Flex in a golf club shaft is the ability for the shaft to bend during a swing. With the driver each mph of club head speed generates approximately 2. The swing speed is the main consideration in selecting a driver shaft. Choosing the correct loft in a driver is vital in order. The flex you need is determined by your swing speed. When i tested my old college driver a few weeks ago my interest was piqued by how close my swing speed with the 43. The effect of club length on swing speed and distance. The best driver with a swing speed of 100 mph sportsrec. Typically most players do pick up speed around 1 mph per inch with a longer driver shaft, and since every 1 mph of additional driver speed generally yields about two yards of extra carry. And the drop in shaft weight from trimming a driver from say 45. Each player hit seven drives with each of three driver shaft. There is no question a lot of golfers make the wrong decision for what driver loft is going to generate the greatest possible distance for their swing speed and their swing characteristics.
Then, he used a graphite driver and hits it about 250 because of the increased clubhead speed. Because it is a technical fact that less loft with the irons hits the ball farther for all golfers, it. The best 2019 driver and shaft combinations dlance. A regular flex shaft is too whippy for fast swingers. Most forgiving driver for mid swing speed testers in 2019. May 14, 2020 the swing speed is the main consideration in selecting a driver shaft. They just try to swing harder, which usually ruins their swing mechanics and results in injury. That makes the average male amateur driving efficiency to be 2. Flex refers to the amount of bowing the shaft does on the downswing. The average swing speed, ball speed and distance numbers are pretty similar, regardless of weight or flex. One thing i shall touch on in the next article which is about swingweight i. Two shaft stiffnesses were used r flex and s flex, based on club head speed of each participant.
But if longer shafts compromise your accuracy, youre driving for show instead of for score. The best shaft for your driver is largely determined by your swing speed. You should not try to swing faster or slower to try and fit your swing into a club. The effect of club length on swing speed and distance golf. For nongolfers or those just starting to get into the sport it can seem almost impossible that the design of the shaft will have much effect on the overall swing of the user. They can hit the sweet spots with solid contact and precision on a golf course using a 44.
Schedule a golf club fitting today, click the schedule button or call 8883407820 and see if, like our testers, you can gain up to 16 yards of extra distance. Its also vital to match your swing speed and driver length with the. If your swing speed is faster than 95 mph, then you should try a stiff shaft. The best 2019 driver and shaft combinations true fit clubs. Players with slower swings typically choose shafts with progressively more flex, which. Remove the grip from the driver using a hook blade or a utility knife, as well as the grip tape on the shaft.
Its important to understand the history and benefits of both types of shafts. In the last 25 years, the average driver shaft length has gradually moved from 43 inches to. The effect of the shaft length on the head speed in golf swing is investigated in order to obtain a longer distance of driving shot. The maximum shaft length allowed by the rules of golf for competition is 48 inches and common thinking suggests the longer the shaft, the more clubhead speed you can create. Most component companies list the swing speed rating of every shaft in their catalogues. The evidence we gathered clearly shows that shaft flex is a critically important variable in choosing the right clubs, and fitting it is not as easy as finding your swing speed on a chart. Whats the average driver shaft length on the pga tour. In general, golfers with slower swing speed and tempo can and should play a lighter shaft. If you chop an inch off your driver, its going to change the swing. Use our fitting wizard to find the right driver shaft for you. Aug 20, 2015 when i tested my old college driver a few weeks ago my interest was piqued by how close my swing speed with the 43. All things being equal, a longer driver shaft will allow you to swing the club faster, which could add more distance.
Driver dave hits a regular shafted steel driver 240 yards. For example, if you are 6feet tall and your wristtofloor measurement is 35 inches, a standard length driver 44 inches for a steel shaft driver and 45 inches for a graphite shaft driver would be appropriate. The ball flies lower for any given loft, and possibly shorter in distance, because the golfers best launch angle for maximum distance cannot be achieved. The truth about golf shafts that every golfer should know. Typical shaft weights in 65 grams but some players with fast transitions may like a heavier shaft.
Here are the shaft flexes corresponding with swing speeds using 5iron. Dec 01, 2019 the maximum shaft length allowed by the rules of golf for competition is 48 inches and common thinking suggests the longer the shaft, the more clubhead speed you can create. Swing faster not harder all things being equal, adding swing speed is arguably the best way to really hit your driver farther. The faster your swing speed, the stiffer the flex of your shaft should be. Most average male golfers swing their drivers at about 90 mph, carrying about 225 yds, and would require an r, or regular shaft. Iron shafts can be as light as 55 grams in graphite, and grams in steel. With knowledge, golfers can better understand how each type of golf shaft can help improve their game. Shaft specifications may vary due to cut length and manufacturer tolerances.
