Golf Shaft Comparisons
Posted on Thu, Jan 12, 2012 @ 08:58 AM
Is there more to it than just the flex of the club?
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Have you ever been to the driving range and tested out different drivers, all with the same flex shaft and loft, yet noticed a considerable difference in the ball flight? Well, that’s due to the construction of the shaft itself. The shaft in a driver can influence such things as launch angle, spin rates and ball speed all of which determine the distance and accuracy of that club. And because we all swing a little different, it’s extremely important to make sure you have the right shaft for your swing. To help you understand all of this, let’ break down some of the important characteristics in a golf shaft and how they affect the flight of the golf ball.
Flex - Flex is the most important factor in the shaft as it affects both distance and direction. Getting the correct flex in your golf equipment is of the utmost importance. The flex is a rating of a golf club shaft's ability to bend during the golf swing. All shafts, no matter how stiff, exhibit flex under the forces of the golf swing. Golf Flex’s come in Extra Stiff (XS), Stiff(S), Regular(R), Senior(S or M), and Ladies (L). As a general rule, the faster your clubhead speed, the stiffer the flex.
Weight - The weight is the actual weight of the raw, uncut shaft before installation, in grams. Lighter shafts mean lighter total weight and therefore the prospect of additional clubhead speed and more distance. The weight of the shaft also has an influence over the launch conditions of the ball. As a general rule, the lighter the shaft, the higher the launch. The heavier the shaft, the lower the launch will be.
Kick Point (Flex Point) - This defines the point where the shaft bends and affects the trajectory of the shot. A shaft with a high kick-point will usually produce a lower trajectory shot and have a “stiffer” feel to shaft. A low kick-point will usually produce a higher trajectory shot and a feeling of the shaft tip whipping the clubhead through.
So what does all of this mean for you, the golfer?
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Well, it all depends on how you swing the golf club. If you struggle hitting the ball in the air, you want to look for a softer shaft (a Regular of Senior flex) which has a lower kick-point, is usually lighter, and will help launch the ball in the air. On the other hand, if you are someone who has a faster clubhead speed and notice the ball rising and falling rapidly (known as “ballooning” caused by too much spin on the ball) then you will need to look for a shaft with a higher kick-point, heavier weight, and stiffer flex to produce a better ball flight.
Finding the right shaft for you can be done a couple of different ways. One is by visiting a golf store (hint hint King Par Superstore) and watching the ball flight to determine what looks best. The other way, and most recommended, is by getting on a launch monitor. Launch monitors can measure factors such as the launch angle, spin rate, clubhead speed, ball speed and total distance to determine the proper fit for you. Boyne Golf Academy at King Par Superstore has Trackman, the industry leader in launch monitors. By making an appointment with one of our PGA Professionals (our instructors--Kyle & Joel are AWESOME), you can get fit with the proper equipment for your swing. So next time you’re in the market for a new driver, don’t just pick one off the rack because it looks cool, make sure it’s fit for YOU and YOUR swing.
