Understanding the construction of clubs is going to help you tremendously when it comes to your swing and your game overall. If you’re using the wrong club, there’s very little you can do to compensate for this. The fit and feel of your clubs is vitally important; imagine trying to drive a car if the seat is too far back or too close up for you. When you can barely reach the pedals, of course your driving will be distracted! All sports equipment is the same – it’s important that you find what is good for your body type and what is comfortable for you in order to be successful.
The Shaft
The shaft is the tapered tube of metal or carbon composite, often referred to as graphite, that makes the handle of the club. Typically a shaft is half an inch in diameter near the grip and anywhere from 35 to 48 inches in length.
The shaft length and what is called flex are both very important to consider when choosing clubs. The flex refers to how much the club will bend when under weight or pressure. Less flex means that there is less of a whip effect when the ball is hit which means there is more power or strength needed on the part of the golfer himself or herself to compensate for this. A more flexible shaft whips with more power on its own so there is less strength needed on the part of the golfer. This also means that it can be used with too much power and may over-flex, resulting in less control when the ball is struck.
The varieties of flexes include:
- L – Lady
- A – Soft Regular, Intermediate or Senior
- R – Regular
- S – Stiff
- X – Tour Stiff, Extra Stiff, Strong
Typically a regular flex is appropriate for those with an average swing speed, and the stiffer flex is better for those with an above average swing speed.
Torque
If the ball is hit off-center, the club head actually twists, albeit slightly. This is because of the torque of the ball being hit in any way but square on the club head. This reduces the accuracy of the shot as the ball does not fly straight but may hook or slice.
Many manufacturers today have begun producing low torque shafts that are aimed at reducing the twisting of the club head when the ball is hit, but these are typically a bit stiffer. They may not work well for those average or below average swing speeds.
Stiff tip shafts seem to combat this problem as they offer the same flex along the shaft so that there is this whip effect, but their stiffer tip cuts back on the amount of torque produced when the ball is hit.
Performance Shafts
You never want to underestimate the importance of the shaft of the club you’re using. Golf is a game of skill, not power, so thinking you’ll just smack the ball as hard as possible for a great shot is a mistake. You need control over where the ball is headed, not just how far it’s going to go.
Performance shafts are meant to address specific parts of the swing and certain elements of the golfer’s own stance and stroke. Clubs used to have just one type of shaft but today there are many varieties available. Typically they’re used to adjust the timing of the player’s swing so that there is maximum power upon contact but so that accuracy is not compromised either.
Carbon fiber, or graphite, is a favorite material for most shafts and especially for performance shafts. This material is lightweight enough to be flexible which creates great speed on the club head but the tradeoff is a bit more torque, which means slightly less accuracy. Steel is still used and preferred by many for irons and this means less torque and greater accuracy. These clubs of course stress accuracy over distance, so it’s not unusual for a serious golfer to have graphite shafts for woods and steel shafts for irons, wedges and putters.
The Grip
The grip is also vitally important when it comes to the comfort and ease of use for a discriminating golfer. A bad grip will make the entire club uncomfortable and the body will naturally react by making adjustments, most of which will be detrimental to a good swing. A bad grip will also rub and wear on the skin of the hands, even when wearing a glove, which will mean some discomfort every time you pick up a club.
According to the rules of golf, all club grips with the exception of the putter must have a circular cross-section. Many advances have been made in the manufacturing of grips, but of course no matter what they’re made of they do still wear out and need to be replaced. They may also get dry and will also harden. You can purchase replacement grips which are typically very affordable and which you replace yourself; these are usually very high quality and acceptable. However you can also get custom grips that are installed by a clubsmith, a person that is an expert on the construction and manufacture of golf clubs and who also helps golfers choose and maintain their clubs. This of course is much more expensive but can be worth it for the serious golfer. This type of re-gripping usually involves a vise to hold the club steady while the replacement is done. The adhesive used for these types of grips are typically stronger and provide a better bond between the club and the grip.
Putter grips are not allowed to have a thinner section of the grip surrounded by thicker sections above and below it or any bulges. They may have any cross section that is symmetrical along the length of the grip. A putter’s grip is also important although it may not affect the stroke as much as the grip of other clubs.
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