How to Design Golf Shafts

By Jennifer Stow
How to Design Golf Shafts
There are millions of dollars spent in the golf industry to help people figure out the right design for their golf shafts. The reason so much money is spent on this is because the golf shaft is the single most important part of the golf club. Finding the right shaft design is key. People can go as detailed as they want to with all the high-tech, fancy computers and machines to help with the process. Sometimes it can be as simple as what flex you need. Either way, getting the right shaft should improve your game.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging
Step 1
Test swing speed with swing speed monitor. Hit at least five golf balls with each club to make an accurate average swing speed.
Step 2
Test ball speed and launch angle with launch monitor. Hit at least 10 balls with each club to gain enough information for the computer to compute the best results.
Step 3
Consult with a golf pro for results of tests. She might want additional hits with certain clubs that didn't test well.

Tips & Warnings

Swing speed will show you the flex you need in your golf shaft. Most people are regular flex or less. The better golfer you are, the stiffer the flex you should need. This information should also tell you how heavy the shaft should be. To obtain the fasted strike point, you want a shaft that you can get around to hit the ball at the highest velocity. The launch angle should tell you how high the ball is flying, and that will tell you what kick point you need. If you want to hit the ball higher, you would want a lower kick point; if you want to hit the ball lower, you would want a higher kick point. Each shaft manufacture has slightly different specifications on flex and gram weighting. Finding the right kind of shaft will most likely be a trial-and-error effort. Try companies such as Aldila and UST. You can start by going to their websites and looking at custom fitting information.
Swing speed will show you the flex you need in your golf shaft. Most people are regular flex or less. The better golfer you are, the stiffer the flex you should need. This information should also tell you how heavy the shaft should be. To obtain the fasted strike point, you want a shaft that you can get around to hit the ball at the highest velocity.
The launch angle should tell you how high the ball is flying, and that will tell you what kick point you need. If you want to hit the ball higher, you would want a lower kick point; if you want to hit the ball lower, you would want a higher kick point.
Each shaft manufacture has slightly different specifications on flex and gram weighting. Finding the right kind of shaft will most likely be a trial-and-error effort. Try companies such as Aldila and UST. You can start by going to their websites and looking at custom fitting information.
The most important part of this is the golf professional you choose. He should be able to lead you to the right shaft after the appropriate tests. Do not try to swing out of your shoes to create a result that is better then you really are. Finding the right club shafts is not about how hard you can swing during the test but how you play on the course.
The most important part of this is the golf professional you choose. He should be able to lead you to the right shaft after the appropriate tests.
Do not try to swing out of your shoes to create a result that is better then you really are. Finding the right club shafts is not about how hard you can swing during the test but how you play on the course.

About The Author

Based in Minnesota, Jennifer Stow has written golf related articles for Dick's Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy and local golf media. She has been a professional golfer and a golf professional for over ten years and has experienced all sides of the business. She holds a Bachelor of Arts sociology from Rollins College.
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