Slow swing speeds will generally require softer-flex shafts, while high swing speeds need stiffer shafts; due to variations in swing patterns, however, swing speed is only one portion of finding the right shaft. Briand’s recommendation is to use your current driver shaft as a baseline.
Full Answer
What is the best golf shaft?
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How important is choosing the right golf shaft?
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. ...
Should golf beginners play with a stiff shaft?
Stiffness or Flex
- Swing Speed. The stiffness or flex of the shaft is a much-neglected aspect of your golfing equipment as most golfers are more interested in the brand, or technical features, or ...
- Indications. ...
- Over Correcting. ...
- Classification. ...
- Beware, Don’t Over-Compensate. ...
What shaft should I buy?
Some golfers will decide which shaft they need based on swing speed alone. If your swing speed is between 75 and 85 miles per hour, then you will need a senior shaft. If you are between 85 and 95 miles per hour, then the regular shaft will be the best choice. You can get your swing speed measured at a local golf fitting center.
How do I know what golf shaft is right for me?
Put simply, the higher the rating, the more the shaft is prone to twisting. It is the torque that also determines how the shaft feels to every player, which means that the higher the rating, the softer the shaft will feel. A shaft with a 3-degree torque will feel much stiffer than a 5-degree torque, for example.
What kind of shaft do I need for my golf clubs?
If you have a slow swing speed, you should use a golf shaft labeled women's, senior, junior, or regular. It really depends on how slow your golf swing speed is. If it is under 75 mph then you should use a ladies flex. Senior flex is best for 75 mph to 85 mph.
Which golf shaft flex is right for me?
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 mpsStiff or Extra StiffJan 5, 2021
How do I know if I need stiff or regular flex irons?
If you have a slower swing speed, you are probably going to want to choose regular shafted clubs because the additional flex will provide a little more power and accuracy. When you swing harder, the stiff flex will be more controlled and give you the punch you need to hit better shots.
Will I lose distance with a stiff shaft?
If the shaft flex is too stiff, your average distance will remain low.
How do I know if my shaft flex is too soft?
If the shaft is too flexible, you will have a 'whippy' feeling in your hands, and you won't be able to feel the clubhead on the downswing. When the golf ball is struck it will generally have too much spin if the shaft is too flexible, this will cause a 'ballooning' effect on the shot and it will tend to go quite high.
What happens if 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 happens if shaft is too flexible?
When a golf shaft is too flexible, you will not be able to hit the ball straight. You will also end up losing a bit of distance. When a golf shaft is too flexible, it isn't easy to control the clubface and get it to square up at impact.
Choosing The Best Shaft For Your Game
One of the most difficult aspects of fitting today is choosing the best shaft for a player. There are so many variables, that club fitters and play...
Shaft Selection Primer 1.0
Single most important determining factor in shaft flex (indicator of overall strength of the player).General Swing Speed / Ball Speed ranges and co...
Swing Tempo - Pace of The Swing
1. Fast 2. Medium 3. Slow Generally, the faster the tempo, the stiffer the shaft flex needed. The slower the tempo, the softer the flex needed.
Trajectory - Height of Ball Flight
What is the players ball flight? What is the players preferred ball flight? 1. High 2. Mid 3. Low Generally, the more flexible a shaft, the higher...
Flight Direction Tendency
1. Hook 2. Draw 3. Straight 4. Fade 5. Slice Improperly fit shafts can cause inconsistency in flight direction, due to the mismatched flex characte...
Why is my golf ball inconsistent in all directions?
Improperly fit shafts can cause inconsistency in flight direction, due to the mismatched flex characteristics of the shaft to the player, and the players perception and compensation for the mismatched flex. Generally, too flexible a shaft can cause inconsistent directional ball flight in all directions. Too stiff a shaft can lead ...
Can club fitters analyze data?
Yes, we as club fitters can analyze data we acquire on many of the wonderful launch monitors that are available, and narrow down choices based on the data. This does take some of the guess work out of the decision and gives us performance data to base a decision on.
Do shafts always equal performance?
