in both irons and drivers.

What is titanium shaft?

Titanium Shafts – this is a newer material type being used to build golf shafts with. It’s much lighter in weight as compared to steel but still offers that same strong support you get from steel compared to graphite.

How much does a golf shaft weigh?

Shaft weights typically range between 50 grams and 85 grams with the 50-60 numbers being pretty common as seen in the example shafts above. Shaft Weight is important because it can help you generate club head speed and increase the distance you hit the golf ball.

What happens if a golf shaft is too stiff?

Selecting a shaft too stiff will cause lower ball flight and a loss of distance, whereas a shaft too soft can result in ballooning and, again, loss in distance.

How does a thick grip affect golf swing?

The thickness of the grip can have a massive effect on your swing. A grip that is too thin can lead to golfers having large hand actions leading into the swing. However, too thick a grip will restrict your hands and have an equally devastating impact.

What happens if your grip is too thin?

The thickness of the grip can have a massive effect on your swing. A grip that is too thin can lead to golfers having large hand actions leading into the swing. However, too thick a grip will restrict your hands and have an equally devastating impact.

What is loft angle?

Loft. A vital measurement, the loft, or loft angle, refers to the angle formed by a line running down the centre of the shaft and the face of the club. Measured in degrees, a golf club with a relatively low loft, such as 3 iron sitting at 21–23 degrees, will make the ball go further than one with a higher loft.

Is it easy to buy golf clubs?

Golf Clubs for Beginners. It’s very easy to get caught up in the initial enthusiasm of starting a new sport and buying the best golf gear, but beginners beware. Golf clubs are best bought slowly, collecting more advanced ones as your experience increases and you progress in the sport.

What is the best bounce for golf?

As a general rule, most golfers are best with a bounce between 10 to 14 degrees. High Bounce Wedges – Those with a high space between the ground and the leading edge, the biggest bounce is around 18 degrees. Best for play out of soft turf and sand, they are good for golfers with steep attack angles.

What are drivers made of?

Most drivers are made of titanium and/or carbon composite because they are much lighter than steel, letting manufacturers increase the size of the head. If you are buying used drivers or those manufactured prior to January 2008, ensure that they are still legal for club competitions.

What Is Shaft Flex?

Shaft flex is the degree to which the shaft will bend or flex during the swing. A more flexible shaft bends easily during the swing and has the potential to produce a longer-ranged shot.

How Does Shaft Flex Impact Your Golf Game?

The shaft flex of your golf club has an immense effect on the game’s outcome as a whole. From high irons to wedges and drivers, you have to make sure they have the correct flex for trajectory, accuracy, and distance.

How to Choose the Shaft Flex for You?

You can know the correct flex for your shaft by evaluating your swing at a golf equipment store. They’ll check all kinds of things like ball speed, distance, clubhead speed, spin, and many other factors. They also try several shafts in the same driver head to give the most accurate results.

What Shaft Flex Should You Use for The Driver?

It would be best if you choose the stiffest shaft flex for your driver because it is often the club that has the maximum swing speed. Since it carries the maximum swing speed, you may consider choosing the most accurate shaft flex.

How to Determine the Right Flex for Your Iron?

Choosing the right flex for the iron depends on the club you use for hitting a 150-yard shot. If you’re about to take a 150-yard shot, consider using these flex for your irons.

Final Thoughts

When selecting a flex for the shaft in your clubs, the tradeoff is between accuracy and distance. Choosing a senior flex helps you to achieve greater distance due to its flexibility but at the cost of lower accuracy.

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