Match Your Golf Shaft and Swing Speed for Maximum Distance

The shaft of your golf club has more effect on swing speed, and hence distance, than you might think. The club shaft is not completely rigid but possesses a degree of ‘flex’. This flex has an effect on distance and accuracy, and the golf shaft which is best suited to you is determined by a number of factors such as distance, swing speed, acceleration and the smoothness of your swing.

A Professional Fitter Can Match Your Golf Shaft and Swing Speed

Ideally your shaft and swing speed should be matched, and the best way to do this is to be fitted by a professional. A professional club fitter will determine if you need a stiff shaft or a whippy one from the five general flex ratings available.

Matching your golf shaft and swing speed can ensure that you get not only the maximum possible distance from your swing, but also a good trajectory and the accuracy required to keep your score to a minimum.

If the flexibility of the shaft of your golf club is wrong for your speed of swing, it is likely that the club face will not be square to the ball on impact. This could cause the shot to be off-target, and the loft to be wrong affecting distance.

The Farther You Hit, the Stiffer the Shaft

So how do you match your golf shaft with your swing speed? Basically, the farther your drive, the stiffer your golf shaft can be. If you regularly hit over 250 yards, buy a club with a stiff shaft and use a medium shaft if your drive reaches 200 – 230 yards. Extra stiff is for professionals.

Do Not Try To Be Macho With Your Shaft Flex

If you try to be too macho and play with a shaft which is too stiff for you, you will lose distance and accuracy, and you will achieve the opposite to the effect you are looking for. So don’t buy a golf club with an extra stiff shaft just to boast. Boasting about your shaft frequently comes before a fall! You will suffer because flexibility and swing speed will be mismatched and your club will be wrongly aligned when it reaches the ball.

If your swing speed is taken into account when choosing your driver shaft, you will know that you have done your best to get the maximum distance and accuracy from your new golf club. At least, that is, with respect to the choice of club. There are many other aspects of the game that affect distance and accuracy. Learn even more about how to increase your golf swing speed.