A short driver shaft may help you hit a straight shot better and also hit the center of the face more than you usually do. However, in the 21st century a standard driver is considered to be 45 inches. This week gear guy explores the theory that a longer driver shaft equals. A 44 driver swing nutted dead center will launch the ball farther, faster, and more accurately than a 45 or 46 driver swing that is 12 from optimum contact. It is important to have the proper flex for your swing speed. Most male golfers are wielding drivers that measure 45 to 48 inches, the maximum allowed under the united states golf associations rules of golf.
These players have aboveaverage swing speeds and therefore do not need the distance an extra inch in their shaft would provide. If you are 5 feet 4 inches tall with a 35inch wristtofloor measurement, the club should be onequarter inch longer. There are players on the pga tour using lighter driver shafts with swing speeds upwards of 115120 mph. This is very important because the clubhead speed in your swing mostly comes from the club bending and then releasing creating a whiplike effect. Driver shafts typically weigh 5560 grams for men and 4550 grams for ladies. Importance of shaft weight in fitting dlance golfd. Moreover, a short shaft helps you gain better control. Just as a point of reference the average swing speed on the pga tour is 112 mph, which translates into an average carry of 269 yards. Find the right driver shaft length for your game golficity. Remove the grip from the driver using a hook blade or a.
Oct 16, 2018 if a golfer is using a shaft that is too stiff for his or her swing mechanics and swing speed, any or all of the following may result. The most common flex choices are ladies, light, regular and stiff. Do i have to use a long driver shaft to maximize distance. I have an ott motion and build similar to craig parry. Start by using a launch monitor to analyze your golf swing speed. As you might expect at this point, there are always exceptions. Generally speaking, you can choose from a regular, stiff, or extra stiff shaft flex, though there are options such as the senior flex, ladies flex, and uniflex. Graphite and titanium shafts are lighter and will likely make you swing a little faster than with a steel shaft. Dec 19, 2018 the other issue with modernlength driver shafts that a lot of folks dont talk about is how much stress an overly long driver shaft can put on your body during the swing. Typically the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slower swing speed will benefit from using a lighter shaft, and you would add weight as swing speed increases. Guidelines for choosing driver loft based on swing speed. Have you ever wondered what the average driver shaft length is on the pga tour.
Yardage for a 95 mph swing speed instruction and playing. Use our interactive shaft fitting program to find the perfect ust mamiya golf. The longer shaft promises more speed but possibly less control while the shorter shaft promises more consi. If you use a 5iron from 150 yards, you would want to use a shaft with a swing speed rating of about 60 to 70 mph. If you had a beautiful new sports car ready for a spin around the race track, but swapped out the engine for one from a little economy hatchback, you wont go very fast. Stronger players with faster swings typically elect to use stiffer shafts, for example. Does a shorter shaft length lose you clubhead speed. Marrying swing speed with the correct shaft flex will not only maximize distance but will also tighten dispersion an individuals lateral accuracy. Choose a shaft with a swing speed rating of 70 to 80 mph in graphite or steel. Highest ranked for strokes gained among mid swing speed testers.
Golfers with very fast speeds and tempo should play heavier shafts. Schedule your fitting here to see which driver and shaft combination works best for you swing speed 95105, distance 211250 yards. The problem for recreational golfers and even the pros, is that it makes it more challenging to find the center of the clubface with a longer shaft. For this test, we brought together five golfers with a range of swing speeds and handicaps. The only driver awarded 20 out of 20 stars in the 2019 golf digest hot list. Best driver for 90 mph swing speed in 2020 golf sidekick.
With a 90 mph swing speed, youre around the average swing speed of golfers worldwide. Cut 14 inch off the tip but keep your desired shaft length. For most golfers, any actual speed they gain from a 46 driver is nullified by the ball speed and accuracy lost in return. Golf club shaft flex guide everything you need to know. Shaft fitting guide and swing speed conversion chart. If you think you are losing distance try a lighter, 55 gram shaft but make sure it.
Swing fit shaft fitting app ust mamiya golf shafts. They do this because a stiff shaft gives them more control over the clubhead throughout the swing. In actual fact the best driver shafts can add a remarkable number of yards to. When most golfers try to add swing speed they are doing it all wrong. I have heard that altering the shaft length of your driver by an inch canshould alter the club speed by up to 4 mph. Shaft kick point, also known as flex point or bend point, is the location on the shaft that bends the most during a swing.
