I have heard it many times that the shaft is the engine of the golf club. And it makes all the difference in the world to have a properly fit shaft and flex. Vroom!

You have many Options

When getting fit for shaft, you have many options. The key is to find the right one that fits your current swing, as well as a shaft that will let you progress. That said, the shaft is an easy replacement…most of the time. So if you need to improve your “playability” of your current clubs, a shaft replacement might be a less costly way to get improved technology.

In my post Golf Shafts 101, I talked about the different materials used in golf shafts. Graphite shafts are found in almost every produced Driver on the market. They also are in about 1/2 the iron sets as well. During a club fit you might be hesitant to try graphites in an iron, but for most of you, it will be the best choice. If you have a slower swing speed and are looking for distance, go graphite. If you have a fast swing with some power, then steel is the way to go. If you don’t have a preference, then go with a light weight steel shaft. It gives you the best chance to keep the shot within your target area.

Swing Speed is only Part of the Process

The way you swing and how fast you swing will determine what shaft works best. The ultimate test is what “feels” good and delivers optimum performance.

The swing speed you have will account for about 60% of the process, while your swing tempo or loading, trajectory and feel will make up the remainder.

Swing speed is measured in miles per hour (mph). It is a measurement on how fast the clubhead is traveling during the downswing. Low swing speeds are 50-70 mph, while high swing speeds are 100+. As the club travels faster, the shaft needs to become stiffer (less resistant to bending due to centrifugal force). In a nutshell the club will always bend during that swing, or flatten. A more flexible shaft (weaker) will deflect more, which is a good thing for a lower swing speed.

The tempo of your swing or loading of the shaft will also have a say in the flex of your fitted club. If your swing is slow and rhythmic you will need a weaker (softer) shaft than someone that swings faster…even if you have identical swing speeds. This is due to when the club begins to deflect (or bend). Slower tempo shafts need to deflect earlier, while quick or fast tempo swings need to deflect later, more towards the bottom of the swing arc.

Trajectory is all important now days. The development of the golf ball has made it ever so important to get the correct trajectory for shaft fitting. The ONLY way to adequately determine this is by either hitting outdoors or on a modern simulator. Don’t fall for the sales person telling you “wow you hit it in the middle of the net…that’s the shaft you want..man you killed it!” I have had to fix many a club from past lessons that bought it off the sales floor because they were told it would work. If you are a low ball hitter, then a shaft with a high kick point would not work. A high kick point shaft promotes a low ball trajectory, while a low kick point shaft promotes a greater dynamic loft getting the ball airborne.

Sometimes overlooked, you need to “feel” confident with the shaft you are hitting. Notice I didn’t say “flex of the shaft”. Get feedback from your hands, eyes and ears…forget about the flex part, that is what a good club fitter should be focused on. Feel is so personal, that for many people, they don’t know how to explain it.  Just “Feel” it.

So When do I bomb it?

Distance is gained by clubhead speed, center of hit, launch angle and ball spin. Getting a correct shaft and flex will account for a major determination on how far you can bomb it! In theory, you should be able to hit a longer shafted club the farthest. But there is a law of diminishing returns, also the USGA has a length restriction. You also need control to maximize distance, so find a length with the correct flex that allows you to get the needed distance to stay in the fairway!

Shaft and Flex Process

• Swing your club and have it measured for swing speed (most fitters have a radar unit)
• Test different shafts on both sides of the optimum flex…if you Swing speed @ 95 mph, try a regular, a stiff and x-stiff shaft.
• Note trajectory and distance…a low kick point shaft will get the ball up faster, a high kick point shaft will lower the trajectory. Rely on the fitter’s eye to find the perfect shaft trajectory. (Beginning golfers go with a low kick point shaft…you need all the help getting the ball airborne you can get!)
• Rely on feedback from your hands as well as your eyes
• zero in on two or three shafts
• compare the outcomes from the 2-3 shafts and go with your gut (it’s a feel thing!)

When you have it all figured out

Once the shaft selection has been made, remember to double check the weight of the shaft. Fast tempo players can use some help by using a heavier shaft, the heavier shaft will slow you down some, which can lead to more centered hits. Slower tempo players can increase club length while staying in a light shaft to increase distance…but don’t do this if you can’t hit the ball consistently in the sweet spot.

The Effect of Shaft Flex

• Shaft Flex is a MAJOR factor for Feel
• Shaft Flex is a MEDIUM factor for Distance
• Shaft Flex is a MINOR factor on Accuracy and Trajectory

The Effect of Shaft Weight

• Shaft Weight is a MAJOR factor for Feel and Distance
• Shaft Weight is a MINOR factor in Accuracy

After you have been fit for shaft flex and weight click here for grip size.