what does torque and kick point mean in a golf club

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. Golf Shaft Kick point Shaft kick point is where the shaft bends and affects the trajectory / ball flight.

Full Answer

What is the kick point of a golf club?

A low kick point club will produce a higher golf shaft; a high kick point club will produce a lower golf shaft. Sometimes the kick point of a golf club will also be called a bend point. Most golf clubs will have either a mid, low, or high kick. The most significant impact on performance when it comes to kick point is going to be the launch angle.

How does torque affect your golf clubs?

In simple terms, torque does two things, it helps control the club face through impact and it provides the feel of the shaft. If you are using a torque that is too high, say someone with a fast swing using a shaft with a torque of 6, you will hit low hooks. The club will feel like a whip, not in a good way.

Are low kick point shafts bad for golf balls?

The downside to a low kick point shaft is that sometimes you end up getting more height than you want and subjecting your ball to more wind resistance and movement. On a windy day, you will still want the ability to keep the ball low if you need to.

What does the toque of a golf shaft mean?

A golf shaft with a higher toque means that the shaft is going to twist more, and a golf shaft with a low torque will twist much less. Generally speaking, golfers with faster swing speeds are going to want lower torque golf shafts. What Is Shaft Tip Stiffness?

What kick point do I need in my driver shaft?

Kick Point or Bend Point A low kick point bows near the head of the club, producing a higher ball flight. It is better for slower swing speeds. A mid kick point bows in the middle of the shaft and will have a medium-high trajectory. A high kick point bows near the grip end of the shaft and produces a low trajectory.

What does kick point mean in golf clubs?

Kickpoint is probably a golf term that you have heard about anytime you are looking to buy a new club. Simply put, it is the part of a golf shaft at which the shaft experiences the greatest amount of bend when the tip is pulled down.

How important is torque in golf shaft?

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW ABOUT TORQUE They're outlined for right-handed golfers. For left-handed golfers, the dispersion direction should be reversed. A lower-torque shaft will help a golfer create a more leftward dispersion. A higher-torque shaft will help a golfer create a more rightward dispersion.

What does torque number mean in golf shaft?

Torque is really pretty simple: it's the shaft's resistance to twisting. Torque is measured in degrees (meaning: how many degrees will the shaft twist under a certain amount of force), and you'll typically see measurements as low as 2° and as high as 5°, 6°, or 7°.

What is high torque in a golf shaft?

A high-torque shaft will twist more than a low-torque shaft. Put another way, some shafts resist twisting better than others. A shaft with a lower torque rating means the shaft better resists twisting; a shaft with a higher torque rating means the shaft is more prone to twisting (all other things being equal).

Is stiff shaft better than regular?

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.

What swing speed requires a stiff shaft?

between 97 and 104 mphStiff – This range is still considered fast, but you most likely won't be out on Tour anytime soon. If you're between 97 and 104 mph with the driver, you need a stiff flex. Regular – Now we are getting into the range where a majority of recreational golfers fall, and also where many LPGA pros fall.

What is the difference between high torque and low torque?

As previously mentioned, torque tells you how an engine feels when you accelerate. Cars with high torque engines tend to accelerate slower off the mark but quicker from low revs in a high gear. Conversely, cars with low torque engines tend to accelerate quicker off the mark but slower from low revs in a high gear.

What happens if golf shaft is too stiff?

If your golf shaft is too stiff and your swing speed is too slow, your well-struck shot will be limited on both carry distance and shot trajectory; a too-stiff golf shaft will most often lead to weak fades or slices.

What does high torque mean?

At the same time, the torque should be applied over the largest possible engine speed range. In terms of driving experience, high torque means the shortest possible delay between the driver pressing the gas pedal and the engine responding.

What is a kick point in golf?

Updated June 07, 2018. "Kickpoint" is a feature in golf shafts. The term refers to that region of a golf shaft at which the shaft exhibits the greatest amount of bend when the tip is pulled down. So kickpoint isn't a singular point on a shaft, but rather an area along the shaft's length where it exhibits the most flexing when a force ...

