Something that is often overlooked, but still massively important. And, is a decision that can be one that people often struggle to know what the right answer is.
A shaft can make or break your performance with the big stick. So, how do I know which shaft is best to use? Well, we asked Jason MacNiven from custom-fitting specialists, Golf Principles, a few questions to help you get an idea.
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Why is the shaft such an important part of the driver?
“The shaft has to complement what the player is doing. Where they are loading it, what they feel, what they are looking to do. It optimises the energy flow through into the ball. If the shaft is wrong, even with the best head in the world you won’t be efficient or effective.”
There’s so many to chose from and so many different options offered by each brand. How do shafts differ?
“Some launch high, some lower with less spin. It depends on what the player is trying to achieve and what their profile is – some hit it high, some low. It’s about bringing players into that optimal window. The shaft is just as important as the head and the loft and the ball.”
The guessing has really got to stop, if you get it wrong then it’s a really expensive mistake”
How will a wrong shaft feel?
You’ll be very inefficient, the ball won’t go as far as it should and you’ll be hitting it offline. It might feel really dead if the shaft is too heavy or too stiff or it can feel too soft, weak and whippy like a fishing rod. You want the shaft to unload at the point of impact so it feels great when you hit it right out of the middle of the club.
