Differences in Golf Shafts
- Materials. Steel shafts replaced wooden shafts in the 1930s. ...
- Flexibility. The flexibility, or flex, of a shaft refers to its amount of bend. ...
- Torque and Kickpoints. Although not as critical as shaft flex, the torque and kickpoint of your clubs can make a significant difference in your performance, Golf today explains.
- Length. ...
What are the best golf shafts?
The longer shaft, coupled with the lighter weight of graphite, will give many players — especially those with slower club head speeds — more distance. Any gains, however, might be …
What is the difference between shafts in golf clubs?
Golf Club Shaft Chart Guide. When it comes to picking a graphite shaft for your driver or fairway woods, the number of choices that are available can be overwhelming, especially as golf companies continue to offer more and more in the way of custom options. What many believe is most important when it comes to a shaft choice is that a particular ...
How to choose the best golf shaft?
Shaft length will differ depending on the material and sometimes tip size. Many shaft manufacturers pre-trim the tips of their 0.355" tapered iron shafts to discrete lengths (ex. 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 are the different golf shaft types?
Oct 15, 2019 · 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.
Do golf club shafts 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
What golf club shaft is best for me?
Briand's recommendation is to use your current driver shaft as a baseline. If your shots tend to be low and with little spin, try a slightly softer flex. If your shots are ballooning, try a stiffer flex. If you're caught between two flexes, you can “tip” a softer flex to make it stiffer in the tip section.Jun 9, 2020
What are the different types of golf club shafts?
There are generally five types of shaft flex: ladies, senior, regular, stiff and extra stiff. If you have a flex that doesn't match your swing speed then you're probably losing distance and/or accuracy. An incorrect shaft flex becomes more noticeable the longer the club gets (ie. with the driver).
What flex shaft should I use?
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. If you're between 84 and 96 mph, regular is going to be best for you.Jun 12, 2020
How do I choose a shaft?
Generally, the more flexible a shaft, the higher the ball flight. The lower the bend point in the shaft, the higher the ball flight (minor affect). Generally, the stiffer the shaft, the lower the ball flight. The higher the bend point, the lower the ball flight (minor affect).
What shaft weight should I use for my driver?
Shafts can range anywhere from 40 to 85 grams. Typically, the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slow swing might use lighter shaft, and he/she would add weight as swing speed increases. The simple fact is that the lighter shafts provide the opportunity to increase swing speed.Mar 17, 2020
How do I choose the right iron shaft weight?
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.Jan 6, 2017
What flex should my irons be?
Generally speaking, you can choose from a regular, stiff, or extra stiff shaft flex, though there are options such as the Senior Flex, Ladies Flex, and Uniflex....Determine the Proper Shaft Flex for Your Swing.If You Can Hit 150 Yards with a...Then Your Optimal Shaft Flex Is...6- or 7-IronRegular Flex (R)3 more rows•Feb 6, 2020
What is a 5.5 flex shaft?
Stiff – 5.5. Stiff Plus – 6.0. Extra Stiff – 6.5. Extra Stiff Plus –7.0.
Is there a big difference between regular and stiff flex?
What's the difference between regular and stiff shafts? A stiff shaft is firmer and harder to bend than a regular shaft, and so more often than not, they're also heavier in weight. As a rough rule of thumb, the more speed you generate, the stiffer your shafts should be.Mar 1, 2021
What happens if shaft is too flexible?
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.Oct 15, 2018
What is a good swing speed for a 7 iron?
According to TrackMan statistics, the average 7-iron clubhead speed on the PGA Tour is 90 mph. The average male recreational golfer, on the other hand, swings the same club at closer to 75 mph, which is why he hits his 7-iron about 140 yards, compared with 170 to 180 yards for the Tour guys.Dec 22, 2017
What is the role of the shaft in golf?
The golf shaft connects the clubhead to your hands and it plays a very important role in terms of feel, distance, ball flight, and accuracy with both your irons and woods. More often than not golfers overlook the importance of playing with the correct shaft in their irons and woods.
Is shaft weight important in golf?
To learn more about the importance of having the correct lie angles on your clubs click here . Shaft weight is a very important factor to consider. Additionally, the combination of shaft weight and clubhead weight is equally important.
What is shaft flex?
Shaft flex refers to the shaft’s ability to bend once force is applied to it in the form of a golf swing. Swing speed and force applied on the shaft are directly correlated. More speed equals more force applied which in return will cause the shaft to bend more. To maximize performance optimal shaft flex is required to ensure ...
Is a golf shaft created equally?
All golf shafts are not created equally. Golf shafts are different in terms of material, weight, flex, and a host of other different features. What shaft a player should play with differs based on the player’s swing speed, ball flight biases, and trajectory.
What is the kick point of a golf shaft?
Kick Point. The shaft kick point refers to the part of the shaft the bows the most in the downswing and at impact. Kick point is very important since it had a direct impact on both the accuracy and trajectory of your shots. Low kick point shafts promote a higher ball flight and high kick points a lower trajectory.
What is the difference between graphite and steel shafts?
Steel and graphite shafts differ in a variety of different ways but with that being said both of these shaft types are great for many unique reasons. Steel shafts feature durable designs, they are affordable and they provide feedback on off-center strikes. On the other end of the spectrum, graphite shafts are available in a wide variety ...
What is shaft weight?
