how to make golf shaft stiffer without changing shafts

Tour pros often have their shafts "tipped," or cut back from the clubhead end slightly to make the tip of the shaft stiffer. This enables them to keep the same length club but have a slightly stiffer shaft near the ball. Cutting a club from the butt end will have somewhat the opposite effect, making the shaft stiffer overall but shorter as well.

Full Answer

Is your golf shaft too stiff?

Playing with a shaft that is too stiff can lead to: 1 A leaking ball flight or fade because you won’t be able to flex the golf shaft enough when you swing to create a square impact position on the ball. 2 A low ball flight, resulting in less distance. 3 Inconsistent contact – your swing won’t feel solid, even when you get center hits.

What makes a shaft stiffer or heavier?

This isn’t rocket science, the heavier the shaft is the more material is in the shaft, and that makes the shaft stiffer. The lighter the shaft, the thinner the shaft walls are, which makes it more flexible. When To Move To A Stiffer Shaft?

Can you change shafts in a driver?

Changing shafts in a driver is a little easier than irons, as nowadays the shafts in Drivers can be screwed out, this makes it easy to chop and change different options.

Does shaft shortening make golf clubs less flexible?

Shortening the shaft can make the golf club less flexible. If you are going to shorten a golf club, there are a few things to keep in mind. The more shaft you cut off, the lighter, more stiff, and effectively flatter the club becomes.

How do you make a regular golf shaft stiffer?

1:463:24Golf Equipment : How to Trim Golf Shafts to Firm Them - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn tighten up the little brace there that just makes sure we make a good 45 degree. Cut bring ourMoreIn tighten up the little brace there that just makes sure we make a good 45 degree. Cut bring our saw down to it's going to line up. On then we just start the saw and chop. It.

Can you make a shaft stiffer?

In most cases, tip trimming a shaft makes it meaningfully stiffer. It also increases torsional stiffness, known as “torque,” which is a shaft's resistance to twisting. On the other end of the shaft is the handle, which is also generally trimmed some amount when building a golf club.

Does butt trimming a shaft make it stiffer?

1:323:54How Does Butt Trimming a Golf Shaft Affect Playability? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst thing is if you cut in one inch off you shorten the beam of the club. Which physics will tellMoreFirst thing is if you cut in one inch off you shorten the beam of the club. Which physics will tell you that would make it stiffer. Although in a golf club.

What happens if my shaft is not stiff enough?

When the golf ball is struck it will generally have too much spin if the shaft is too flexible, this will cause a 'ballooning' effect on the shot and it will tend to go quite high. You might have an inconsistent shot shape if the shaft is too flexible.

Does shortening golf shaft make stiffer?

Cutting a club from the butt end will have somewhat the opposite effect, making the shaft stiffer overall but shorter as well. The most fundamental difference in a shorter club is shorter shot distance, and you might find the change in stiffness is not worth the change to your club.

What swing speed requires a stiff shaft?

between 97 and 104 mphStiff – This range is still considered fast, but you most likely won't be out on Tour anytime soon. 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.

Why does Taylormade tip their shafts?

Hard stepping and additional tipping of a shaft will make the club feel and play firmer than its standard profile (decreases flex). Soft stepping and reduced tipping of a shaft will make the club feel and play softer (increases flex).

Can I put a 3 wood shaft in my driver?

9:3611:04DRIVER WITH 3 WOOD SHAFT v 3 WOOD WITH DRIVER SHAFTYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProbably the biggest surprise for me was that I didn't generate more club head speed with the longerMoreProbably the biggest surprise for me was that I didn't generate more club head speed with the longer shaft in the 3-wood.

How much weight do you gain after cutting a shaft?

Golfers can adjust the swingweight of their golf club by changing the weight of the shaft in their club. Assuming the shaft is not increased or decreased in length, an increase of 9 grams in shaft weight will increase swingweight by approximately one swingweight point (increase from D3 to D4, for example).

What happens if a golf shaft is too flexible?

When a golf shaft is too flexible, you will not be able to hit the ball straight. You will also end up losing a bit of distance. When a golf shaft is too flexible, it isn't easy to control the clubface and get it to square up at impact.

How do I know if I need a stiffer 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. 90-105 mph swing speeds should use stiff shafts.

How do I know if my shaft is too weak?

If you try to play with a shaft that is too light or the shaft flex is too weak, you will struggle to control your shots. A light shaft will feel bad in your hands whilst a weak shaft will have you struggling to keep the ball going where you want it.

Will a stiffer shaft increase distance?

If the shaft flex is too stiff, your average distance will remain low.

How do I know if I need a stiffer 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. 90-105 mph swing speeds should use stiff shafts.

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

If a golfer is using a shaft that is too flexible, here are the likely results:The ball will possibly fly higher for any given loft. ... The ball may tend to draw a bit more from the forward bending of the shaft at impact causing the face to rotate past square to be slightly closed.More items...•

Can a high handicapper use stiff shafts?

