An enormous amount of attention has been given to the technology behind club heads, specifically driver heads. They make more and more impressive promises about accuracy, energy transfer, control over launch and spin, shot dispersion, energy transfer, and even forgiveness of mishits.
Driver shafts deserve a little more attention, because in truth it is not just the driver head, but the shaft that drives (excuse the pun) performance.
Here are 4 things you should know about driver shafts before re-outfitting a club.
Flex Rating: Launch Profile and Spin Characteristics
Every driver shaft has a flex rating, despite the fact that there is no industry standard. Common flex ratings include regular (R), stiff (S), extra stiff and tour-spec extra stiff (usually marked as XS). Some manufacturers also have special ratings for amateurs, ladies, and seniors.
Flex, weight, torque, bend profile, tempo, delivery and fit all work together to determine energy transfer, and in turn, launch profile and spin characteristics. Players with slower swing speeds tend to be better served by lower flex ratings, as more flexible driver shafts bend and load with energy like a spring before releasing it.
More flexible driver shafts also tend to produce higher launch profiles and more spin, both of which help carry the ball further. In other words, with a lower swing speed you can generally hit the ball further with a more flexible golf shaft, provided it produces high (or mid-high) launch and spin.
Conversely, players with higher swing speeds tend to gravitate towards stiffer driver shafts that produce less spin and lower launch profiles, as they don’t need the extra “boost” and on top of that, higher launch and spin tend to increase shot dispersion.
Bend Profile
Flex rating indicates how much a shaft actually flexes through the swing sequence; kick point refers to how high or low on the shaft itself it appears to bend when it is loaded.
Flexible shafts tend to have lower kick points and feel whippier; stiffer shafts tend to have higher kick points and a nearly imperceptible flex when they are placed under a load.
While kick point shouldn’t make or break your appreciation for a given golf shaft, it is still something to be aware of, as well as the potential implications it carries with respect to driver shaft performance.
Torque
Torque refers to how much a driver shaft will twist around an axis that runs through its center. Typically it is represented by a number that corresponds to degrees. For instance, a driver shaft with a torque rating of “2” would twist by 2° when swung.
While torque is not as important as flex rating, a shaft with a higher torque rating might not square well with the ball before the moment of impact, which can cause or exacerbate shot errors.
As is the case with shaft flex, most golfers with higher swing speeds tend to prefer shafts with low torque, whereas for some golfers with slower swing speeds, lower torque is more forgiving.
Weight
Lastly, you should consider the weight of the shaft, although less than you should consider shaft flex and torque.
Driver shafts are measured in grams, and weight can influence swing speed and energy transfer. Specifically, players with slower swing speeds and less strength tend to find lightweight shafts more accommodating, whereas stronger players with higher swing speeds sometimes prefer heavier golf shafts as they can be more consistent and sometimes feel more stable.
Explore Cutting-Edge Driver Shafts at BGT
Want to learn more about the technology that underlies driver shafts and their performance? At Breakthrough Golf Technology, their driver shafts are designed to help golfers create speed without giving up stability and control.
Explore BGT driver shafts and find the right fit for your game. they’ll help you find what you’re looking for.
For More Information About Wedge Shafts and Putter Shafts Please Visit: Breakthrough Golf Technology.
