If you have been playing golf for a while, you will notice a significant difference especially when you use different golf clubs with different shafts. This part of the golf club is extremely important as it helps you in improving your game in many ways. To know what shafts can do, you must first know the 5 different types that are made.
Knowing the shaft
The golf shaft is basically the most prominently seen part of the club. It is the connection between the club head and the part where you place your grip onto. In other words, the shaft is the tapered tube which is long and in most cases, quite straight. In most cases, they are usually made from either graphite or steel as they need to be very strong. Below are the different types of shafts that are available but before that, here are some pointers that you should know:
- Steel shafts are stronger than graphite ones
- Steel shafts are not as forgiving as compared to graphite
- Naturally, graphite shafts are lighter so they help in improving the swing speed
- Stiffer shafts will give you faster speed
Extra Stiff Shafts
If you refer to the flex scale, Extra Stiff shafts are categorized ‘X’. This type of shaft is good for those long-hitter golfers. In fact, if you always go for over 260 yards in your hits, then you should go for the ‘X’. In most cases, extra stiff shafts are mostly made of steel. Those who are looking for fast swings (mostly the professionals) would love the ‘X’ shafts.
Stiff Shafts
If you are looking for a club which gives you slightly slower hits, then the Stiff shaft would be ideal. Categorized as ‘S’ in the flex chart, you would typically be looking to hit the ball between 240 and 260 yards (slightly slower than the ‘X’ shaft). Those who have high clubhead speed about 10 to 15 handicap will like this while it would be good for those in the one-digit handicaps. You might not have a super-fast swing with this one as the shaft is commonly made either from graphite or steel (which is heavier).
Regular Shafts
This would be the most popular type of shafts around. As the name implies, it would naturally be as normal as it sounds. Categorized at ‘R’ on the flex chart, golfers with normal swing speeds, usually between 75 and 84mph would most likely use this shaft. Besides that, this shaft is meant for those who go for about 210 to 240 yards in their drive. This shaft is most popular among those in the middle-level handicaps. The shaft is commonly made from both materials (graphite and steel).
Senior Shafts
Among the many different types of shafts, Senior shafts would be among the lowest in the competition level. It is categorized as ‘A’ in the flex chart. Senior shafts are good for the older golfers who have medium swing speeds. In some designations, the Senior Shaft is categorized as ‘A-Flex’. A lot of clubs in this category is made from graphite which explains why it is so light. Apart from that, you actually get between 180 and 210 yards with this swing and would be perfect for those who like a more leisure game.
Ladies Shafts
This would be the slowest shaft you can find and it has nothing to do with being ‘ladies’. It is categorized as ‘L’ on the flex chart and this is meant for those who are hitting about 60mph or less. This shaft will not give you the type of distance that the others do which means it is perfect for the older golfers. Because of that, they are mostly made of graphite so that they can be lighter which means it is easier on the weight for the golfer.
Choosing the right iron shaft is crucial for any golfer.
In the past, choosing between steel or graphite was totally different from how it is today.
How iron shafts are chosen previously
These days, iron shafts come in various forms. Those days, a player who is competitive and strong would go for steel iron shafts.
They are known to be more consistent and sturdy as compared to graphite ones.
Lady golfers and those who are less athletic or slower would opt for graphite. The use of graphite iron shafts has been in development and very much a work in progress for a while now.
Graphite shafts are more unpredictable although they are lighter. In fact, they tend to be overly light, making them hard to control at times.
More modern graphite shafts
Things have changed considerably today. Graphite shafts are no longer considered inferior, especially with modern technology and manufacturing techniques involving new designs and materials.
Graphite shafts have become so popular and effective that they are no longer only used by the slower players but have already appealed to many players in the PGA Tour like Matt Kuchar, Fred Couples and Brandt Snedeker, to name a few.
How to decide what to choose?
According to a golf fitting expert, only about a quarter of players fit the correct shafts in their irons. The rest of them are using irons that are wrong. Most of them fit shafts that are too heavy for their game and many also use shafts that are too shift.
Thus, knowing which iron to choose will improve your game tremendously. Here are some pointers.
Physical Setup
Your physical condition plays an integral part here. If you have any injuries, particularly in your upper body like hands, shoulders or hips, then you should go for a graphite shaft.
A steel shaft could transmit vibrations that could cause damage to the body. Furthermore, the graphite shaft is lighter with more even weight distribution. This will reduce strain on your injury.
Clubhead speed
If you are a player who needs to improve on club head speed, then graphite shafts are your ideal choice.
While the modern steel shafts are much lighter, they are still far behind the graphite ones. Steel shafts have lower torque while the tip section is much stiffer.
In comparison, graphite shafts give more flexibility, particularly in the tip section and hence, give you more launch. In other words, you do not need as much effort to create a faster swing.
The feel
Since steel shafts transmit more vibrations to the body, it is through those signals that you will get to know how to control the club head.
If you are a player who does not need this ‘feedback’, then the graphite shaft is much better they are way ‘smoother’.
It is quite common that players find it hard to switch from steel to graphite shafts as they are used to the ‘feedback’ from the former.
Weight of the club
There is a reason why graphite shafts are hugely popular with women and why more players are opting in. With the advancement of modern technology, graphite shafts are much lighter and smoother.
