Tuesday, January 23, 2018

What is torque in golf shafts?


     Torque is the property of golf shafts that resists twisting during a golf swing. The fact that the shaft attaches to the heel end of the golf club means all the club head weight is in front of the shaft. During the golf swing because of the weights location a twisting force is exerted on the shaft.

     Torque is measured in degrees. The lower the number is better the shaft resists twisting.The range on today's graphite shafts can be as high as 7 degrees and as low as 1 degree. A steel shaft's range, because of the material, is much narrower - a little more than 2 degrees to just under 4 degrees.

     The reason that torque is not a critical fitting factor today is because shaft makers design the torque of their shafts to coincide with the flex. Because a strong player with an aggressive tempo creates more twisting force on the shaft you rarely see S and X flex shafts with torque higher than 4 degrees. With R, A and L flex shafts are designed with higher degrees of torque because a slower swinger exerts less twisting force on the shaft.

    In summary for most players torque is not a factor to be concerned with in shaft fitting. For those who's swings warrant consideration of shaft torque it will apply only to graphite shafts and not steel.


     

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Clubhead Speed Versus Headweight

     A reader sent in a question about headweight and how it affects distance. This is a great question and one that has stirred debate in the golf industry for years. Most people would agree that a lighter club would be better, but if you look closer that answer would need to be qualified.

     A typical driver today is 45 1/2 inches long, has a headweight of 200 grams and a swing weight of D-1. If swung around 100 mph the ball leaves at about 145 mph and carries a little over 245 yards. If you could swing a heavier club at the same 100 mph the ball would not go proportionately faster and  farther. A 400 gram head (twice the normal weight) swung at 100 mph would send the ball at 160 mph. It has also been shown that lightening the head does not substantially increase distance. As the clubhead is lightened a player can swing only slightly faster. 

    As a result we can say there are a wide range of weights and will usually produce the same length for a particular player. As the clubhead gets lighter (less mass) the swing speed increases and as the clubhead gets heavier (more mass) the swing speed decreases. Both of these produce approximately the same distance.

     Engineers and club manufacturers test a multitude of weight combinations to produce a club that maximizes distance. An experienced clubfitter will then customize the specifications - shaft weight, shaft flex and swing weight - based on each player's swing characteristics.   

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Nashville Golf Show

      The 2nd Annual Nashville Golf Show is February 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 2018 at the Music City Convention Center. The show hours are Friday, Noon - 6 PM, Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM and Sunday, 10 AM - 3 PM.
      I will be there each day to help attendees with their golf swings as well as their golf equipment. 
My station ( located at the hitting net ) will include a launch monitor, video camera, shaft frequency meter and fitting clubs to assist players.
      If you would like to reserve a time with me during the show please send an email to stevejkirkpatrick@comcast.net or call Golf Rx at 615 288-4539. Feel free to bring your driver or 7 iron with you. 
     For more information visit www.nashvillegolfshow.com