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what does the weight of a golf shaft mean

by Benton Jast DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Weight. The weight of a shaft has a similar correlation to performance as flex. The heavier a shaft is, the more likely it is that your golf ball will fly low and with less spin. If it's lighter, the ball will tend to fly higher and spin more.Jun 9, 2020

Full Answer

How important factor is shaft weight in golf clubs?

What is the Kick Point in a Golf Shaft?

  • High Kick Point. A high kick point shaft means that it will bend the most at the top of the club near the grip. ...
  • Low Kick Point. A low kick point shaft is one that will bend most at the lower end of the shaft, closer to the clubhead.
  • Mid Kick Point. ...

How does golf shaft weight affect playability?

When a shaft is lighter, it reduces what’s known as the total weight of a golf club, which is the weight of all components: the head, the shaft, the grip, and the things that hold them together such as the tip, tape, and epoxy. When the total weight of a club is reduced, it allows some golfers to swing faster.

What are the benefits of heavier golf shafts?

What Are the Benefits of Heavier Golf Shafts?

  • Overview. Steel golf shafts are traditionally heavier than graphite shafts and the key benefit, according to the U.S. ...
  • Accuracy. Because a heavier shaft is usually shorter than a lighter shaft, the club should be easier to control and the end result is cleaner contact with the ball.
  • Tempo. Tempo is a key part of the golf swing. ...
  • Price/Value. ...

What are the best golf shafts?

best golf shafts for irons

  1. UST Recoil ZT9 Iron Shaft Set. UST Mamiya Recoil ZT9 Iron Shafts are known for the best and unparalleled stability in the industry.
  2. Aerotech Steel Fiber FC 90. The new SteelFiber FC shafts are designed with a progressive tip that gives higher ball flight in the mid- and long irons also classic ...
  3. Mitsubishi-Rayon Kuro Kage Black 70 Iron R Shaft. ...

More items...

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What weight should my golf shaft be?

Golfers with very fast speeds and tempo should play heavier shafts. Driver shafts typically weigh 55-60 grams for men and 45-50 grams for ladies. Iron shafts can be as light as 55 grams in graphite, and 130 grams in steel. The professional tours offer great examples.

Is a heavier or lighter golf 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 a good weight for a driver shaft?

between 45 to 60 gramsDriver shafts for sale typically weigh somewhere between 45 to 60 grams, although there are heavier driver shafts available. Most shaft weights beneath 50 grams are reserved for ladies' golf shafts.

Is a 70 gram driver shaft too heavy?

A 70-gram driver shaft is considered to be pretty heavy but not the heaviest. It falls into the middle but is still on the heavier side when you consider you could go with 50 or 60 grams instead.

Why would you want a heavier golf shaft?

The heavier a shaft is, the more likely it is that your golf ball will fly low and with less spin. If it's lighter, the ball will tend to fly higher and spin more. As Briand explains, the weight of a shaft has less impact on swing speed than golfers think, but that lighter shafts could increase the rate of closure.

What happens if golf 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.

Are lighter driver shafts better?

A lighter driver shaft rarely leads to a faster swing. “Only 12 percent of golfers swing their fastest with the lightest club,” Mucklow says.

What does a heavier shaft do to swing weight?

Adjust the swingweight of a club by installing a heavier or lighter shaft. The swingweight increases by one swingweight point for every 9g of shaft weight added. The swingweight decreases by one swingweight point for every 9g of shaft weight removed.

Is 55 gram shaft too light?

MyGolfSpy researched the performance of different golfers with a light and heavy shaft. The light shaft weighed 55 grams while the heavier version was 75 grams. 80% of the testers achieved further carry with a 55 g shaft. However, 60% of those golfers achieved more total distance with the 75 g shaft.

Why do golfers swing heavier shafts?

A key factor in maximizing swing speed is maximizing muscle activation, which is why certain golfers can swing heavier shafts faster than lighter shafts. Slightly heavier shafts can activate additional muscle groups, effectively “turning on” more speed in a golfer’s swing.

How many inches of shaft is closest to clubhead?

The first four inches of the shaft nearest to the clubhead also play a role in energy transfer, but it’s a minor role as the first four inches of the shaft, regardless of shaft model, does not vary as much as clubhead weight.

Why use lighter shafts?