How does a kickpoint affect a golfer's launch angle?

Kickpoint can help a golfer hit the ball higher or lower, depending on the location of that flex point . In other words, kickpoint location can influence the launch angle of golf shots: A low kickpoint shaft tends to produce a higher launch angle; A high kickpoint shaft tends to produce a lower launch angle. Another way of staying this is:

What to do if you hit the ball too high?

If you are hitting the ball too high, check the kickpoint of your shaft (in many cases the kickpoint type is printed in the shaft graphics). If the kickpoint is low or mid, switching to a high kickpoint shaft may help you stop hitting it so high.

Where is the kickpoint on a golf club?

High kickpoint: The kickpoint area is on the high end of the shaft, toward the grip end. ("This club comes with a high-kick shaft.") Middle kickpoint: The kickpoint area is near the middle of the shaft's length. ("This is a mid-kick shaft.")

Is a golf shaft a cure all?

It's not a cure-all; even in a best-case scenario, the effect may be modest. "Whether a shaft affects the trajectory of the shot is more determined by the clubhead's center of gravity and by the golfer's downswing technique than it is by the design of the shaft on its own," says golf equipment designer Tom Wishon, ...

Can a low kickpoint shaft help you swing?

If you are hitting the ball too low, on the other hand, switching to a low kickpoint shaft may help you get the ball up more. Just keep in mind that shaft flex point is not something that is going to overcome a bad swing. It's not a cure-all; even in a best-case scenario, the effect may be modest.

What does torque do to a golf club?

In simple terms, torque does two things, it helps control the club face through impact and it provides the feel of the shaft. If you are using a torque that is too high, say someone with a fast swing using a shaft with a torque of 6, you will hit low hooks. The club will feel like a whip, not in a good way.

Why use a low torque shaft?

If you think of a high speed swing, the club is under more pressure during the action and will be more prone to twisting, a low torque shaft will help the stability of the club. In order to help maximise swing speed, a higher torque will help lower swing speed golfers. You will find it easier to deliver a square clubface with a higher torque shaft ...

What is the difference between flex and torque?

The flex of a shaft is a measure of how much it bends under pressure i.e. your swing. The torque is how much it resists twisting under pressure. A player with a high swing speed will require a stiffer shaft with lower torque as the shaft will be under more pressure during the swing.

What shafts are good for a slower swing?

If you have a slower swing speed and feel like you need some help from your shaft with the driver, the UST Mamiya Helium shafts are a great place to look. These super-lightweight shafts have a high torque but still remain nice a stable.

What does a high torque shaft feel like?

A shaft with a higher torque will feel more “whippy” or smooth even if it is extra-stiff. Likewise, a regular shaft with a low torque can feel very stiff in your hands. So this is very much about the feeling of your club during your swing.

Why is torque important in steel shafts?

Whilst torque is a factor in steel shafts, because they are all made of steel they all act in a very similar manner. This is why you will never really see a manufacturer of steel shafts talk about the torque of their products. To increase the torque of a steel shaft you need to add more material, this just makes it heavy.

How to increase torque on steel shaft?

To increase the torque of a steel shaft you need to add more material, this just makes it heavy. Graphite shafts or composite as they are known in the industry are multi-material products. This means that torque is more of a factor and can be changed without adding too much weight. Don’t worry about steel shafts for this one, it isn’t relevant.

What is torque in golf?

Warren Little / Getty Images. "Torque" is a property of golf shafts that describes how much the shaft is prone to twisting during the golf swing. All shafts, steel and graphite, exhibit torque, which is measured in degrees. A high-torque shaft will twist more than a low-torque shaft. Put another way, some shafts resist twisting better than others.

What does it mean when a shaft is high torque?

A high-torque shaft will twist more than a low-torque shaft. Put another way, some shafts resist twisting better than others. A shaft with a lower torque rating means the shaft better resists twisting; a shaft with a higher torque rating means the shaft is more prone to twisting (all other things being equal). ...

