Hard stepping and soft stepping is a way changing the flex of a shaft in a club to obtain an in-between flex which will also produce a slightly different ball flight. It works the same way regardless if the shafts are taper or parallel tipped.
Full Answer
What is hard stepping in golf?
Hard stepping is just the opposite, putting the 9 iron shaft in the 8 iron, the 8 iron shaft in the 7 iron. This practice applies to sets of shafts that are produced with specific designs and lengths for each iron in the set.
What are step patterns in golf shafts?
Those ridges are called “steps,” and they play an important role in how the shaft performs during the swing. Let’s use Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson as examples. McIlroy plays a stepless Project X 7.0 product while Johnson prefers the step pattern found on True Temper’s Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100.
What is the difference between hard stepping and hard stepping shafts?
For example, the 8 iron shaft is put in the 9 iron, the 7 iron shaft in the 8 iron and so on through the set. Hard stepping is just the opposite, putting the 9 iron shaft in the 8 iron, the 8 iron shaft in the 7 iron. This practice applies to sets of shafts that are produced with specific designs and lengths for each iron in the set.
What is soft stepping in golf clubs?
Soft stepping is the term used to indicate changing flex of a taper tip shaft by adjusting the stiffness of a set of irons by putting the lower numbered iron shaft throughout the set. For example, the 8 iron shaft is put in the 9 iron, the 7 iron shaft in the 8 iron and so on through the set.
What does hard stepping a golf shaft mean?
Stepping shafts is a method of reshafting that focuses on a flex between the specific designations, say, between a regular and a stiff flex. "Hard stepping" would make a shaft stiffer, "soft stepping," more flexible.
What does hard or soft stepping a shaft mean?
Hard stepping and soft stepping is a way changing the flex of a shaft in a club to obtain an in-between flex which will also produce a slightly different ball flight. It works the same way regardless if the shafts are taper or parallel tipped.
What is hard soft step in golf?
0:122:10What is Hard Stepping or Soft Stepping a Golf Shaft? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo hard stepping soft stuffing is a method that some of the best fitters in the world use to reallyMoreSo hard stepping soft stuffing is a method that some of the best fitters in the world use to really dial an in-between flex in for a certain player.
How much difference does soft stepping make?
By using a soft stepping golf iron, you can expect to increase your distance by 10-15 yards.
What is a stepped shaft?
Stepped shafts are widely used in drive trains. They are generally holding large gears and cams, which are key elements in power transfer. Mostly supported by bearings at the end, the shaft experiences bending loads, axial thrust and torsional loads. The shaft must have greater strength to withstand these loads.
What is Tiger stepping?
0:585:39TIGER STEPPING / TIGER WOODS WEDGE BUILD SETUP - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHead on any shaft. It's going to make it more flexible. So for consistency's sake the whole pointMoreHead on any shaft. It's going to make it more flexible. So for consistency's sake the whole point really is we're trying to get the shaft to flex consistently regardless of what iron.
Does soft stepping add length?
When you soft step irons, the length of each club will be a little bit longer than it would be in a club that has not been soft stepped.
Can you soft step twice?
Soft-stepping twice would be cutting the shaft as a 3-iron or two clubs more and would decrease the stiffness by a half flex. If you soft step once for one club, you will do so on all the irons and wedges to have a uniform progression of flex throughout the set. The downside to soft stepping is two-fold.
Should I Soft Step irons?
Benefits Of Soft Stepping Irons Higher ball flight. Less stiff flex making it easier to swing. Softer flex allowing players with slower swing speeds to get better results.
Do longer shafts play softer?
Also, longer clubs should play 1 to 1.5 flexes stiffer than shorter clubs. So, if your driver is S(6.0), your irons should probably be R(5.0), etc. Some golfers swing harder with their drivers so they may need stronger flexes in their longer clubs.
Can you soft step a graphite shaft?
1:276:04Hard Stepped and Soft Stepped Golf Shafts Explained - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWell you can you can soft step it by instead of using if this is a five iron.MoreWell you can you can soft step it by instead of using if this is a five iron.
What is hard stepping?
Hard stepping is the opposite of soft stepping whereby you elect to tip trim more than the amount suggested by the manufacturer to create a stiffer flex. There are two things to be aware of when doing so.
What is soft stepping on a parallel tip shaft?
