The shaft is one of the three main parts of a golf club. It is no stranger to golfers and is a factor that any golfer must pay attention to when choosing a golf club. The following article will provide golfers with some information about the current types of golf shafts on the market.
What is a golf club grip? How did the golf club shaft originate?
Golf shafts are also known as shafts. This is the part that connects the grip and the club head. Not only does it act as a link, but the shaft of the golf club also has the effect of supporting the stroke, which makes the clubhead,…
Initially, when the golf club was first invented, the shaft was usually made from hickory wood. This is a type of wood with good bearing properties and toughness and high elasticity. However, its durability is low, the lifespan of the golf club is therefore also shorter, and the ability to control the club with this type of shaft is also not appreciated.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, when technology was more developed, steel shafts began to appear. Although the steel shaft is heavier than the wooden shaft, in return, the durability of this type of shaft is much higher, the use time is longer and the performance is also more optimized. By 1970, graphite-carbon fiber shafts were born with advantages such as lighter, better power.
Classification of golf club shafts based on material
According to the development of golf clubs, more and more advanced and modern technical technology, the shafts of golf clubs are also manufactured from more advanced materials. Currently, on the market, there are golf shafts made of stainless steel, carbon fiber, and synthetic materials, more advanced than shafts made of titanium. Each type of material has its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, so golfers can choose which type they feel like and suitable for their play style. The following is specific information about each type of shaft.
Shaft steel shaft
For steel shafts, there are two types of carbon steel and stainless steel commonly used by world manufacturers. The wand shafts are divided into tiered steel shafts and riffle steel shafts. The advantage of a steel shaft is that it is durable and affordable. When applied to golf clubs, it will help players master ball speed and improve accuracy. The steel handle is suitable for golfers with medium swing speeds.
Graphite golf shaft
The graphite shaft is quite light in weight, only about 45g-58g, softer, and more elastic. This type of handle stands out with its ability to assist, so it is suitable for players with slow swing speeds. Players will improve the power to hit the ball, the shot goes farther, and has more power without the player needing to spend too much effort to swing the club. Another advantage of this club is that its vibration resistance is better than a steel shaft, so middle-aged golfers, players with average fitness, or those who have just recovered from injury can completely use this type of shaft. this.
However, graphite shafts also have some disadvantages such as less durability, more difficulty to control, and higher price.
The shaft is made of synthetic materials
Because it is made of composite material, this shaft possesses the outstanding advantages of the two shafts above and overcomes the disadvantages to become a more efficient shaft. Manufacturers often use this material to produce the shafts of wooden clubs and irons. Professional golfers love this grip because it is suitable for hitting shots that require high technique.
Titan golf shaft
The shaft made of titanium has been known for a long time, but today there are not too many golf products that use this material to make shafts. The advantage of this material is very light, has good vibration damping, and has very solid feeling hits. However, the cost of this type of shaft is quite high, so it has not been used by many golf clubs for mass production, only used in some high-end clubs.
Nanofuse golf shaft
Nanofuse is a material known recently in golf. This type of shaft is a combination of the characteristics of graphite shafts and steel shafts. However, at present, manufacturers are still focusing on researching this material, so it has not been put into mass production. Therefore, there is no assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of this type of shaft in terms of stroke performance.
Classification of shafts based on flex
In addition to dividing the shaft by material, another factor to classify is the stiffness of the shaft, also known as flex.
Shaft stiffness is an important specification, reflecting the ability of the shaft to bend when a player applies a certain amount of force to it during the swing. Depending on the gender, fitness, and level of the golfer, there will be different choices about the hardness of the shaft.
The flex of golf shafts is divided into the following grades: soft (A and L shafts), normal (R shafts), hard (S shafts), and super hard (X shafts). On shafts, there are letters A, L, R, S, and X to indicate the hardness of that type of shaft. Golfers need to choose for themselves a suitable type of golf shaft. Picking the wrong one can lead to bad shots.
Extra Stiff shaft
This type of shaft has an X-hardness on the shaft and is usually made of steel. X-handle is suitable for golfers with good physical strength, good technique, an average swing speed of 93mph or more. In Vietnam, it is very rare for golfers to use the X-handle.
Golfers when choosing this type of handle must be really careful. Because if the technical and physical factors are not met, the ball will hit a low trajectory, a short distance. Even if the player chooses a higher loft with the aim of sending the ball to a higher trajectory, the results are still not as expected. In addition, if golfers are right-handed but use the wrong X shaft, it will lead to the ball going to fade, to the right. Because the shaft is too stiff when entering the ball, the clubface is difficult to square, but instead is an open clubface.
Stiff hard shaft
A stiff shaft is usually denoted by the letter S on the shaft. This type of handle is suitable for golfers with good physical strength, good playing technique, a driver from 250 yards or more. In addition, golfers with HDC singles or 10-15 handicaps can also use this type of handle.
Regular shafts Regular
This type of rolling stock is used quite commonly in Vietnam. Most golfers can use this shaft: players with carry drivers from 210-240 yards, average swing speeds between 75-84mph, beginners, and players with high HDC are having problems. Over-swing subject. The R shaft is a moderately soft grip, so it has the ability to reduce swing speed with high swing-speed golfers, helping players get better swing performance.
Regular shafts not only help players achieve better performance but also reduce the serious injuries common in players with hard shafts. If golfers are wondering whether to choose an S or R shaft, they should choose an R shaft.
Senior shaft
The Senior shaft is marked with the letter A on the shaft. This grip is ideal for golfers with a carry of 180 to 210 yards on the driver and an average swing speed of 60-75 mph. Older golfers and players with high swing speed should use this soft grip for better swing speed control. The flex A shaft is usually made of carbon graphite.
Lady
This type of golf shaft is designed specifically for golfers, slow-swing speed players, and elderly players. Lady stiffness is usually denoted by the letter L on the shaft. Players who play a carry driver under 180 yards and have an average swing speed of 60mph should opt for the L flex shaft.
Each type of golf shaft is born with its own characteristics and is suitable for a certain audience of players. When choosing a golf club shaft, golfers need to pay attention to a number of physical and technical factors to choose a suitable set of clubs to maximize the performance of each stroke.
Hao Iron 