Short drives. Low launch. Shots that just don’t make it to where you’re trying to reach. A shaft that feels like it has tight lips and just won’t tell you anything.
All of these are signs that you might be playing with a golf shaft for your driver that’s just too stiff for you.
Stiff golf shafts for drivers are designed for players that have aggressive swing speeds and tempos. If your swing is on the slower side, you might be working against yourself if you’re playing with a shaft that just doesn’t work well with your abilities.
Here are two big signs that you need to play with a shaft that’s either softer (and therefore offers more feedback) or more flexible (and therefore loads and unloads better with energy).
Not Going the Distance
This is the number one signal that you’re playing with a shaft that’s too stiff for you. If your drives are just not getting where you need to, it might be that your shaft is too stiff.
Here’s the thing about stiff shafts. They tend to launch low and produce little spin. While that’s a big deal for players with fast swing speeds, it’s decidedly unhelpful for players with slow speeds.
You’ll probably end up swinging and watching your shot shoot straight but not make it that far. That’s exactly what these sorts of shafts do.
The thing is, for players that swing hard and fast, they don’t need the shaft to pick up the slack. They can produce all the energy they need to get their drives where they want them.
But more flexible shafts are designed to load and unload with energy, not entirely unlike a spring. With a more flexible shaft that stores energy until the moment of impact, it’s easier for players with slower swing speeds to drive the ball farther.
There’s another thing about more flexible shafts, and it has to do with what they’re telling you.
Not Getting Positive Feedback
Can you not feel where the clubface is striking the ball? Does it feel like you’re not making square impact but you just can’t tell?
Part of a long, straight drive with minimal shot dispersion is making square impact, which is a product of shaft torque (in turn a product of flex) but you can’t start to solve that problem unless you know what exactly it is.
This is where shaft feedback comes into focus. Don’t take this the wrong way – there are very stiff shafts that offer great sensitivity and feedback.
But by and large, the stiffer the shaft, the deader it feels in the hands, which is not beneficial to players with slower swing speeds.
So that’s the second thing you might want to consider before you go looking for a new shaft for a driver.
If you can’t go the distance and your shaft just isn’t giving you the feedback you need to refine your game, chances are you’re playing with a shaft that’s just too stiff for you.
Working with a Fitter to Find Appropriate Golf Shafts for Drivers
The only way to be sure that you’re going to find a shaft that’s well suited for your individual abilities is to work with a fitter first.
It could be that you need a more flexible shaft – but something else, like kick point, launch and spin profile (not only products of stiffness) or torque rating is the issue. It could also be that you’re playing with a shaft and club that separately are good for your abilities, but together just don’t work.
The bottom line is, work with a fitter before you throw good money after bad.
