SGBGolf_Aug08_p30 24/7/08 12:27 Page 30
G o l f s m i t h E u r o p e
Custom shafts – a weighty issue
Getting the weight of the shaft right when custom-fitting clubs is a crucial, yet delicate process.
Douglas Poole, managing director of Golfsmith Europe (pictured),
reviews the fundamentals of shaft fitting
D
espite there only being three component parts Irons
of a golf club to custom fit, it is still very Let’s look at fitting graphite shafts into irons. For many
difficult to pick the part most affecting a slow swing speeds this is the best option to maximise a
golfer’s game. All three components will – to a golfer’s game. Generally, graphite is in the weight range
major, medium or minor degree – spoil or improve any of 55 to 75 grams, although it can go as high as 120
ball flight problems a player has, but as the shaft is more grams for faster swing speeds. The torque factor should
visual and is often eye-catching, golfers are becoming be taken into account as graphite will give a torque range
more aware of it’s influence on ball flight. between 2 to 7 degrees, whereas steel is always around
The first element of the shaft to address is its weight. 1.9 degrees. Due to the lighter shaft, the longer the
Matching shaft weight to player ability is essential to
a76 Aldila options a77
finished playing length of the graphite iron, the greater
maximise performance. the swing speed and ultimately, the longer the shot. As a
result, graphite irons sets are generally
1
⁄2 to
3
⁄4 inch
Drivers and fairway woods longer per club than steel sets.
Let’s look at metals fitted with graphite first as it The final category is fitting steel in irons. Until fairly
brings plenty of great options to custom fitting. Graphite recently the weight of steel shafts had been between 115
is manufactured in weights varying from 30 grams up to to 125-plus grams. This made favourites of the Dynamic
weights that match steel shafts at around 125 grams. Gold and more recently the Project X. These are ideal for
The lighter the shaft the further golfers can hit the ball, powerful swing speeds, but quite often the performance
as swing speed will normally be increased. for slower swingers can be improved by using lighter steel
Lighter shafts also give the option to play a longer shafts. The Dynamic Gold SL weighs in at around 105
shaft, which again can increase swing speed, and as grams and the latest TT steel, the GS75, has an uncut
the shaft is a major factor in the swing weight of the Trusty Nippon weight of around 86 grams, depending on flex. Nippon
assembled club, lighter shafts allow for the increase steels (left & right) Shafts provide an excellent range of steel shaft through
in shaft length without upping the swing weight too their NS PRO models, going from 75 grams and
much. The general rule is that more swing speed increasing by 10 grams a model up to 115.
equals more distance. Most steel irons shafts do not have the increased
Lighter weighted shafts also bring the benefit to torque that affects graphite shafts, but as they become
players looking for an increase in distance using the lighter the swing weight issue should be monitored and
increased torque that is usually found in these shafts. generally, the lighter the shaft the more flexible it will
This second dimension flex does give additional perform. So the issue of weight to dispersion becomes an
clubhead speed, again increasing distance. important matter to consider.
So if your customer is looking for an increase in distance with the driver, investigate
shaft weight as a major custom tool that can enable increased swing speed. Information and investigation
There is always a trade off in custom fitting, as too light a shaft can prove to be a It is key that the club fitter gets as much relevant information from the golfer as
little less stable, working well for slower swingers and always increasing distance, but possible, in order to recommend the best shaft specifications, so the customer needs to
often leading to a wide shot dispersion for faster swings. Therefore custom fitting for be asked searching questions, such as:
accuracy using shaft weight, as opposed to distance, requires the reverse approach. 1. What is the biggest weakness in your game?
Golfers seeking greater accuracy might need a heavier shaft that will be more stable, 2. What are your playing goals?
play with less torque and take away wild shot dispersion. The club fitter then needs
Again there are trade offs! Remembering that shaft weight is a major factor in swing to combine this information
weight, playing a heavier shaft will take the swing weight of the assembled club up with an investigation of the
about 1.5 swing weights for each increase of 10 grams in shaft weight. Playing heavier customer’s clubs and in particular,
shaft weight generally means using a shorter finished shaft to keep the swing weight shaft weight.
realistic, unless of course counter balancing is used. The final message to club fitters
Fitting steel shafts into drivers and fairways can prove valuable for powerful swing is as follows: always remember
speeds, over the 115mph mark for example, but shaft lengths are again reduced to to check out shaft weight.
around 43
1
⁄2 to 44 inches to keep swing weight down to a reasonable level. There is The famous Aldila NV Green comes in varying weights for example, and because
little benefit in fitting steel shafts to drivers as overall, fitting heavier high quality shaft weight really affects performance, don’t buy in shafts just by colour – buy
graphite shafts can do the job for almost all players. by weight!
30 AUGUST 2008 - SGB GOLF
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