In the third installment of our equipment Q&A series, we examine the importance of shafts
Golfers rarely give shafts the attention they deserve. And that’s a shame, because finding the right shaft for your swing is every bit as critical as finding the proper clubhead. “The golf shaft is the engine that drives the car,” says Tom Blough, vice president of engineering at Royal Precision. “This means that without the correct shaft, you can have the best set of heads and you will not achieve the ball flight, ball dispersion, feel or distance that you are looking for.” That get your attention? Read on—there’s lots more to learn.
1. How do you determine which flex best suits your game?
First things first: check your ego at the door. It’s important to candidly evaluate and trust your feel, so we suggest starting with a more flexible shaft—possible regular or even a senior flex for lower swing speeds. If a shaft feels too harsh or boardy, then it is too stiff. If the shaft feels too whippy and control becomes an issue, then it is too weak. Second, we recommend players visit a golf facility that has a launch monitor, and also look for demo days where they can get a first-hand experience in a non-static environment. With the advent of launch monitors, fitters have a better understanding of launch conditions during the moment of impact, and the ability to pinpoint the perfect flex for your game.
—Jamie Pipes, manager of field research and product testing, United Sports Technologies
If the fitter puts you through a swing analyzer, make sure they measure not only clubhead speed, but ball speed, launch angle and backspin rate—these are all key parameters that will show if you’re getting the right launch conditions with a particular head, shaft and ball combination. Launch monitors are a great start, but the real proof is hitting the ball on the range. Having spent a lot of time working with tour players, I’ve seen them show great numbers on a launch monitor, but you can really tell a lot more by seeing what their ball does on the range.
—Robb Schikner, vice president of research and development, Graphite Design International
2. OK, but can you determine your proper flex without a launch monitor?
If you know approximately how far you hit your driver, you can use this distance as a basic gauge for flex selection. Players who typically carry the ball more than 260 yards off the tee should probably use an extra stiff flex; those who carry it 240 to 260 yards should use a stiff flex; and so forth. As a general rule, I like to tell players, especially higher handicappers, to use the softest shaft they feel they can comfortably control. So if a player is unsure precisely which group they fit fall into, it is a safer bet to go the softer route.
—John Oldenburg, vice president of engineering/product development for Aldila Golf Corporation
