16 Comments

1. 

   Ted Noel

   Sep 14, 2018 at 9:09 am

   The discussion of shaft weight is solid, but misses the point. Each player, as shown in the discussion, has a “felt weight” that matches his swing. That “felt weight” can be measured as dynamic moment of inertia. If the player hits at his best MOI, he will have the most consistent swing and best probability of center face strikes. If that MOI is measured from a point between the hands (typ about 4″ from the butt), the entire set of clubs can be matched to that MOI and the player will be more consistent throughout the set.

   In the case of the player tested for the video, the middle weight shaft resulted in his best MOI match.

   On a related subject, we need to see fitting discussions related to the real (non-professional) world. I need to better fit my 220-230 yard driver swing, not drool over a 300 yard bomber.

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2. 

   dat

   Sep 13, 2018 at 11:00 am

   It’s mostly snake oil. You need to be a tour caliber player to see any benefits.

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3. 

   pr

   Sep 13, 2018 at 2:30 am

   My girl says it’s always about the girth and heft

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4. 

   CrashTestDummy

   Sep 13, 2018 at 12:17 am

   It is great to test isolated variables to see the affects and how to fit properly. Weight definitely affects the golf swing in terms of tempo. However, I disagree that weight was the root cause the inconsistency with the test results. To me, it was the torque that caused most of the inconsistency in the dispersion of the groupings.

   The guy on the right thinks that torque is only a “feel” variable and doesn’t think torque affects the dispersion because impact is too short of time frame for the club to twist to cause an off line shot. I totally disagree because twisting of shaft does not just occur at impact. Twisting of the shaft occurs throughout the golf swing. So, throughout the golf swing the clubhead will be twisting depending on the player’s golf swing. Therefore, the clubhead could be off a few degrees off at impact because the clubhead was twisting on the downswing.

   Generally speaking, the higher the torque will cause a strong swinger to spray shots more than a tighter lower torque shaft. To me, there is generally a sweet spot for a torque for each player depending on how much player influences a shaft. Torque definitely affect dispersion.

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   • 

     stevet

     Sep 13, 2018 at 1:46 pm

     The clubhead not only twists the shaft, the shaft tip “droops” so the clubhead CG aligns with the shaft axis. This closes the driver club face for impact. During impact the clubhead kicks back for a few microseconds before it launches the ball. Shaft flex is complex.

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     • 

       CrashTestDummy

       Sep 13, 2018 at 9:57 pm

       Shaft flex is complex because there is so much variation in flex patterns. However, I would bet if you compared a same weight shaft to the one in the test (where he was spraying his shots) with another shaft that has around a point lower torque, the dispersion would be tighter. I have done that test several times over the years. I truly believe there is still a torque sweet spot for players that enables them to release the club more squarely through impact.

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5. 

   Gary

   Sep 12, 2018 at 7:02 pm

   These guys are the best fitters period. Watch there videos. Hi Im 66 and 85-90 mph and for my quick tempo swing i play a 330 gram driver, 64 stiff diamana r series midsize grip callaway fudion head 10.5 with 14 gram weight at 45 and st club championi tried everything head snd shaft and nothing beat it. Lighter is not faster for quick swing. For je weight anf torque first.

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   • 

     stevet

     Sep 13, 2018 at 1:54 pm

     330 gram driver must be total weight because driver heads are in the 200 gram weights. You are correct that how you load your shaft is more important than shaft weight.

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6. 

   Travis

   Sep 12, 2018 at 2:42 pm

   Not as much as a good or bad swing matters…

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7. 

   2putttom

   Sep 12, 2018 at 1:27 pm

   oh you betchya it matters

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8. 

   EE

   Sep 12, 2018 at 1:06 pm

   Do shaft weight and torque matter?
   Yes they do

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9. 

   Wade

   Sep 12, 2018 at 12:57 pm

   Have you ever done any testing with multiple versions of the same shaft to see differences in manufacturing?

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10. 

    Judah Aderhold

    Sep 12, 2018 at 11:59 am

    Those cpm ratings are all just measured at one spot right? Cause couldn’t the shafts have different stiffnesses (cpm ratings) throughout the rest of the shaft even though they all are the same stiffness in that spot?

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11. 

    joe virdone

    Sep 12, 2018 at 9:33 am

    Good stuff. How do you look at fitting a slower swinger…I’m 74, play the Epic Star and am always looking for more distance. My carry distance is ~ 220 yds, relatively high ball flight. Swing speed in ~85-90 mph. Always thought r flex, lighter shaft and relatively high torque. Does this match with your studies? Thanks…/JV

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    • 

      Steve McIvor

      Sep 12, 2018 at 6:58 pm

      Hi Joe, it sounds like if you’re swinging it at 85-90 and getting 220 carry, you’re doing pretty well. Realistically, it will be pretty difficult to get much more out of it. Especially by playing about with shafts. At the end of the day, club head is the most important thing. Don’t let anyone tell you different.

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    • 

      stevet

      Sep 13, 2018 at 1:50 pm

      What is your driver face loft? 10º? 12º? 14º? You may get more distance with higher lofts to match your lower swing speed.

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