It’s not quite as simple as getting out on the course and playing. Just as hikers scaling the Malaga mountains need perfectly fitting boots, golfers need the right set of clubs. Only there are more types of clubs than you might perhaps imagine. Choosing the right one for you depends on your swing, and a range of other factors. One of the most important elements in the club is the shaft. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this part of the club and how to find the perfect one for you.
Analyse your swing before you buy
A good swing is central to the game of golf. Your swing will have an impact on which club you use, and consequently, the shaft: the part between the grip (the shaft is either inserted into the grip or the grip envelops the shaft) and the clubhead. Before selecting the shaft of your club, you therefore need to bear in mind the level of your game, the speed of your swing and your fitness levels.
Your height will be an important factor in selecting the length of the shaft, in addition to the lie, the angle between the shaft and the clubhead. If you are a senior and are starting to lose some distance, a lighter and more flexible shaft may enable you to keep achieving a good swing. It is always a good idea to get a fitting to make sure you are playing with the right shafts for you and your level. In the Costa del Sol, many of the golf courses offer this specialist service at their academies. All of the factors that influence your swing will also have an impact on the club and shaft you should be using. You will also have to consider different options when it comes to material and size, depending on your size and physical characteristics.
The best advice we can offer at this point? Before buying your own clubs, hire some in any of the academies housed in the over 70 golf courses in the Costa del Sol. The reason for this is simple: to analyse your swing before purchasing your own clubs. The instructors at the academies will be able to offer guidance about which type of clubs you need, only by watching you play.
Evaluate weight and materials
There are different sizes and materials of shafts available. Once you’ve analysed your swing, you should then go on to consider which type of material is most suited to you:
- Graphite shafts: if your rotation movement is relaxed and slow, you can opt for a graphite shaft, which is light and will give your swing more distance. Carbon-fibre shafts also exist, which are similar to graphite shafts.
- Steel shafts: on the other hand, if your swing is fast, you will need a steel shaft, which is more stiffer and will bring more accuracy to your swing.
As you can see, there is a basic difference when it comes to choosing material: if you are looking for greater precision, a steel shaft is for you; if you are working on your distance, a light graphite shaft will help you achieve that. Nevertheless, this advice should only be taken as a rule of thumb: the choice of material depends not only on your type of swing, but also on each particular shot.
Additionally, constant modernisations and improvements mean that you can currently find graphite shafts with a similar weight to steel shafts. The choice will depend on your swing and the shaft you feel most comfortable with, in addition to price (which varies between brands and whether the shaft is handmade or not).
Strength and accuracy depend on flex
A successful swing aims to impart the strength of the movement onto the ball. Shafts play a fundamental role in this process. If you are an amateur golfer playing an approach shot, you will not use the same club as a pro player in a long shot. While different brands may have different lines - there is no fixed standard - general flex ratings are as follows:
- Lady: this shaft reaches up to 110 cycles per minute and is used by amateur female players whose swing speed is medium / low.
- Senior: heavier than the former, senior shafts can reach up to 130 cycles per minute and are commonly used by players with a low swing speed.
- Regular: regular shafts are recommended for average level male amateur players, offering a level of stiffness that lies in the middle of this classification.
- Firm: slightly more stiff than regulars, firm shafts are ideal for amateurs with a fast swing or professional women, who are looking for greater accuracy.
- Stiff: principally used by pros, stiff shafts (extra stiff also exist) are designed to give golfers with very fast swings greater accuracy. As a general rule, the more knowledge, skills and experience a player has, the higher up this classification they will be.
Torque and flex point: two additional factors
There are a final two factors that you should take into account when selecting your shaft: torque and flex point. Both of these are related to everything we have discussed above, namely your swing and the weight, material and flex of the shaft.
- The flex point is the spot on the shaft that bends the most when you hit the ball. The faster your swing, the higher up the shaft this point will be. Professional players therefore prefer shafts with a higher flex point, which will guarantee greater accuracy, while new players will opt for a lower flex point.
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Torque measures how much the shaft twists. Generally speaking, less torque means greater accuracy, and vice versa. If you have a fast swing, your torque should be low.
To sum up, we can say that there are many and diverse factors that go into choosing the right golf shaft for you. The best advice is to try out different options and, if possible, get help from a professional. While it is generally true that the more experienced the player, the more stiff, fast and heavy the golf shaft will be, this is not always the case and care needs to be taken. The height and size of the player also play an important role.
If, having read this post, you are interested in starting your golf journey, you can hire clubs and analyse your swing at any of the academies in the Costa del Golf. Some centres even offer a fitting service, in which your swing will be analysed to assist you in choosing the right clubs for purchase.
If, on the other hand, you are an experienced player looking to update your set, once you’ve purchased your 14 clubs with their corresponding shafts, the province of Malaga offers you the finest courses in Europe to enjoy. What are you waiting for? Start planning your next golf getaway today.
