Getting the Right Shaft in Your Golf Clubs

Getting the Right Shaft in Your Golf Clubs

By DanSueltz September 6th, 2017

Use our Fitting Wizard to see which shaft works for you! 

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Getting the right shaft in your golf clubs is key to accuracy, distance and consistency.  The shaft is the transmission that delivers the energy from the golfer (engine) to the ball.  If the shaft is too loose, like as slipping transmission, you will lose distance and control.  If the shaft is to stiff or heavy, like a tight transmission on a sports car, you will also find it difficult to control.  A proper shaft delivers the longest distance, the tightest accuracy and consistent control.

More on shafts from our partner, D'Lance Golf here...

An S flex is not Really an S Flex.  After testing thousands of golf shafts each year, and testing them prior to assembly, we see a very wide range in flexes of shafts, not only from one manufacturer to another, but from one shaft to another.  If you have been to your local pro shop or driving range and tested a few clubs, the first thing you notice is that you seemed to hit an “S” flex more consistently in one manufacturer's club but an “R” flex better in another. You want to spend your hard earned money on the right equipment, but this inconsistency is driving you crazy. What is going on here?

First of all, every manufacturer like Callaway, Ping, and Taylor Made have shaft companies like Fujikura, Graphite Design and True Temper make shafts specifically for their clubs. These shafts are designed to perform with the clubheads (like the EPIC) to get particular performance characteristics, like higher launch angles, etc. These shafts are also designed for a particular target market, like beginners, better players, etc. Because of this, an R shaft in a EPIC  will not feel or hit the same as an R flex in a Ping G400 LST. The same holds true for steel iron shafts. A Project X LZ  stock  shaft in one club will be stiffer or softer than in another. That is why you may hit one manufacturer’s clubs better in an R flex than an R flex in another.

Why Shafts are Inconsistent

Steel shafts in general are much more consistent than graphite shafts because of the way they are manufactured. The rolling or extruding process of making a steel shaft produces a shaft of more uniformity and consistency. Graphite shafts are made by wrapping multiple thin layers of graphite material around a tapered steel mandrel. This wrapping process produces overlaps that cause thick and thin spots and uneven weight distribution throughout the length of the shaft. One measure of shaft consistency is its frequency, or CPM (cycle per minute) as the shaft is rotated around its axis. Steel shafts are very consistent but graphite shafts can vary as much as two full flexes from shaft to shaft. This is why you can hit your buddy’s driver great on the range, go to the local pro shop and buy the exact same thing, and not hit it out of your shadow!

Spines are Everywhere

For both graphite and steel, but especially for graphite, the stiffest part of the shaft creates a “spine”. This spine can cause you to hook or slice if the shaft is not properly aligned in the clubhead when it is assembled. At TrueFitClubs, we test each shaft on the MCC Shaft Profiling Machine to determine the exact location of the stiffest part of the shaft. We then align this spine so that it is facing the target line of the club at address. By doing this, you will have a shaft that aligns itself perfectly square at impact. No major manufacturer does this in their stock clubs. Most clubs purchased over-the-counter will have a variety of shaft alignments and will perform erratically. Just when you think it’s your swing, you are wrong again..it’s the shaft!

What Our Fitting Wizard Does

The touring pros are trying to hit the longest, lightest, softest shaft that they can control. At TrueFitClubs, we test this theory for everyday golfers by using our Fitting Wizard to get specific information about your swing (tempo, transition, release), strength (distance, swing speed, ball speed), and desired shot trajectory.  From this information, we can predict shaft weight, shaft flex, club length, swing weight and proper shaft profile that controls launch and spin. While this is not as good as actually going to get fit by a qualified clubfitter, it is far better than buying clubs off the rack.  We then build clubs or shafts with tip adapters to your exact specifications.  No guessing.  All Custom Built!

So What Should You Do?

First, create your Fitting Profile for either Driver and Fairway Wood or Irons and Hybrid.  This will give you your exact specifications for shafts.  From there you can go right to our club customizer and select the club head and the shaft profiler will select shafts that match your fitting recommendation.  You can select by brand and price range to dial in your perfect choice.  Pick a grip and you are on your way.

At TrueFitClubs, we are committed to getting you fit to YOUR game, not what a manufacturer thinks will work for you.  The result will be increased distance, better accuracy and more consistency....lower scores and more fun!

More on shafts from our partner, D'Lance Golf here...

Dan Sueltz

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