TYPES OF GOLF SHAFTS for 2021

Last Updated on March 1, 2021 by Joas Root

All golfers do not play the same way. Perhaps this reason that there are various shaft types to meet people’s individual needs.

Depending on how much experience you have playing, and how good you are, your shaft can be either too flexible or too stiff.

Therefore, knowing the kind of gold shaft that suits you is a good starting point for picking a shaft you can enjoy playing with.

Here, you’ll see the major golf shaft types and find out what makes each one unique. 

Two Major Types of Golf Shafts 

There exist two major types of shaft:

• The steel Shaft and

• The graphite shaft

• However, there are other types. The third type, for example, is a combination of the two aforementioned shaft types, hence its name Multi-material shaft.

Below is a breakdown of what each of these shaft types is and how they differ.

• Graphite shafts 

Graphite golf shafts are lighter in weight than steel shafts. They weigh only about 50 to 85 grams. The result of this is that the player gets more swing speed and distance.

Yet, these shafts are less durable and more costly. The shaft became quite popular among amateurs for the singular reason that it is lightweight and, consequently, allows the player to generate high speed.

For this, the shaft, unfortunately, sacrifices its accuracy. 

Interestingly, graphite shafts are more suitable for women and seniors’ golfers, though anyone else can still use it.

You see, the lightweight nature helps those who do not have so much swing speed to play the game well. They’re easier to swing for someone who has hand, arm, or shoulder problems.

Graphite shafts are beneficial to players with slow swing tempos too. However, because the shaft comes with many flexes and colors, both amateurs and professionals will love it.

• Steel Shaft

As the name implies, a steel shaft is made of steel. This type of shaft is not only heavier than graphite shaft, but it is also more durable and not as expensive.

Most times, steel shafts are carved from carbon steel and at other times, from stainless steel.

Meanwhile, a typical steel shaft weighs from 90kg to 120kg.

Steel shafts are mostly used by professionals. Professionals love using this kind of shaft because of the feedback it gives.

When you use this shaft, you tend to get more control over your shots. Besides, unlike graphite shafts, steel shafts offer more emphasis on accuracy than it does on distance.

Therefore, if you must achieve more distance, you need to swing the shaft faster.

Steel shafts are perfect for players with ordinary swing speeds because they will give you some additional control as you play.

Other Types of Golf Shaft

• Multi-material shaft

Multi-material shafts are merely a combination of the two primary kinds of shafts. Because of this, the player can do different things with it.

This shaft is designed such that the tip is made of graphite while the shaft itself is steel.

Naturally, the Steel offers sturdiness and reliability and will help players control the flight of their ball better.

Meanwhile, the graphite tip is just perfect for whipping the ball and achieving more distance than a steel shaft tip will give. Besides, this tip also removes unnecessary vibrations when you hit the ball. 

• Nanofuse Shafts

Nanofuse shafts are not exactly steel, however, they are metallic. A Nanofuse shaft combines carbon fiber with nanocrystalline alloy.

This kind of shaft offers an advantage because while it provides the sort of consistency that a steel shaft would typically give, it also provides distance shots just like graphite shafts.

How are manufacturers able to achieve this? The NanoFuse material has a tiny and snug grain structure.

This structure is what improves the strength of the material so much such that the shaft’s weight reduces but not the strength.

• Titanium Shafts

Titanium shafts have only recently found their way to the market, so you can say they’re somewhat new.

One of the most obvious things about this shaft type is that it is lightweight, being more lightweight than steel clubs.

Additionally, it can stop vibrations, though many people think this makes the shaft feel rather stiff. 

Graphite Shaft Vs. Steel Shaft: A Beginner’s Guide check this article.

Conclusion

When choosing a shaft, there are many other things that you need to consider. For example, the torque, shaft length, flexibility and the like.

Though, if you wish to hit your ball further, then you need a lighter-weight shaft. However, if you’re struggling with hitting the ball with more accuracy, you should use a heavier or stiffer shaft.