Golf Shafts

What exactly is a golf shaft? It is the long tapered tube that serves as the solid connection between the club head and the golfer’s hands. It is often composed of carbon fiber (graphite as it is generally called) or of steel. The shaft is designed primarily to enable the player the means to generate the centrifugal force needed for striking the golf ball well. Physically, the shaft is measured at half an inch in diameter very near the grip and in length it is measured at 35-48 inches. Shafts made of graphite are widely used by amateur golfers as they are lighter to utilize and this leads to increasing the speed on striking the ball. Today, the golf shaft sells for as low as $20 to as $1,300 in the market depending on the material, design and cost of material used to make it.

In the mechanics of golf, the shaft has its own effect called the “shaft flex” which is about the ability of the shaft to bend as varied forces (generated by the type of swing) get applied to it during the golf swing. The shaft flex itself can impact the shot’s accuracy, distance and trajectory. Golfers often find themselves challenged when it comes balancing the stiffness of the flex. If the stiffness is insufficient, then the ball could fly higher than expected or may shift too much on one side. If the flex is too stiff on the other hand, the ball will fly lower (or shorter) on the given loft, and at the same time the shot would not feel as solid.

Golf mechanics aside, golfers can also search for shafts on the market that could suit their needs whether it’s about performance or equipment. The shafts, in reality, wear down and will eventually get broken and this leads to the inevitable replacing. But before searching for a new shaft, the buyer must determine his or her needs with purpose in mind. Any broken club can be sent to a clubmaker for repairs or have the shaft replaced personally (which can save money). After that situation, the buyer should decide whether to buy a steel shaft or a graphite shaft, decide what the shaft flex should be, and what kickpoint is required. Afterwards, the buyer can go to the local golf equipment retailers or visit an online retailer that offer wide varieties of the golf shaft.