| Players taking golf lessons sometimes ask me | | | | golfers. |
| about shafts. They wonder if using different | | | | Flex is another key consideration with shafts. Flex |
| shafts really matters. It's a good question. My | | | | is a shaft's ability to bend during the golf swing, as |
| answer: it probably matters more for professional | | | | I've explained in my golf tips. It may be the most |
| golfers, like Phil Mickelson or Ernie Els, than it does | | | | important consideration of all. Of course, you can't |
| for recreational golfers, like you and me. Matters, | | | | actually see the bend in the shaft with the naked |
| but it does matter for recreational golfers, which | | | | eye. Its bend is subtle and brought about by the |
| is why I cover them in my golf tips. | | | | force and weight of the club head as it swings. |
| Most major manufacturers think so, too. That's | | | | But it's there. Flex ratings are generally |
| why they work with top companies to produce | | | | categorized as follows: Ladies (L), Regular (R), |
| shafts designed specifically for their clubs, | | | | Senior (S), and Extra Stiff (XS). |
| especially when it comes to metal drivers. | | | | Shaft Frequency |
| Manufacturers want to make sure golfers get the | | | | Unfortunately, flex ratings aren't always |
| most out of their clubs, so they invest the time, | | | | consistent. One company's regular is another |
| effort, and money to find a good shaft. Rest | | | | company's stiff. So many people use shaft |
| assured, you're getting something decent with the | | | | frequency to measure flex. Shaft frequency is a |
| club, something that can help lower your golf | | | | more precise measurement of flex. Taken by a |
| handicap. | | | | machine, shaft frequency is the number of times |
| Unfortunately, stock shafts are designed to | | | | a shaft oscillates, either vertically or horizontally, |
| accommodate groups of players, not the individual. | | | | known as cycles per minute, or CPM. A shaft with |
| The question is whether the shaft's flex profile | | | | a higher frequency (more CPMs) is stiffer than |
| sufficiently matches your swing. Two players with | | | | one with a lower frequency (fewer CPMs). |
| identical swing speeds might need different shafts | | | | By using frequency, you can tell which shaft is |
| that still measure at the same overall stiffness. A | | | | stiffer and by how much. Typically, there are 10 |
| golfer with a short swing requires a stiffer tip, | | | | cycles between shaft flexes. Thus, if one shaft |
| while a player with a long swing needs a softer tip | | | | registers 250 on a frequency machine and |
| with a stiffer butt section. The first thing you | | | | another 270, there's a two-flex shaft difference |
| need to do, then, is determine if the shaft you're | | | | between the two clubs, regardless of what the |
| using is right for you. | | | | manufacturer says. By assigning a specific |
| Five Telltale Signs | | | | frequency number to a shaft, you can get a |
| How can you tell if the shafts on you clubs are | | | | better gauge on the flexibility between different |
| right for you? Here are five telltale signs that | | | | shafts. |
| you're using the wrong shaft: | | | | Usually a player with a fast swing requires a shaft |
| 1. Center hits don't feel solid | | | | with less flex. Those with a slower swing needs a |
| 2. Ball starts out low; takes off midway in flight | | | | shaft with greater flex. Its important to |
| 3. You swing easier or harder to make the club | | | | determine the correct flex for your swing. Shaft |
| feel right | | | | flex can affect the accuracy and distance of your |
| 4. Bad shots curve differently compared to other | | | | shots. So if you have a flex that doesn't match |
| shots | | | | your swing characteristic, your shots may not hit |
| 5. Trajectory is either too low or too high | | | | their desired target. |
| If you're experiencing these signs, chances are | | | | Cost and Consistencies |
| you have the wrong shafts. However, don't go | | | | Cost is a third consideration when it comes to |
| running to your local sports store to buy new | | | | shafts. By experimenting with expensive |
| clubs just yet. First, make sure your problems are | | | | composites, layering, and fiber direction shaft |
| shaft-related, not swing-related, which you can do | | | | makers can tailor things like flex while minimizing |
| by working with a professional teacher. If the | | | | deformation. The slightest undesirable can magnify |
| shafts are not right for your swing and your | | | | inconsistencies in a swing. However, the cost of |
| serious about golf, then you'll need new shafts. | | | | chasing these consistencies, which often exceed |
| What are the key considerations when choosing | | | | the players swing consistencies, is often |
| new shafts? | | | | extremely expensive. Other key considerations |
| Considerations | | | | with shafts are torsional resistance and weight. |
| Material of construction is one. Shafts come in | | | | Ultimately, the choice of a new shaft will come |
| either steel or graphite. Steel is a more durable | | | | down to feel. One way to find the right feel is to |
| and reliable than graphite. It's also less expensive | | | | take your favorite club, one that you hit well and |
| and heavier, and has a lower torque rating than | | | | feels right, and copy that shaft for your other |
| graphite. Graphite offers improved club head | | | | clubs. Remember, having the right equipment in |
| speed, better shock absorption, and increased | | | | golf is important. It can go a long way toward |
| flex. Since it has a better torque rating than steel, | | | | cutting your golf handicap down to a respectable |
| graphite increases the range of choices for | | | | level. |