Constructional Features in Golf Clubs

The shaft in a golf club is a tapered tube usually made of steel or graphite. The shaft is usually 34 -48 inches in length and approximately 0.5 inches in diameter near the grip. The weight of the shaft varies from 45 -150gm depending on the length and material used.

There are a number of ways to quantify. Shaft flex is the most common of them. The shaft flex is the amount of a deflection when placed under a load. A stiffer shaft will bend less and will need more power at point of impact to achieve a higher distance. A more flexible shaft will whip and would need lesser power for more distance on slower swings. If excess power is used, it would flex excessively and would result in an inaccurate strike.

A variety of flexes are made by manufacturers. Most common among these are:

These clubs are sometimes referred as Rescues after the name of a club to use this design.

• A (Soft, Regular, Intermediate or Senior) R (Regular) S (Stiff) X (Extra Stiff) and L (Lady). For an average head speed of 80-94mph, a regular flex shaft is suitable. The S-Flex or X-flex is meant for players with an average swing speed of 100mph. the choice of the flex depends on the individual player.
• A hybrid is a Cross between a wood and an iron which combine the wood's long distance with the iron's swing. Most hybrids take the place of iron. However, the hybrid is easier to hit than the corresponding iron.