Using a lighter shaft allows more weight to be placed in the clubhead through adjustable weights, hotmelt, etc. without increasing the total weight of the club. This “redistribution” of shaft weight into the clubhead can be one of the last tweaks in a fitting that unlocks more distance off the tee.

What is in person club fitting?

An in-person club fitting is the only way to know for sure that a golfer has the best shaft for them. For that reason, the purpose of this article is not to help golfers “fit themselves.” After all, even the best golfers in the world rely on fitters to help them optimize their performance.

What happens when a golf club shaft is lighter?

When a shaft is lighter, it reduces what’s known as the total weight of a golf club, which is the weight of all components: the head, the shaft, the grip, and the things that hold them together such as the tip, tape, and epoxy. When the total weight of a club is reduced, it allows some golfers to swing faster.

How to increase distance on golf clubs?

There are two factors that are critical to increasing distance, and lighter shafts can help with both factors. These factors are: 1 The Speed The Club Head Is Travelling At Impact 2 The Mass Of The Club Head

Does the weight of the club head affect the energy transfer?

We know that, in general, the heavier a club head is the more energy it can transfer to a golf ball if the clubhead speed remains the same or very close to the same. This is because, at impact, the transfer of energy is related almost entirely to the weight of the clubhead. The first four inches of the shaft nearest to the clubhead also play a role in energy transfer, but it’s a minor role as the first four inches of the shaft, regardless of shaft model, does not vary as much as clubhead weight.

What is the weight of the shaft in golf drivers?

The shafts in the drivers of most golfers are probably in the 60 gram bracket.

Why is a heavier shaft better for golf?

Heavier shafts can feel stiffer which can be a pro for golfers with a high swing speed. This extra weight can also help control that speed.

How Does Swing Speed Effect Your Driver Shaft Weight Choice?

The easiest way to think about it is that, in general, the faster you swing it, the heavier the shaft you should use.

How Can I Measure My Swing Speed?

The best way to do it is to get onto a launch monitor, these aren’t available to everyone though.

What Other Shaft Weights Are There And Who Should Use Them?

There are some specialist shafts on the market and one which is currently taking the world of golf by storm.

What is the lightest shaft?

50 gram shafts are among the lightest you will see on the market. They tend to be favoured by golfers who struggle to generate clubhead speed.

Which is more important, shaft or flex?

Many shaft manufacturers say that weight and torque are actually more important factors in shaft selection than flex is.

How much does a driver shaft weigh?

Golfers with very fast speeds and tempo should play heavier shafts. Driver shafts typically weigh 55-60 grams for men and 45-50 grams for ladies. Iron shafts can be as light as 55 grams in graphite, and 130 grams in steel.

What is progressive weighting?

Progressive weighting: This is a very important concept that simply means longer clubs should have lighter weight shafts than shorter clubs. It starts with the driver and goes progressively heavier from there. For example, a golfer with an 75-80 mph swing speed and a smooth tempo would play roughly a 50 gram shaft in his driver, 60 gram shaft in the fairway woods, 70 gram shaft in hybrids, and 80 gram shafts in irons. All of this is subject, of course, to a fitter and launch monitor data.

Does lighter weight increase swing speed?

The theory is that lighter weight can help create more swing speed . While this is true, here is what we see in our fittings: If the club weight is TOO light, Club speed can increase but contact on the club face is erratic which reduces ball speed and distance.

Does shaft weight affect swing speed?

Nobody wants to hit a new club any shorter than their current club! In the quest for distance, we continue to see shafts, and in some cases heads (Tour Edge XJ1) getting lighter. The theory is that lighter weight can help create more swing speed. While this is true, here is what we see in our fittings:

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 is shaft weight important?

Shaft Weight is important because it can help you generate club head speed and increase the distance you hit the golf ball. Lighter weight shafts tend to be swung faster (since they are lighter), increasing club speed. However, we don’t recommend looking automatically at the lightest shaft and disregarding heavier shafts.

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.

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 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 many shots does each golfer hit with each shaft?

Each golfer hit 10 shots with each shaft and the results were measured by our FlightScope X2 launch monitor. All testing was done at the range at The Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club.

Is it easy to fit in golf?

What I hope you’re starting to see is that, just like golf itself, fitting is not easy. There are no shortcuts and the little bits of “common knowledge” are, more often than not, a bunch of bulls***.

Is shaft flex a governing body?