Soft stepping on a parallel tip shaft is simply the process of trimming less than what the manufacturer suggests. For example, if you have a 5-iron, you tip trim the shaft like a 4-iron. This is called soft stepping once and would decrease the stiffness by a quarter flex. Soft-stepping twice would be cutting the shaft as a 3-iron ...
What does it mean to soft step twice?
Soft-stepping twice would be cutting the shaft as a 3-iron or two clubs more and would decrease the stiffness by a half flex. If you soft step once for one club, you will do so on all the irons and wedges to have a uniform progression of flex throughout the set. The downside to soft stepping is two-fold.
What is the downside of soft stepping?
The downside to soft stepping is two-fold. First, since you are cutting less off the tip, that means you are cutting more from the butt end. While the variation is small, it can lead in some cases to a smaller grip size under the lower hand.
Can you tip trim a long iron?
Secondly, if you have a long iron or hybrid, you cannot tip trim less than zero which will not maintain uniformity in the set. In the example above would affect the 2-iron by soft stepping once or the #2 and 3-iron by soft-stepping twice.
Is a taper tip shaft hard stepped?
The concept of hard stepping a taper tip shaft is just the opposite of soft stepping. However, this is rarely done because you run out of raw lengths when you get to your shorter scoring irons and wedges. If you examine the row labeled "hard stepped once", notice the 9-iron and wedge entries.
What is a stepping shaft?
Stepping shafts is a method of reshafting that focuses on a flex between the specific designations, say, between a regular and a stiff flex. "Hard stepping" would make a shaft stiffer, "soft stepping," more flexible. The effective change in flex between immediate lofts from stepping is 1/3, or 5 cycles per minute, a practically negligible change in performance for most golfers.
What is spin in golf?
Spining is another entry in the long line of "new" innovations in the golf industry that aren't really new at all, such as bore-thru heads, shaft butt-weighting, freezing, shock absorbing, and magical pendants. The TrueTemper Company espoused spining in the 1970's with very limited success, and there is a good reason why.
What is hybrid golf club?
A hybrid tends to be easier to hit than the testy long iron, usually the nemesis for all but the strongest, most precise player.
Can you step from an already installed shaft?
If stepping from already-installed shafts, the resulting reshafts must then be shortened or extended proper length, and keep in mind there will be one 'odd man out' head in need of a new shaft. When step reshafting using raw shafts, simply cut each shaft to proper length, as per the usual finishing procedure. Stepping can be done with parallel, taper-tipped or stepless shafts.
Why do golfers use soft stepping?
A paraphrased quote from Tom Wishon (Master Club Maker. "The main reason for soft or hard stepping is to change the feel of the shaft for golfers who really want their shafts to feel just right. The second reason is to try to change the launch angle and trajectory of the shot or to reduce or increase spin. A ½ inch can exhibit the beginning of ...
What is hard and soft stepping?
Hard and soft stepping is a way of changing the flex of a shaft in a club to obtain an in-between flex which will also produce a slightly different ball flight. It works the same way regardless if the shafts are taper or parallel tipped. Depending on which way you go, a regular shaft can be made to feel a little firmer and a stiff shaft can be made ...
How to make a stiff shaft feel firmer?
The most common practice is by removing all the shafts from your matching irons (3 iron through to PW) then put each shaft in either the following or proceeding club.
What happens when you soft step?
3iron will become 4iron length, 4iron will become 5iron length and so on. When you soft step, the club lengths will increase. PW will become 9iron length, 9iron will become 8iron length and so on.
Can a PW shaft fit a 9iron?
This is the process of making your clubs shaft a little stiffer. The PW shaft would be fitted into the 9iron head, the 9iron shaft would fit into the 8iron and so on. The PW would require a new shaft and the 3iron shaft would be left over.
Fitting the True Temper Dynamic Designs
From a club fitting perspective EI Bend Profiles give us a new understanding of fitting the True Temper designs. Adjustment made with hard and soft stepping have a small effect on stiffness and flighting. Adjustment made with flex changes have a significant effect on both stiffness and flighting.
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What are the ridges on a golf shaft called?
Those ridges are called “steps, ” and they play an important role in how the shaft performs during the swing. Let’s use Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson as examples. McIlroy plays a stepless Project X 7.0 product while Johnson prefers the step pattern found on True Temper’s Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100.
