SHAFTS: A CLOSER LOOK

Dial In Your Shafts to Get the Most Out of Your Clubs

By Johnny Lee
GolfTEC Coach and Certified Fitting Specialist
Houston, TX

A question I am often asked is, "How do I know what shaft I need for my clubs?" Most golfers remain very confused with the options available today. Do they need steel or graphite, heavier or lighter weight? What about regular or stiff flex? And after all of these choices, what brand? A golfer’s swing is as unique as their fingerprint, so dialing the shaft in properly is crucial to the overall performance of the club. That’s why it’s so important to come in for a Personal Club Fitting; with GolfTEC’s technology we can narrow down the many options to find the match that best suits your needs.

One of the most important elements of the fitting process is determining the club’s proper shaft flex. Getting a golfer into the right shaft ensures the most distance and the most accurate results. If a player’s shaft is too stiff for his/her swing, it will generally lead to a low trajectory and a shot pattern that misses to the right. If a player’s shaft is too soft, the ball will tend to be launched too high with an excess amount of spin, resulting in a loss of distance.

Another important characteristic of a shaft is the kick point. Kick point directly affects the initial launch of the golf ball. A low kick point is designed to produce a high launch, while a high kick point is designed to produce a lower launch angle. Most shafts are also offered in a mid kick point, which is designed for a medium launch angle. It is important for each golfer to have the right kick point because it establishes the optimal launch angle, leading to more overall distance.

At GolfTEC, we analyze the above characteristics through the use of our Vector Launch Monitor and Swing Labs technology. This helps us determine the ideal shaft and clubhead combinations from the different club manufacturers on the market. After dynamic testing of these recommended shafts, the software will determine the best choice based on the flight characteristics discussed above.

When you find the perfect combination of shaft flex and kick point, the results can have you playing from spots you never thought were possible. After a Personal Club Fitting, you will leave with the confidence that your clubs are custom tailored to fit you and your game.

If you haven’t taken a Personal Club Fitting and would like to learn more or schedule one now, visit www.FitMyClubs.com