How to Select a Golf Driver Shaft - The Right Shaft • On The Golf Green

Having trouble thinking about how to select a golf driver shaft that will complement your swings on a golf club? Are you always asking yourself, “What golf driver shaft is right for me?”

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Wondering how to replace golf driver shaft because your current golf club is not matching its shaft?

This guide might not only help get the right shaft for you but can also improve your overall game!

The importance of driver shafts

Back then, I once thought that golf is all about swinging hard on a club.

But then I learned that having the right shaft for your clubs could significantly boost your game. The reason behind this is that the shaft connects your swing’s power to the ball.

Here are some tips that can help you with the most sought off questions:

How to fit a golf driver shaft?
How to change golf driver shaft?
What golf driver shaft is right for me?

Determine your flex category

One of the most common areas where golf players go wrong is the amount of flex they have in their golf club’s shaft.

Some general considerations when it comes to determining the flex of the shaft include the speed of your swing and the carry distance or the distance traveled by the ball when launched in the air.

With these in mind, here are five flex categories of driver shafts that are based on swing speed and carry distance.

Extra Stiff
November 20, 2024 2:16 AM

Marked as “X” on a flex chart, these shafts are for those who have a swing speed of at least 110 mph, and usually drive the ball at least 275 yards.

Stiff

Marked as “S” on a flex chart, these are for golfers who have swing speeds of at least 95 mph and normally drive the ball at least 240 yards.

Regular

Marked as “R” on a flex chart, recommended for those who have a swing speed of at least 75 mph, and usually drive the ball at least 200 yards.

Senior

Marked as “A” on a flex chart, recommended for those who have a swing speed of at least 60 mph, and normally drive the ball at least 180 yards.

Ladies

Marked as “L” on a flex chart, recommended for those who have swing speeds below 60mph and drive the ball below 180 yards.

It is also important to remember that there is no absolute standard for flex specifications. The values for each flex category may differ from one brand to another.

A shaft considered as stiff by one manufacturer might be regarded as just regular by its competitor.

Get the right weight and length measurements

Just like the flex type, the weight and length are also important considerations when picking the driver shaft that is best for you.

The general weight range of most shafts is about 40 to 135 grams. It is commonly known among golfers that lighter shafts will help golfers with slower swing speeds.

The heavier the shaft weighs, the more the speed of the swing increases.

Shaft lengths are also essential to your game. Not only does it contribute to the amount of carrying distance per hit, but getting the right shaft length ensures that you can consistently hit solid shots.

You might also wonder, “How long is a golf driver shaft?” The length of golf shafts should be based on the player’s physical profile.

To get the right length for you, stand straight and get someone to measure the distance between your wrist and the floor.

Getting your wrist-to-floor measurement is crucial because this would impact the lie angle of the club and the position of the player for each shot.

Longer shafts used by players that are shorter than recommended heights may have to stand too upright for too long, which can affect the direction, consistency, and distance of shots.

It is essential to use your own measurement when you ask yourself, “How long is a golf driver shaft?” Other manufacturers may give you a reference chart, but it should not necessarily be followed all the time.

Know the shaft’s material

Another tip on how to select a golf driver shaft is to know what it is made from. Golf clubs are often assembled with two basic types of shafts: graphite and steel shafts.

Steel Shafts

Steel shafts are generally much heavier but more durable than the graphite shafts. They weigh at least 120 grams and are commonly made from carbon steel.

These shafts are well-suited for players with average swing speeds and prefer more control on their clubs.

Graphite Shafts

Graphite shafts, on the other hand, are much lighter than steel shafts but are less durable.

They weigh at least 50 grams, and these shafts could help players who prefer faster swing speeds and more power on their shots as compensation for lesser control on the club.

Multi-Material Shafts

Besides these two, some manufacturers released multi-material shafts assembled along with irons and drivers.

Multi-material shafts combine graphite and steel into one so that the shafts can suit all playing types and can be used by any player.

Knowing the shaft’s material can also help you on How to change golf driver shaft or how to replace golf driver shaft.

If you feel that you are not hitting the shots on your clubs, then maybe changing the shaft’s material could help.

Consider the torque rating

The torque rating is used to measure how much, in degrees, a driver shaft will twist when a player swings the club.

As a rule of thumb, the higher the torque rating, the more prone the shaft is to turn during a swing, and the softer it would feel when gripped by the player.

Also, the lower the torque, the lower the trajectory of shots will be. All shafts, regardless of the flex, weight, or even material, have a certain amount of torque, and it is impossible to get rid of torque in a golf shaft.

Avoid the bandwagon

A brand’s popularity must not be the only consideration on how to select a golf driver shaft. Expensive shafts also do not necessarily mean more quality than less expensive ones.

By taking the time to think about various factors that affect your game profile, such as the ones mentioned above, you can stop guessing and start deciding on which shaft is best for you.

Just like in a shaft’s flex specifications, there is no single best shaft for clubs, even if it is promoted and advertised by professional players and top golf brands.

Each shaft selection should be based on important factors such as the player’s swing speed, height, and comfort.

Consult the fitters

If you want a more precise recommendation on how to select a golf driver shaft that is best for you, consult custom golf fitters.

Not only do they have experts on golf who will give you advice on which shaft is best for you, but they also use technology to analyze your game profile.

They will also teach you how to fit a golf driver shaft. Most players are not fully aware of their own tendencies, preferences, and goals, which lead them to be unsure of the best golf shaft for their clubs.

Custom golf fitters consider almost all the factors involving golf shafts and affecting the player’s performance when they make a recommendation.

How to change golf driver shaft

Now that you have read about what you should consider in selecting golf driver shaft, you may be wondering about how to replace golf driver shaft should you change your mind about which shaft to use.

Here are the steps you need to know about how to change golf driver shaft:

Remove the old shaft by applying heat to the clubhead using a torch to remove the epoxy.
Clean out the hosel by trimming it using a razor knife
Install your new shaft by applying epoxy inside the hosel and let the epoxy cure
Use acetone and a rag to clean up excess epoxy

Final Notes

These tips on how to select a golf driver shaft can help you to avoid guessing on which you should use for your clubs.

Use these tips the next time you ask these questions: “What golf driver shaft is right for me?”, “How long is a golf driver shaft,” “How to replace golf driver shaft?”, and “How to fit a golf driver shaft?”

To ensure that you have the right shaft, you should consider the following factors: