What is the difference between steel and graphite golf shafts?
Steel shafts place a greater focus on accuracy as opposed to distance. Since they don’t get as much distance as graphite shafts, steel shafts require faster swing speed to make up for the loss of distance compared to graphite.
What do the letters on golf shafts mean?
Those letters tell golfers flex—the relative stiffness—of that shaft. "L" is the most flexible shaft and "X" is the stiffest shaft: "A" or "M" denotes "senior flex" (might also be designated "AM" or "A/M," or "Senior")
What do shaft flex codes mean on golf clubs?
Those letters tell golfers flex—the relative stiffness—of that shaft. What Shaft Flex Codes Mean "L" is the most flexible shaft and "X" is the stiffest shaft: "L" denotes "ladies flex"
What are the parts of a golf shaft called?
BUTT: The top end of the shaft, called the butt, is located underneath the grip. Shafts have different amounts of torque and flex in the butt, just as they do in other sections of the shaft. TIPPING: The tip end of the shaft, which is inserted into the clubhead, sometimes is cut or trimmed to provide more stiffness in the shaft.
What do the Coloured dots mean on golf clubs?
The dots do not indicate a particular style of club, as any line of irons is available in every color, but instead represent the angle of the club heads to the standard shaft angle.
What is the Ping Color Code?
The PING color code chart is designed to provide the proper lie angle and shaft length based on a golfer's combination of height and wrist-to-floor measurement. This system provides fitting recommendations for players from 5'0” up to 6'7”.
What is the difference in graphite shafts?
Graphite shafts are much lighter and more expensive in comparison to steel shafts, and weigh between 50 and 85 grams. As a result, the lightweight shafts on graphite irons can help to create a greater swing speed for more power.
What does the number mean on graphite shafts?
Higher rated torque numbers means the shaft twists more but it also has softer feel. An example is a 5 degree torque vs a 3 degree torque. The 5 degree torque will feel softer compared to the 3 degree torque which will feel much stiffer.
What are the different color dots on Ping irons?
So each specific set of Ping iron has 12 different dot colors. From flat to upright the dot colors go in the following order with gold being the flattest lie angle at 3.75 degrees to brown, orange, purple, red, black, blue, yellow, green, white, silver, and maroon being the most upright at 4.5 degrees.
What does 2 degrees upright mean on a golf club?
So when most people say a club is 2 degrees upright (or 1 degree upright, 2 degrees flat, etc) then they are measuring it off of the standard off the shelf lie measurement for that particular club. It can also refer to the club being too upright for a particular person.
Do you swing slower with graphite shafts?
Graphite Shafts These are much more flexible when compared to the steel shafts. This makes them a perfect choice for those who prefer lighter clubs and have slower swing speed.
Are graphite shafts better for senior golfers?
Are graphite shafts better for seniors in golf? Yes, graphite shafts are the best choice for most seniors. As I mentioned, the shaft plays a major role in ball striking, consistency, and distance. The overwhelming majority of senior players would benefit from using a graphite shaft.
Do any pros use graphite shafts?
6 days agoIn total 100% of the top 100 PGA Tour pros use graphite shafts in their drivers, fairway woods and hybrid clubs. 14 out of the top 100 use graphite shafts in their utility irons while 21 pros use steel.
What does the letter s mean on a golf club?
Wedges typically don't have numbers. Instead that have letters such as P or PW for pitching wedge and S for sand wedge. The sand wedge, gap wedge and lob wedge might also be identified by the degrees of loft.
What driver loft should I use?
Choose a loft to try based on your assessed club-head speed. If it is between 95 and 104 mph, a 10- or 11-degree loft will be appropriate. If it is between 105 and 115 mph, a loft between 7 and 9 degrees should be considered. Golfers with club-head speeds below 85 mph should use a loft angle between 14 and 20 degrees.
What does 6.0 mean on a golf shaft?
StiffRegular – 5.0. Regular Plus – 5.5. Stiff – 6.0. Extra Stiff – 6.5. Extra Stiff Plus – 7.0.
