Shafts - In choosing the kind of clubs you want, select a shaft flex first, and determine if you want a graphite or steel shaft. A graphite shaft will be lighter and more flexible, combining for added distance. A steel shaft will not have as much flex and torque as graphite shafts, but is designed for players looking for accuracy over distance.
Graphite vs. Steel - Both steel and graphite shafts can work for anyone. One common misconception is that if a golfer plays regular flex steel, that he should play stiff flex graphite. Actually, the flex is the flex. Regular is regular, and stiff is stiff. Ladies (all ages), graphite shafted irons and woods. Graphite is lighter weight, and enables players to generate more clubhead speed, and achieve greater distance. Steel, while heavier, may help slightly with accuracy.
Shaft Flex - Flex is one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of the golf shaft. Nothing is more important in choosing your new set of clubs than the correct shaft flex. You can have the best club head and the sweetest swing, but if the shaft isn't the right flex for you (your tempo and swing speed), you won't hit a good shot, unless you know how to modify your swing to compensate for the different characteristics of the club you are using.
Most amateurs don't have that kind of skill and frankly don't need that skill. That being said, you could actually swing slower with a regular flex club and achieve the same distance you would with a stiff club swinging at a faster speed. This is because the regular shaft, if it unloads properly through the impact zone, actually adds clubhead speed at impact and therefore more distance. A stiff shaft minimizes this unloading effect, and, if you don't swing fast enough to need it, you could be cheating yourself out of a few yards. A fast hard swing is also usually harder for most amateurs to control, so examine your game and make an informed decision on shaft flex. The way to determine the flex you need is by your swing speed.
Swing speed - A player's swing speed is the speed at which he or she swings the club through the bottom of the swing arc. Swing speeds vary from player to player. A speed of 105 mph and above is considered fast; many tour professionals swing over 120 mph. The average recreational golfer's swing speed ranges between 80 and 90 mph. Equipment can influence swing speed; for example, most players will be able to swing a lighter shaft faster.
The following can be a guide to determine your clubhead speed: (have your clubhead speed measured if at all possible). Determine the appropriate shaft flex by considering your club of choice from 150 yards:
- 3, 4-iron or fairway wood (60-69 mph - ladies or seniors shaft);
- 4, 5-iron (70-79 mph - seniors shaft);
- 6, 7-iron (80-89 mph - senior or regular flex);
- 8, 9-iron (90-99 mph - regular or stiff flex);
- wedge (100+ mph - extra stiff flex).
Length - Length is simply how long the golf club is as measured from the butt end of the grip down the back side of the club down to where the club meets the ground. A longer golf club will hit further given the same swing speed - so length can be a good thing. However, since the swing arc is longer, it often is also harder to keep under control - so length can be a bad thing. All things being equal, most golfers will opt for longer length to the sacrifice of greater control.
The standard length of a steel shafted Driver for a man is 43 inches. Graphite shafted drivers are manufactured 1 inch longer than steel shafted clubs because graphite shafts weigh less than steel shafts allowing us to produce a longer club with the same swing weight (a fulcrum measurement of the proper balance and feel of a golf club).
The correct shaft length for a player is dependent in part on their height and arm length. A proper club fitting is the best way to determine proper club length, so you would be well served to see your local professional. In general, men's length shafts are 1" longer for woods and 1/2" longer for irons than ladies length shafts. If you are not sure what length clubs you need - you can use the simple method of measurement called "Wrist To Floor,&
