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what happens if my golf irons are too light

by Dayna Lubowitz Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Meanwhile players whose golf clubs are too light can often find:

  • Increased launch angles and spin rates sending the golf ball very high
  • Bad shots and bad misses going further right or left than normal
  • Altered swing mechanics including early unhinging of the wrists in the downswing and deceleration.
  • Not knowing where the club head is during the swing.

Worse, a clubhead that's too light often results in poor swing mechanics like deceleration in the downswing, sequencing issues and a swing path that hits the ball with a glancing blow.Oct 21, 2019

Full Answer

What happens if your golf shaft is too light?

On the other hand, if your golf shaft is too light you might see the following: All shafts flex under the stress exerted by the golf swing and it affects your distance and direction. This varies depending on the strength and swing speed of every golfer.

Does your iron shaft affect the flight of your golf ball?

Using an iron shaft that’s too soft for you will also affect the flight of your golf ball. Your golf ball will consistently fly much higher than you intended if you use an iron shaft that’s too soft for you.

Do lighter golf clubs affect your swing?

Usually, lighter clubs produce higher spin rates. And with spin rates that are too high, you might actually lose distance. Second, a lighter club is sometimes more difficult to control and can wreak havoc on your ability to make a smooth, rhythmic swing that accelerates through the ball.

What happens if your golf clubs are too heavy?

Having clubs that are too heavy will result in lost distance and a lack of control and having clubs that are too light will result in erratic and uncontrollable strokes. Fast swing speeds will usually need a heavier shaft and slower swing speeds need lighter shafts.

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How can you tell if an iron is too light?

A shaft that is too light will make you feel like the club is going too fast for your swing. It will feel like you have less control over the club throughout the swing and it will make you feel a little uneasy until you slow everything down, this can be dangerous.

Are lighter golf irons better?

Usually, lighter clubs produce higher spin rates. And with spin rates that are too high, you might actually lose distance. Second, a lighter club is sometimes more difficult to control and can wreak havoc on your ability to make a smooth, rhythmic swing that accelerates through the ball.

How do I know if my shaft is too weak?

A golf shaft that is too weak will flex excessively throughout the golf swing, creating an inconsistent release point. Swinging with a weak shaft flex can hurt you in both windy and wet conditions.

Does a lighter shaft increase distance?

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.

Do I need heavier iron shafts?

Having clubs that are too heavy will result in lost distance and a lack of control and having clubs that are too light will result in erratic and uncontrollable strokes. What is this? Fast swing speeds will usually need a heavier shaft and slower swing speeds need lighter shafts.

How heavy should my irons be?

In general, golfers with slower swing speed and tempo can and should play a lighter shaft. 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.

Is a 50g shaft too light?

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. These shafts are often favored by junior and senior golfers, they can give a nice boost to the driving distance of these groups.

What happens if shaft is too soft?

Incorrect flex A golfer using a shaft that is too flexible may experience a ball flight that is too high, a ball that spins too much, or a shot pattern that has inconsistent dispersion.

Does a weak shaft cause a slice?

When the clubhead gets to the ball, the shaft won't unload properly and the face will remain slightly open, causing a slice. Other swing problems also can cause a slice, of course, but shafts that are too stiff can make the problem worse.

Should older golfers use lighter clubs?

While drivers and woods, because they need to be hit with faster speed, feature lighter graphite, Senior flex shafts. However, if your swing speed is very low and distance very poor as a senior golfer, make sure ALL your clubs have Senior shafts.

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.

How far should you hit a 7 iron?

Average 7 Iron Distances are following: Beginning golfers- 100 yards (men) or 60 yards (women) Intermediate golfers- 135 yards (men) and 75 yards (women) Advanced golfers- 165 yards (men) or 140 yards (women)

bluerrpilot

If we want faster ball and swing speeds, why don't more people use lighter shafts. What is the downside to a shaft that's too light for you.

Kingcat990

More flex in the shaft or less accuracy since the shaft is wobbling around

Golfrnut

If we want faster ball and swing speeds, why don't more people use lighter shafts. What is the downside to a shaft that's too light for you.

Golf64

I find I swing better with heavier shafts, but need help with launch and spin. Love the Nippon 950 for this issue, but seem to play better with DGs. Hard to find high launch/spin in heavier shafts.

BirdieBob

All correct as it is about tempo and timing. Get a too light shaft or swingweight and there goes the timing and accuracy.

LaymanM

For me, swinging a lighter shaft seems to cause me to release early or even cast a bit. With a heavier shaft at 115 to 120 grams I naturally hold my wrist hinge longer and release later. This is just me?

mukster

I currently have C-Taper lites in my sticks, only played one round with them so far. My previous shafts were DG SL 300. Both in stiff. I swing them better than DG 300 and personally like the feel of a lighter shaft. Not all light shafts are the same, however, I could not get comfortable with the Ping CFS shafts, even after a year.