What is the shaft of a golf club?
The shaft is known as the engine of the golf club, the instrument by which energy is transmitted from the player to the golf ball. Therefore “better,” in simplest terms, means something that can produce longer, straighter, more consistent shots.
Who invented graphite shafts?
Frank Thomas is credited with developing the modern graphite shaft. In 1968 he was commissioned by Henry Shakespeare, son of the founder of The Shakespeare Company, to come up with the best composite-material golf shaft. The Shakespeare Company was primarily known for its fishing equipment, but it also produced archery equipment, pool cues, radio antennas – and golf club shafts. Shakespeare had signed Gary Player to an endorsement contract, and in 1965 he won the U.S. Open playing irons with Shakespeare fiberglass shafts.
Did Shakespeare get a patent for his graphite shaft?
Shakespeare was unable to secure a patent on the shaft, and before long several other companies were producing graphite shafts of their own.
What is a graphite shaft?
Typically, a steel shaft with a graphite tip is used for the shaft. The steel shaft allows the player to exert more control over the ball’s trajectory. Furthermore, the graphite tip ensures that the golf ball travels the distance without causing any unnecessary vibrations.
Why is it important to use a golf club shaft?
As a Golfer, using the right golf club shaft is very important to make perfect golf swings. Whether you are just getting started or you’re looking at acing your golf game, your golf club shaft choice can make or break your game.
How fast should a 7 iron swing go?
A regular Flex shaft would be recommended if you reached a 7-iron around 150 yards. Choose a graphite or steel shaft with a Swing Speed Rating of 70 to 80 mph. If you’re hitting a 5-iron from 150 yards, a shaft with a Swing Speed Rating of 60 to 70 mph is recommended.
What is club fitting?
Club fitting by a professional is necessary for you to determine which golf shaft flex is meant for you. The first thing a pro will do is to analyze your golf swing speed with a launch monitor.
What is shaft flex?
The golf shaft flex regulates the transfer of power from the golf shaft to the clubhead and ultimately the golf club. According to FoyGolfAcademy.com, the golf shaft flex influences your golf game in the following ways: It controls the height of the golf shot. It controls the speed of the clubhead.
How to achieve the best golf swing?
The golf swing path and the curvature. To achieve the best performance, you must choose the right golf shaft flex that’s suitable for you. A shaft that is too rigid will slice the ball to the right, lowering ball flight and resulting in distance loss.
What is the driving force of a golf club?
The golf club shaft is the driving force of the golf club. Power is transferred from the golf shaft to the clubhead and, eventually, to the golf ball. Interestingly, the shaft flex directly controls this power transfer. Furthermore, your shaft choice will greatly affect your performance. Picking the right flex for your golf swing speed is crucial.
Which shaft is the most played on the PGA Tour?
Companies like Fujikura, Mitsubishi and True Temper each offer hundreds of driver shaft options, sometimes dozens under the same model. Fujikura’s Ventus, which has been the most played shaft on the PGA Tour, is available in 23 versions on its website. True Temper’s Project X HZRDUS has 70 varieties.
What is the implication of these swing varieties and shaft options?
The implication of these swing varieties and shaft options is clear: The vast majority of recreational golfers are playing the wrong driver shaft.
What is the right shaft for a high handicapper?
The right shaft, even for a high-handicapper, lines up with the signature of your swing.”. There are general rules all fitters use: (1) A lighter shaft will be easier to swing faster and is likely to launch the ball higher. But it’s best to match your strength to shaft weight.
What is loading force in golf?
This idea of loading or applying force at various points during the swing is meant to correlate with how the shaft bends in multiple directions and depending on a golfer’s swing, speed and strength. Stories from fitters of golfers with poorly fitting shafts having to compromise their driver swings or work too hard to achieve optimal conditions are common.
How fast can a carbon fiber shaft swing?