A broad range of prices exist in the shaft category. Price does not always equal performance. From a performance standpoint, shafts should be chosen based on their specifications and how those specifications fit the players swing characteristics, providing the desired trajectory, feel and consistency.
What does Flex mean in golf clubs?
Golf club shaft flex refers to the bend in a club when a player swings and makes an impact with the golf ball. The shaft flex can have a significant impact on a player’s swing and should be selected based on a few different factors identified by a proper club fitting session.
Swing Speed vs. Swing Tempo
Swing speed is measured in miles per hour. It is very easy to measure this, as most golf courses have speed sticks available to members and customers. But speed isn’t everything. The tempo of the swing is very important. For instance, look at the swing of 2021 Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama compared to the 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson.
Different Club Flex Options
It is important to use the correct flex option that suits your swing. If the shaft is too soft, it will typically flex more through impact and cause the clubhead to close and start the ball to the left with added spin.
Club Shaft Kick Point
The kick point is mistakenly thought of as being a wide variance; the high kick point being up by the grip and the low kick point being down by the clubhead. But this isn’t true. The kick point is actually a small 6” section in the middle of the shaft.
How to Choose the Correct Club Flex
So, let’s take what we have learned from above and apply it to selecting a new driver.
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 is the softest point of a shaft?
Then there are shafts with a stiff tip and a soft grip area. Basically the tip is the softest point of the shaft. These shafts are nevertheless stiffer at this point than, for example, in the middle of the shaft.
What is graphite shaft?
Theoretically, they can combine the best of both worlds. A graphite shaft is basically lighter and able to dampen vibrations better. Shaft weight: The weight of a shaft influences both the total weight and the swing weight of the club.
How fast can a 6 iron hit?
This category includes above average amateurs who hit their 6 iron between 155 and 170m and have a club head speed between 80 and 90mph. Please note that these are only approximate values.
How long does it take to find the perfect shaft profile?
It is difficult to give basic recommendations and the perfect shaft profile can only be found in a fitting and usually over longer playing periods. It can take years for a player to find the perfect profile. Therefore a player usually stays with it and remains consistent throughout the set.
What does the stiffness of a shaft mean?
The stiffness indicates the stiffness of the entire shaft, but not whether the shaft is stiff in the tip, middle or butt section.
Is a carbon shaft flexible?
A carbon shaft therefore does not mean being flexible at the same time. You can find the respective shaft weight in the charts above. It is important to know that a number like 80 always represents a "lower limit" and the actual weight is always slightly above this number, e.g. 83g.
Is a carbon shaft stiffer than steel?
Basically, carbon shafts tend to be lighter than steel, but can be built just as stiff - sometimes even stiffer. A carbon shaft therefore does not mean being flexible at the same time.
What is the right flex for golf?
What Golf Shaft Flex Is Right For Me. Knowing the flex that is right for you is an important part of golf that often is overlooked. If the flex of your shaft is off, the club head may be in the wrong position at the point of impact, affecting the overall flight path of the ball. With the right flex, the head is more likely to sit at ...
What happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?
A shaft that is too stiff may push the ball onto the next fairway, whereas a shaft that is too flexible may cause a pop-up or a nasty hook. However, to accurately diagnose the correct shaft flex for your driver, it is best to get a club-fitter to determine your swing speed. Then you can discuss your options and pick the most suitable shaft flex.
What is flex shaft?
What Is A Flex Golf Shaft. Flex in a golf shaft determines the amount the shaft will bend during the swing and at impact. Higher flex shafts, such as those on ladies or senior clubs will be extra flexible for slower swing speeds. Pros or low handicap golfers, on the other hand, generally use stiffer shafts. This is to adjust to the faster swing ...
Why is my golf ball pushed so early?
Comparatively, if your a golfer with a slower swing speed using a shaft that is too stiff, your clubface angle may be too abrupt at the point of impact, causing the ball to be pushed slightly too early. This may also result in hitting the ball too low.
What happens if the flex of the shaft is off?
