In short: it makes your swing smoother and more consistent. Stock shafts tend to be made with lower-quality materials because of sheer volume — when you’re producing hundreds of thousands of clubs, you aren’t trying to spend a ton of the shaft when the clubhead is the main focus.
Are stock golf shafts the same as aftermarket ones?
It needs to be emphasized that this is not a good or bad thing. Some players need a softer shaft for performance reasons, and others prefer the feel of a softer shaft. At this point, it’s fairly clear that, leaving aside issues of “better or worse,” we can conclude that stock shafts are not the same as their aftermarket counterparts .
What type of shafts are used in golf clubs?
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. Graphite shafts weight between 50-85 grams.
What does stock mean when buying golf clubs?
When purchasing off-the-rack clubs, the shaft (s) which come standard are referred to as stock. Generally speaking, stock takes a one (sometimes two or three) size fits most approach, which allows less picky consumers to find something that provides a decent fit and with it, reasonable performance.
How much does shaft weight matter in golf clubs?
Shaft weights typically range between 50 grams and 85 grams with the 50-60 numbers being pretty common as seen in the example shafts above. Shaft Weight is important because it can help you generate club head speed and increase the distance you hit the golf ball.
Are stock golf shafts good?
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.
Should I buy stock golf clubs?
If those clubs are custom or stock, that is fine. In other words, there are some golfers that will find that even after a custom fitting, they need a stock club. However, for the most part, there will be something that needs adjustment, whether it be grip, loft, lie angle, length of the shaft.
How do you know if your shaft is aftermarket?
2:3220:26Stock Shafts vs Aftermarket Shafts: What's best for you? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut they're just different for different people and uh. So this one t800 is just basically showingMoreBut they're just different for different people and uh. So this one t800 is just basically showing you the materials that it was made with the t1100.
What is a stock driver shaft length?
Almost all drivers being introduced by manufacturers now feature a shaft length of 45 to 45.75 inches. Though some manufacturers have introduced drivers with shaft lengths longer than 46 inches, few have been successful.
What height are stock golf clubs made for?
So What Is the Standard Golf Club Length? Based on the average wrist-to-floor measurement and overall height, the standard length of golf clubs is anywhere between 34 and 35.5 inches.
What is the most important club to get fitted?
Even if you don't want to invest in a full bag fitting at this time, you should still get the two most important clubs fitted, the putter and driver, so you are set up for success.
Does club champion offer stock shafts?
We do not throw out stock shafts. And no, we do not mark up the cost of the clubs for margin's sake.
Do golf shafts really make a difference?
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. While it's not the engine, it's still extremely important.
Do I need an expensive driver shaft?
The expensive shaft gave me a slightly higher ball flight, a little bit more spin, and all that resulted in about 5 yards of extra distance. Obviously, if you're competing in tournaments you'll need all the help you can get and it might be worth it for you.
How long should my driver shaft be for my height?
Driver Shaft Length Based Solely on HeightHeight (feet/inches)Driver Shaft Length5'4″-5'7″45.5″5'2″-5'4″45″5'0″-5'2″44.5″4'10”-5'0″44″6 more rows•May 9, 2021
How do I know what golf shaft to use?
A player with a very fast swing will require a shaft with less flex, while a player with a slower swing will need a shaft with greater flex. Flex is generally rated as Extra Stiff (XS), Stiff(S), Firm(F), Regular(R), Senior(S), Amateur(A) and Ladies(L).
Why do I hit my 3 wood farther than my driver?
Players who hit their 3- or 5-wood as far or longer than their driver are typically using too little loft with the driver for their clubhead speed. You know, it's a funny thing with the driver and its loft compared to the other clubs in the bag.
What are the complaints about stock shafts?
One of the major complaints that the forum folk have about stock shafts is that they’re “spinny.” Our data on this is mixed.
How many trials does a stock shaft win?
We then looked at carry distance . From this perspective, the stock shafts were slightly more successful, winning 3/10 trials. However, when we look at the magnitude of the wins, the scale tilts hard toward aftermarket shafts. Stock shafts won their trials by an average of 1.76 yards, a negligible amount. Aftermarket shafts won their seven trials by an average of 9.63 yards.
Why do players need softer shafts?
Some players need a softer shaft for performance reasons, and others prefer the feel of a softer shaft. At this point, it’s fairly clear that, leaving aside issues of “better or worse,” we can conclude that stock shafts are not the same as their aftermarket counterparts .
How much less spin does an aftermarket shaft have?
While, on the whole, aftermarket shafts produced an average of 150 RPM less spin, the mixed results make this another inconclusive myth.
How to judge consistency of shaft?
