The Shaft: Golf club shafts have come a long way over the past few decades, and while most golfers give little or no consideration for the shaft they use... they should! With today's technology, if you don't know your shaft, you may be getting the shaft! Five features you need to be aware of are:
Graphite vs. Steel: Lighter graphite composites allow you to generate more club-head speed and more distance. Steel shafts provide greater control. Knowing which is best for you is the key! Think graphite for drivers and long fairway woods, while steel is usually the better choice for hybrids & irons. Think distance with the woods, accuracy with the hybrids/irons. If you have a "very" slow swing speed, graphite shafts for "all" your clubs would help you with extra distance. The fact is, high swing speeds are more apt to loose control "much more so" than slower swing speeds would.
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.
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.
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 strength to control the club face without having much shaft torque. |
