- 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.
- Weight. The weight of a shaft has a similar correlation to performance as flex. ...
- Length. Of course, the length of your driver shaft will significantly change how the golf club feels, but length affects strike point, too.
- Kick point. According to Briand, a high bend point will lower ball flight and a low bend point will raise ball flight.
- 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.
How to choose the right shaft for your golf club?
For instance, ball impact that is 0.5 inches off-centre equates to a 7% loss of carry distance, and an impact that is 1 inch off-centre equates to a 14% loss of carry distance. So, the key to choosing the right shaft is finding the correct length that provides a repeating, solid hit each time. – How to measure the length of a golf club shaft?
What do the numbers on golf shafts mean?
When buying a golf shaft, you’ll see many different numbers in the name of the shaft. For example: These numbers are the weight of the shaft in grams. Shaft weights typically range between 50 grams and 85 grams with the 50-60 numbers being pretty common as seen in the example shafts above.
What are the characteristics of a good shaft?
The twisting of the clubhead around the handle is the torque of the shaft. Therefore, the overall profile of the shaft is going to affect these three characteristics. A lighter shaft translates into higher torque and lower kick point and vice versa. You can pick your shaft based on these three characteristics within the same weight categories.
Does the shaft affect how well you can play golf?
Choosing the right shaft for your clubs is all part of the goal of giving you consistency. It can give you the best chance at striking the center of the face that will result in optimal launch conditions on the course. It absolutely has an effect on how well you can play. The shaft is similar to the transmission of a car.
How do you compare shafts?
Generally, the more flexible a shaft, the higher the ball flight. The lower the bend point in the shaft, the higher the ball flight (minor affect). Generally, the stiffer the shaft, the lower the ball flight. The higher the bend point, the lower the ball flight (minor affect).
What does 5.0 mean on a golf shaft?
Regular – 5.0. Regular Plus – 5.5. Stiff – 6.0. Extra Stiff – 6.5. Extra Stiff Plus – 7.0.
Is a lighter or heavier shaft better?
Weight in the shaft is linked to your preference for feel and swing speed. Fast swing speed will benefit from a heavier shaft to provide more control without losing distance. Slow swing speed and tempo will benefit most from a lightweight shaft.
What is better stiff or regular shaft?
Experts suggest that at the beginner level, you should opt for a regular shaft. This is because it is easy to handle and it assists you with your range. A stiff shaft is a better option for those who're more experienced at golf and have a good swing speed and driver carry distance.
Is a 6.0 flex shaft stiff?
5.0 out of 5 stars 6.0 62g is VERY stiff! Great shaft! The only thing I would say to someone who is looking at this is if you normally play a stiff shaft you should go with the 5.5 62g variant. the 6.0 62g shaft is extra stiff in my opinion.
What flex do I need for my irons?
Determine the Proper Shaft Flex for Your SwingIf You Can Hit 150 Yards with a...Then Your Optimal Shaft Flex Is...6- or 7-IronRegular Flex (R)5-Iron/Hybrid or 4-Iron/Hybrid(Male or Female)Senior Flex (A/M)Any Iron/Hybrid lower than 4 or any Fairway Wood (Females or Juniors)Ladies Flex (L)1 more row•Apr 6, 2022
What happens if your iron shafts are too light?
Too light of a shaft encourages an early unhinging of the wrists in the downswing, a swing flaw shown here with an iron known as casting that robs you of speed. Mucklow's data also shows that a heavier shaft improves your swing path.
What happens if your iron 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.
What shaft is best for my swing speed?
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).
What shaft flex should a beginner use?
But if a beginner player already has a decent swing motion and generates clubhead speed between the range of 95 to 110 mph or more, then a stiff shaft or extra stiff shaft could be justified to be used by a beginner golfer.
Is regular flex good for most golfers?
The regular shaft is perfect for the golfer with around 90mph of swing speed. Most average golfers and beginners enjoy the regular flex shaft.
How do I know if I need stiff shaft irons?
When To Move To A Stiffer Shaft?Feels 'whippy' in your hands.Feels too light.Your ball is ballooning in the air.Your ball is behind your pitch mark when you hit your driver.You ball spins to much on the greens when you approach with your irons.Your accuracy has dropped.You start hitting hooks.More items...
What do the numbers on golf shafts mean?
These numbers are the weight of the shaft in grams. Shaft weights typically range between 50 grams and 85 grams with the 50-60 numbers being pretty common as seen in the example shafts above.
What do numbers on Hzrdus shaft mean?
The Project X flex system uses numbers to denote flex. A scale of 5.0 to 7.0 is used to mark flexes between regular and Tour-extra-stiff. The HZRDUS Black comes in 60- and 70-gram weights with 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 flexes, regular+, stiff, and extra-stiff respectively.
What does the letter a mean on a golf shaft?
senior flex"A" or "M" denotes "senior flex" (might also be designated "AM" or "A/M," or "Senior") "R" denotes "regular flex" "S" denotes "stiff flex" (might also be designated "Firm") "X" denotes "extra stiff flex" (might also be designated "Tour")
What do the letters on golf clubs mean?
Again, breaking it down to its simplest form, the numbers on your golf clubs relate to how far they hit the ball - the lower the number, the further the ball should travel. A club with a #4 on it will hit the ball further than one with a #9 on it.
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!
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
How much weight should a golf shaft be?
Weight. Getting the correct weight of your shaft is an important factor to consider as well. Shafts can range anywhere from 40 to 135 grams. Typically the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slower swing speed will benefit from using a lighter shaft, and you would add weight as swing speed increases. As you might expect at this point, there are ...
What is the biggest misconception about golf shafts?
One of the biggest misconceptions about shafts is that there are standards out there that manufacturers adhere to. Most golfers assume that a shaft marked regular or stiff will be the same across the board, no matter who they buy it from.
