Select the right
Golf Club Shaft

The golf club shaft is probably the most important part of the golf club. It is difficult to choose the right one. There are hundreds shaft options available. The most common material is steel and graphite with a wide number of shaft flexes.

It is very difficult to pick the right shaft for the average player. It is much easier to look at the club head of the driver or putter and make a visual judgment. Graphite is the more popular shaft material for drivers and fairway metal woods. Steel shafts are mostly used for irons and wedges.

Advantages of graphite shafts:

• Graphite shafts are usually lighter than steel. This makes the total weight of the golf club lighter. The player can swing the club faster and gain a distance advantage, but he sacrifices control.
• Graphite shafts have a softer impact to the ball. The jarring effect on mishits is less than for a steel shaft.

Advantages of steel shafts:

• They are usually very consistent from shaft to shaft.
• They are more durable and stronger and are less expensive than graphite shafts.
• Require more swing speed to generate the same distance as graphite.
• Give more control on shots.

Shafts are usually rated as follows:

• L for "Ladies"
• A for "Senior"
• R for "Regular"
• S for "Stiff"
• X for "Extra Stiff"

Some manufacturers label their club shafts using numbers from 1 to 5. With 1 being the most flexible shaft.

Go to Golf Clubs from Golf Club Shafts

Home: guide-to-golf-equipment