Just as there are traits and attributes that make some golf shafts good (or bad) for players with strong swing speeds and aggressive tempos, so too are there others that make certain shafts suitable as golf shafts for seniors.
As a general rule, there are two attributes that good golf shafts for seniors exhibit, which in turn deliver two shot shape characteristics.
It all has to do with the somewhat lower average speed and less aggressive tempo of your typical senior swing. Here’s what you need to know.
High Flex, Low Kick Point
The main attribute of most golf shafts for seniors is that they have a relatively forgiving flex profile, and that they are generally more flexible across the board than other golf shafts.
Most golf shafts for seniors are considerably more flexible than other golf shafts, which helps them load and store energy like a spring. On the downswing, these shafts are more effective at releasing their energy than other shafts.
In concert with this, most golf shafts for seniors also have a relatively low kick point that makes them feel more flexible and a bit more whippy. This attribute is actually tied directly to shaft flex rating, so to be fair, it’s not really a separate attribute.
Either way, these two things typify the majority of golf shafts for seniors out there as they enable players with somewhat slower swing speeds to hit the ball farther and sometimes more accurately.
Here’s how.
High Launch, High Spin: The Secret
There are two things that a more flexible shaft changes about the shape of a golf ball’s flight. As a general rule, they result in higher launch angles and more spin.
These are the other two things that you’ll generally encounter in golf shafts for seniors. And while they are usually beneficial for senior players, they are also beneficial for anyone that has a flagging swing speed.
First, let’s look at launch.
If you can’t swing harder, you need to hit the ball higher. That’s the secret here. Senior shaft golf clubs are usually designed to produce higher launch angles that will help carry the ball further, even without the extra speed you might expect to need.
The other half of this picture has to do with the spin characteristics of senior shafts, and again, as a generality, senior shafts produce more spin.
In some hands, extra spin is not a good thing because it can throw a wrench in shot dispersion and even outright induce more.
But here, in the hands of a player who has a slightly slower swing speed, extra spin is a good thing.
This is because extra spin generates extra lift, which is much needed to add yards to a swing if you can’t add speed.
Ergo, senior shaft golf clubs that launch the ball higher and produce more spin ultimately yield greater carry distance.
Now, for some, more spin is not desirable because it will generate more rollout and shot dispersion – but for those that need the extra yards, that’s an easy concession to make.
That’s basically what you should be looking for if you’re in the market for a senior shaft golf club – or, if you are a player with an otherwise slower swing speed and more metered tempo.
Explore Golf Shafts for Seniors
Interested in exploring some golf shafts for seniors? Make your first stop Dallas Golf Company. They carry a wide range of golf shafts not just for seniors, but for beginners, intermediate and experienced players. Start your search on their website and get in touch with them directly if you need more assistance or fitting services.
