Tee the ball up so the ball is slightly above the top of the driver club face. Grip the club and take a shoulder width stance. Position the ball off the inside of your left heel (for right-handed golfers).
Do you need a different shaft for high swing speeds?
Like almost anything in golf, there are no hard and fast rules so sometimes certain regular shafts can perform well with high swing speeds. Your tempo and how you load the shaft has an effect on what flex you need so speak to an expert about this too. What happens if my driver shaft is too stiff?
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. ...
Can you fit a golfer into the right shafts online?
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.
What are stiff shafts in golf?
X-stiff – This is the range where most high-level players fall. If you’re swinging the driver above 105 mph, it might be time to get some X stiff shafts in your set. Stiff – This range is still considered fast, but you most likely won’t be out on Tour anytime soon.
Why is a stiffer shaft better for golf?
How fast can a stiff shaft hit?
Why use a stiffer shaft in wedges?
What does it mean when you get the wrong flex of shaft?
What is torque in golf?
Can regular shafts be used with high swing speeds?
Is custom fitting available for golf clubs?
See more
What swing speed should use a regular shaft?
80-95 mph80-95 mph swing speeds should use regular shafts. 90-105 mph swing speeds should use stiff shafts.
Is stiff or regular shaft better for driver?
If you have a slower swing speed, you are probably going to want to choose regular shafted clubs because the additional flex will provide a little more power and accuracy. When you swing harder, the stiff flex will be more controlled and give you the punch you need to hit better shots.
Do any pros use regular flex shafts?
As a whole 90% of the top 100 golfers on the PGA Tour use either an extra stiff or Tour extra flex shaft in their driver. Only a very small number of this elite group, including Brian Harman and Jason Day, use a 'softer' stiff driver shaft while not one of the top 100 uses a regular or regular+ shaft in their driver.
What swing speed do you need for a stiff shaft?
Stiff – 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.
Do regular shafts go further?
No, not necessarily. Whilst this is a heavier object to strike the ball with and that should make it go further, you have to balance your swing speed with this weight. For many golfers a lighter shaft will allow them to generate higher clubhead speeds.
What happens if your driver shaft is too flexible?
Having a shaft that is too flexible can also cause the ball to hook uncontrollably, because the shaft bends incorrectly, it will come through with a closed clubface causing the ball to go left, this is because the shaft can't handle your swing speed, and the head is rotating too much.
Who are regular shafts for?
A Regular shaft is used by golfers who hit the ball an average or farther than average length. For those long hitters, there are Stiff and Extra-stiff shafts that flex little.
Do any tour players use regular flex?
Kramer's 2006 “Golf Magazine” article cites a survey showing that just 2 percent of PGA Tour players and 10 percent of PGA Champions Tour players used regular flex shafts in their irons. He also notes that PGA Tour swing speeds average 110 mph, so the players favor a stiffer shaft to better control the club.
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).
Who should use regular flex shafts?
A driver swing speed between 85-90 mph will be the kind of golfer looking for a regular flex. A regular shaft will help maximise the distance you can generate from your golf swing. This is when you need to be honest with yourself and if you need more help then accept it.
How do I know what shaft flex is right for me?
Some General Guidelines About Shaft FlexTake a look at the distance you hit your driver. ... If you have a very smooth swing, you might benefit from a softer flex even if you swing fast. ... If your drives go left, you might benefit from a stiffer flex; if your drives go right, you might benefit from a softer flex.
How do I know if my golf shaft is too stiff?
If your driver's shaft is too stiff, the clubhead may not square with the ball at the point of impact, causing slices and fades. If you can't feel the weight of the clubhead loading through the shaft, it's probably too stiff, and can cause errors and issues associated with accuracy such as these.
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.
Is 9.5 or 10.5 driver better?
The ideal driver loft depends on your swing speed and the attack angle. Average players that swing the club less than 95 MPH will likely find that a 10.5-degree driver performs the best. Better players who can control their drives and want the most distance will lean more towards a 9-degree driver.
What driver shaft does Tiger Woods use?
While it is a little challenging to see in the video, equipment junkies might notice that Tiger has a new shaft in his TaylorMade Stealth Plus+ driver. The new shaft is a Fujikura Ventus Black 6X, and Woods used it at the JP McManus Pro-Am, too.
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 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 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.
How to swing a golf club backwards?
Begin the backswing by keeping the club head low and sweeping the club back. Turn your shoulders around your spine, and shift your weight to the back foot. Your left shoulder moves toward your right armpit, and the toe of the club face will point up.