What is twisting in golf?

A golfer's swing, and the clubhead attached to the end of the shaft, exert forces on the shaft that lead to twisting. This twisting is simply a part of the swing.

Why is torque narrow?

In steel shafts, because the type of steel material is the same throughout the entire shaft, the torque exists in a very narrow range of degrees, one that is much more narrow than in graphite shafts.

Is torque a factor in golf shaft selection?

Therefore, torque is not a factor to worry about in the selection of a steel shaft, but it is a point to keep in mind for some golfers when selecting a graphite shaft.

What happens when you have less torque in your golf club shaft?

When you have more torque in your club shaft it is said that your shots can be less accurate but go further and have a nice soft feel.

Why is shaft torque important?

Shaft torque becomes increasingly important the faster you swing. Torque is the measure of how much the shaft twists during the golf swing. It may be hard to imagine this even happening, but shafts are made with that particular fact in mind. They are even made to resist it more or less, depending on your swing and what kind ...

Why does a steel shaft have less torque?

A steel shaft will have less torque simply because of the material it is made of. A degree of 3 to 4 is normal for a steel shaft. Graphite shafts can have a lot more torque. Since graphite is not a solid piece of material, the torque can be much higher; to degrees of 7 or 8.

When you strike the ball, do you want your club head to be square?

When you strike the ball, you want your club head to be as square to your target as possible. When the club head twists, it can make the club head a degree or two open or closed when it makes contact. Therefore you want less torque when you are looking to straighten your ball flight.

Does Tiger Woods know how much torque he needs?

Certainly Tiger Woods knows exactly how much torque he needs for every club in his bag , but for a beginner it won't matter much. Torque should be one of the last things you look at when trying to improve your game. Golfweeks' Adam Woodard breaks down the results from the match.

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 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!

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 is torque in a shaft?

Torque is really pretty simple: it’s the shaft’s resistance to twisting. Torque is measured in degrees (meaning: how many degrees will the shaft twist under a certain amount of force), and you’ll typically see measurements as low as 2° and as high as 5°, 6°, or 7°. As with many other things, these numbers don’t necessarily mean a lot ...

What are the two main tenets of torque?

The conventional wisdom on torque consists of two major tenets: 1) Players who tend to hook the ball will benefit from a lower torque shaft. Players who tend to slice the ball will benefit from a higher torque shaft. 2) Players who swing faster need lower torque.

Why should you care about torque?

You should care because torque is a major component in how a shaft feels, much more than flex . You could have an XX-stiff shaft with high torque, and it might feel “smooth” or even “whippy.”. Alternately, you could have a senior flex shaft with low torque that can feel “boardy.”.

Does torque affect where the ball ends up?

Torque also has a major impact on where the ball ends up. All other things being equal, a shaft with higher torque will lead to a club face that is pointed further left (for a RH golfer) at impact…but we know “all other things” are rarely equal when you add in the human element.

Is torque a rule?

Torque matters, and, like flex and weight , there are no easy rules to follow. You need to try a variety of things and be fit into the shaft that will work best for you.

Why are low torque shafts so expensive?

“As you go up in grade of material, which is actually going up in stiffness and strength of the material, you essentially double the cost of the material for every step you take up ,” said designer John Oldenburg.

What materials are used to stabilize a golf swing?

Torque can be controlled a number of different ways, but the most common is utilizing exotic materials — including Kevlar, Carbon, Boron and Zylon — to stabilize the shaft. Accomplishing this makes the profile more resistant to unwanted twisting during the swing, especially at impact. In other words: improved consistency.

Specifying The Kickpoint Location

What Does The Location of Kickpoint Affect?

• Citing the kickpoint location is a way of letting golfers know something about the type of trajectory a given shaft will favor. Kickpoint can help a golfer hit the ball higher or lower, depending on the location of that flex point. In other words, kickpoint location can influence the launch angleof golf shots: 1. A low kickpoint shaft tends to prod...

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Kickpoint vs. 'Bend Profile'