Full Answer
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 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 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 do the a and M stand for in golf shafts?
"A" originally stood for "amateur." The "M" stands for "mature" or "medium." Also, of course, "S" is taken by "stiff." Some golf shafts bend more than others, depending on how much stiffness is built into the shaft when it is manufactured.
What does S stand for on driver shaft?
stiff flex"R" denotes "regular flex" "S" denotes "stiff flex" (might also be designated "Firm") "X" denotes "extra stiff flex" (might also be designated "Tour")
What does the S on my golf club mean?
Drivers are available in a variety of lofts. 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.
Is the S on a shaft senior or stiff?
The typical range of shaft flexes available on the market range as follows: TX (most stiff), X (extra stiff), S (stiff), R (regular), A (senior) and L (ladies, least stiff). Some companies use different denominations such as numbers or colors to denote flex, but golfers are most familiar with the letters listed above.
What is a S flex shaft?
Firm Shaft More commonly known as the stiff shaft (S), this flex is favored by golfers who have a fairly fast swing and drive the ball 250 yards on a consistent basis. Golfers who play a firm or stiff shaft have club speeds between 90-105 mph.
Who should use a senior flex shaft?
Senior flex shafts are appropriate for golfers who swing between 75 and 90 mph and carry a driver about 180 to 200 yards. Regular flex shafts are designed for golfers who swing 90 to 100 mph and carry a driver about 200 to 240 yards.
What flex should I use golf?
– Golf Shaft Flex ChartCarry DistanceSwing SpeedFlexUnder 200 yardsUnder 75 mphLadies or Senior200 to 240 yards75 to 95 mphRegular240 to 275 yards95 to 110 mphStiffOver 275 yardsOver 110 mphStiff or Extra StiffOct 15, 2019
What loft driver should seniors use?
11 degreesWhat loft driver should seniors use? Most seniors should use a driver loft of at least 11 degrees. While some players might get away with 10 or 10.5 if they still have a higher swing speed, most golfers should between 11-13 degrees.
Is senior flex good for beginners?
Senior flex can be an excellent choice for beginners with slower swing speeds and can benefit from this type of technology.
What 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.
How do you know what shaft stiffness to use?
The higher the speed, the stiffer the shaft. Steel shafts, which are heavier than graphite, are stiff and less forgiving than graphite. According to Golf.com, graphite shafts are lighter and can help increase swing speed. Selecting the right flex for your shaft is key to good ball striking.
How do I know what golf shaft to use?
Briand's recommendation is to use your current driver shaft as a baseline. If your shots tend to be low and with little spin, try a slightly softer flex. If your shots are ballooning, try a stiffer flex. If you're caught between two flexes, you can “tip” a softer flex to make it stiffer in the tip section.
How do you know if your shaft is too stiff?
There are a few tell tale signs that your shafts are too stiff, firstly you will lose the ball to the right, because the shaft is to stiff it will be hard to square up at impact, causing the face to be open when you hit the ball, this is going to produce a fade or slice shot, generally ending up on the right side of ...
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.
What does flex mean in golf?
"Flex" refers to the ability of a golf shaft to bend as forces are applied to it during the golf swing. Those forces are generated by the type of swing that you have: fast or slow, smooth or jerky.
What are the ratings for shaft flex?
There are five generally used ratings for shaft flex: Extra Stiff, Stiff, Regular, Senior and Ladies, usually denoted by the letters X, S, R, A and L ("A" is used for Senior because this flex was originally called "amateur").
What is the key to a club fitting?
The key, short of a club fitting, is hitting lots of different clubs and watching the effect that changing shaft flex has on your shots. If you find a flex that feels good and produces a good ball flight, there's a good chance that's the right flex for you.
What shaft do you need for a jerky swing?
A swing that gets jerky at the top—when transitioning into the downswing—will probably need a stiffer shaft. If your drives go left, you might benefit from a stiffer flex; if your drives go right, you might benefit from a softer flex.
What is a club fitting demo day?
At demo days, you'll be able to hit many different types of clubs with different types of shafts. Or find a good pro shop with swing bays where you can try before you buy. The key, short of a club fitting, is hitting lots of different clubs and watching the effect ...
