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how to choose the right golf shaft

by Mayra Barrows Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  1. Locate an experienced club fitter. Club fitters often can be found at large golf shops, golf courses and large-scale golf ranges.
  2. Measure your swing speed. This is the first step toward finding the right graphite shaft. ...
  3. Evaluate, with a club fitter, various factors that are crucial to determining the proper shaft. ...
  4. Test various shafts on a driving range while the club fitter observes. "Golf Magazine" states "it's all going to come down to how a shaft feels to you.

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

Full Answer

What type of golf shafts are right for You?

 · An unanticipated problem was encountered, check back soon and try again 1. Flex. Generally speaking, a driver shaft that’s too stiff will cause shots to launch too low, with too little spin... 2. Weight. The weight of a shaft has a similar correlation to performance as flex. The heavier a shaft is, ...

What are the best golf shafts?

 · How To Choose The Right Shaft For My Driver? Length Of The Shaft. Basically a matter of preference based on feel, shaft length can be roughly determined by the... Weight Of The Shaft. Graphite shafts are manufactured in a variety of weights ranging from the sub-40-gram category up... Torque Of The ...

Should golf beginners play with a stiff shaft?

 · Choosing the Best Shaft for Your Game Swing Tempo. A slow swing tempo, not necessarily swing speed, requires a soft flex. As your tempo increases, the... Trajectory. Your preferred ball trajectory is another factor to consider. More flexibility results in higher ball flight. Direction. If you tend ...

What shaft should I buy?

 · Choosing the Right Shaft Length One last important aspect to finding the right golf shaft is length. With this video, we will show our handy chart that helps you pick the best length based on your height and wrist-to-floor measurement. You will even learn reasons why you may deviate from those measurements.

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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.

What size shaft should I get for my driver?

Driver Shaft Length Based Solely on HeightHeight (feet/inches)Driver Shaft Length5'4″-5'7″45.5″5'2″-5'4″45″5'0″-5'2″44.5″4'10”-5'0″44″6 more rows•May 9, 2021

How long should my golf shaft be?

Have a friend or the salesman measure the distance from your wrists to the floor. This is the length of the golf shaft you will need. The average male has a measurement of 43 inches. Depending on your arm length and height, this may vary but it should be around that number.

What happens if driver shaft is too long?

For every half-inch of mishit on the clubface, you'll lose five per cent of distance. So if a longer driver is too long for you to control, you'll hit off-centre hits more frequently, often resulting in a drop in distance and accuracy rather than a rise.

What shaft is right for my swing speed?

– Golf Shaft Flex ChartCarry DistanceSwing SpeedFlexUnder 200 yardsUnder 75 mphLadies or Senior200 to 240 yards75 to 95 mphRegular240 to 275 yards95 to 110 mphStiffOver 275 yardsOver 110 mphStiff or Extra StiffOct 15, 2019

What is a standard length driver shaft?

45 to 45.75 inchesAlmost all drivers being introduced by manufacturers now feature a shaft length of 45 to 45.75 inches. Though some manufacturers have introduced drivers with shaft lengths longer than 46 inches, few have been successful.

How do I know what size driver I need?

To determine your optimum driver length, look at where you hit the ball on the face of your driver. If your hits are mostly towards the heel, your driver is too long. Another possibility is that the shaft is too light. Try choking down on the shaft and see if your contact improves.

How long should a golf driver be for my height?

1. Measure Your Overall Height (i.e. “static” fitting)OVERALL HEIGHTGOLF CLUB LENGTH ADJUSTMENTS5'7″ to 6'1″standard length in inches6'1″ to 6'2″plus 1/4″6'2″ to 6'4″plus 1/2″6'4″ to 6'6″plus 1″7 more rows

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 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.

What to consider when choosing a golf club shaft?

However, in all cases, there are 6 main things you need to consider when choosing the right shafts for your golf clubs: The flex of the golf club shaft. The material used to make the club shaft. The weight of the shaft. The length of the shaft. The kick point and torque of the shaft. The manufacturer of the shaft.