How much does a driver shaft weigh?

A steel driver shaft weighs roughly 125 grams, whereas a graphite shaft can weigh only half as much. The arguments were tantalizing: Less weight in the shaft, more weight in the head. This, we were told, would translate into more power and more distance.

What does a knowledgeable instructor do?

A knowledgeable instructor, he regularly does something that more teachers should do – he advises his students on their choice of golf equipment. When graphite shafts came along, many of us initially bemoaned the fact that we had grown up in the age of steel.

Can graphite shafts be used on irons?

Balanced, yes. The experiment of lightweight graphite shafts in fairway woods and irons was revealing. These light shafts proved to be wonderful for many senior golfers and women – players who lack the strength to handle heavier clubs. However, lightweight graphite didn’t work well for many men. So the graphite shaft manufacturers got smart ...

Is Tom Pierson evangelical?

Pierson is evangelical about his beliefs, but he admits, “You start talking like this, and they look at you like you’re crazy, like you should be locked up.”. Well, lock me up, too. Somewhere there is a middle ground in golf equipment, and most golfers would be better off if they found it.

Who said too many golfers are using clubs that are too light?

This is the message of veteran teacher Drew Pierson, who says too many golfers are using clubs that are too light. I admire Pierson, a PGA master professional who lives and teaches in Wilmington, N.C. A knowledgeable instructor, he regularly does something that more teachers should do – he advises his students on their choice of golf equipment.

What is the force of a golf club?

The force is the face of the golf club striking the stationary ball as the golfer swings the club. To put this concept another way, the particular manner in which the golf ball is launched into the air and how far it goes is determined by how much force the golf clubhead is carrying at the point of impact.

How to do a backswing?

Here is the sequence of steps that the golfer takes during the backswing: 1 The golfer sets up his or her stance and addresses the ball (positions the golf club face behind the ball). 2 As the golfer begins the takeaway, backing the clubface away from the ball, the legs start to pivot away, and the torso rotates, followed by the shoulders. 3 The arms follow the shoulder rotation so that the club creates a sweeping arc like a second hand on a stopwatch moving from the six to the twelve. 4 As the club is brought back behind the golfer’s head, the wrists are cocked so that the golf club is nearly parallel to the ground at the top of the backswing.

How does the golfer generate torque?

As the legs and torso unwind and rotate in the direction of the target, they generate a tremendous amount of torque, and the arms and golf club are just coming along for the ride. Throughout the downswing, the golfer generates club speed, which peaks as the swing bottoms out where the clubhead meets the ball.

Why is it harder to swing a heavier golf club?

However, a heavier club will be more challenging to swing at higher speeds because there is more weight involved.

Why is there no magic formula for determining the proper golf club weight?

Because golfers encompass all age groups, sizes, statures, and athletic abilities, there is no magic formula for determining the proper golf club weight that can apply to all individuals, just as body type does not dictate distance.

What are the benefits of lighter golf clubs?

Benefits of Lighter Golf Clubs. With tremendous advancements in golf equipment technology , there are lighter materials available to manufacture golf club shafts and heads. Graphite and other composites are much lighter than steel and are also more flexible and forgiving.

Why are heavier golf clubs better than lighter golf clubs?

Whereas heavier golf clubs may provide more power upon impact and result in greater distance, they can affect swing mechanics and make it more difficult to control the ball flight. On the flip side, lighter golf clubs are easier to manage and may result in fewer errant shots, but distance may be sacrificed.

What happens if your golf shaft is too soft?

Golfing Youtube legend, Rick Shiels suggests that when your shafts are too soft it kicks the clubhead up at impact and angles it left, for right-handers. That results in unwanted hooks. Furthermore, if a shaft is too soft it can cause faster-swinging players to sky tee shots, and prompt excessive spin. YouTube.

Why do golfers use lighter shafts?

It will cause the shaft to veer off its swing path, resulting in hooks and slices. Lighter shafts help slower swinging players increase their swing speed, and get the ball up in the air.

Why is my driver shaft so heavy?

If you are struggling to swing through the ball, and are pushing your shots, it is likely the driver shaft is too heavy for your swing. A heavy driver shaft will further reduce your clubhead speed, which will limit your ability to generate sufficient ball speed.

How to tell if driver shaft is too light?

What Are The Signs Your Driver Shaft Is Too Light? Golf Digest coach Liam Mucklow has found that when a shaft is too light “it causes an unhinging of the wrists, which impacts your swing path. ”. That leads to duck hooks and excessive draw.

Why is my golf shaft so light?

If you are constantly hooking your shots or achieving excessive draw, your shaft may be too light and flexible. If you can relate to this problem, I recommend getting fitted to find the right shaft for your swing. It is advisable to test shafts with stiffer flex than you are currently using.