Why is softer flex better for macho men?
Choosing a softer flex often has the effect of forcing macho men to slow down their swings. And slowing down the swing often makes those macho men into better golfers. And the fact is, the harm in hitting a shaft that is too flexible is much less than the harm in hitting a shaft that is too stiff.
What Is Shaft Flex?
Shaft flex is the degree to which the shaft will bend or flex during the swing. A more flexible shaft bends easily during the swing and has the potential to produce a longer-ranged shot.
How Does Shaft Flex Impact Your Golf Game?
The shaft flex of your golf club has an immense effect on the game’s outcome as a whole. From high irons to wedges and drivers, you have to make sure they have the correct flex for trajectory, accuracy, and distance.
How to Choose the Shaft Flex for You?
You can know the correct flex for your shaft by evaluating your swing at a golf equipment store. They’ll check all kinds of things like ball speed, distance, clubhead speed, spin, and many other factors. They also try several shafts in the same driver head to give the most accurate results.
What Shaft Flex Should You Use for The Driver?
It would be best if you choose the stiffest shaft flex for your driver because it is often the club that has the maximum swing speed. Since it carries the maximum swing speed, you may consider choosing the most accurate shaft flex.
How to Determine the Right Flex for Your Iron?
Choosing the right flex for the iron depends on the club you use for hitting a 150-yard shot. If you’re about to take a 150-yard shot, consider using these flex for your irons.
Final Thoughts
When selecting a flex for the shaft in your clubs, the tradeoff is between accuracy and distance. Choosing a senior flex helps you to achieve greater distance due to its flexibility but at the cost of lower accuracy.
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Who first discussed shaft oscillation frequency?
The concept of using shaft oscillation frequency was discussed in the 1968 book, “Search for the Perfect Swing” by Alastair Cochran and John Stobbs. “Search for the Perfect Swing” is one of the first explorations of golf technology.
Is shaft frequency used to measure 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.
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.
What is the kick point of a golf shaft?
KICK POINT: Modern shafts, particularly graphite shafts, can produce kick in different sections of the shaft — high kick, mid kick and low kick being three obvious points of reference. Fitters often spend considerable time matching a golfer’s swing with a particular kick.
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.
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 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.
Where is the ferrule on a golf club?
FERRULE: The ferrule is an oval piece, commonly made of plastic, that is located just above the neck of the clubhead. Modern ferrules not only are decorative, they are made with great precision to provide accurate and secure bonding between the shaft and clubhead. BUTT: The top end of the shaft, called the butt, is located underneath the grip.
What is torque in swing?
TORQUE: A measurement of the circular rotation of the shaft during the swing.
Why are golf clubs stamped with a number?
Clubs are labeled clearly for identification. Most golf clubs are stamped with a number as a means of identification. Although experienced golfers are often able to differentiate between their clubs simply by viewing their size, shape and loft of their clubface, the number helps make this distinction certain.
What does 9.5 mean on a golf club?
A driver, however, usually has a number such as 9.5 or 10.5 to indicate the loft of the club. Drivers are available in a variety of lofts. Wedges typically don't have numbers. Instead that have letters such as P or PW ...
Why do golfers use clubhead covers?
Most golfers use clubhead covers to protect their driver and fairway woods from damage sustained in their golf bag. These covers are always marked with corresponding numbers so that even when a clubhead is covered, you can still identify the club with ease.
What are the numbers on golf clubs?
Numbers. The numbers stamped or marked on the heads of golf clubs relate to the club's loft. Fairway woods and irons are the clubs that are always stamped, although specialty clubs also carry some form of identification. A 4-iron, for example, has less loft than a 9-iron.
Where is the number on a fairway wood?
In most cases, the number displayed on a fairway wood or iron is always in the same place. On fairway woods, this number is often on the bottom of the club so that it's visible when the club is in your bag. Numbers stamped on irons are usually found on the bottom of the club for the same reason, but some manufacturers display this information on ...
Do sand wedges have numbers?
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. The sand wedge, for example, might say "56" for 56 degrees of loft, rather and "S." Putters also are not marked with a number because ...