You might not have a golf pro shop in your area. That can be frustrating, and can force you to the wilds of the internet to make your purchase of equipment and supporting gear.
But there’s one thing you shouldn’t do – you shouldn’t buy golf shafts online without doing your due diligence first.
This is because a golf shaft (like a club head, to be honest) is like an article of clothing. You don’t know how it will feel or fit if you’ve never “tried it on.”
That’s impossible to do online, but there are things you can do to make it easier on yourself. On that note, don’t buy golf shafts online unless…
You’ve Done Your Research
So you’ve heard great things about TPT shafts, or about the Fujikura Ventus Blue, or even about the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green.
Don’t buy them until you research them thoroughly. You will want to read reviews from users that have actually swung them, as well as to get the product specifications from the manufacturer so you can have some inkling of what performance will be like.
You Know Your Swing Speed
This is something you’ll learn from a fitter or perhaps even a launch monitor. Regardless of how you come by the information, you absolutely must know how fast you swing (or at least, how fast you can swing) so you can pick out an appropriate golf shaft.
For instance, the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green we mentioned earlier? Let’s say your swing tops out at 80 MPH. That would not be a good shaft for you. You’d do better with something more flexible that would load and unload more readily with energy.
Remember this: the general maxim is that players with slower swing speeds and more deliberate tempos prefer more flexible shafts, and players with faster swing speeds and more aggressive tempos prefer stiffer shafts.
You Know Your Measurements
This one’s straightforward, and fortunately, once you get measured once, you’re pretty much good for life.
Anyway, you need your measurements so you can know whether or not a shaft will fit you. Too short and you’ll harm your form, too long and you’ll be swinging into the ground with each swing.
You Know What Club You’re Going to Pair It with
This is also vital. Some shafts are good for golfers, others are well-suited specifically to a club. For instance, PING’s Alta CB shafts are counterbalanced, making them good mates for some of PING’s large, heavy driver heads as they help offset the weight.
And so on and so forth. If you know what club you’re going to pair a shaft with, you can make a smarter choice about which one to go with.
You’ve Consulted a Fitter
Lastly, it’s just a good idea to work with a professional golf club fitter at least once in your life. There’s only so much you can get from self-reflection and launch monitors.
A fitter will take your measurements and watch you swing so they can see what your mechanics and tempo look like, as well as where your swing speed is.
Checked All the Boxes? Good, You Can Buy Golf Shafts Online
If you’ve already done all these things, you’re ahead of a lot of other golfers. You also probably know enough that it’s safe for you to buy golf shafts online.
Just make sure you do your due diligence and don’t fall prey to the hype. Lots of golf shafts come out on the scene every year and they pay their marketing department to get you to want to buy. Take your time, do your research, and weigh your options before you do.
