Choosing the right golf shaft

One of the greatest rewards of being a golf professional is the opportunity to help others improve their golf game.  I have the pleasure of giving advice dealing with the golf swing, rules, putting and equipment.

Recently, a close friend was in need of advice on what type of golf shaft is the best for his game and I hope you`ll learn from the tips I gave him.

Consider the following factors when choosing which golf shaft best suits your game:

* Steel or Graphite shaft? – This must be decided prior to determining the flex of the shaft. The quality of graphite shafts has improved to the point where it has many of the characteristics of steel shafts while maintaining graphite’s greatest benefit – lightness. Thus, graphite shafts can be manufactured to perform as well as steel but weigh several grammes less. This can be very important, especially as we all grow older.

* Leave your ego at the door – Choosing the correct shaft has nothing to do with your ‘machismo’. Trying to be superman can cost you distance, accuracy and even cause injury. The object of the game is to get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible, not to play the stiffest golf club shaft made. Your ego does not count in the score.

* Age – As we get older, our muscle mass peaks then slowly decreases over time. With this in mind, a lighter golf shaft should be considered for those golfers beyond their peak fitness level. This same thought process must be applied to the shaft flex that is chosen. If all factors are equal the shaft flex characteristics are as follows: A stiff-flex shaft will have a lower launch angle, go a shorter distance and have a straighter shot dispersion pattern. A regular-flex shaft will have a higher launch angle, go a longer distance and have a wider shot dispersion pattern.

* Physical limitations – Do you have any injuries that keep you from swinging the club through a full arc? Are you flexible enough to make a full swing? Many times it is not a person’s age that creates limitations on how far they can hit the ball, it is usually the loss of flexibility. So don’t look for the club shaft to cure everything, instead, work toward regaining some of the flexibility you’ve lost over time. The Senior PGA Tour players have done this with great success.

* Level of playing ability – Your handicap is important in determining the proper shaft to choose. A higher handicap golfer should often be using a shaft with more flex to assist with getting the ball up in the air. A lower handicap player may want the stiffer shaft to focus on accuracy more than distance.
These are just a few factors to consider when choosing the proper golf shaft whether deciding to purchase just one golf club or an entire set.

More important than trying to make the decision on your own, you should seek guidance from one of the local PGA Golf Professionals. They are the experts in their field so take advantage of that expertise.
Just as you go to a medical expert – your doctor – when you are ill, choose a golf expert if your golf game needs help. He or she will have the tools necessary to assist in making sure you don’t ‘get the shaft’ when making this important purchase decision.

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The Royal Golf Academy’s Junior Golf Programme gets underway next month with a new six-week series of one-hour classes aimed at creating long-term athletic development and golf improvement. “Youngsters will become engaged in challenging but rewarding physical and mental activities appropriate to their biological age and will gain strength, speed, agility, balance and confidence,” a club spokesman said.

Families can choose to sign up for Friday or Saturday morning classes or Tuesday evening classes, beginning from September 27.
 
The programme costs BD80 per child inclusive of all equipment and is suitable for complete beginners through to those with lots of previous experience.

To reserve a place call the Royal Golf Academy on 17750777.