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what is a shaft in golf

by Sonya Gaylord Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Definition

  • Variety of Flex Levels. Shafts are offered in a variety of flex levels to accommodate different swing speeds. ...
  • Function of the Shaft. Acting as a lever, the shaft is what allows a golfer to hit the ball over great distance simply by using the rotation of his body ...
  • General Appearance. ...
  • Variety of Kick Points. ...
  • Shaft Lengths. ...
  • Custom Fitting. ...

Full Answer

What is the best golf club 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 …

What shaft should a senior golfer use?

May 28, 2018 · How Important are Golf Shafts? Choosing the right shaft for your clubs is all part of the goal of giving you consistency. 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. The shaft is similar to the transmission of a car.

How to pick the right golf shaft?

Sep 01, 2020 · It is the SHAFT which is the engine of the club. Shaft History The original shafts date back to the 18th century and were made from any hardwood available. Ironheart, bloomahoo, bullet wood, and ash and lancewood were some of the choices. Then in the mid-1800s hickory shafts became the rage, and they were whippy, light, and resilient.

How much does a golf shaft cost?

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

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What does the shaft do in golf?

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.Jun 9, 2020

What are the different shafts in golf?

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.Oct 15, 2019

What is a standard golf shaft?

So what is the standard shaft length of drivers? A few years ago, it was 43 inches. And now, it has been increased to 45 inches for men (although the range is between 45 and 45.75 inches). While the shaft length for ladies drivers is 44 inches.

What is the shaft of a golf club called?

Golf Club Components: The Clubhead.May 12, 2014

When should I switch to senior shafts?

When your driving distance is around 180 yards Regular shafts, when they can't hit the ball beyond 180 yards, need to be swapped with Senior shafts. This sort of lighter, softer flex in the shaft increases distance by an additional 15 to 20 yards easily.

What flex should a beginner use?

But if a beginner player already has a decent swing motion and generates clubhead speed between the range of 95 to 110 mph or more, then a stiff shaft or extra stiff shaft could be justified to be used by a beginner golfer.

Are expensive golf shafts worth it?

Because of the material and production differences, there's usually a price tag difference as well. While they may look identical on the outside, the aftermarket version of a shaft is housing better performance and for most golfers, that's worth a slight increase in cost.Oct 7, 2021

Do golf shafts really make a difference?

How Important are Golf Shafts? Choosing the right shaft for your clubs is all part of the goal of giving you consistency. 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.May 28, 2018

How can I tell my swing speed?

Divide the average yardage by 2.3. This number represents your average club head speed in miles per hour, according to the book "Science and Golf III." If 195 is your average drive distance yardage, 84.7 mph is your approximate swing speed.

What are the 5 parts of a club?

The components of a golf club include a shaft, ferrule, grip, hosel and clubhead.

How do you Reshaft a golf club at home?

2:2522:36GOLF CLUB BUILD - How to reshaft your irons Step by Step - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUp the house'll. Pull the shafts you don't need a shaft puller. Anything like that you can just heatMoreUp the house'll. Pull the shafts you don't need a shaft puller. Anything like that you can just heat them up and twist them off because it's a steel shaft.

What are the 5 parts of a golf club?

To play with the right club, you have to have a better understanding of the hole you are playing, especially its parts. Each hole in a course has 5 major parts namely Tee, Fairway, Green, Rough and Hazards. Understanding these parts allow you to plan your shots right.Aug 31, 2019

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), ...

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 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 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.

What is carbon fiber shaft?

Modern composite graphite shafts have 3 layers of fiber winding, adding substantial rigidity and performance. Carbon fiber offers increased flex, greater clubhead speed, but reduced accuracy, due to more torque. It also dissipates the stinging shock from a poorly struck shot and will protect the hands and wrist.

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.

What is a low kick point?

A low kick-point launches the ball easily and high, with plenty of spin, which ultimately creates more carry and distance. The competent golfer who is capable of launching the ball and doesn’t require too much spin should consider the mid-kick-point shaft. The high-kick-point encourages low launch and minimum spin.

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.

Who is Nick Lomas?

Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience then it comes to choosing the right golf gear, and finding the right set up for your game.

What are the different types of golf shafts?

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. There are some newer options that combine the two materials, ...

What is a multi-material shaft?

A recent addition to the market are multi-material shafts which are used on both irons and drivers. This type of shaft incorporates steel and graphite into one shaft to get the best of both worlds for each player, to suit all playing types. Generally, the shaft is made using a steel shaft that has a graphite tip.