For instance, tour-level golfers now swing lighter shafts that maintain their stiffness at swing speeds of 120 miles per hour or more. Some estimate that shafts on tour today can maintain gram weights in the 60s but are twice as stiff as they were a decade ago. For paying customers, technology and material gains mean some graphite shafts weigh half what they once did.
Who makes Project X shafts?
The voyage for a pro starts with a precise fitting, says Don Brown , vice president of innovation and product creation for True Temper Sports, makers of the Project X brand of shafts, which includes the HZRDUS and Even-Flow lines. “Guys can use a launch monitor to dial in tenths of a degree of launch and spin by 50 revolutions per minute to get optimal launch conditions,” Brown says, “whereas 20 years ago, they mostly stood on the range with their caddies and said, ‘Yeah, that looks like the right window.’ ”
Is the speed of Collin Morikawa the same as Viktor Hovland's speed?
The clubhead speeds of Collin Morikawa (top) and Viktor Hovland (above) are nearly the same , but their different movements during the swing lead them to use different shaft models. Factors include how aggressively the player transitions in a few milliseconds of the downswing and how firm or soft various sections of the shaft feel.
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.
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.
How much does a graphite shaft weigh?
Graphite shafts are also much lighter weight (50-85 grams) while steel shafts can start at 120 grams in most cases.
What do the letters on a golf shaft mean?
Golf shafts are designated with a letter code, the letters most commonly being X, S, R, A, and L . What do these letters represent? Those letters tell golfers flex—the relative stiffness—of that shaft.
Why do golf shafts bend?
Shaft makers vary the amount of stiffness because golfers have different types of swings—different swing speeds, different tempos—and different amounts of stiffness in a shaft better match up to those different swings.
What does it mean when a golfer's swing is slower?
The slower a golfer's swing, generally speaking, the more flex he or she requires in the shafts that are in their golf clubs. And the faster the swing, the more stiffness. Tempo also matters: A jerkier swing requires more stiffness, a smoother swing less stiffness, generally speaking.
What happens if you mismatch your golf shaft?
If your swing is mismatched to your golf shaft flex—if you are using an X flex shaft, for example, when you should be using an R flex shaft—you will have a harder time squaring the clubface at impact. The way your shots are flying can clue you into the possibility you might be using the wrong flex.
How to choose shaft flex?
These are just general guidelines, however; the best way to choose shaft flex is to go through a club fitting. Not every golfer can (or is willing) to do that, though.
Why is senior flex represented by an A or M?
Why is senior flex represented by an A or M? " A" originally stood for "amateur." The "M" stands for "mature" or "medium." Also, of course, "S" is taken by "stiff."
When were steel shafts invented?
Alas, no. Golf industry veteran Tom Wishon, of Tom Wishon Golf Technologies, explains: "Shortly after steel shafts were introduced in the 1920s, steel shaft makers discovered they could change the diameter and wall thickness of the tubes to create shafts with different amounts of stiffness to better match to the different swing speeds ...
What is the tip of a golf club called?
TIPPING: The tip end of the shaft, which is inserted into the clubhead, sometimes is cut or trimmed to provide more stiffness in the shaft. This is called tipping. While the practice is common on professional tours, it is not widely used among amateur golfers.
What is a golf shaft spine?
SPINE ALIGNMENT:Golf shafts, because they are round and hollow, have a spine that is a result of the manufacturing process. Spining (or “puring,” as it is called by SST Pure, which holds several patents in this technique) focuses on the alignment of a shaft in a clubhead: The spine is placed in a particular position in relationship to the head, the purpose being to produce optimal results. The effectiveness of spining for ordinary golfers remains somewhat controversial. Many touring pros, in the name of consistency and accuracy, have their clubs adjusted for spine placement. Most amateurs, however, do not.
How much does a shaft weigh?
WEIGHT:Overall shaft weight usually is expressed in grams. This reflects the weight of an uncut shaft. Once a shaft is trimmed, of course, the final weight is reduced. Stronger flexes generally weigh more than regular, senior or ladies flexes of the same model. True Temper’s Dynamic Gold, the most popular steel iron shaft on the PGA Tour, weighs abourt 130 grams. At the other end of the spectrum, Mitsubishi Rayon has a Bassara graphite driver shaft that weighs about 35 grams.