There is no ‘governing body’ for shaft flex that says a regular shaft or a stiff shaft has to be within a certain frequency range. That is why choosing a club solely based on shaft flex is highly flawed. After finding the right weight and torque, shaft flex is used to fine tune the shaft for the player.

Is shaft flex the end all?

The general golfing public has been conditioned and educated that shaft flex is the end-all-be-all when it comes to shafts and that simply is not true. The weight of the shaft is going to help keep the player’s swing on plane. Shaft flex has no industry standard.

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 ...

Why is it important to choose the right shaft for golf clubs?

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.

What does it mean to choose the wrong shaft for a golf club?

Choosing the wrong shaft will make it much harder to access the center of the face more consistently on the course , and the last thing we want you to do is to make golf harder on yourself!

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.

What is fitting in golf?

When we put a customer through a fitting, we determine the right profile, weight, and flex that is required. Essentially we are writing a prescription for the golfer’s swing, and order the shaft to match what we believe will help them the most.

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 misunderstood product category in the golf industry?

One of the most misunderstood product categories in the golf industry is shafts . There are plenty of myths and mistruths out there that we wanted to clear up for you in this article and share what we have learned at Pete’s Golf over the past several decades.

How does the weight of a golf club work?

Here’s how it works: the swing weight of a golf club is measured on a 14-inch fulcrum that assesses the balance point of a club, which is displayed on an alphanumeric scale. The heavier a club “feels,” the more the club will tilt toward the club head side when balanced on that fulcrum.

What is swing weight?

There’s a machine that essentially measures how heavy or light a club feels during the swing, and the measurement is called swing weight.

Why is it important to use a heavier swing weight in wedges?

The heavier swing weight in the wedges and short irons can possibly help club and club face awareness for greater precision. It’s important to remember that swing weight and overall weight are mutually exclusive. A heavy club can have a light swing weight and vice versa. That’s because swing weight is merely addressing the balance point ...

What happens if you swing heavy?

A light swing weight can prohibit the golfer from properly feeling where the head is during the swing and cause issues with squaring the face at impact, while a heavy swing weight can cause fatigue and negatively affect performance over time. ADVERTISEMENT.

Is progressive weight better than swing weight?

On one hand, some golfers/fitters prefer that each club in the set has the same swing weight to keep feel consistent. On the other hand, some say a progressive swing weight is better, with the longer clubs having a lighter swing weight and the scoring clubs having a heavier swing weight. The heavier swing weight in the wedges and short irons can possibly help club and club face awareness for greater precision.

Is swing weight too heavy?

Finding the proper swing weight for your game is mostly preference-based, but according to Tim Briand, Senior Vice President of GOLF’s sister company True Spec Golf, issues can arise if swing weight is too light or too heavy. A light swing weight can prohibit the golfer from properly feeling where the head is during the swing ...

What is a golf shaft?

Many consider the golf shaft the "engine of the club". Golf shafts are either made from graphite or steel. Both types have its benefits and disadvantages. Either way, the golf shaft is where power is stored and released at impact. Sitting in between the golf grip and club head, a solid connection is what allows the golf shaft to do its job. So when choosing a shaft, it's important to know what specifications to look for. The golf club head and golf grip will each have their own specifications/measurements as well, and having all this information on hand can guide you to choose the right shaft, as well as ensure the club assembly process goes smoothly. Here are 5 golf shaft specifications you'll want to know:

What size shaft tip for golf club?

The shaft tip size is the the diameter of the tip portion of the shaft. For irons, this will usually be 0.370" (parallel) or 0.355" (tapered). For woods, it will be either 0.335" or 0.350". To choose the tip size needed, you'll want to match it with the ID (inside diameter) of the hosel of the golf club head.

What is shaft flex?

Shaft flex is a description of how much a shaft will bend under the force of a golf swing with a head attached at the tip end. The speed and frequency of your swing will determine what flex you need. There are generally 5 different flex notations (from most bendable to least bendable): A-flex (Senior), L-flex (Ladies), R-flex (Regular), ...

How long is a 0.370" iron shaft?

decreasing in length from #3-PW). 0.370" parallel iron shafts arrive in uncut lengths, usually 41" or 42" for irons or 46" or more for woods.

What happens if you swing too heavy?

If the overall club is too heavy, you can lose swing speed which can result in a loss of yardage. Too light of a club will be hard to guide and control which can lead to mishits. Players with faster swing speeds or more accelerated tempos can benefit from heavier shafts.

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