Some might consider the golf shaft to be the “engine” for the whole outfit. Sure, the club head is what actually makes contact with the ball and transfers energy – but where is that energy stored?

In the shaft. The shaft must load and unload efficiently with energy, lose little through transition, and have just the right amount of torque so that the club face is not too open at contact.

Most buying guides will belabor shaft flex and length, and to be fair, those are very important specifications.

But there are others, like these. Take them to heart before you buy golf shafts again.

Kick Point
Kick point is a shaft specification that refers to how high or low on a shaft it feels like it bends through the swing.

Kick point is a closely related shaft specification to shaft flex, but it is not exactly the same. Theoretically, a shaft with a high flex rating could have a mid to low kick point, and a shaft with a low flex rating could still have a high kick point.

Nonetheless, kick point is critical because it is one of the prime determinants of ball flight, specifically the launch profile.

A shaft with a low kick point is generally going to cause higher launch profiles, whereas a shaft with a higher kick point is going to produce lower, flatter launch profiles.

Weight
Weight may not be as important as shaft flex when it comes to suiting your swing mechanics, but it is still something you should take into account.

Namely this: if you are a player with a slower swing speed, extra weight in the shaft is going to complicate your ability to load it with energy. A lighter shaft will enable you to swing faster and drive the ball farther.

On the other end of the spectrum, players with fast, strong swings and tempos may feel as though lighter shafts don’t handle optimally. A little extra weight will also make a shaft more stable.

So, since shaft weight influences swing weight and speed, it is something to consider.

Tip Size and Butt Diameter
These last two specifications won’t influence swing mechanics and performance, per se, but they will influence the construction of an outfit.

Tip size refers to the diameter of the tip portion of the shaft. It’s important to know this because ideally, you want it to be compatible with the ID (inner diameter) of the hosel of your golf club.

As for butt diameter, that refers to the diameter of the shaft at the other end. If you have preferred grips, you’ll want to make sure these two align as well – or you’ll have to change the grips you usually use.

Buy Your Golf Shafts Online at Dallas Golf Company
Before you buy golf shafts again, it’s important to know what clubs and grips you’ll be playing with. If you’re looking to improve your game, you’ll also want to work with a golf club fitter who can teach you a thing or two about your swing mechanics.

Visit Dallas Golf Company either online or in their shop in Texas. They carry a wide range of the industry’s hottest clubs and shafts at competitive prices, plus they have professional fitters on staff that can help you make a pairing. Get in touch with them today at 800-955-9550.

For more information about Fujikura Ventus and Autoflex Golf Shaft Please visit: Dallas Golf Company Inc.