Tool: Find the shaft for you

It’s no secret that little standardization exists within the shaft industry. The Shaft Playability Factor rankings help you account for flex, weight, torque, bend point and tip stiffness and find the correct shaft for you. Use this simple tool to take advantage of the most simple and effective shaft selection system in clubmaking!

Now, use this tailored list to select an appropriate shaft at The GolfWorks – online at www.golfworks.com or inside of any Golf Galaxy store and at www.golfgalaxy.com.

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  • 9:26AM - Mar 5, 2010RE: Tool: Find the shaft for you

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    I’m finally going to make my own set of irons. I’m having trouble choosing a shaft.

    I have always played older steel shafts. Analysis on a swing analyzer concluded that I have 105mph driver swingspeed and 85-90 with a 5-iron. I did best with a KBS Tour stiff steel shaft. I tend to hook/draw the ball.

    The problem with the steel iron shafts is I am getting older (45) and have wrist and finger trouble aches and pains (old snowboard/skateboard wrecks). So I’m thinking it may be time to switch to graphite. I have been considering the following in stiff:

    1) Aerotech Steelfiber 95 2) Pro Launch Red iron 3) Aldila NV Comp iron 85 4) Aldila NV Pro iron 105

    I do not mind purchasing a couple to try but not all of them.

    Any thoughts on these shafts for my situation?

    Thanks, Jeff

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  • 8:17AM - Feb 24, 2010RE: Tool: Find the shaft for you

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    • JTG

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    Ralph, Thanks for the reality check on the theory I mentioned. Since you confirmed that it should work, I will probably proceed with it. It seems simple and non-invasive. It would also be easy to undo if it doesn’t work out. I will report back when I have some results.

    Since the shaft needs to be an A flex when it is finished, I will have to start with an L flex due to the 1.5 inches being removed. The complication with this is shafts available in that flex that would be a match. Graphite Design YS5+ or Aura seem to be the only ones with enough weight that also do not have graphics specifically for women. I assume that either is a good shaft, but please comment if you feel otherwise.

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  • 4:04PM - Feb 23, 2010RE: Tool: Find the shaft for you

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    JTG, your making me work some here. The D-5 swingweight will be reduced by approximately 9 swingweight points due to the 1 1/2” reduction in club length. If you reduce the grip weight by 26 grams it will take 4 grams in the butt end to equal a 1 swingweight (2 grams equivalent) increase in the head end. So the grip will gain you approximately 6 1/2 swingweights (9 – 6 1/2 = 2 1/2). So, the original D-5 will end up 2 1/2 swingweights less or a D-2 or D-3.

    Here may be a problem. The jury is still out on the real benefits of using very light grips. Yes, in theory this should work, but the total club weight is really getting down there. If you give this a try please report back here with the hitting results

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  • 2:59PM - Feb 23, 2010RE: Tool: Find the shaft for you

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    showtime, since it was 46” it was probably not tipped. So, cutting it down from 46” stiffens the flex by one (approximately 1 1/2” shorter equals a one flex change). This also equates to reducing the swingweight by 9 swingweight points (3 swingweight points for every 1/2” shorter) meaning some weight needs to be put back into or onto the clubhead.

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  • 8:35PM - Feb 21, 2010RE: Tool: Find the shaft for you

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    • JTG

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    Ralph, I had a typing error for the head weight in my swing weight question. The correct weight is 198 gm.

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  • 8:19PM - Feb 21, 2010RE: Tool: Find the shaft for you

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    • JTG

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    Ralph,

    Thanks for the quick response. This must present quite a challange trying to keep women that need an L flex in an L flex, especially shorter women.

    Swingweight Question when reducing shaft length: Current driver has a 46 inch shaft and a swingweight of D5. Weight distribution is as follows: Head 298 gm, Shaft 50 gm, Grip 51 gm. If this shaft length is reduced by 1 1/2 inches and the grip weight is reduced by 26 gm, if measured on a swing weight scale will the new swingweight be in the D1 ballpark?

    Read your Maltby Playability Factor (Book 1 Irons) last week. Enjoyed the information very much.

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  • 8:15PM - Feb 21, 2010RE: Tool: Find the shaft for you

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    Thanks ralph, last question I was going to cut the shaft down 1/4 inch until i measured the shaft and noticed it was at 44 1/2 inches. It’s a prolaunch blue shaft. I have a swing speed of 108 and smooth tempo. I thought shaft was going to launch to high, but after testing against blueboard 73 i was quite impressed with the problue, particulary the shot dispersion. My driver is a ft9 tour, that i bought used, the previous shaft in it was a matrix shaft, (called callaway with serial number) So i guess im wondering if you think the shaft was tipped? It can’t be tipped more than a 1/2 right? If the shaft was 46” to start with, and now that its been cut the 1/1/2 inches that you talked about in regards to changing the flex, what was the change in flex? Sorry for being confusing, but im rather surprised at the performance of the problue. i had a fujikara 370 that my clubfitter put me in and liked but this pro blue blows that away to…..maybe i just got lucky….any thoughts? And once again thank you

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  • 2:14PM - Feb 21, 2010RE: Tool: Find the shaft for you

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    BKS, Pro Launch Blue is a very good one but around $40.00 a shaft. The G Tech is also a good performing shaft. I don’t like the Irod as well. The best value in a shaft that plays very well is the Distance Master Low Torque at $11.00 each. Again, this is made to our specs at a very high quality graphite shaft manufacturer but it simply does not get the premium price since it is not one of the big name brands. I would try just one shaft first in a #5 or #6 MMB iron and compare it to what you have now.

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  • 2:05PM - Feb 21, 2010RE: Tool: Find the shaft for you

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    JTG, yes.

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  • 12:57AM - Feb 21, 2010RE: Tool: Find the shaft for you

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    • JTG

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    Ralph, When a new driver shaft is listed at 46 inches with a certain flex, is that the flex only if it remains close to 46 inches when installed into the head? If that same shaft is installed and then shortened 1 1/2 inch does it then move to the next stiffer flex category?

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