How to uncoil your body for downswing?
Uncoil your body for the downswing by moving your lower body first, and then your upper body and arms. Your left knee will move toward the target as your weight shifts to the front foot. A quick hip rotation will generate the power you need for distance.
How to feel the weight of the club face?
When the club makes contact with the ball, your arms will be stretched out and you will feel the weight of the club face. Finish the shot by hitting through the ball for a strong follow-through. By the end of the swing, your back heel will be up and your back toe is pointed toward the ground.
How to play a tennis ball with a left heel?
Step 1. Place your feet in a wide stance about shoulder distance apart, and position the ball off the inside of your left heel. Your head will be behind the ball, and your weight will favor the back leg. Tilt your spine so that the right shoulder is lower than the left.
Why is shaft length important in golf?
An increased shaft length creates a greater swing-arc, which relates to more distance. Shorter stature golfers often increase the length of the shafts and stand further away from the ball. The longer the shaft the less control and this is where fitment assists.
What weight shafts are available for clubfitters?
Clubfitters now have the option to fit these shafts with weights from 95 to 110gm. This is a reduction from the 115 to 125gm range previously on offer. Steel generally has less flex, more stability, low torque, and provides more accuracy. Standard steel shafts are shorter.
What is carbon fiber shaft?
Modern composite graphite shafts have 3 layers of fiber winding, adding substantial rigidity and performance. Carbon fiber offers increased flex, greater clubhead speed, but reduced accuracy, due to more torque. It also dissipates the stinging shock from a poorly struck shot and will protect the hands and wrist.
What is flex in golf?
Flex. Put very simply, flex is the amount of bend in the shaft. It affects launch angle, spin, ball flight, control, carries, and distance. Shafts are qualified in different ways but reference to flex is the most important. Powerful swings require stiffer shafts which put less load on the shaft.
What happens if you don't have a stiff shaft?
The result is a loss of distance. Added to this the direction control will be lost.
When did steel shafts become legal?
Finally in 1924 steel shafts were legalized and Billy Burke was the 1st to win the US Open with steel. From 1960 to 1970 the aluminum shaft was introduced but besides expensive, it broke very easily. Then followed graphite shafts, displayed at the 1970 PGA merchandise show for the first time.
Is there a real standard for shafts in golf?
It is accepted within the golf industry that there are no real standards when it comes to shaft manufacture and the different properties they all claim to have.
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.
Weight
The weight of your shaft is going to primarily affect your distance. A heavier shaft will reduce your clubhead speed and thus the amount of energy transferred into the ball.
Kickpoint
Depending on the kickpoint, your shaft will bend closer to the head or the grip of the club.
Torque
Torque refers to how much the shaft twists. It’s the least talked about feature but still an important one to club fitters. High torque shafts can twist easily, and low torque shafts are resistant to twisting.
Cost
It always comes down to price at the end of the day and we are always looking for the best deal. A driver shaft can cost anywhere from $40 – $300.
Conclusion
Fitting yourself for a driver shaft is a bit like trying to do your own plumbing. You could do it yourself but if you get something wrong then you might end up in the water.
Why is a stiffer shaft better for golf?
Also, a stiffer shaft tends to help reduce dispersion as the club can move less through impact and so be more consistent.
How fast can a stiff shaft hit?
Who benefits from a stiff shaft? A good tip for working out what flex you need is the 150-yard test. If you can hit an 8- or 9-iron 150 yards, comfortably, then a stiff shaft is for you. This means that you will have a driver swing speed of around 100 mph and you will see the benefits of a stiff shaft.
Why use a stiffer shaft in wedges?
Most wedges come with a less flexible shaft as it can improve control for your shortgame.
What does it mean when you get the wrong flex of shaft?
This means that getting the wrong flex of shaft means that you will give up distance and control of the ball with your driver.
What is torque in golf?
Torque is how much a shaft resists twisting during the golf swing. This feature has a huge role to play in how easy it is to deliver the clubface square through impact and therefore how accurate it will be. This isn’t really something you need to know but your pro or fitter will be well-aware of it.
Can regular shafts be used with high swing speeds?
Be open-minded. Like almost anything in golf, there are no hard and fast rules so sometimes certain regular shafts can perform well with high swing speeds. Your tempo and how you load the shaft has an effect on what flex you need so speak to an expert about this too.
Is custom fitting available for golf clubs?
The more you learn about golf shafts the more complicated it can seem, thankfully there are people out there that are real experts on this and are here to help you. Custom fitting is now available to all golfers and you should take advantage of it when buying new gear.