What is the difference between stock shafts and aftermarket shafts?
The difference between stock shafts and aftermarket shafts is usually found in quality control. Many times the bigger OEMs will strip off the paint of last year’s model and give them a new exterior. The graphics look attractive, but you really have no idea what is beneath it.
Why didn't Nick Price find a stiff shaft?
Regardless of the similarity in their swing speeds, Nick Price couldn’t find a shaft stiff enough for his swing because he would apply such an enormous amount of force, whereas Couples didn’t need as stiff of a shaft because of his smooth tempo.
Why is shaft profile important?
Getting the right shaft profile for your swing is very important. It will greatly affect your ability to hit quality shots on the course . There is a lot of confusion in the golf shaft industry. With no standards for performance, the quality greatly varies, and often you get what you pay for. We hope that we have cleared up some ...
What is the most important thing about a driver shaft?
One of the most important things about shafts is how they handle the force that a player’s swing will apply. Generally speaking, there are two extremes. Some players apply a late load to their swing, which would require a stiffer tip of the driver shaft. Conversely, a player that extends early in their swing (most recreational golfers) ...
Is the shaft of a truck the same as the transmission?
It absolutely has an effect on how well you can play. The shaft is similar to the transmission of a car. While it’s not the engine, it’s still extremely important. If you are driving a truck you want a transmission that can handle its particular demands.
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 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 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 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 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 does a lengthened golf club work?
A longer distance can be achieved with a lengthened club if you have the ability to swing it with the same force and speed that you did with a shorter club . This increases the ball’s velocity upon impact, and you can hit it farther. Flex: The flex of the shaft will be altered. This happens for a few reasons.
Why are golf clubs made the way they are?
The reason clubs are made the way they are is to gather momentum as you swing down. If your club is too short, you’re going to build momentum while having resistance, meaning you will push too hard against the wind and not just swing naturally. There’s not enough weight to the club.
What happens if your woods aren't longer?
If your woods didn’t have the length that they do, and they were shorter, you’d be sending your ball almost straight up and they wouldn’t close much of a distance. It’s not always about the angling of the golf club head; sometimes it’s about the length and force to make it meet the ball.
Why do you have to swoop on your golf club?
Because the club is longer, you have to swoop on your downward swing, causing the force of your wood – if you’ve hit it correctly – to be applied to the bottom of the ball and send it upwards. A wood without enough length just doesn’t cut it. You’d be sending the ball higher but with almost no distance.
What happens if you play too long in a golf club?
If the club is too long for you, then you’re spending extra time during ramp up which is the amount of time spent during your initial downswing. You want a balance between your abilities, ramp up, and momentum while cutting through the wind with as little resistance as possible.
When shortening a golf club, do you have to remove the crown?
When you shorten a golf club, you have to remove the crown, and safely disconnect the shaft from the head.
Why did Lars start golfing?
Father of six and long-time golfer, Lars started golfing because of a summer job when he was nineteen, where he caddied for a Virginia state official. From that moment on, he fell in love with the sport, and made it a core staple in his life. Thirty-five years later, with thousands of games under his belt, he’s here to teach you the fundamentals and master techniques of golf, while recommending proper golfing gear and equipment for every step in your journey.
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.
What factors affect the size of a golf club?
Here’s another factor that affects the appropriate golf club size. The angle and the grip size of the club are as important as the height and wrist-to-floor measurements . However, this means more to serious professional golfers than to someone just starting out.
How tall is a golf club?
Manufacturers usually make clubs to account for golfers anywhere between 4’8” to 6’7” inches tall. The second measurement is wrist-to-floor distance. This is done by standing on a flat surface with your arms relaxed and pointing down. You then measure the distance between the ground and the line where your wrist meets your hand.
Why do manufacturers make golf tables?
Manufacturers create such tables to help everyone from beginner golfers to pro golfers choose the right club size for their play. Here’s how your size affects the dimensions of your needed golf club size and why it matters. Last but not least, the grip size should also be determined for the club to fit perfectly in your hands.
What is the difference between men's and women's golf clubs?
The difference between men’s and women’s clubs is generally noticeable on the grip. Men’s golf clubs have larger grips and are also about 2.5 cm longer than women’s golf clubs. Kids’ clubs are even smaller than women’s for the most part. Knowing what type of golf club you need is the first step in determining the appropriate size.
What is plus and minus golf clubs?
The adjustments on a size chart are made with reference to the standard clubs. Therefore, the plus and minus values show how much shorter or longer your golf club should be compared to the standard, according to your measurements, ...
What is the second measurement of a grip?
The second measurement is the length of your middle finger from the tip to its base. When you have these two measurements, you can then find the appropriate grip size on a manufacturer’s size chart. Note that we only use the middle finger as an example as it applies to most people.
Can you play golf with an off size club?
Because there are plenty of variations, it’s unsurprising that a lot of people sometimes play with off-size clubs. Most pros recommend that even beginners should opt for a perfectly sized golf club in order to have the best learning experience.
How to measure wrist for golf club?
Step 2. Stand with your hands hanging loosely by your side. Have your assistant measure the distance from where your wrist hinges to the ground, going straight down. This is your wrist-to-floor measurement. Step 3. Use the "Golf Club Measurement Guide" (see Resources).
How much shorter are ladies golf clubs than men?
Ladies' standard-sized golf clubs run approximately 1-inch shorter than men's clubs.
What is the average size of a golf club for women?
As a result, the standard size of golf club for women is shorter in length and is designed for women that are between 65-inches (5'5") and 69-inches (5'9") tall. For women who are shorter than 5'5", golf manufacturers produce a "petite" golf club that is both shorter and lighter than the standard length club.
