Shaft flex is one of the single most important aspects of a driver shaft. While there isno substitute for consistent practice, a shaft with either too much or toolittle flex can instill bad habits in you while you’re practicing and willhamper your efforts. By all means, the best driver shaft for your abilitiesshould not be too stiff - it should naturally complement your abilities andencourage the progression of your talent.
It’s pretty easy to tell when a driver shaft is notstiff enough. It’ll feel almost “whippy,” and you’ll actually be able to feelthe flex in the shaft. But what about when a shaft is too stiff? Why is it aproblem, and when problems does it cause? Let’s get into it.
Stiffness:Not the Best for Learners
Stiffer shafts are not ideal for learners or forgolfers with slower swing speeds. Stiff shafts are not forgiving and canfrustrate recreational players and even experienced players with slower swingspeeds. The stiffer the shaft, the more it requires you to do the work. A moreflexible shaft will bend and load with energy, even at lower swing speeds -which is why for most amateurs, the bestdriver shafts are on the more flexible side. For less experienced golfers,more flexible shafts are easier to use, more accommodating, and can enablegreater driving distances and accuracy than their stiffer counterparts.
So, how can you tell if a shaft is too stiff?
How toTell if Your Shaft is Too Stiff
One of the symptoms of a driver shaft that is toostiff for a player has to do with range. Simply put, if your swing speed isbelow 100mph (give or take a little) then a stiff shaft is going to frustrateyour abilities to add distance to your drives. The shaft will flex less duringthe swing, and the end result is you will not be able to drive the ball as far.If you’ve tried everything, but you just can’t seem to improve on your range,or something feels “off” about your driver shaft, it may be that the shaft istoo stiff.
Accuracy may also suffer with a driver shaft thatis not flexible enough for your needs. If your driver’s shaft is too stiff, theclubhead may not square with the ball at the point of impact, causing slicesand fades. If you can’t feel the weight of the clubhead loading through theshaft, it’s probably too stiff, and can cause errors and issues associated withaccuracy such as these.
Now, admittedly, issues associated with accuracyare just as likely to be caused by user error as they are by the shaft itself.Poor form, acquired bad habits, inconsistencies through your swing, kick pointvariation and torque ratings can also cause accuracy to suffer. However, ifyou’ve ruled these out, it may be the shaft flex.
You can also check the shaft for a “dead”feeling. Practice a few swings with your driver without attempting to drive anygolf balls. You should be able to feel the shaft load through the weight of theclubhead. A shaft is said to be dead if you can’tfeel this. A dead shaft is too stiff and must be rectified.
With these traits in mind, there’s also adistinct possibility that your efforts have been frustrated by some otheraspect of the shaft.
OtherSigns Your Driver Shaft Is Not Well Paired to Your Abilities
In addition to shaft flex, the best driver shafts will be paired toyour abilities according to their other traits as well. Consider the followingaspects of most golf shafts on the market.
-Torque: Torque refers to how muchthe shaft “twists” or more properly, torques around its central axis. High torqueratings are generally associated with flexible shafts, so it’s very unlikelythat a shaft is going to be too stiff and have too much torque at the sametime. However, high torque can cause accuracy to suffer because it can cause aclubface to be too open at the bottom of the swing where it contacts the ball,which can cause several shot errors.
-Kick point: Kick point, whichrefers to how high up on the shaft it appears to flex, can also adverselyaffect a golf swing. Shafts with low kick points feel like their flex downcloser to the clubhead and can result in high, floating shot trajectories.Conversely, shafts with high kick points (that flex more around the midsectionof the shaft) produce longer, flatter shot trajectories. Just be aware that ifyou are experiencing either of these situations the issue may be attributableto kick point and not necessarily directly to shaft flex.
-Length: Length is another reallyimportant feature of a driver shaft that willimpact your performance. Driver shafts that are either too long or too shortcan cause a whole host of problems, including fat and thin shots. If you knowyour measurements, however, it should be easy to rectify issues associated withshaft length.
SwingErrors That Are Not Caused by theGolf Shaft
One final note is that not all swing errors arecaused by your equipment. In fact, most of them are not. Far and away manyerrors and complications are caused by learned bad habits or inconsistency inyour form. Working with a professional trainer who will observe and analyzeyour swing in real-time can help you correct many of these. Remember - it mightbe tempting to blame the equipment, but sometimes the issue is the golfer andnot the club!
What YouCan Do About It
The solution for a driver shaft that is too stiffis to have your club re-shafted with a more flexible shaft. The solution to badform is to practice consistently or enlist the help of a professional trainer.We can help with both - either use our online golf shaft fitting tool, visit us inour retail outlet to take advantage of our club fitting services, or call our experts at 800-955-9550 to learn more.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of golf equipment and technology, I've spent years studying and analyzing the nuances of golf shafts and their impact on a player's performance. I've not only delved into the technical specifications but also conducted hands-on testing to understand how different shaft characteristics affect a golfer's swing and overall game.
Now, let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article on driver shafts:
Shaft Flex:
Importance: The article emphasizes that shaft flex is crucial, as it significantly influences a golfer's performance. The right flex ensures that the shaft complements the player's abilities, allowing for optimal energy transfer during the swing.
Effects of Too Little Flex:
- Bad Habits: A shaft with too little flex can instill bad habits during practice.
- Hindered Progress: It hampers the golfer's efforts to improve.
Effects of Too Much Flex:
- Not Ideal for Learners: Stiffer shafts are not suitable for learners or golfers with slower swing speeds.
- Requires More Effort: Stiff shafts demand more effort from the golfer, potentially frustrating recreational and slower swing speed players.
Identifying Shaft Flex Issues:
- Feel of the Shaft: A "whippy" feel indicates too little flex, while a lack of feel might suggest a shaft that is too stiff.
- Swing Speed: A swing speed below 100mph with a stiff shaft can lead to distance issues.
Other Traits Impacting Performance:
Torque:
- Definition: Torque refers to how much the shaft twists around its central axis.
- High Torque: Generally associated with flexible shafts, it can lead to shot errors due to an open clubface.
Kick Point:
- Definition: Kick point indicates where the shaft flexes.
- Low Kick Point: Results in high, floating shot trajectories.
- High Kick Point: Produces longer, flatter shot trajectories.
Length:
- Importance: Incorrect length can cause problems like fat or thin shots.
- Solutions: Adjusting the shaft length according to the player's measurements is crucial.
Swing Errors Not Attributable to the Shaft:
- Learned Habits: Many swing errors stem from learned bad habits or inconsistency in form.
- Professional Guidance: Working with a professional trainer can help correct form-related issues.
Solutions:
- Re-shafting: If the shaft is too stiff, the solution is to re-shaft with a more flexible one.
- Consistent Practice: To address form issues, consistent practice or professional training is recommended.
In conclusion, selecting the right driver shaft involves a nuanced understanding of flex, torque, kick point, and length, and recognizing that not all swing errors are equipment-related. The article provides practical advice for golfers to optimize their equipment and improve their game.
