7 Questions to Answer Before You Buy Golf Shafts

People are still out there on Google searching if golf shafts really matter or not, which means there’s value in publishing a post like this. If there’s still doubt, there’s still plenty of room for education.       

The truth is, the shaft you pair with your club can have as much of an impact on your game as the club itself. While the clubhead might get the lion’s share of attention, it is far from the only thing that impacts your performance, and the club and shaft work in tandem to deliver range, shot shape, spin, and ultimately, placement with respect to accuracy and dispersion. 

So, you should do a little research, not to mention self-reflection, before you buy golf shafts. Here are 7 questions, not just to ask, but to answer, before you put good money into new golf shafts for your favorite club or clubs. 

Why Do I Want to Buy Golf Shafts in the First Place?

This is probably the most important question you will need to square away before you buy golf shafts. 

Are you looking for new shafts because your current shafts feel dead, or too whippy? Have you started to key into shot dispersion that didn’t seem to materialize before? Are you straining to hit the ball as far as you once did? 

Or maybe you’re looking for a shaft that produces less spin, so you’ll suffer less shot dispersion? 

There are lots of reasons that you might be in the market for new golf shafts. It doesn’t really matter what they are - there is a golf shaft out there that can help you address the issue - but it does matter that you are aware of it so that you actually get a new shaft that does what you need it to do. 

What Type of Clubs Will I Be Outfitting? 

If your reasons for buying golf shafts are the most important thing to understand, then this is the second most important one. The types of clubs you’ll be outfitting will determine the suitability, at least in part, of the shafts you choose. 

For instance, if you are outfitting putters, wedges, or irons, as a general rule, ultra stiff shafts are the mode. Many manufacturers still make putter, wedge and iron shafts from steel, whereas the market for driver shafts has largely transitioned to high performance composites. 

That’s the other thing. Woods, hybrids, and driver shafts are now predominantly made of carbon fiber composites that can be precisely engineered with respect to bend profile, shaft flex, and torque. How the fibers are arranged in the shaft wall can also impact stability through the shaft’s predisposition to (or not to) deform during the swing.

What Clubhead (Specifically) Will I Be Outfitting?

Some golf shafts are good for some clubs, and some are not. For instance, you may have heard of the magical Korea Hidden Technology of Autoflex golf shafts. It promises to deliver greater range for players of all skill levels without requiring any extra work or effort from the golfer. 

This is, by and large, true - with a caveat. Autoflex golf shafts do not pair well with heavy, bulky drivers because they have thin, almost fragile shaft walls that can be damaged, even crack if paired with very large, heavy clubs. 

So make sure you do your research and work with a fitter in order to determine if the shafts you have your eye on are suitable specifically with respect to the clubs you want to outfit. 

What Are My Measurements? 

This is a question that is fortunately easy to answer, and while you can take your measurements yourself it’s probably best if you work with a fitter. 

Either way, you need to know your measurements because, regardless of whether you are playing with a shaft that’s too long or too short, your game will suffer. 

Both long and short shafts will result in shot errors and swing problems, such as fat or lean or even topped shots. 

Moreover, playing with shafts that are not the right length for you will force you to compensate in other ways, which can harm your form and overall carry distance and accuracy.

What Is My Swing Speed?

Your swing speed is one of the most important factors impacting your overall abilities as a golfer. As a general rule, players with faster speeds will need less help from the shaft for extra carry distance.

As a result, if you have a faster speed, you will probably appreciate a stiffer, low-torque shaft that produces less spin and a lower launch angle.

If you have a slower swing speed, a more flexible, more forgiving shaft that produces a little higher launch and spin may benefit you by helping you achieve slightly higher carry distance.

What Is My Swing Tempo?

Swing tempo, like swing speed, is an important factor in overall performance. But, unlike swing speed, which is how fast you swing, tempo is more about how you swing fast (or slow).

You can have either a tempered, metered tempo, or a jerky, aggressive tempo. Golf shafts are designed to accommodate tempo, and not just swing speed, so being aware of how you swing can help you pick out the right shafts.

Do I Know of Any Existing Preferences I Have in Golf Shafts?

If you already have experience picking out golf shafts, if you know what your preferences are in terms of length, weight, shaft flex rating, bend profile/kick point, and torque, or even material, then you will ultimately be in a better position going forward. Of course this only applies if you have gone through this process before.

Here to Buy Golf Shafts?

For those of you here to buy golf shafts, get in touch with one of our fitters today before looking through our golf shafts for sale. We’ll figure out what shafts will work best for you so you can make more informed decisions about upgrading your favorite clubs.