Stiff shafts are appropriate for men with single-digit handicaps as well as some with handicaps 10 to 15 who have high clubhead speed. Stiff flex is available in graphite or steel.

What does cutting the shaft shorter do to a golf club?

The swing weight, or weight at the head of the club and any additional weighting inside the shaft, is still in place, and cutting the shaft shorter changes the balance of the club as well.

How much should a golf shaft be tipped?

Many pros have their shafts tipped as much as one or two inches. The idea behind tipping is to make the clubhead end of the shaft stiffer and even lower torque than it was designed to be to minimize twisting of the club at impact.

Why do tour pros have their shafts tipped?

Tour pros often have their shafts "tipped," or cut back from the clubhead end slightly to make the tip of the shaft stiffer. This enables them to keep the same length club but have a slightly stiffer shaft near the ball. Cutting a club from the butt end will have somewhat the opposite effect, making the shaft stiffer overall but shorter as well.

How does changing the length of a golf club affect the swing?

Changing swing characteristics: Changing the length of a golf club can moderately or severely change the swing characteristics of the club. Removing length from the butt end of the shaft also removes weight from that end and changes the swing weight and balance of the club. Cutting a shaft from one end or the other also changes the kickpoint ...

How to adjust length of golf club?

Step 1. From the butt: The easiest and quickest way to adjust the length of a club is to remove the grip and cut a given amount of the shaft off the butt end. Traditionally, this is how many youngsters get their first sets of golf clubs. Their parents cut the clubs down so they are easier for them to handle. Keep in mind, though, that cutting the ...

Is a shorter shaft stiffer than a longer shaft?

A shorter shaft is typically stiffer than a longer one. Although a shorter golf club shaft tends to be firmer than a longer one, it is important to understand the changes trimming a shaft will make to a club before making such a permanent change.

Can you cut a shaft from the butt end?

Cutting a shaft from one end or the other also changes the kickpoint of the shaft–lowering it if you cut from the butt end or raising it if you cut from the tip. Even a small adjustment to a putter can cause a significant change in feel. Keep these changes in mind when planning any changes to your club.

How to tell if your golf club shaft is too stiff?

There are a few telltale signs that might give you an indication that your club shafts are too stiff. If you have a good swing, but your distance is lacking it may be the shaft is too stiff. It may also be that you tend to either slice the ball or fade towards the rough on the right of the fairway, for the same reason.

What is the shaft of a golf club?

The golf shaft is known as the ENGINE of the golf club. On the downswing, as the hips rotate, the weight transfer takes place and the body uncoils, the shaft of the club bends. This bend is also known as flex, and as this flex straightens out, power is transferred from the shaft to the club head and through to the ball.

What to use to reduce fade off tee?

Mix and Match. There is nothing wrong with the idea of mix and match and is becoming more common. Using graphite shafts on your driver, woods and long irons will help reduce the fade off the tee, increase the distance and soften the feel if you are to slightly miss-hit.

What is stiffness in golf?

The stiffness or flex of the shaft is a much-neglected aspect of your golfing equipment as most golfers are more interested in the brand, or technical features, or looks of their clubs. What most golfers fail to appreciate is the effect that ‘swing speed’ has on selecting the correct amount of flex of the shaft.

How fast can a pro swing?

Pros are top athletes and would have a swing speed of 110 mph on average, while amateurs would be swinging between 80 to 95 mph. There are various ways to determine your swing speed, from clip-on devices, iPhone Apps, range monitors, and at the pro shop.

Who is the founder of GolfSpan?

Golf Shafts – The Ultimate Guide – All You Need To Know To Choose The Right Shaft. Nick Lomas. Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world.

Is graphite shaft stiff?

On the shorter, irons accuracy and control are more important thus the extra flexibility of the graphite shaft may be a disadvantage. Graphite shafts are also graded Ladies, Senior, Regular, Stiff, and Extra Stiff, but remember the actual flex will vary from one manufacture r to another.

How does shortening a golf shaft affect swing weight?

Shortening the shaft can make the golf club less flexible. If you are going to shorten a golf club, there are a few things to keep in mind. The more shaft you cut off, the lighter, more stiff, and effectively flatter the club becomes. For every 1/2 inch you remove, you will lose approximately three swingweight points.

How many swingweight points do you lose when you remove 1/2 inch?

For every 1/2 inch you remove, you will lose approximately three swingweight points. You can readjust the swingweight by adding lead tape to the head of the club. Any amount of cutting will slightly stiffen the club. It will probably go unnoticed if you take 1 inch or less off the club.

pganapathy

I have an old graphite shaft Mizuno 3 wood (Silvex flex 8), that I want to make into a stiffer shaft. I know the standard instruction is pull the shaft and tip trim it, but I do not have the equipment and don't think it is worthwhile paying somebody to do that for me. Are they any simpler solutions.