Swing speed or distance is not lost when playing with a 44. My last post identified a number of disadvantages of single length irons, primarily, hitting the wedges to 8 iron to long because the shafts are. A reengineered forged 811 titanium e9 face is a variable thickness structure that is designed to be lighter, thinner, and hotter. Find the ust mamiya wood, iron or hybrid golf shaft thats right for you. After three rounds i have hit my longest drive 274 yards according to my arccos tracker and they are in control as the driver shaft was cut short 1. Apr 29, 2020 for these average male golfers, trackman statistics report the average club head speed at this 1415handicap level is about 93. Awarded best driver for swing speeds 95 mph 105 mph and for swing speeds 94 mph and below by the golfwrx expert panel featuring topranked club fitters from around the country. Thus each golfer must take a look at his or her natural swing tendencies before selecting the shaft flex best for their overall game. If you think you are losing distance try a lighter, 55 gram shaft but make sure it plays stiff enough. To ascertain exactly what shafts are best suited to your swing it would be ideal to have your swing measured by a professional club fitter at a swing monitoring facility or pro shop. Nov 07, 20 if the driver shaft is so long that you are not able to make consistent sweet spot contact, all of the potential distance gained from the shaft length goes out the window. In order to maximize the return you get from your golf swing speed, you need to have the right golf club shaft length in your driver.
In the last 25 years, the average driver shaft length has gradually moved from 43 inches to 45. A higher kick point, which means the bend point is higher in the shaft, closer to the grip, can help lower trajectory, while a lower kick point, which is closer to where the head and shaft are connected can help increase the trajectory of a golf shot. A larger sweet zone across the face results in increased ball speed and distance on off center hits. For these average male golfers, trackman statistics report the average club head speed at this 1415handicap level is about 93. Ball speed 170 mph 160 mph 150 mph 140 mph mph 120 mph 110 mph 100 mph. I hit up on the ball quite well and generate low spin off the tee. I dont really know if i was doing a partial swing, but all my clubs play at a 1101 mph swing speed distance i hit my 9i 150yds all day, my 3w 250, and my driver over 270 if i dont slice.
Jun 21, 2018 driver shaft length is longer or shorter better. Determining which golf shaft flex your need stiff, regular, senior, etc. If swing speed is increased, but the ball speed remains unchanged, then the extra club head speed is useless. Most forgiving driver for midswing speed testers in 2019. Golfers with a swing speed of 90 miles per hour looking for added stability and a lower trajectory will play a heavier steel shaft. If your swing ranges between 85 mph and 95 mph then you should start with a regular flex. Highest ranked for strokes gained among midswing speed testers. If a golfer wants to launch the ball higher and feel added whip in the shaft, graphite usually is the best option. Oct 30, 2018 can a shorter driver shaft length lose you clubbed and distance off the tee. Your swing speed fits a regular driver shaft perfectly and with a regular shaft, your tee shots will fly straighter and longer more often. As a chart by golf equipment manufacturer taylormade indicates, youre likely to be better off with a stiff or extra stiff shaft when your speed tops 100 mph. Flex refers to the ability of a golf shaft to bend as forces are applied to it during the golf.
Length of shafts according to height in golf sportsrec. A 45 inch driver tends to help golfers increase swing speed over a 43 inch driver if they make the same solid contact and hit with the same consistency using both drivers. The other issue with modernlength driver shafts that a lot of folks dont talk about is how much stress an overly long driver shaft can put on your body during the swing. Head weight screws were changed for each driver length to. Can a shorter driver shaft length lose you clubbed and distance off the tee.
But at the end of the day, the majority of golfers with swing speeds of 100 mph and lower are going to do far more harm for their game by choosing a shaft that is a little too stiff rather than a shaft that ends up being a little too flexible. The benefits of both ultimately rely on the skill level, swing speed and desires of the golfer. Effect of shaft length on the club head speed in golf researchgate. The lesson here is while longer shafts are a quick way to add raw speed to your swing, they. The more flexible the shaft is, the easier it is to bend or flex the shaft during a swing. The best fitted shaft happened to the be the stock project x evenflo 6. The standard length of a driver for men used to be 43. Explaining the effect of wrong shaft flex in golf clubs. May 28, 2018 typically the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slower swing speed will benefit from using a lighter shaft, and you would add weight as swing speed increases.