Full Answer
What is the weight of a golf driver shaft?
For this test, we had golfers test drivers with shafts weighing 55 grams and 75 grams. The golfer was able to choose whether they wanted stiff or regular flex.
How to find the right driver shaft for your swing?
5 factors to help you find the right driver shaft for your swing 1 Flex. Generally speaking, a driver shaft that’s too stiff will cause shots to launch too low, with too little spin and low peak heights. 2 Weight. The weight of a shaft has a similar correlation to performance as flex. ... 3 Length. ... 4 Kick point. ... 5 Torque. ...
What does senior mean on a golf shaft?
When it comes to senior golf shafts, or if you see a golf shaft with a senior rating, it means that the shaft has been manufactured to a lesser stiffness than a regular golf shaft in order to accommodate the generally slower swing speeds of older players.
What determines the weight of a golf club?
This is because shaft weight is the No. 1 determinant of the total weight of the club. Yes, grip weight and head weight have an influence on total weight, but they aren’t as important as the effect of the weight of the shaft.
What weight shaft should a senior golfer use?
This is a 57gram shaft, which is a perfect weight for a senior golfer. Anything under 60 grams is going to help golfers get more clubhead and ball speed. Some of the lightest shafts you will see for seniors are around 40grams.
How do you know what weight driver shaft to use?
Shafts can range anywhere from 40 to 85 grams. Typically, the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slow swing might use lighter shaft, and he/she would add weight as swing speed increases. The simple fact is that the lighter shafts provide the opportunity to increase swing speed.
Is a 75 gram driver shaft too heavy?
75 and 85 Gram Shafts And Who They Are For? These are generally for your stronger and better players, as they will be generating a lot of clubhead speed, the weight of the shaft helps to keep the clubhead under control during the swing.
What type of shaft is best for seniors?
The overwhelming majority of senior players would benefit from using a graphite shaft. Not just any graphite shaft, you want to find one that is lightweight and has enough flex.
Is a 70 gram driver shaft too heavy?
A 70-gram driver shaft is considered to be pretty heavy but not the heaviest. It falls into the middle but is still on the heavier side when you consider you could go with 50 or 60 grams instead.
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.
How many grams should my driver be?
The shafts in most drivers typically weigh between 40 grams and 85 grams. Shaft manufacturers will offer stiff and regular flex in nearly all weight classes while most light and ladies flex clubs will weigh no more than 55 or 60 grams, but could be as light as 40 grams.
Do I need a heavier driver shaft?
A key factor in maximizing swing speed is maximizing muscle activation, which is why certain golfers can swing heavier shafts faster than lighter shafts. Slightly heavier shafts can activate additional muscle groups, effectively “turning on” more speed in a golfer's swing.
Should I use a lighter driver shaft?
Having clubs that are too heavy will result in lost distance and a lack of control and having clubs that are too light will result in erratic and uncontrollable strokes. What is this? Fast swing speeds will usually need a heavier shaft and slower swing speeds need lighter shafts.
Should a senior golfer use a stiff shaft?
The whole charm of Senior shafts is that they're lightweight, flexible, and easier to launch. As for heavy, stiff shafts, these are better suited for golfers with an above-average or faster swing speed (over 95 mph). When your swing speed is higher, getting the golf ball to launch higher is no concern.
Should senior golfers use graphite shafts?
Generally speaking, graphite shafts are better for seniors than steel shafts unless the senior still maintains very high swing speeds. There are some seniors in incredible shape that can easily hit a regular steel shaft in their iron. If this is you, by all means, keep swinging it!
How far should a senior golfer hit a 7 iron?
Some golfers have 3 wood, some have 5 wood, and some even have 7 wood....Average 7 Iron Distance By Age.Age RangeAverage 7 Iron Distance40-50146 yards50-60139 yards60+128 yardsAll Golfers145 yards2 more rows
Is Lighter Really Longer?
(Written By: GolfSpy Matt) "Lighter is longer" -- "If distance matters, weight matters" -- "The Right Light".All of these marketing slogans are mea...
"You Mean There's More Than Flex?"
So after reading our MGS Labs report on shaft flex, you realized that playing the wrong flex can cost you distance AND accuracy. You also learned t...
Flightscope X2 Launch Monitor
Each golfer hit 10 shots with each shaft and the results were measured by our FlightScope X2 launch monitor. All testing was done at the range at T...
How many shots does each golfer hit with each shaft?
Each golfer hit 10 shots with each shaft and the results were measured by our FlightScope X2 launch monitor. All testing was done at the range at The Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club.
Is shaft flex a governing body?
There is no ‘governing body’ for shaft flex that says a regular shaft or a stiff shaft has to be within a certain frequency range. That is why choosing a club solely based on shaft flex is highly flawed. After finding the right weight and torque, shaft flex is used to fine tune the shaft for the player.