If the flex of your shaft is off, the club head may be in the wrong position at the point of impact, affecting the overall flight path of the ball. With the right flex, the head is more likely to sit at the correct angle and contact position for your swing speed.
Which shaft flex is the stiffest?
The driver shaft flex may need to be the stiffest in your bag. The driver is often the club that has the highest swing speed, given its length and weight. It is also the club that you want the most accurate shaft flex. Since it carries the highest swing speed and the furthest distance of any club in your bag, you want to be exact.
Can you pop the ball up with a mid range iron?
If you’re unable to pop the ball up at all, especially with your mid-range irons, you may not get the spin and carry you want on the ball. It can also be hard to stop the ball on the green without enough height. Golf is a game of millimeters.
What shafts do you need for a slow swing?
Slow swing speeds will generally require softer-flex shafts, while high swing speeds need stiffer shafts; due to variations in swing patterns, however, swing speed is only one portion of finding the right shaft. Briand’s recommendation is to use your current driver shaft as a baseline.
What happens if you have a longer shaft?
As Briand says, a longer shaft will cause a less consistent strike on the face, and the golfer will tend to hit the ball closer to the heel. A shorter shaft, on the other hand, will cause a more consistent strike pattern, but impact location will tend to be on the toe. A golfer’s physical size, arm length, swing speed, consistency, ...
What does low torque mean on a shaft?
5. Torque. A low torque measurement means that a shaft has greater resistance to twisting, while a high torque measurement means it will twist more easily.
What happens if your driver shaft is too stiff?
Generally speaking, a driver shaft that’s too stiff will cause shots to launch too low, with too little spin and low peak heights. A shaft that’s too weak, on the other hand, may cause shots to spin too much, fly too high, and widen dispersion patterns.
How tall is Rickie Fowler's shaft?
A look at Rickie Fowler's fairway wood shaft, which measures 42 inches with 0.5 inches of tipping. Fitting a golfer into the exact right shaft for them over the internet is a tall, if not impossible, task. All driver swings are different, and there are so many options on the current market. Shafts are made with different flexes, lengths, weights, ...
Does tipping a shaft change the bend point?
Remember, though, that tipping a shaft will change the bend point, and it’s also irreversible, so make sure you know the purpose behind tipping your shaft. 2. Weight. The weight of a shaft has a similar correlation to performance as flex.
Does a high bend point lower or raise the ball?
According to Briand, a high bend point will lower ball flight and a low bend point will raise ball flight. So, if you tend to have a ball flight that’s too high, look for shafts that have a high kick point, and vice versa. It’s important to note that variations in length and shaft tipping will impact the designed bend point of a shaft.
What shafts are best for golf?
Decide on what shafts are best for you. You must choose between shafts made of graphite or steel. Steel shafts are somewhat less expensive, and if you are a better golfer than average, steel shafts are probably the ones you should have. But if you're just starting out or your game needs work, you probably will do well to buy graphite shafts ...
How far can you hit a golf ball with flex shafts?
If you hit it 20 yards farther, pick Ladies. And if you can hit the ball 225 to 250 yards , you're ready for Normal flex shafts. Only some of the playing professionals should choose Extra-Stiff shafts because they can hit the ball 300 yards or more.
What are golf grips made of?
There are grips made of rubber, leather and synthetic materials , and even grips with fabric interwoven in them to stay tacky even in the rain. Since your only contact with the club is your grip, don't discount its importance.
Why do you need graphite shafts?
But if you're just starting out or your game needs work, you probably will do well to buy graphite shafts for these reasons: First, they are lighter, so they are easier for you to swing. Second , graphite shafts tend to twist in your hands less so you will hit more accurate shots.
What are the elements of a golf club?
To narrow down your choices, there are only three elements of any club that are important: the shaft, the clubhead and the grip. But within each category are alternatives, and there are a few basic things you should know about what's available.
How far can you hit a driver on the fly?
A good rule of thumb in choosing the right flex is how far you can hit a driver on the fly. If you hit it 180 yards or less, buy Senior flex. If you hit it 20 yards farther, pick Ladies.
