| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | would require an R flex, while speeds of 85 to 95 or |
| When choosing new golf clubs, golfers put a lot of | | | | 100 would need an S flex. Each manufacturer has |
| forethought into their potential club selections. They | | | | recommended swing speeds for each of their flexes. |
| look at their golf swing, performance goals, and several | | | | The kick point, or bend point, of the shaft helps |
| other factors. The same things need to be considered | | | | determine ball flight, or trajectory. Shafts have either a |
| when making a shaft selection, along with average | | | | low, middle or high kick point. If a lower trajectory is |
| swing speed, desired ball trajectory, torque and club | | | | desired, a shaft with a high kick point is required. If a |
| length. Just as with golf clubs, the number of golf | | | | high trajectory is needed, a low kick point shaft is in |
| shafts available can make the task daunting. Based on | | | | order. |
| that knowledge, the simplest part of shaft selection the | | | | Torque |
| material, steel or graphite. What follows is an | | | | A shaft's torque rating refers to the amount of twisting |
| introduction to the things to consider in choosing a golf | | | | the shaft and club face will undergo during a swing. A |
| shaft. | | | | higher torque rating means the shaft will feel softer, a |
| Steel or Graphite | | | | lower rating will feel stiffer. |
| A comparing between steel shafts and graphite shafts | | | | Shaft Length |
| of the same length will reveal that the steel shaft is | | | | The shaft length depends on height, or more |
| heavier. Also, steel shafted clubs have a lower torque | | | | specifically, the distance from the bend of the wrist to |
| rating (see below) than graphite and, will feel a bit more | | | | the floor when standing upright. If that distance |
| stiff, but they generally have less twisting of the shaft | | | | measures around 34 to 35 inches, standard shaft |
| and club-head during the swing. Steel, though | | | | lengths are most likely correct. True Temper, |
| susceptible to rusting, is more durable than graphite in | | | | recognized as the leader in shaft manufacturing, has a |
| that there is no surface coating to become scratched. | | | | measurement scale to assist in making this |
| Graphite shafts are lighter and have a greater range | | | | determination. |
| of torque that gives the golfer more choices. | | | | There are many considerations in selecting a new |
| Flex and "Kick Point" | | | | shaft; however, a good retailer, on-line or otherwise, |
| A major determinant to the ultimate shaft selection is | | | | should provide information on the characteristics of a |
| swing speed. Generally, shafts come in one of three or | | | | shaft. They should also be able to help with |
| four flexes: L (ladies), R (regular), S (stiff), and XS | | | | determining your swing speed and the shaft length you |
| (extra stiff). These aren't universal terms. For example, | | | | need. Manufacturers will certainly have that information |
| Callaway Golf uses such terms as Uniflex, Firm, Extra | | | | readily available. With the correct shaft, any golfer, |
| Firm, and so on. Further, there is no industry standard | | | | regardless of skill level, will be happier with his or her |
| relative to the swing speeds of shaft flexes. In general, | | | | game. |
| swing speeds with a driver that are below 80 or 85 | | | | |