Full Answer
What is torque in golf shafts?
"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.
What happens when you use a low torque shaft?
If you are a slower swing speed golfer and you are using a low torque shaft it will feel impossible to swing. It will feel like you are swinging a plank of wood and you will hit a lot of slices as you can’t deliver the club square at impact.
What is a mid kick point shaft in golf?
Mid Kick Point – Pros And Cons Mid kick point shafts are what the majority of golf shafts are. Most golf clubs for the mid handicapper are going to be a mid kick point shaft. This will give you a moderate launch on your shots, and the club is usually medium weight as well.
What does mid torque mean in a golf shaft?
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). A golfer's swing, and the clubhead attached to the end of the shaft, exert forces on the shaft that lead to twisting.
What is considered low torque golf shaft?
Amount. A low-torque shaft may allow only 2 degrees (or less) of twist, while a high-torque shaft might go all the way to 6 degrees. That might not sound like a lot, but it certainly can affect your accuracy.
How does golf shaft 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 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.
Does torque matter in golf shaft?
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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 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 weight driver shaft should I use?
The shafts in the drivers of most golfers are probably in the 60 gram bracket. These shafts are light enough to help with speed yet heavy enough to give that feeling of more stability during the swing. This shaft weight will be beneficial to most golfers out there.
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). ...
How Does Torque in Steel Shafts Compare to That in Graphite Shafts?
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.
What torque is needed for a graphite shaft?
So for most golfers, as long the torque of a graphite shaft is between 3.5 and 5.5 degrees - which is the case for the vast majority of graphite shafts today - the golfer will be OK and torque will never be a factor to worry about in the shaft fitting.
How much torque does graphite have?
This allows the torque in graphite shafts to range from as high as 7 or 8 degrees to as low as 1 degree, while in steel this range is only from a little more than 2 degrees to a little under 4 degrees.
What happens if you use too high a torque rating?
a strong golfer who uses shafts with too high a torque rating might produce shots that leak to the fade side;
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.
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 my golf club go faster?
This also means you can hit the ball a little further, because at the time the club strikes the ball the torque can cause the club head to go faster.
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.
Which player will benefit from a lower torque shaft?
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.
What is torque in a car?
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°.
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.”.
How many shots does each golfer hit with each shaft?
Each golfer hit 10 shots with each shaft and the results were measured by our FlightScope X2 launch monitor. All testing was done at the range at The Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club.
Does Tester 3 like low torque shafts?
Tester 3 hates boardy feeling shafts, so, despite the fact that his most-hated miss is a hook, he does not like low torque shafts. On the other hand, Tester 1 doesn’t like loose feeling shafts despite the fact that he needs all the help he can get to square the club face. Historically, he has found better success with lower torque shafts because he feels like he can release the club more aggressively.
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.
What is torque in golf?
Torque is defined as "a force that produces or tends to produce rotation or torsion." If you think of a golf shaft as an axis, the heel of the head is centered on that axis, but the toe – as well as most of the clubhead's weight – is off-center. When you swing the club, the head twists around the shaft. The toe gets "left behind" as you start your downswing, then it "catches up" and returns to its normal position at impact. The shaft resists that twisting motion, allowing only a certain amount. The twisting that is allowed, measured in degrees, is the shaft's torque.
Why do golfers use low torque shafts?
Power players such as PGA Tour golfer Dustin Johnson generally use low-torque shafts to better help them control the ball. Golf shafts have many technical specifications that you, as an average golfer, likely never consider. You are indirectly aware of them because they affect how your clubs feel when you swing them.
Why are you aware of the specs on your golf clubs?
You are indirectly aware of them because they affect how your clubs feel when you swing them. But those specs affect how your club performs, and club fitters take them into account when they fit you for new clubs. Torque is one of those "invisible" specs, and it has a bigger effect on club performance than you might expect.
How much twist does a high torque shaft have?
A low-torque shaft may allow only 2 degrees (or less) of twist, while a high-torque shaft might go all the way to 6 degrees. That might not sound like a lot, but it certainly can affect your accuracy.
What happens when you swing a golf club?
When you swing the club, the head twists around the shaft. The toe gets "left behind" as you start your downswing, then it "catches up" and returns to its normal position at impact. The shaft resists that twisting motion, allowing only a certain amount.
Does torque matter in golf shafts?
The material used to make your shaft matters. While torque always has been a factor in shaft performance, the inherent stability of steel shafts made torque relatively unimportant to everyday golfers.
Can graphite shafts be duplicated?
With the introduction of graphite shafts, however, manufacturers now can tailor shafts to behave anyway they want; they can duplicate the performance of any material from classic hickory to high-tech steel. But this comes at a price; the less torque you want, the more you have to pay for it.
How does torque affect golf swing?
Torque will also affect ball fight if it is too high for fast swing speeds by opening or closing slightly on shots hit a bit off-center. If torque is too low the shaft will have a very hard to feel on feedback and you may not get the desired height or trajectory on your ball flight. Golf shaft flex is also important when determining ...
What are the factors to consider when selecting a golf shaft?
Other factors in selecting a shaft are the flex, the kick point, and the weight. These all play into the right shaft for you, but let’s not forget that a consistent golf swing in the most important factor in deciding what shaft is best ...
How much torque does a Proforce V2 shaft have?
