When it comes to golf equipment, most of us club golfers immediately think about the different golf clubs at our disposal. But accomplished players and fitters will tell you that one of the most overlooked, and yet most crucial, aspects of your setup is the shaft.
The shaft influences ball flight, shot accuracy, feel, and consistency. Simply put, the wrong shaft can sabotage even the best swing, while the right one can unlock much-needed performance gains.
This is why top professionals insist on custom shaft fittings, and it is also why shaft manufacturers like KBS design products tailored for all different players. In a game where the minimal details can mean the most, the shaft choice is a detail that can make a world of difference.
Luckily for us all, Rhett Taylor, Marketing Director at KBS, is on hand with these exclusive expert insights into golf club shafts.
“A properly fit shaft matches a player’s swing speed, tempo, and feel preferences, leading to better shot dispersion, consistency, and confidence. ” – Rhett Taylor, KBS
How does the shaft influence ball flight and shot accuracy?
KBS is the only shaft brand to make a shaft for every type of ball flight and spin imaginable per type of player. The golf shaft has a significant impact on ball flight, shot accuracy, and overall performance. The different shaft characteristics golfers should look out for are:
- Shaft flex – How much the shaft bends during the swing
- Shaft Weight – How heavy the shaft is, typically ranging from 40g to 130g
- Shaft Kick Point (or bend point) – The point along the shaft where it bends the most during the swing
- Shaft Torque – The shaft’s resistance to twisting
Can the wrong shaft negatively impact a player’s swing mechanics?
A properly fit shaft matches a player’s swing speed, tempo, and feel preferences, leading to better shot dispersion, consistency, and confidence. So, yes, if a golfer has the wrong shaft, it will impact the mechanics considerably. At KBS, we emphasise fitting or being fit into the proper golf shaft for maximum performance from the club.
Why should we get fitted for shafts rather than choosing based on brand or cost?
KBS is a brand that wants all players to get fit before their purchase. We know this isn’t realistic on a grand scale, we know people will still buy off of brand or cost. So, we also work/partner with every brand in golf from small market cost to big market cost, as well as work/partner with fitting studios worldwide to get our story of fitting out to the masses.
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How do swing speed and tempo factor into selecting the right shaft?
Swing speed and tempo are two of the most critical factors when selecting the right golf shaft, as they directly affect how the shaft loads, unloads, and performs during your swing.
The swing speed is the speed at which the club is swung, typically measured in miles per hour, mph, especially with the driver. The shaft must match the speed to deliver the clubhead to the ball consistently and efficiently. For example, a player with a swing speed of 95 to 105 mph from their driver would most often than not be recommended a stiff shaft. What occurs when golfers don’t have the right shaft?
Well, if the shaft is too soft for the swing speed, golfers will produce shots with a particularly high launch, excessive spin and hooks. On the other hand, if the shaft is too stiff for the swing speed, the strike will have a low launch, loss of distance and fade/slice.
Swing Tempo is the rhythm of the swing: how quickly or smoothly a golfer transitions from backswing to downswing. A fast tempo often indicates a quick transition and aggressive swing. While a smooth tempo means a gradual transition and more fluid movement.
A player with a fast tempo would need a shaft with lower torque and possibly stiffer tip for stability. A stiffer shaft overall helps maintain control during a quick transition.
A player with a smooth tempo can benefit from a more flexible shaft with higher torque for added feel and loading. Too stiff can feel “dead” and reduce performance.
It’s amazing that two golfers with identical swing speeds but different tempos may need different shafts. A smooth-swinging player may need a slightly softer-feeling shaft than a fast-transitioning player at the same speed.
In what ways does shaft flex affect distance and control?
Shaft flex has a direct and significant impact on both distance and control in golf. Finding the correct flex helps you maximise the swing efficiency, while the wrong flex can introduce inconsistency, poor contact and directional issues.
Why do tour pros place so much emphasis on custom shaft selection?
For all the reasons above. They have to be so precise on pretty much every shot, so having exact shafts that fit their swing speed and tempo is paramount, which is why we believe over 300 tour players choose KBS, because we have a shaft in our range to suit every golfer through every club in the bag.
• Created by renowned shaft designer Kim Braly and built from player feedback, KBS Golf Shafts offer the most advanced shaft technology in the industry. To learn more, click here.
• Look out for our upcoming features with KBS that cover every conceivable angle of golf club shafts
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