What are the different types of golf shafts?

There are two types of steel golf shafts – rifle steel and stepped steel.

What is the difference between graphite and steel?

Compared to steel shafts, graphite variations tend to be much lighter, averaging about 50-90 grams per club. (For more on the difference between steel and graphite shafts, see this article: Steel Vs. Graphite Golf Shafts – Which is Better?)

How much does a golf club shaft weigh?

According to D’Lance Golf – a top 100 club-fitter in America (Golf Digest) – the average club shaft weight for both men and ladies are as follows: “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.

What happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?

On the other hand, if you choose a golf shaft that’s too stiff, the lack of “spring” can significantly reduce your clubhead speed, resulting in a decrease in distance.

Why do golfers with slower swing speeds prefer high torque shafts?

This is because they benefit from having more feel through the impact zone instead of each shot feeling “dead” off the club face.

Why is a longer shaft better for golf?

This is because a longer club shaft can help you generate more clubhead speed which can often result in more distance.

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 ...

Why do golfers buy shafts?

The problem is that buying a shaft because someone else uses it is like buying a size 44-long jacket because that’s what Tiger wears. It can be counterproductive to your game to purchase a shaft that isn’t right for you.

What shafts do you need for a slow swing?

Slow swing speeds will generally require softer-flex shafts, while high swing speeds need stiffer shafts; due to variations in swing patterns, however, swing speed is only one portion of finding the right shaft. Briand’s recommendation is to use your current driver shaft as a baseline.

What does low torque mean on a shaft?

5. Torque. A low torque measurement means that a shaft has greater resistance to twisting, while a high torque measurement means it will twist more easily.

What happens if you have a longer shaft?

As Briand says, a longer shaft will cause a less consistent strike on the face, and the golfer will tend to hit the ball closer to the heel. A shorter shaft, on the other hand, will cause a more consistent strike pattern, but impact location will tend to be on the toe. A golfer’s physical size, arm length, swing speed, consistency, ...

What happens if your driver shaft is too stiff?

Generally speaking, a driver shaft that’s too stiff will cause shots to launch too low, with too little spin and low peak heights. A shaft that’s too weak, on the other hand, may cause shots to spin too much, fly too high, and widen dispersion patterns.

How many inches is Rickie Fowler's shaft?

A look at Rickie Fowler's fairway wood shaft, which measures 42 inches with 0.5 inches of tipping.

Does tipping a shaft change the bend point?

Remember, though, that tipping a shaft will change the bend point, and it’s also irreversible, so make sure you know the purpose behind tipping your shaft. 2. Weight. The weight of a shaft has a similar correlation to performance as flex.

Why is it important to choose the right golf driver shaft?

Choosing the right golf driver shaft for you is extremely important as it can have a great impact on distance, accuracy, and ball trajectory.

What are the physical properties of a golf driver shaft?

The physical properties of best golf driver shafts that should be considered are length, weight, torque, kick point, and flex . All these properties combine to produce a balance and a feel to a driver and can greatly affect the overall performance of the club. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

How much does a graphite shaft weigh?

Weight Of The Shaft. Graphite shafts are manufactured in a variety of weights ranging from the sub-40-gram category up to about 90 grams, with the most common being in the 65-gram vicinity. The shaft weight has a major effect on the overall weight of the driver.

What happens if a ball is struck off the toe of the driver?

Referring again to the diagram, if a ball is struck off the toe of the driver, the clubhead will rotate more, putting sidespin on the ball resulting in off-target shots .

How does shaft weight affect driver?

The shaft weight has a major effect on the overall weight of the driver. As stated previously, the lighter the driver, the higher the swing speeds generated, resulting in greater distance.

What happens if a golf shaft is too stiff?

Using a shaft that is too stiff for your swing will most likely result in a lower ball trajectory and loss of distance, as well as an open face at the impact that will push the ball to the right, or the fade side.

What happens if you use a golf driver with an improper shaft?

