Why Golf Shafts for Drivers Must Have Just the Right Stiffness

Have you ever used a driver that simply frustrated you, and you weren’t sure exactly what it was? There are a ton of features and attributes that a driver might possess to cause frustration for a player, and some of these are more easily uncovered than others. For example, it’s pretty easy to tell (and feel) when a driver shaft is just too long. That’s something that will jump right out at you.

Other features like the shaft’s weight, torque rating, kick point, and flexibility can be felt but are a little harder to key in on, at least for inexperienced players. However, if you have used a driver that left you scratching your head, it might have been because the stiffness was not a good match for your skillset.

All golf shafts for drivers (and other clubs) have a stiffness rating, but the utility of stiffness in driver shafts cannot be overlooked. While stiff shafts are great for experienced players with a high swing speed, they can be downright frustrating and hard to use for players with slower swing speeds and less experience.

Shafts with lower stiffness ratings, being either regular, senior, and ladies, are all more flexible than shafts with stiff or extra stiff ratings. These “more flexible” shafts will bend more perceptibly through the swing. This enables you to load the shaft with energy which can be released into the ball through the club head. This ability to “load” the shaft makes more flexible golf shafts for drivers better for players with slower swing speeds.

In addition to accommodating slow swing speeds, more flexible shafts are also more forgiving. All things being considered, a shaft with a higher shaft flex is probably a better choice for inexperienced players because the added flexibility will not exacerbate any problems in their form or swing.

By contrast, players with a lot of experience and high swing speeds might find this “whippy” feeling of a softer flex more aggravating than helpful. A stiffer shaft is better for players with higher swing speeds because they don’t need the flex to assist them. Additionally, the extra flex is less precise, which is a feature that can irritate more experienced players.

The only way to be positive about what golf club’s flex is ideal for you is to play, but it does help to work with a professional or a trainer to observe your form and swing and interview you to help you find the right shaft for your needs. Then you can go about choosing the right shaft and club head.

Some of the stiffest shafts on the market are steel shafts, like some of those produced by True Temper. However, there are a number of graphite shafts that approach the stiffness of steel without accumulating the weight of these heavier shafts. The benefits of carbon fiber and graphite are also that they can be made more flexible as well as lighter, to enable a higher clubhead speed.

Whether you’re looking for an actual collection of golf shafts for drivers or you want to consult a team of professionals to learn more about shaft flex and how you can improve your swing, visit DallasGolf.com. Dallas Golf Company, with a retail location in Dallas, Texas as well as an online store, has the gear you need at the prices you want with service to tie it all together.

You can use their online shaft fitting tool to get a better impression of what types of shafts and shaft ratings will be suitable for you – but arguably the best thing you can do is call them to learn more or set up a time to meet with them. Give them a call at 800-955-9550 to learn more about shaft performance or to set up an appointment to take advantage of their club fitting services.

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