how to determine shaft weight is right driver golf

Full Answer

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. ...

How should you fit the shaft weight of a golf club?

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.

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 affects the weight of a golf 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.

How do I know what driver shaft weight 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.

What weight should my golf shaft be?

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.

Do I want a lighter or heavier driver shaft?

In theory, a golfer should be able to swing a lighter shaft faster than he or she can swing a heavier shaft. But some golfers will not increase their swing speed with a lighter shaft. 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.

Is 75g 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.

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.

What swing weight should my driver be?

What Should Be the Specifications for Your Next Driver?Cut Shaft Weight (Grams)Driver Length (Inches)Swingweight Range4546D0-D34545.5C8-D15546D1-D45545.5C9-D26 more rows

How do I know if my driver shaft is too heavy?

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 10 grams make a difference in golf shaft?

While most focus more on shaft flex, shaft weight is equally important. 10 grams may not sound like a big deal, but during the golf swing, it can make a big difference. This weight can make a big difference to feel, clubhead speed and dispersion (the accuracy of your drives).

What flex should my driver 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).

Is an 80 gram driver shaft too heavy?

The 80-gram driver shaft is probably the heaviest you will find and is typically best for strong players who have a strong swing.

What shaft weight should I use for irons?

Swing Speed Vs Iron Shaft Weight Table6 Iron Swing SpeedShaft Weight< 60 mph45 – 50 grams60 – 70 mph55 – 85 grams70 – 80 mph75 – 105 grams80 – 90 mph90 – 120 grams1 more row

What happens if golf shaft is too heavy?

Nippon suggested that a player should be able to tell largely by feel. 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.

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...

What does a club champion say about weight?

Club Champion told us that weight is the first thing they look at when fitting a shaft, and Nippon said, “If a golfer can’t feel a shaft that’s properly weighted, the other factors (flex, torque, bend profile) are moot.”.

Can high balance shafts be used with standard heads?

As Fujikura explains, “High balance point shafts can be matched with heavier heads or longer club lengths to facilitate club builds with [“normal”] swing weights without having to change mass properties of the head. They can be used with standard heads at standard lengths to simply reduce swing weight.”.

Should slower swingers play lighter or heavier shafts?

One bit of common wisdom is that slower swingers should play lighter shafts and faster swingers should go heavier. This holds up sometimes, but is often wrong. As Fujikura pointed out, a slower swinger will be much better with a heavier shaft if that causes them to have more centered strikes.

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 ...

Heavy Vs Light Driver Shafts – How To Pick A Driver Weight To Suit Your Game

Think about the shaft being the engine of the golf club. Over the past 20 years the technology in golf shafts has skyrocketed. The introduction of graphite shafts changed the game forever.

How Important Is The Weight Of Your Driver

Having the correct weight in your driver shaft could be the difference from you bombing one down the middle or slicing one into the bush.

How To Know Whether You Will Need Heavier Or Lighter Driver Shaft

Choosing the right weight for your driver shaft can become quite tricky, the main aspect that will determine your shaft weight will be clubhead speed.

Swing Speed Vs Driver Shaft Weight Table

This table shows what shaft weight should be matched up with your swing speed, remember this is just a guide, if a heavier or lighter shaft works for you then that is great, personal feel and preference also plays a role.

What Driver Shafts Do The Pros Use?

95% of professionals have a clubhead speed of over 105mph, this means they will be playing a shaft that is 65 grams plus, this is on the heavier side of the scale.

How To Measure Your Swing Speed?

Recently there has been a huge boom in launch monitors, some of the popular companies are Trackman, Flightscope and GC Quad.

Where Does Shaft Flex Come Into The Picture?

This is a fantastic question, and one that is always asked. In simple turns the heavier the shaft gets the stiffer the flex will be.

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.

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.

What is the kick point on a golf driver shaft?

The kick point, which is also referred to as the flex point or bend point, is simply the point along the shaft where it starts to flex the most under load in the downswing. Golf driver shafts of the same overall flex or stiffness can have different kick points. Manufacturers can locate the kick point by varying ...

What is the resistance of a shaft to twist around its own axis when a force is applied to the

Simply put, the resistance of the shaft to twist around its own axis when a force is applied to the clubhead (see diagram). Manufacturers apply a set force to a clubhead and the resulting rotation is measured in degrees.

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 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 is shaft flex?

Simply put, shaft flex is a rating given to the golf shaft’s ability to resist bending under load during the golf swing.

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

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.

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.”.

How long is a golf driver shaft?

The standard retail driver shaft measures 45.5 inches. If you have not been fitted for clubs, then this is likely the length of your driver shaft. Longer shafts help you to generate accelerated clubhead speed. However, it becomes more difficult to control the clubhead, increasing the risk of off-center strikes.

What are the characteristics of a driver shaft?

There are three core characteristics of a driver shaft, length, flex, and weight. All three of these elements need to combine harmoniously to deliver optimal performance. Below I have outlined the importance of each factor and how it impacts the result of your shot.

What is a driver shaft?

Driver shafts come in varied flex, weight, and length options, all designed to assist different golfers. The correct driver shaft is vital to achieving your desired spin rate, launch angle, shot shape, carry, and total distance. For example, faster swinging golfers may generate too much spin and height with a softer driver that has more flex.

Why is clubhead speed important in golf?

This increases the club head speed on the downswing. Clubhead speed does not guarantee a great golf shot, but it helps to amplify the C.O.R at impact.

What happens if your driver shaft is too heavy?

If your driver shaft is too heavy, it will cause you to achieve a lower flight and less spin off the tee. This could significantly reduce your carry distance and total distance. On the other hand, if your shaft is too light, you will likely balloon your drives and gather excessive spin.

Why are shafts so stiff?

On the flip side, shafts that are too stiff for your swing will deliver low levels of spin, low ball flight, and also reduced your carry and total distance. Golf.com’s Andrew Tursky suggests that if you are struggling to generate a higher ball flight and are losing carry as a result.

What is torque in golf?

Torque. Simply put, torque measures the shaft’s ability to resist twisting. Shafts with low torque can withstand twisting, making this option suitable for faster swinging golfers or those of you who tend to hook the ball. These shafts often carry a higher price tag in comparison to the higher torque options.

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.