Golf tip of the week: Fitting a golf shaft is serious business | News, Sports, Jobs

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When does your golf shaft unload at impact?

It’s a common misconception that clubhead speed is the primary fitting factor, but it’s just one of the factors in the fitting process. Each of the five fitting factors is crucial and should be carefully considered in the fitting process.

1. Shaft weight: Shaft weights range from 45-grams and up.

2. Stiffness: The golfer’s strength determines shaft weight and stiffness.

3. Shaft torque: Slower club speeds require more torque than faster speeds.

4. Shaft flex point: This is a fascinating factor. A lower flex point can significantly increase the launch angle, while a mid to higher flex point can create a lower ball flight. It’s a key element to consider in your fitting process.

5. Most importantly, at what point does the shaft unload in the swing?

It takes a club fitter with a trained eye to properly fit a golf club to a particular golfer. Seventy percent of all golfers have clubs that don’t fit their build and swing characteristics.

Custom-fit clubs can subtract strokes and help you enjoy this great game of golf.

Rick Musselman, golf author and professional, owns Musselman’s Golf in Williamsport.