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Do you find yourself slicing off the tee? Are you hitting the ball too high or too low? Do you frequently end up in the trees on your left? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your swing might not be entirely to blame. Instead, a properly fitted shaft may be what you need. Although no shaft can magically enhance your golf skills, having the right one can significantly ease your frustration on the course.

I used to struggle with my performance in the wind. While I managed my irons fairly well, my driving was chaotic. The ball would shoot up, leaving me with little hope of making par. I believed for a long time that I needed to overhaul my entire swing. However, I later discovered that I was spinning the ball around 3000 RPM, with my launch angle hitting nearly 10 degrees. Once I switched to an Oban Devotion #7 in my driver and 3-wood, handling windy conditions became much simpler. Although I attribute a lot of my improvement to countless practice sessions at the range, refining my driver-shaft setup notably fast-tracked my progress. Once the club's quality is secured, honing your skills can follow more smoothly.

This topic excites me because discovering the right driver and 3-wood shaft was a game-changer for my golfing journey. It took years of experimenting with various shafts, but eventually, I found what worked perfectly for me. You can achieve the same! While I wouldn’t claim to be a shaft fitting expert, here are some of my best tips, along with links to helpful articles that could assist you in finding the shafts that suit your needs.

An outdoor fitting alongside a launch monitor analysis with a skilled club-fitter is the optimal way to identify a suitable shaft. Nevertheless, it’s beneficial to arm yourself with knowledge beforehand. Understanding what you need in a shaft significantly improves your fitting experience, allowing for clearer communication with your fitter. This can prevent unnecessary spending on items you might not require (and yes, you can find excellent shafts for under $400).

Note: This post focuses solely on drivers, woods, and hybrids. While many of the principles apply to iron shafts, that’s a distinct topic that won’t be discussed here.

1. Understand the Components of a Shaft - Each golf shaft comes with unique specifications. Contrary to popular belief, the shaft’s flex isn’t the only aspect to consider. When buying a shaft, consider flex, overall weight, torque, and kick-point. Some companies even detail the butt and tip diameters and stiffness in various parts of the shaft. This post will cover only the essential specs needed for selecting a shaft.

Flex - If I had to offer one piece of advice on flex, it’s to use it as a starting point, rather than a final decision. To determine your correct flex, click here. After identifying your recommended flex, I encourage you to read this article that uncovers the truth about shaft flex.

Weight - The weight of the shaft indicates its heaviness in grams. It’s a straightforward concept. In my view, the weight directly relates to a golfer’s strength and personal preference. I stand at 6 feet tall, weighing 175 pounds, with a swing speed close to 115 mph. I utilize a 75-gram shaft in my driver, an 85-gram in my 3-wood, and a 90-gram in my hybrid. This combination provides a good balance of mass and speed.

These weight preferences are personal. You must identify what weight instills the most confidence in your swing. Next time you are at a golf shop or demo day, try out different shaft weights (ideally with the same driver head). The weight is typically printed near the grip, or you can easily look it up online. Focus less on the ball's flight and more on how you feel with different weights. Does a 75-gram shaft offer smoother swings than a 55-gram? What about a 65-gram? This process will help clarify which weight is best for you. If you remain uncertain, I find this article by Tom Wishon particularly insightful.

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Additional Reading:
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Torque - Torque is often the most overlooked and misunderstood specification. Simply stated, torque refers to the twisting of the shaft. A higher torque number means more distortion from its ideal shape during the swing. Small torque is beneficial during fitting, whereas excessive torque can lead to control issues.

Two critical facts about torque are: as the weight decreases, torque usually increases; and matching your swing speed and tempo to the torque is vital. A fast swinging player, like Bubba Watson with a swing speed exceeding 125 mph, will require low torque (around 2 or lower). Conversely, a player driving the ball 220 yards may benefit from a higher torque (5 or 6). Consider torque if purchasing shafts online.

Visualize torque concerning the "kick-point." Higher torque implies more bending at impact (at the kick-point). Generally, low torque results in a "boardy" feel, while high torque leads to a "whippy" sensation. Conventionally, if you tend to hook the ball, a lower torque shaft might be advisable, as a higher torque could close the clubface at impact. However, I would advise against relying solely on conventional wisdom and instead examine your swing mechanics.

Kick-point (Also known as 'Bend Point') - This aspect influences how high or low the ball launches. Although this measure has become less relevant with modern launch monitors, it still carries importance. Generally, you’ll see five kick-point classifications: High, Mid/High, Mid, Low/Mid, and Low. A low kick-point signifies a high launch, while a high kick-point denotes a low launch. Keep in mind there is no universal standard for identifying a "high" kick-point across different brands.

1. Purchase from a Trusted Company - When shopping online, opt for a well-respected company like Golfworks. Discovering a bargain shaft often leads to poor quality. I'd like to mention a few of my preferred brands. I've enjoyed success with Oban "Devotion Series" shafts in my driver and 3-wood. Other reputable brands include Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Series, Fujikura, UST Mamiya, and Miyazaki.
2. Opt for a Real Aftermarket Shaft - If you’re unsure about "made for" versus aftermarket shafts, I suggest watching a helpful video on the topic. I've seen that "off the shelf" options can perform poorly.
3. Consider an Online Shaft Fitting Assessment - If you lack direction, taking an online fitting test could offer some insights. Just remember to do additional research before making a purchase based on the recommendation.

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! I recognize that delving into golf shaft research isn’t the most exciting way to spend your downtime. Yet for those of us serious about our game, investing $200+ in graphite is a decision best made following thorough research. I hope this post has enriched your understanding of golf shafts. I couldn’t cover everything in a single piece, so if you have further inquiries, plenty of online articles delve deeper into this subject. If you found the linked articles helpful, make sure to check Tom Wishon’s expertise on club fitting.

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