Shaft weight is the actual weight of the shaft in ounces or grams and swing weight refers to how heavy the clubhead feels when you swing the club . Swing weight will differ based on the relationship between the shaft and clubhead weight. Swing weight is measured using a swing weight scale.
What are golf club shafts made of?
Golf club shafts are available in five main flexes. Golf club shafts are available in five flexes and may be made of steel or graphite. Clubhead speed determines the flex a golfer needs. The higher the speed, the stiffer the shaft. Steel shafts, which are heavier than graphite, are stiff and less forgiving than graphite.
How fast can a golf ball go?
Designated as "S" on the flex chart, stiff shafts are recommended for golfers who regularly drive the ball 240 to 260 yards and have a swing speed 84 to 93 mph.
Which shaft is better, steel or graphite?
The higher the speed, the stiffer the shaft. Steel shafts, which are heavier than graphite, are stiff and less forgiving than graphite. According to Golf.com, graphite shafts are lighter and can help increase swing speed. Selecting the right flex for your shaft is key to good ball striking.
What is the best shaft for a golfer?
Designated as "X" on the flex scale, extra stiff shafts are recommended for golfers who routinely drive the ball 260 yards or more and have a swing speed of 93 mph or higher, according to LearnAboutGolf.com's flex chart. Extra stiff shafts are usually made of steel and are recommended for professional golfers, or golfers with unusually high ...
How fast should a golfer swing?
Designated as "A" on the flex chart, shafts with senior flex are recommended for golfers who regularly drive the ball between 180 and 210 yards, and have a swing speed of between 60 and 75 mph.
What is the best flex for golf?
The most common flex, regular, is designated as "R" on the flex chart and is recommended for golfers who regularly drive the ball 210 to 240 yards and have a swing speed between 75 and 84 mph. Steel and graphite shafts are available in regular flex, which is appropriate for men with mid to high handicaps.
What is the ladies flex?
Ladies. Recommended for the slowest swinging golfers, the ladies flex is designated as "L" on the flex chart. Golfers who routinely drive the ball less than 180 yards and have a swing speed of 60 mph or less should use the ladies flex.
What is the speed of a golf shaft?
Golfers who play regular shafts have club speeds between 80-95 mph.
How many flexes does a golf shaft have?
Golf club shafts come in five flexes and both graphite and steel shafts use the same system for determining flex. Because golf shafts bend during a swing based on how fast your club speed is, the faster your swing, the stiffer the flex you need.
What is stiff shaft?
More commonly known as the stiff shaft (S), this flex is favored by golfers who have a fairly fast swing and drive the ball 250 yards on a consistent basis. Golfers who play a firm or stiff shaft have club speeds between 90-105 mph.
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 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.
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.
Is flex in the shaft more important than the clubhead?
The flex of a golf shaft is probably just as important, if not more important than the clubhead itself. Flex is what will make or break a golfer. Even if your golf swing is near perfect, you won’t be able to perform correctly with the wrong flex in the shaft. If you told a golf professional that they had to play with new clubs, ...
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.
What is flex in golf?
A golf club’s flex is the strength of the actual shaft. A golf shaft will also have a flex or a kick point that will affect the stiffness as well as the ball flight. If you are swinging a golf club that is not the correct flex for you, there will be effects on the golf shots you can hit. The five most common shaft flex options are Ladies, Senior, ...
How fast can you swing a golf club?
If you are continually swinging the club over 105 mph, then an extra stiff shaft is for you. Now, if you can go to the range and launch one and get a number of 125, that’s great news, but that is not your typical swing speed. When switching to an extra stiff shaft, you must be sure you can swing at this high speed for 18 holes, not two holes.
What is extra stiff shaft?
Extra stiff shafts are typically considered to be for better players, lower handicaps. This means that the majority of the models are blades or tour preferred irons.
What are the pros and cons of a golf ball?
Con’s (if it’s to heavy) 1 Loss of clubhead speed 2 Not enough spin and launch 3 Will slice the ball to the right 4 Loss of distance
Why is my golf ball flying high?
This is because the shaft can’t handle your swing speed, and the head is rotating too much.
What is a lighter shaft?
These are considered a ‘lighter’ shaft. A lighter shaft is usually found in ladies, senior and some regular shafts. Ladies, senior and beginner golfers usually use lighter shafts as they are easier to swing and the light weight helps them generate clubhead speed. If you swing under 75mph to 85mph I suggest using a 55 gram shaft.
How much does a golf shaft weigh?
This is your average shaft weight, most regular, stiff and x-stiff shafts are 65 grams. Mid to low handicap golfers would use a 65 gram shaft. The 65 gram weight helps players with swing speeds of 90mph to 105mph generate enough speed while still keeping the head under control.
What are launch monitors?
These are just to name a few. These are called launch monitors, they track your swing speed plus hundreds of other parameters. They are extremely expensive, as they are jam packed with radars and other technologies.
How much does a Ventus Red shaft weigh?
Ventus Red Series. The Ventus Red Series by Fujikura is my favorite 55g shaft, it actually comes in at 58.5 grams, not all shafts that say 55 grams on them actually weigh 55 grams , they may be slightly different. The Ventus Red shaft comes in 3 flexes all slightly heavier than each other.
How does a driver shaft help in a game?
Choosing the right Driver Shaft for your game can drastically improve your distance and accuracy. Don’t be fooled into going lighter or heavier just to gain distance, it can result in loss of accuracy.