Mr. Desmond

Do you know how much it cost to pay a clubmaker to pull the shaft and trim it for you? I figure it would be very cheap because it would only take 15-20 minutes at most.

pganapathy

That is interesting. Will check on the cost of pulling the shaft to see if it makes sense.

rkim291968

Butt trimming, gripping down works for me. I don't grip down often but when I do, I get a lower trajectory ball flight I want from stiffer shaft.

vangator

I always wondered if filling the shaft with "Great Stuff" would stiffen the shaft? Don't know. Might be too flexible and/or break down.

pganapathy

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I know the simplest solution is to buy a used club, but greenbacks are one part of the equation in me asking this question. The used club market in India is also a lot smaller and much less diverse than America. 4 woods for example are very hard to get here.

Mr. Desmond

Have you tried swinging easier, just make a smooth, full swing to get the most out of the present club. Cutting the butt may not stiffen significantly -- it depends on the shaft profile. If it is butt stiff, and you are cutting 3 inches off the butt from a new shaft, and the mid-profile is softer, you may not be stiffening the shaft...

What happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?

One of the biggest indicators that your golf shaft is too stiff is that you are having trouble hitting the ball high. If you have a low swing speed and the shaft is too stiff, any well-struck ball will have a limit on the shot trajectory and the carry distance.

What happens if you play with a golf shaft that has too much flex?

If you play with a golf shaft that has too much flex, you can find yourself hitting draws with a lot of spin on them. Any golf shaft that has too much flex for your style will flex too much from the start to the finish of the swing, and this allows for inconsistent release points.

How does a club shaft flex affect your swing?

During your swing, your club’s shaft will flex, changing the club head’s position. When you pick the right flex for your swing speed, the clubface lands squarely on the ball, helping to improve your accuracy and maximize your distance. A shaft flex that is too stiff will result in less lag throughout the swing and at impact, ...

Why does my golf ball fade?

A leaking ball flight or fade because you won’t be able to flex the golf shaft enough when you swing to create a square impact position on the ball. A low ball flight, resulting in less distance. Inconsistent contact – your swing won’t feel solid, even when you get center hits.

What is the shaft of a golf club?

The golf shaft is the part of the club that provides the power that is transferred to the head of the club and eventually the ball every time you swing. The flex of your golf club’s shaft is the thing that will directly dictate how your club transfers power, so getting a shaft with too much or not enough flex can significantly affect your ...

How to feel when swinging a golf club?

If you prefer a “springy” feel, consider opting for a more flexible shaft. If you don’t like to feel the clubhead moving during your swing, a stiffer shaft will likely feel more comfortable for you.

Why does my golf ball fly so high?

If the course is wet, your ball will fly too high, the distance will be shorter, or it can limit roll out because it can plug when it lands. You can experience: A ball that tends to misses or pulls mostly to the left on each swing for right-handed golfers and to the right for left-handed golfers. A draw flight.

TEST SHAFT WEIGHT

HOW WE DID IT: Ten golfers, with handicaps ranging from 2 to 18, took five swings each with 6-irons built to three shaft weights (85, 95 and 105 grams) in two flexes (regular and stiff). Test subjects used the same iron-head model and the same shaft model throughout the test.

WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU

1. Lighter shaft weight doesn’t equal faster speeds. The average swing speed, ball speed and distance numbers are pretty similar, regardless of weight (or flex).

What is a hard step in golf?

A “hard step” is to put a 5-iron shaft into a 4-iron clubhead and so on through the set. This makes the shaft play a little stiffer. A “soft step” is the opposite — it means putting a 3-iron shaft into a 4-iron head (and so on through the set) to make the shaft play a little softer. To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.

What is a parallel shaft?

A parallel shaft is one that has a constant diameter from the tip and up to a specified distance on the shaft. Conversely, a taper tip is as it’s described — the shaft tapers towards the tip. Most new clubs (irons and woods) are designed to accommodate parallel shafts, but can also accommodate a taper shaft using brass adapter shims.

What does it mean to tip a golf club?

“Tipping” or “tip trimming ,” as it’s sometimes called, means trimming a club shaft from the clubhead end, not from the grip end where it’s most often cut. ...

Does tipping affect spin rate?

Lastly, tipping won’t do much to affect spin rates and launch angle — two popular misconceptions when it comes to trimming the lower end of a shaft.

Stiffness Or Flex

Graphite Or Steel?

• The introduction of graphite shafts has opened up a whole new dimension to golf club technology and performance. Graphite shafts offer the following benefits: 1. They are lighter than steel shafts. 2. Increase swing speeds and distance. 3. Better dispersion from the tee. 4. Assist golfers with slower swing tempos. BUT 1. They are usually more expen...

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