To judge consistency, we looked at the left-right dispersion that we mentioned earlier and also the gap between each player’s longest and shortest carry distance. In both cases, the aftermarket shaft performed better 7 out of 10 times. In averaging the whole group, the dispersion was 7.6 yards tighter from left-to-right and 6.9 yards tighter in distance.
Is stock shaft the same as aftermarket shaft?
That said, just because they have the same name as an expensive aftermarket shaft does not mean they are the same.
Do aftermarket shafts have more distance than stock shafts?
In short, the data we collected shows that aftermarket shafts create more distance than stock shafts.
The Makeup
To begin with, we have straight-up looks. There’s generally not a lot of visual cues to tell you that a club is stock or aftermarket.
The Results
Speaking of results, PluggedIn Golf conducted a study with Club Champion to show the difference in distance an aftermarket shaft can provide. The study found that aftermarket shafts can be swung faster, have faster ball speeds, and provide more carry distance and overall total distance.
Why is it important to choose the right shaft for golf clubs?
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.
What does it mean to choose the wrong shaft for a golf club?
Choosing the wrong shaft will make it much harder to access the center of the face more consistently on the course , and the last thing we want you to do is to make golf harder on yourself!
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 ...
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 is fitting in golf?
When we put a customer through a fitting, we determine the right profile, weight, and flex that is required. Essentially we are writing a prescription for the golfer’s swing, and order the shaft to match what we believe will help them the most.
Why is shaft profile important?
Getting the right shaft profile for your swing is very important. It will greatly affect your ability to hit quality shots on the course . There is a lot of confusion in the golf shaft industry. With no standards for performance, the quality greatly varies, and often you get what you pay for. We hope that we have cleared up some ...
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.
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.
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.
How much does a graphite shaft weigh?
Graphite shafts are also much lighter weight (50-85 grams) while steel shafts can start at 120 grams in most cases.
What is stock golf shaft?
When purchasing off-the-rack clubs, the shaft (s) which come standard are referred to as stock . Generally speaking, stock takes a one (sometimes two or three) size fits most approach, which allows less picky consumers to find something that provides a decent fit and with it, reasonable performance.
What is a premium shaft?
Premium or Real Deal aftermarket shafts showcase a shaft manufacturer’s best technology, often utilize so-called premium materials , and are engineered to meet the expectations of touring professionals. Sold through custom fitters, dealers, and as OEM upgrades, they also carry hefty price tags which approach, and sometimes exceed, the cost of an off-the-rack driver.
What is the real deal with Taylormade shafts?
Scenario 1– The Real Deal : In some offerings, club OEMs will use an authentic after-market shaft as its stock option. TaylorMade popularized this approach in the early 2000s with its TP line of metalwoods. TP shafts often carried an upcharge, and TaylorMade was fond of using proprietary graphics, but the shafts were the same as their aftermarket namesakes. Using real shafts cyclically falls in and out of favor with the club manufacturers. Last year some took what we’d describe as a step backward, but the on a positive front, there’s more real deal in lineups than in year’s past and most OEM’s offer a menu of authentic aftermarket shafts as no charge upgrade options. Upgrade pricing is often a factor of both the exotic-ness of the shaft and the closeness of the relationship between the shaft and club manufacturers.
What is a T800 golf cart?
The T800 is made for a golfer who would never fit into an actual T1100 or likely anything else in the HZRDUS family, but the idea is for the consumer to think he’s getting something close to what the pros play . No harm, no foul, right?
What would a shaft business card say?
If the shaft industry had a business card, it would read “ It is what it is, except when it’s not.”
Can shafts be made from dealers?
As the name implies, such shafts aren’t available from dealers; they’re made specifically for an equipment OEM – with the “winning” shaft company in any given year being the one which can work within the confined margin requirements of the club company. It’s ultimately a price point conversation – so long as the quality is good enough.
Is it risky to buy aftermarket shafts?
The risk in purchasing an authentic aftermarket shaft isn’ t significant, particularly if the brand doesn’t deal in co-branded or made for shafts.
What are the characteristics of a shaft?
Length, shaft material , weight, shaft flex, and torque are all characteristics important in the shaft selection process. The proper shaft will work with your tendencies to improve consistency of contact, launch conditions, and direction.
Why use Fujikura golf shafts?
Fujikura Golf Shafts increase a player’s performance and distance and allow them to hit it farther than ever due to their lighter weight options.
What factors determine shaft flex?
Other than swing speed, there are several factors that might determine which shaft flex best suits your swing. Tempo, clubhead speed, ball speed, spin, and distance are all tracked during a PXG custom fitting to help your fitter find the best golf shaft and club head combination needed to enhance your performance.
How does a PXG fitter work?