How much does a true temper iron shaft weigh?
True Temper’s Dynamic Gold, the most popular steel iron shaft on the PGA Tour, weighs abourt 130 grams. At the other end of the spectrum, Mitsubishi Rayon has a Bassara graphite driver shaft that weighs about 35 grams. RAW: A raw shaft is an uncut shaft that has not been installed in a clubhead.
What is the most precise method of measuring shaft strength?
FREQUENCY:A more precise method of measuring shaft strength, although measurements from one frequency machine cannot necessarily be compared to those from another machine. As a shaft vibrates, these machines measure the number of vibrations. The higher the vibration count, the stiffer the shaft.
What is a raw shaft?
RAW: A raw shaft is an uncut shaft that has not been installed in a clubhead. BLANK: This is another word for a raw shaft. When clubmakers refer to a blank, they mean a raw shaft. SPINE ALIGNMENT: Golf shafts, because they are round and hollow, have a spine that is a result of the manufacturing process.
What does low torque mean on a golf swing?
Normal measurements are in the 2- to 6-degree range. A low torque number means less twisting of the shaft but also can mean a harsher feel . A high torque number is associated with a soft-feeling shaft, although there may be a sacrifice in accuracy. FLEX: The strength of a shaft as it bends during the swing.
How much lateral deviation does a shaft need to be to wobble?
Amazed by the video above? According to TPT testing and standards, a shaft would be considered as starting to wobble if it had a lateral deviation of +/- 1.5 centimeters. And as you can see, it’s unlikely that any handmade shaft could meet that standard.
Why do custom fitters do spines?
These processes don’t fix the problem; they just minimize the problem. In some cases, they make problems even worse.
Can a golf shaft be roll wrapped?
The bottom line is that a golf shaft created with the roll-wrapping method will never perform as designed. We launched TPT because that didn’t make sense to us. Of all the things that can get in the way of a golfer’s best shots, a golf shaft should not be one of them.
What is PCS in golf?
Inspired by the research done by the Braly’s, a club makers organization, the PCS, endorsed and taught frequency based club making to its many, many members. it was a time when shaft design was not as complex as it currently is and when frequency instruments were one of the few tools available to club makers for measuring shaft stiffness.
Who owns Royal Precision shaft?
The Royal Precision shaft company was purchased by True Temper and with that purchase was the numeric stiffness rating patent. Here is a look at how that system is currently applied.
Is shaft frequency used in stiffness?
Shaft frequency is not of much use in evaluating shaft stiffness. The problem for club makers and fitters who recognized the importance of shaft profiling was that there was not an affordable EI instrument until I designed and manufactured one. They used the frequency instruments they had. As with all technologies, instruments and expertise evolves. Frequency profiling and frequency rating of shaft stiffness were an attempt by club builders to reverse engineer shaft knowledge not shared by the shaft companies. Affordable EI instruments have closed the knowledge gap between the shaft engineer and the club fitter.
Who invented the rate of oscillation of a shaft?
Dr. Joe Braly introduced club makers to using the rate of oscillation of a shaft (frequency) to understand its stiffness. In the 80’s he did research on the PGA tour. He used a frequency instrument to measure the shafts used by the tour players. From this research, he developed a formula for the stiffness of ratio of the different irons in the set. The ratio he found was 4.3 CPM (cycles per minute) per one half inch of length of club.
Is the area under the EI curve metric?
What you might have started to notice here is that Jeff Meyer’s system, area under the EI curve, as a single metric rating system , actually makes some sense.
Do golf shaft stiffness rates work across brands?
The systems we have to rate golf shaft stiffness do not work across brands or even across models within brands. Most experienced club fitters use their experience to understand golf shaft stiffness. Many use some systematic method, most often frequency, to rate the shafts they work with.