Golf Shaft Guide
Many people feel that all golf shafts are alike, but they are not. Many high handicap players do not see a difference and also get confused that there is such a difference between manufacturer’s opinions in what is a stiff or regular flex. However, it is important to get the shaft right because it can make a big difference to your game.
The weight and the material used to make the shaft is a big influence on it with regards to where it bends and how resistant it is to twisting. Club length can also be a factor, with a shorter club feeling stiffer.
This means that if you just grab a club off the shelf, it is likely that it will not have the right shaft for you. Different golfers will have different requirements. The price will not help either as paying a lot of money will not guarantee that the club will be right for you, it all depends on your game.
It is the way that you swing that determines the shaft that you need. Golfers who have a lower speed of wing will need a more flexible shaft although get one that is too soft and all accuracy will be lost. Too stiff a shaft will mean the ball does not travel such a long distance. A light shaft should help the player get a faster swing but one that is too light will be problematic. The bend will also affect the game with a lower bend point giving a higher trajectory and a softer feel but for those with faster swings it could cause a lack of accurate placement of the ball. The torque of a shaft is also important in graphite shafts. It will effect how much feel the player gets for the ball and low torque is best for high swing speeds as they reduce the amount of twisting.
There is a big different between shafts. There are different characteristics to them which will be suitable for certain types of players. Flexibility, torque and bend point are much more important than price. It is therefore important to go to a good golf fitter so that you get the right shaft for your game, aiming to get you a straight shot, in the right direction at the longest distance, with a good feel.