How are steps added to a shaft?
As far as how the steps are added to the shaft, it’s done through a machining process called “swaging,” whereby the diameter of the steel is altered slightly in an efficient manner with minimal material waste. Depending on the pattern and length between the steps — as well as the length of the tip and butt sections — launch, ...
What is gear 101?
Welcome to Gear 101, GOLF.com’s weekly dive into an equipment topic that will make you smarter and more knowledgeable when it comes to the tools in your bag.
Is Dynamic Gold a stepped steel shaft?
Both shafts are considered extra-stiff products, but according to Paul Loegering, True Temper’s director of Tour operations, there are some differences based on the steps (or lack thereof). True Temper's Dynamic Gold is a stepped steel product.
Is McIlroy's Project X stepless?
Loegering noted a stepless product like McIlroy’s Project X could a better option. “Stepless is a one-piece shaft,” he said. “The taper rate and wall thickness determine flex characteristics. So you look at a guy like McIlroy; he loves Project X because he doesn’t want to feel anything dynamically in the shaft.
What is golf slang?
Golf slang is a colorful part of the game, and golf slang terms can be universally used or be specific to a very small region. Small groups of golfers might even develop their own terms, unique to their rounds.
What is a flub in golf?
Flub: Usually applied to badly botched chip shots, especially ones hit fat. Four-Jack: When it takes you four putts to get your ball in the hole, you four-jacked it. Fried Egg: A golf ball that has plugged, or buried, in a sand bunker, so that the top of the ball resembles the yolk in a fried egg.
What does "good good" mean in golf?
Good-Good: Agreement between two golfers on the green to give each other gimmes. As in, "if mine is good, yours is good."
What is a golf cart jockey?
Cart Jockey: A golf course employee who greets golfers before the round, offers them help getting their bags onto the golf cart, and/or gives them a lift from the parking lot to the pro shop . After the round, the cart jockey usually greets the golfers again as they leave the 18th green, offers to give their clubs a wipe-down, ...
What is a sunblock golfer?
Sunblock: A golfer who spends a lot of time in bunkers (a k a, at the beach). Sunday Ball: Same as a "lunch ball" - another term for a mulligan (do-over). Tiger Tees: The teeing grounds used in professional tournaments, or the rearmost tees at any golf course. U.S.G.A .:
What is a golf shot with a lot of spin?
Pole Dancer: When your shot into the green hits the flagstick, it's a pole dancer. Popeye: A shot with lots of "spinnage" (lots of spin). Rainmaker: A golf shot with a very high trajectory. Usually applied to pop-ups, skyballs or other mis-hits, but can be applied to a shot played intentionally.
What does "chef" mean in golf?
Chef: A golfer who can't stop slicing.
What does a putting green's stimp mean?
The "stimp" or "stimp rating" of a putting green is a numerical value that represents how fast the golf ball rolls on the putting surface. Golfers call this rating the green speed.
How has the stimp rating changed in golf?
Stimp Ratings Have Changed in Golf Over the Years. In general, stimp rating s have gotten higher, meaning the green speeds have gotten faster over the years since the Stimpmeter was invented in the 1930s and since the United States Golf Association adopted the tool for measuring green speeds in the 1970s. For example, in 1978 the greens ...
What does it mean when a golfer talks about how fast the greens are?
When golfers talk about how fast the greens are or the speed of the greens, they are referring to how easily the golf ball rolls across the green and, therefore, how hard they have to putt the ball to reach the hole.
What does the higher the stimp mean?
The Higher the Stimp Rating, the Faster the Greens. The stimp rating of green is given in the form of a number, which can be a single digit or reach into the lower teens. The key concept is this: The lower the stimp, the slower the greens. The higher the stimp, the faster the greens.
What was the green speed in the Masters in 1978?
For example, in 1978 the greens at Augusta National, host course of The Masters, stimped below 8; by 2017, greens speeds at The Masters were typically around 12 or higher, depending on weather conditions. In 1978, the greens at Oakmont, which has been host to the U.S. Open numerous times, stimped below 10; by 2017, they were 13 or higher.
How low can a green stimp?
Today it is almost unheard of for major championship greens to stimp lower than 11 or 10, unless weather conditions, such as high winds in the British Open, make such speeds unfair or even unplayable.