Why does my golf club feel dead?

You may also find that the club may feel “dead” if the shaft is too heavy or stiff, or alternatively it can feel too soft and weak – both can significantly impact your game.

How much does graphite shaft weigh?

Graphite shafts are much lighter, less durable and more expensive in comparison to steel shafts, and weigh between 50 and 85 grams – around half the weight of a steel shaft! These light-weight shafts help to provide a greater swing speed for more power, however, it sacrifices control due to the flex generated in the swing.

How to measure the length of a golf club?

In order to determine the length of your club, stand tall and get someone to measure from the crease where your wrist and hand meet to the floor. Do this with both hands and take an average of the two measurements.

What is flex in golf clubs?

Put simply, the flex determines a golf club shaft’s ability to bend during a swing, affecting the distance and direction. Therefore, getting the right flex in your golf clubs is important.

What is a kick point in golf?

The shaft kick-point – also known as flex-point – is the point where the shaft bends and affects the trajectory of the shot. Although the effect is only small, it is still measurable. For clarity, a shaft with a high kick-point will often give a low shot trajectory and create the feel of a “one-piece”.

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 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.

Does torque affect ball flight?

If we think about torque affecting how the club head is delivered to the ball at impact, you can imagine that it would affect ball flight. One study in 2017, showed that shafts with a higher torque caused a more open club face at impact which led to a slightly higher launch that tended to go right.

What Is Shaft Flex?

Shaft flex is the degree to which the shaft will bend or flex during the swing. A more flexible shaft bends easily during the swing and has the potential to produce a longer-ranged shot.

How Does Shaft Flex Impact Your Golf Game?

The shaft flex of your golf club has an immense effect on the game’s outcome as a whole. From high irons to wedges and drivers, you have to make sure they have the correct flex for trajectory, accuracy, and distance.

How to Choose the Shaft Flex for You?

You can know the correct flex for your shaft by evaluating your swing at a golf equipment store. They’ll check all kinds of things like ball speed, distance, clubhead speed, spin, and many other factors. They also try several shafts in the same driver head to give the most accurate results.

What Shaft Flex Should You Use for The Driver?

It would be best if you choose the stiffest shaft flex for your driver because it is often the club that has the maximum swing speed. Since it carries the maximum swing speed, you may consider choosing the most accurate shaft flex.

How to Determine the Right Flex for Your Iron?

Choosing the right flex for the iron depends on the club you use for hitting a 150-yard shot. If you’re about to take a 150-yard shot, consider using these flex for your irons.

Final Thoughts

When selecting a flex for the shaft in your clubs, the tradeoff is between accuracy and distance. Choosing a senior flex helps you to achieve greater distance due to its flexibility but at the cost of lower accuracy.

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How does a golf shaft affect performance?

Without the proper golf shaft in place, you will notice that you have trouble controlling the flight of the golf ball, the distance of your shots, and the path of the ball as well . The proper golf shaft will help to keep you hitting the ball straight with just the right amount of ball flight as well.

How to determine golf shaft flex?

Another way to determine which golf shaft flex you need is based on your current distances. If you are hitting your driver 180-200 yards, then you need a senior golf shaft. If you hit your driver 200-240 yards, the regular is going to be a better choice. The one problem with using distance as the only determining factor is ...

What is a senior flex shaft?

The regular and senior flex shafts are for the slower swinging player. Some golfers have a hard time deciding if the regular or the senior is going to be the better fit for their game. We have put together some great information about senior and regular flex golf shafts so you can choose an option that will work well for your golf game.

What happens if a golf shaft is too stiff?

If a golf shaft is too stiff for a player, there could be a decrease in distance and accuracy as well. The most common miss with a shaft that is too stiff is a slice. If you have tried everything to learn how to fix your slice, it could just be that the equipment you are using does not fit you properly.

How fast should a golf shaft be?

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.

Can you measure your swing speed?

Some personal golf swing trackers and apps can measure swing speed. When you measure your swing speed, you are going to want to use your driver speed. Although there are ways to do club fittings using the speed of the irons, the driver speed is the most common way to do this.

What shafts are good for senior golfers?

The good news for senior golfers is that there are not steel shaft options to choose from. Senior golf shafts are almost always going to be graphite. The graphite is lighter and helps seniors get the ball flight and distance that they need.

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