what golf shaft

There are two basic types of golf shafts: steel and graphite. Often, your club will have been originally assembled with either of these types of shafts, however if you decide that you would like to change your type of shaft, you should know the difference between each shaft type.

Full Answer

What are the best golf shafts?

Oct 15, 2019 · Generally, the shaft is made using a steel shaft that has a graphite tip. The steel shaft allows the player to control the ball flight more, whilst the graphite tip ensures the golf ball can go the distance without any unwanted vibrations. Steel shaft ready for assemble | Photo credit: optimarc / Shutterstock.

What is the most expensive golf shaft?

Golf Shafts - 5 Specs You Need to Know. // Tip Size. 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" ... // Butt Diameter. On the opposite side of the shaft is the butt end. This is the side where the golf grip will ...

What type of golf shafts are right for You?

What are the best golf shafts? Aldila NV 2KXV Blue 60 Driver Shaft + Adapter & Grip Matrix OZIK X5 White Tie 50 Driver Shaft + Adapter & Grip Accra New Tour Z 55 Counter Balanced CB Driver Shaft + Adapter & Grip Aldila Rogue Black 60 Graphite Wood Shaft Fujikura Vista Pro 55 R-Flex Shaft + Ping G / ...

What is the best shaft for senior golfers?

May 28, 2018 · 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 always exceptions.

What shaft should I use for golf?

What is the difference in shaft types for golf?

What does 5.0 shaft flex mean?

What flex should my irons be?

Do golf shafts matter?

What happens if a shaft is too stiff?

What does a 5.5 shaft flex mean?

How do I choose a golf shaft flex?

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 is the shaft of a golf club?

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.

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 does increased shaft length mean?

Length and height. An increased shaft length creates a greater swing-arc, which relates to more distance. Shorter stature golfers often increase the length of the shafts and stand further away from the ball. The longer the shaft the less control and this is where fitment assists.

What is flex in golf?

Flex. Put very simply, flex is the amount of bend in the shaft. It affects launch angle, spin, ball flight, control, carries, and distance. Shafts are qualified in different ways but reference to flex is the most important. Powerful swings require stiffer shafts which put less load on the shaft.

When did steel shafts become legal?

Finally in 1924 steel shafts were legalized and Billy Burke was the 1st to win the US Open with steel. From 1960 to 1970 the aluminum shaft was introduced but besides expensive, it broke very easily. Then followed graphite shafts, displayed at the 1970 PGA merchandise show for the first time.

When were titanium shafts invented?

Titanium shafts were introduced in the 1990s and showed great promise because of the lightness and low torque. Price killed it. Now that the origins of the club shaft have been visited, it’s time to evaluate what shaft will suit you best and improve your game.

Does graphite shaft help with swing arc?

Generally, graphite shafts tend to be longer, increasing the swing-arc, but reduces control. Graphite shaft drivers are the modern choice, and flex options cater for all golfers. Slow swing speed golfers can attain many benefits from using graphite in the irons.

What happens if you don't have a stiff shaft?

The result is a loss of distance. Added to this the direction control will be lost.

What happens if you don't have the swing speed to launch the ball into the air?

If you do not have the swing speed and ability to launch the ball into the air, it will come out with a low trajectory, a low spin rate, and the ball will not fly far. The result is a loss of distance.

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 use steel shafts in golf?

With steel shafts, you may find that golf shots are easier to control. Steel shafts place a greater focus on accuracy as opposed to distance. Since they don’t get as much distance as graphite shafts, steel shafts require faster swing speed to make up for the loss of distance compared to graphite.

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.

Why is it important to pick the right golf shaft?

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 ...

What is the difference between a steel shaft and a graphite shaft?

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. Stepped is the use of steps down the shaft or ridges you see while rifle is smooth all the way.

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 a multi material shaft?

Multi-material – this shaft uses both steel and graphite to create a multi-material that offers the best of both worlds. Usually the shaft is steel with graphite at the tip to help limit whip. A multi-material shaft can be found in both irons and drivers.

Is there a standard for golf shafts?

There Are No Standards. One of the biggest misconceptions about shafts is that there are standards out there that manufacturers adhere to. Most golfers assume that a shaft marked regular or stiff will be the same across the board, no matter who they buy it from. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

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 ...

Do you need a softer shaft for a golf swing?

Conversely, a player that extends early in their swing (most recreational golfers) would require a shaft with a softer tip. Getting this right is extremely important, and it’s often not discussed at all when people talk about choosing shafts (it’s mostly just about flex), which leads us to our next point.

What is the biggest misconception about golf shafts?

One of the biggest misconceptions about shafts is that there are standards out there that manufacturers adhere to. Most golfers assume that a shaft marked regular or stiff will be the same across the board, no matter who they buy it from.

What is the most important thing about a driver shaft?

One of the most important things about shafts is how they handle the force that a player’s swing will apply. Generally speaking, there are two extremes. Some players apply a late load to their swing, which would require a stiffer tip of the driver shaft. Conversely, a player that extends early in their swing (most recreational golfers) ...

Can you tell the difference between Peter Luger's shafts?

Such is the case with shafts. The quality of the product will affect your ability to strike a golf ball properly.

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 shafts are best for a senior golfer?

With greater swing speeds and flex you will lose some accuracy with the club. Graphite shafts are best suited for senior golfers and lady golfers who cannot produce a lot of swing speed.

What is a stepped shaft?

In essence this is what stepped shafts are. They are a pattern that gradually gets smaller towards the tip of the shaft, where the club goes into the hosel. Why? The stepped process allows for more consistency throughout the shaft, so it’s not weighted more at the bottom or the top. The benefit to evenly weighted shafts is each club feels the same. The majority of manufacturers use stepped steel shafts, so you’ll see these in most golfers’ bags.

Is graphite shaft better than steel shaft?

When considering graphite shafts just remember they are lightweight and more flexible than steel shafts. This allows for more swing speed and distance, but that doesn’t always mean more accuracy. With greater swing speeds and flex you will lose some accuracy with the club.

Why is flex important in golf?

Flex. The most important factor when buying a shaft is the flex because it affects your distance and direction. In essence flex is the ability of a golf shaft to bend during the golf swing.

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.

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.

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, ...

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, ...

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.

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 lighter shaft affect swing speed?

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.

Does the length of a driver shaft affect the strike point?

Length. Of course, the length of your driver shaft will significantly change how the golf club feels, but length affects strike point, too. 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.