Each of these features of golf club shafts can have an impact on the performance of your club, and each must be carefully addressed before placing an order. In this article, you'll learn how to choose the best golf shaft for you. Golf shafts are classified into two types: steel and graphite. Within those categories are several different models for each material that can be chosen based on your playing style and financial budget.
The first thing you need to determine when looking at golf shafts is what type you want to use. There are two main types of shafts used by golfers today: steel and graphite. Each type has several different model numbers from which to choose.
Steel shafts were originally developed for tennis clubs because they provide maximum stiffness within the minimum volume range. The stiffer the shaft, the better it will resist bending during a swing. This is important because if the shaft is too flexible, it will cause the club head to move too much during its back-and-forth motion, which means it won't be able to reach as far or hit the ball with the same degree of accuracy.
Graphite shafts were developed as an alternative to steel for people who find steel too rigid. Like steel, the higher the quality of graphite, the more expensive it will be. However, high-quality graphite tends to be more flexible than low-cost steel.
The Shaft of Light Although it may seem simple, having the proper shaft length is an important consideration when purchasing golf clubs. The most important factors to consider are your height, body type, and physical strength. Taller players, on average, require a longer shaft to perform at their best. Those who are shorter might want to buy a set with shorter shafts if they experience difficulty reaching low shots. Stronger players will be able to use clubs with heavier heads and bodies. Those who are not as strong might want to purchase sets that have lighter-weight components.
Types of Golf Clubs There are three main types of golf clubs: Drivers, Fairway Woods, and Irons. Each type of club has its own purpose in hitting a ball accurately.
Drivers are used to hit the ball long distances. They are usually made of metal or fiberglass and come in various shapes, including square, round, and hybrid. Square drivers are most suitable for open spaces since they provide maximum distance with minimal hooking of the ball. Round drivers are good for short, controlled drives due to their ability to turn around on itself. Hybrid drivers combine the best features of both square and round drivers. They are commonly used by professionals and skilled amateurs because they give them more control over their drives.
Fairway woods are designed to reach out into the center of the fairway.
The five shaft flex categories might assist a golfer in getting the most out of his or her clubs. Choosing the proper flex for your golf club shafts is essential for getting the most out of your clubs. Shafts are classified into five flex levels: exceptionally stiff (X), stiff (S), normal (R), senior (A), and women (L). These descriptions should not be taken as recommendations from TaylorMade or any other brand. Rather, they are guidelines only.
Here's how to choose the right shafts for your golf club:
1 Determine what type of shot you will be making with your driver. If you plan to hit many straight shots, consider an X-flex level shaft. Otherwise, if you usually work the ball left or right, choose a semi-stiffness (S) or stiff (X) level shaft.
2 Evaluate the lie of your golf course. A shorter tee box may require shorter shafts. A longer tee box could use longer shafts. The length of your shaft determines how much leverage it gives you on off-center hits. For example, if you tend to hook the ball left, you'll need a long shaft to keep the head heavy enough for success.
3 Consider your swing style. A more powerful swing will require heavier shafts while a smoother swing will call for lighter ones. If you have trouble determining which shafts fit your style, ask someone who plays like you do.
We're a lucky lot at Golf Tips HQ, having been through nearly every form of shaft-fitting process possible, from inside launch monitor sessions to outdoor, real-world testing. All of this has aided us in selecting the proper shaft. If you have any doubt as to which type of shaft should be used by your technician, simply ask!
Inside Launch Monitor (ILM) sessions are held regularly at our headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee. These sessions are completely free of charge and anyone can attend. They provide an excellent opportunity for our staff members to get feedback on how we can make our company and our products better. During these sessions, our technicians will first take measurements of your current set up, including your height, weight, arm length, etc., then they will randomly select a few different shafts and have you hit them off of a driver made specifically for use with an ILB (Inner Lock Button) driver frame.
These sessions are very helpful because they give our team a chance to see what kind of reaction you have to different shafts, which helps them choose the right one for you. You may want to try a number of different types of shafts during an ILM session until you find one that gives you the feel you are looking for.
After the ILM session, your technician will go ahead and have all of his or her findings emailed to you.
The clubhead is the most noticeable difference across club types and within each club type among the three basic components of a golf club—grip, shaft, and clubhead. The grip sizes vary depending on the brand but generally range from 7 inches for an economy model to 9 inches for a premium model.
Shafts vary in length but are usually between 38 and 44 inches for men's clubs and between 36 and 42 inches for women's clubs. The shaft provides the majority of your swing weight and acts as a connection to the ball. Clubheads vary in shape but can be described as a hollow shell with a large surface area for impact distribution. They can also be described as a sphere or a cube. Clubheads are the main component that determines how much drag will be produced when you hit the ball. There are two types of clubheads: metal and composite. Composite clubheads are made out of plastic or other materials that are mixed with a little bit of steel or other metals to provide some strength while still keeping their overall size small.
Men tend to use longer irons (9-iron+) than women (7-iron+). Longer irons have larger faces that contact the ball at open angles, which gives balls more distance. Short irons have smaller faces that contact the ball at closed angles, which keeps the ball closer to the hole.