Golf Club Shafts
The golf club shaft has come a long way over the past decade or two. Most golfers never gave them much consideration before that. But with today's innovations in shaft technology, if you don't know what your getting, there's a good chance that new technology will do more harm than good to your golf game.
There are five main features that you need to be concerned with when it comes to shafts. Steel vs. Graphite, shaft flex, flex point, torque, and weight.
Steel vs. Graphite
Lighter graphite composites allow you to generate more swing speed and greater distance. Heavier, more consistent, and having less torque, steel shafts provide much greater control. So which is better? The best rule to follow is to use graphite shafts for drivers and fairway woods and steel shafts for irons. The reasoning behind this is that you want greater distance with the woods and more accuracy with the irons. Unless you have a very slow swing speed typical for most ladies, seniors, and juniors, then graphite shafts for all of your clubs would be recommended to help you gain some extra distance. Slower swing speeds will not sacrifice as much control with a graphite shaft as a higher swing speed would.
Shaft Flex
How much or how little a club's shaft flexes plays a major role in how and when the club face is squared at impact. It is important to have the proper flex for your swing speed. Without it, there's a good chance that you'll have a hard time making good solid contact on a consistent basis. Let's look at how not having the proper shaft flex can affect your swing, and how to find which flex is best for you.
| Shaft Flex Selection Chart | ||
|---|---|---|
| Carry Distance | Swing Speed | Flex |
| Under 180 yards | Under 75 mph | Ladies |
| 180 to 200 yards | 75 to 90 mph | Amatuer / Senior |
| 200 to 240 yards | 90 to 100 mph | Regular |
| 240 o 275 yards | 100 to 110 mph | Stiff |
| Over 275 yards | Over 110 mph | Tour (extra) Stiff |
Shaft Kick Point
Shaft Kick Point, also known as flex point or bend point, is the location on the shaft that bends the most during a swing.
A higher kick point can help lower trajectory, while a lower kick point can help increase the trajectory of a golf shot. The difference in high and low kick points is generally only about 2 inches. Try to get shafts that have a kick point somewhere in the mid range, unless you really need to try and change the trajectory of your shots.
Torque
Shaft torque represents how well the shaft will resist twisting during a swing. The higher the degree of torque, the more the shaft will twist during your swing. This is important because too much or too little torque could result in the club face not being square at impact. Slower swing speeds typically need a higher torque to help square the club face, while faster swingers usually have the strangth to control the club face without having much shaft torque.
Weight
The weight of a golf club is crucial to how well you can swing it. Too heavy a club and you will not be able to generate enough club head speed. Too light and you may not be able to control the swing. You want to find a shaft that is light enough for you to generate a good swing speed without being too light that you lose accuracy. Typical shaft weight is between 50 and 125 grams. Something closer to the middle of this range is probably a safe bet.
Once you understand the logic behind selecting the right shaft, you now need to find which manufacturer offers the best model to suit your needs.
Visit our Golf Club Reviews page or check out what the manufacturers have to say at their sites by using the links below.