Using a golf driver with an improper shaft can adversely affect the distance, accuracy, and trajectory of your drives. The shaft is often mistakenly referred to as the “engine” of a golf club. In fact, it is more the “transmission” as the power, which is supplied by the golfer’s arms and body, is transmitted through the shaft to the clubhead.

Why is it important to have the right shaft?

Having the right shaft plays a huge role in improving your game to the highest level that you can achieve. However, there are so many factors involved that not all golfers are aware of.

What does shaft flex mean in golf?

Golfers tend to look at the shaft flex as an indication of how strong they are and how fast their swing speed is.

What are multi-material shafts?

A recent addition to the market is multi-material shafts that incorporate steel and graphite into one shaft providing the best of both worlds for every player.

What is the difference between a lighter shaft and a stiffer shaft?

A lighter and more flexible shaft provides greater potential for distance gain while a heavier and stiffer shaft offers more potential for control.

Why do golfers change their shafts?

Often golfers change the shaft on their driver for reasons other than fitting the best shaft. The reason could be as simple as the golfer likes the look of the shaft or a favorite professional golfer uses the shaft. The detrimental effect on your game can be avoided by visiting a professional club fitter.

What is a stepped steel shaft?

You will find stepped steel shafts on most irons. A steel strip is rolled into a tube, mechanically drawn, step pattern formed, and the walls are made thinner at the tip and thicker at the top.

How many factors are needed to get to the ultimate shaft?

There could be twenty or more combinations of factors that have to be matched to get to your ultimate shaft. Looking at your swing speed, tempo, and release point, you will have a starting point in your pursuit of finding the most suitable shaft to improve your game.

What are the characteristics of a golf shaft?

Golfers often want to know about the three main characteristics of a golf shaft: weight, kick point, and torque. In this video, you will learn how these three specs are actually connected and how they affect each other.

What does the shaft do in golf?

Having the right shaft in your golf clubs makes a world of difference to your game. The shaft affects club performance on everything from spin, launch, and speed. The wrong shaft could cause the ball to launch too high or too low as well as spin too much and cause you to lose distance.

Can you get custom golf clubs from TGW?

Now that you have learned a few things about picking the right golf shaft, it’s time to get your clubs customized to help you play your best! At TGW, we have an incredible selection of custom golf clubs. All of our custom golf clubs are built by the manufacturers so you can trust you are getting the best possible club for your game. Start shooting lower scores and see the difference the right golf shaft can make in your game today.

What is the softest point of a shaft?

Then there are shafts with a stiff tip and a soft grip area. Basically the tip is the softest point of the shaft. These shafts are nevertheless stiffer at this point than, for example, in the middle of the shaft.

How long does it take to find the perfect shaft profile?

It is difficult to give basic recommendations and the perfect shaft profile can only be found in a fitting and usually over longer playing periods. It can take years for a player to find the perfect profile. Therefore a player usually stays with it and remains consistent throughout the set.

How fast can a 6 iron hit?

This category includes above average amateurs who hit their 6 iron between 155 and 170m and have a club head speed between 80 and 90mph. Please note that these are only approximate values.

What is graphite shaft?

Theoretically, they can combine the best of both worlds. A graphite shaft is basically lighter and able to dampen vibrations better. Shaft weight: The weight of a shaft influences both the total weight and the swing weight of the club.

What does the stiffness of a shaft mean?

The stiffness indicates the stiffness of the entire shaft, but not whether the shaft is stiff in the tip, middle or butt section.

Is a carbon shaft flexible?

A carbon shaft therefore does not mean being flexible at the same time. You can find the respective shaft weight in the charts above. It is important to know that a number like 80 always represents a "lower limit" and the actual weight is always slightly above this number, e.g. 83g.

Is a carbon shaft stiffer than steel?

Basically, carbon shafts tend to be lighter than steel, but can be built just as stiff - sometimes even stiffer. A carbon shaft therefore does not mean being flexible at the same time.

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