During your PXG custom fitting, a PXG Fitting Specialist will work with you to find your baseline swing data, often using your current golf clubs. Using their years of expertise in golf swing analysis, your PXG Fitter will quickly narrow down your initial golf shaft and club head options to test. Typically, a player will test anywhere between 5-10 club head and shaft combinations from the thousands available in our matrix. Once a player has warmed up, our fitters look to find the right shaft in as few swings as possible so that we are using the most accurate data to ensure that performance gains translate to improvements on the course.
What is the PXG shaft?
PXG offers golf club shafts across the rating spectrum: Extra Stiff, Stiff, Regular, Senior and Ladies, denoted by the letters X, S, R, A, and L ("A" is used for Senior because this flex was originally called "amateur").
Why is a golf shaft lighter?
Lighter golf shafts make it easier to increase club head speed and so typically suit golfers with a lower swing speed. If a shaft is too light, a player may experience inconsistency in distance and direction. During a fitting, a player will try multiple weights to maximize distance while minimizing dispersion. 12.
How to measure club length?
Club length measurements can vary by manufacturer. At PXG, we use the USGA standard for measuring club length. This involves placing the clubhead against a block angled at 60 degrees and measuring down the shaft axis to the end of the club. We make all of our measurements to the end of the shaft before the club is gripped to maximize consistency.
How Important is Shaft Weight?
The majority of our panel agreed that shaft weight is very important. Club Champion told us that weight is the first thing they look at when fitting a shaft, and Nippon said, “If a golfer can’t feel a shaft that’s properly weighted, the other factors (flex, torque, bend profile) are moot.” Fujikura and MRC agreed that weight needs to be considered along with those other factors to produce a shaft that will perform well.
Why are there so many counter balanced shafts?
So why are there so many counter balanced shafts these days? The main driver of this trend is the club head. As Fujikura explains, “High balance point shafts can be matched with heavier heads or longer club lengths to facilitate club builds with [“normal”] swing weights without having to change mass properties of the head. They can be used with standard heads at standard lengths to simply reduce swing weight.”
Why is it harder to change weight in golf?
They noted that golfers who play often may have a harder time changing weight because they are more “committed” to their current shaft weight. The occasional player has less sensitivity to weight and can often make a larger change.
How to tell if a shaft is too heavy?
When you find the right shaft weight, you’ll experience a “high energy swing” with uniform contact.
What is Club Champion's look for?
Club Champion emphasized looking for the best numbers – ball speed, launch, spin, angle of attack, club path, and dynamic loft. This is why their fittings all include Trackman launch monitors – so they can see what produces the best and most consistent numbers.
Is shaft weight more important in woods or wedges?
One question that intrigued me is whether shaft weight is more important in woods or the driver versus irons and wedges. Across the board, the consensus was that weight is equally important in all clubs.
Should slower swingers play lighter or heavier shafts?
One bit of common wisdom is that slower swingers should play lighter shafts and faster swingers should go heavier. This holds up sometimes, but is often wrong. As Fujikura pointed out, a slower swinger will be much better with a heavier shaft if that causes them to have more centered strikes.
Are Shafts Upgrades Worth The Big Money?
The Myths
- Myth #1 – Stock shafts create less distance than aftermarket shafts Myth #2 – Stock shafts are less accurate than aftermarket shafts Myth #3 – Stock shafts spin more than aftermarket shafts Myth #4 – Stock shafts are less consistent than aftermarket shafts Myth #5 – Stock shafts feel softer than aftermarket shafts Myth #6 – Stock shafts are the same as aftermarket shafts
How We Tested
- We brought together five golfers to test these myths. Each player hit seven shots with each of four shafts. For the purposes of this test, we will refer to them as Shaft A Stock, Shaft A Aftermarket, Shaft B Stock, and Shaft B Aftermarket. Each shaft was the same weight and flex – 60 grams, stiff flex. Every shot was measured on Trackman. This is n...
The Results
- The data that came out of this test was pretty shocking. We looked at distance from a variety of perspectives, and stock shafts got beaten on every one. We started with the root of distance: club head speed. In our ten trials, aftermarket shafts created more club head speed nine times. On average, our testers swung the aftermarket shafts 1.36 MPH faster than the stock shafts. Next …
Limitations of This Test
- This test only included two stock shafts and their aftermarket counterparts. There are many, many more that could be tested, and the results of those tests could be very different. While we believe that similar trends would be seen with other shafts, our conclusions only apply definitively to what we tested.
Conclusion
- Stock shafts get a bad rep among the golf equipment obsessed. For many golfers, they perform very well, and, in some cases, they outperform their aftermarket counterparts. That said, just because they have the same name as an expensive aftermarket shaft does not mean they are the same. As always, we strongly recommend that you work with a trusted club fitterto find the equi…