Using the proforce v2 wood shaft, the shafts are grouped in three weights. 55 grams 65 grams and 75 grams. The torque is 3.7 for 55 grams, 3.0 for 65 grams and 2.2 for 75 grams. Although this shaft is not made in a ladies flex, when there is one in other models the torque will be the highest of the five flexes.
What are golf shafts made of?
Two of the most popular materials used are steel and graphite or a combination of both. Steel shafts have existed since the days of Nelson and Hogan and have been a common staple in golf equipment. Graphite came along many years later and a pre-graphite shaft was fiberglass. The shaft surfaced in late 1960s and early 70s. The great Gary Player actually played these shafts but they did not catch on for the same reason that graphite initially didn’t…TORQUE. The fiberglass shafts were made by the Shakespeare Company, who was famous for making fishing rods. The material was very light compared to steel but also very inconsistent when striking a golf ball at a high speed. So this idea did not last long.
Why are golf shafts so expensive?
One of the problems with manufacturers of standard shafts (OEM) is that the torque is too high for golfers with faster club head speeds. The higher your speed the more twisting will occur upon impact. One of the reasons shaft prices are higher and the quality is better on shafts sold separately by shaft manufacturing companies is because it costs more to manufacture a lower torque shaft. Torque will also affect ball fight if it is too high for fast swing speeds by opening or closing slightly on shots hit a bit off-center. If torque is too low the shaft will have a very hard to feel on feedback and you may not get the desired height or trajectory on your ball flight.
Why are shaft prices higher?
One of the reasons shaft prices are higher and the quality is better on shafts sold separately by shaft manufacturing companies is because it costs more to manufacture a lower torque shaft.
How fast should a golf driver flex?
A basic guide for the flex would be 75 mph or lower with your golf driver would call for a senior of lady flex.
What is torque in golf?
There’s yet another factor that influences a shaft’s performance: torque. Torque is simply defined as “resistance to twisting,” and it’s measured in degrees. Basically, a low torque value means the shaft will twist very little during the swing; a high-torque shaft twists more.
How fast does a golf club need to be to match torque?
The basic rules when choosing a shaft with the right torque are as follows: Golfers with high swing speeds (100+ mph) typically need lower torque shafts.
What is torque range for graphite shafts?
Still, the torque range that applies to most golfers is relatively small, between 3.5° – 5.5°. Like most clubfitting elements, there are no absolutes when it comes ...
Why do golfers need torque?
Golfers with slower swing speeds (less than 90 mph) typically need higher torque to help them return the clubface to square at impact. Of course, a shaft’s torque must mesh with other qualities (length, weight, flex etc.) to produce the desired results for any individual golfer.
What is the shaft of a golf club?
By now, most golfers are aware that the shaft is the so-called “engine of the golf club .” They have a basic understanding of how length, weight and flex affect ball flight and shot distance. They may even be familiar with the concept of the shaft’s bend or kick point.
What Is Shaft Torque?
A shaft torque is a bit different than a shaft flex and kick point. The torque is how much a golf club will resist bending during the swing. 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 a golf shaft?
A golf shaft used to be something that was either steel or graphite. Then it had a flex, then people started talking about kick points, and torque and weight, and more. Golf shafts are certainly much more researched, studied, and analyzed than they ever have been. If you have ever wondered what kick point is in a golf shaft, ...
What Is Shaft Tip Stiffness?
Golf shafts flex in different areas. The shaft tip stiffness is very similar to the kick point, but it has a little more to do with the release of the club. If you are a golfer who releases the club early, you will need a different tip stiffness than a golfer who tends to release the golf club just before impact. Fitting for something like tip stiffness would take a custom fitting session. You will have a hard time determining the tip stiffness that is needed on a golf club you purchase.
What Are The Numbers on a Shaft?
Some golf shaft manufacturers will put a lot of numbers and labels on their golf shafts, and some will put hardly any. When it comes time to replace your golf clubs, it is good to have a general idea of what you have been playing with.
How Important Is The Right Golf Shaft?
Without the right golf shaft, you will not be able to perform to the best of your abilities, and you will end up struggling with distance, direction, and ball flight as well. The game of golf is not fun when you are not playing with the right golf shaft.
How to get a high kick point?
For a high kick point, you generally need to look for a player’s golf iron or wood. Beginners tend to struggle with both swing speed and launch; the majority of golfers will do best with the lower kick point golf clubs that help them launch the ball higher. As crucial as kick point is, it is more important to choose the proper shaft flex ...
Why do you need different kick points on golf clubs?
For instance, if you have always hit your irons too high, you are going to want a high kick point shaft to help lower the ball flight.
What does low torque mean on a golf shaft?
The lower the torque number — it’s measured in degrees — the more resistant the shaft is to unwanted twisting. For someone like Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy, who generate top-end speed with the driver, having an uber-stable shaft with low torque ensures they can go after the ball and not have to worry about speed affecting launch angle, spin rate and dispersion.
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 shaft is Tiger Woods?
Tiger Woods' Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Plus shaft is an example of a low torque product.
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.
Does every shaft have torque?
Not every shaft has the torque number emblazoned on the shaft, but if you happen to play a Project X HZRDUS or Aldila Rogue — these are just a few examples — you might notice a number with a decimal point that looks somewhat out of place. It’s too small to be the shaft weight or flex (in the case of Project X products), which leaves us with one other option: shaft torque.