Is shaft flex the end all?
The general golfing public has been conditioned and educated that shaft flex is the end-all-be-all when it comes to shafts and that simply is not true. The weight of the shaft is going to help keep the player’s swing on plane. Shaft flex has no industry standard.
When discussing the manner of fitting the shaft weight and total weight of a golf club, should the conversation also include fitting
When discussing the manner of fitting the shaft weight and total weight of a golf club, the conversation should also include fitting the swing weight, or better stated, the head weight FEEL of the golf club at the same time. This is because the two “weights” of a golf club are very much interrelated in their effect on the fitting performance of golf clubs for each golfer.
Why is it important to fit the golfer for the correct weight and swing feel?
Fitting the golfer for the correct total weight and swing weight (head weight feel) is extremely important for enabling the golfer to achieve the highest level of shot consistency and swing repeatability . Too light or too heavy and the golfer struggles to maintain a consistent swing tempo, timing and rhythm.
Does shaft weight affect total weight?
This is because shaft weight is the No. 1 determinant of the total weight of the club. Yes, grip weight and head weight have an influence on total weight, but they aren’t as important as the effect of the weight of the shaft. In short, when the golfer needs a lighter or heavier total weight in the clubs, fitting the weight ...
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.
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 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.
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
Do two golfers need the same shaft?
Two golfers of the same size, strength, and speed can find themselves needing shafts of different weights to play their best. An in-person club fitting is the only way to know for sure that a golfer has the best shaft for them. For that reason, the purpose of this article is not to help golfers “fit themselves.”.
Can a lighter shaft cause speed to decrease?
While it seems to go against the laws of physics, giving a golfer a lighter shaft can actually cause his or her speed to decrease. This is no rare occurrence. Club fitters see it happen nearly every day.
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 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!
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.
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.
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.
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, ...
How tall is Rickie Fowler's shaft?
A look at Rickie Fowler's fairway wood shaft, which measures 42 inches with 0.5 inches of tipping. Fitting a golfer into the exact right shaft for them over the internet is a tall, if not impossible, task. All driver swings are different, and there are so many options on the current market. Shafts are made with different flexes, lengths, weights, ...
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.
Does a high bend point lower or raise the ball?
According to Briand, a high bend point will lower ball flight and a low bend point will raise ball flight. So, if you tend to have a ball flight that’s too high, look for shafts that have a high kick point, and vice versa. It’s important to note that variations in length and shaft tipping will impact the designed bend point of a shaft.
What is a senior golf shaft?
When it comes to senior golf shafts, or if you see a golf shaft with a senior rating, it means that the shaft has been manufactured to a lesser stiffness than a regular golf shaft in order to accommodate the generally slower swing speeds ...
What factors affect the performance of a golf club?
Other factors like kick point and torsion rating can impact a player’s performance as well. For example, the kick point is the point at which the shaft seems to flex, and can affect the angle at which the clubhead contacts the ball. Kick point will vary between shafts, and the only way to determine with certainty if a given shaft works ...
Why use flexible shafts?
With a slower swing speed, a flexible shaft may be able to impart more clubhead speed which will then impact the ball’s speed. To make short of a long explanation, slow swing speeds benefit from more flexible shafts. In general, a lot of senior flex shafts will be made from graphite instead of from steel.
What is senior flex shaft made of?
In general, a lot of senior flex shafts will be made from graphite instead of from steel. Although graphite shafts are more expensive to produce than steel shafts and are more fragile as well, they can be made much more flexible than their steel counterparts. Some steel shafts can be manufactured to very high stiffnesses which makes them attractive ...
How does swing speed affect golf?
Even without taking into account any of the other features of a golf shaft that impact any given player’s performance, swing speed is one of the most important factors that will impact how far a player can hit the ball. All other things being equal, swing speed can influence not only the distance a ball can be driven but also the ball flight.
Is there anything wrong with a slower swing speed?
It is also important to note that there is nothing wrong with a slower swing speed; all different players have their own unique skill sets. The fact that there are many different qualities of golf shafts is akin to how there are many different types of baseball bats. Some players prefer a balanced bat and others prefer an end-loaded bat.
Does torsion affect golf shafts?
In addition, torsion can have similar effects, although torsion is the degree to which a shaft will “twist” as opposed to flexing. Also, the sizing of a golf shaft matters just as much as the flex. In order to be effective in your use of a golf shaft, it needs to be sized properly to you, and without the right measurement, ...
What is the best mph for senior flex?
Between 72 and 83 mph signifies you need to be hitting senior flex. Ladies – By no means do all women’s golfers will fall in this category, but this is where many of the recreational women’s players find themselves.
Can you extrapolate your swing speed to driver?
You should consider that your swing speed for your irons might not extrapolate perfectly to driver (and vice versa), so while a certain flex might be right in some clubs, that might not be the case in others.