How fast should a golf driver be?

They will analyze your swing and determine the best flex for your driver. However, as a rule of thumb, golfers with swing speeds above 100 mph should test a stiff shaft, while swing speeds above 110 mph are better suited to extra stiff shafts. Those of us with moderate swing speeds may consider a regular flex.

What happens if the shaft weight is not in sync with the driver head?

Furthermore, if the weight of your shaft is not in sync with that of your driver head, you may have a club that is too heavy or light. Therefore the shaft weight of a driver is important to consider, but cannot deliver the desired results on its own. This is the stance taken by Golf Digest’s Liam Mucklow, who says “it takes more than ...

SoundandFury

I've been playing GS 95 (listed as ultra light) shafts in a set of MP-56/63's I picked up used. Definitely have my share of thin and toe hits. The other day I tried an MP-54 with a KBS Tour S shaft, and although my club head speed was down by a few mph, I gained about 7-10 yards consistently.

birlyshirly

I don't believe there's anything that can be stated as a "rule" about weight of shaft - a lot is going to come down to personal preference.

birlyshirly

Yes - but there's always the possibility that the GS95 is the "right" shaft for you - but you need a swingweight adjustment to make better contact.

Wally

Yes, lighter clubs can be set offline easier. Swing a heavy hammer versus a light one. Once you get a heavy one going it will travel on the course your set if on. A player should play as heavy as clubs they can with out too much detriment to their distance.

Posts

Pretty much the same thing here. I was told by a person I trust that I was too slow on the green... that was a long time ago. I stopped using the line and try to visualize spots on the green not the ball. I play much faster now. Statistically my putting...

How much does a steel shaft weigh?

Steel shafts weights vary between 85g to 130g and although this does not seem like an enormous difference it will make an impact in your shot-making ability. Furthermore, your strength, swing speed, swing tempo, and club length play an enormous role in determining shaft weight.

What are golf shafts made of?

Shafts are manufactured from steel, graphite, multi-material, titanium, and nanofuse shafts. Heavier shafts are generally made from steel and lighter shafts from graphite. Manufacturers add the most commonly used shafts as standard, but there is an aftermarket shaft available to suit your swing down to a tee.

How much shorter is a driver shaft than a fairway shaft?

Most stock shafts from manufacturers use the same weight of shaft in fairway woods as their driver models. Fairway woods have shafts that are between 1 and 3 inches shorter than your driver shaft.

How does swing speed affect the quality of the strike?

The effect of your swing speed. Your swing speed exerts forces on the shaft and makes it bend. The faster your swing speed the more bend you will get in the shaft. When there is too much bend in the shaft it will affect the quality of the strike, control, and ball trajectory will be affected.

What is the debate around golf shafts?

The debate around shafts is related to heavier vs lighter golf shaft and the pros, cons, and benefits of each. In general the weight of the club will determine how fast you can swing ...

How heavy is a driver shaft?

Driver shaft weight can vary from 65g to 130g.

What is the difference between a slow swing and a heavy swing?

Heavy shafts tend to produce more distance , accuracy , and lower ball trajectory for a golfer with faster swing speeds.

What does lighter shaft mean?

Remember though, a lighter shaft means the clubhead will feel heavier even though the overall club is lighter. This refers to what clubmakers call swing weight — it’s a measurement of how heavy a club feels as you swing it, not how heavy it actually is. 3.

How to put your golf clubs on a diet?

If you’ll willing to put your clubs on a diet, we’ve got some advice: 1. Start with a lighter shaft that performs like your heavier one. Before you hop on the lightweight bandwagon, consider swapping shaft (s) in a few clubs before you lighten up the rest of your set. This is to make sure you like how it feels.

Can you use lightweight clubs on a slow swing?

Not at all. For some players, usually those with slow to mid swing speeds, lightweight clubs can be very advantageous. It can also help players who are solid strikers but who don’t hit it far (or high) enough.

Can lighter clubs help you hit the ball?

Well, sometimes, yes, a lighter club will help you hit the ball further. But sometimes, no, it will not. Let’s dig in. Lighter clubs, whether via a lighter clubhead, shaft, grip, or any combination thereof, are in fact easier to swing faster. But not without a few consequences. The first is with regards to spin.

Does adding length to shafts negate weight?

Adding length to your shafts not only may negate your reduction in weight, but you’ll also run the risk of losing accuracy. I can’t attest that will happen to everybody, but I’d bet $5 with almost anyone that it will. 5. Beastmode requires more than just lightweight clubs.

Can you lose distance with a lighter club?

And with spin rates that are too high, you might actually lose distance. Second, a lighter club is sometimes more difficult to control and can wreak havoc on your ability to make a smooth, rhythmic swing that accelerates through the ball.

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