Driver Shafts

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By Alex G

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  • 6 Replies
  1. Hi All,

    Was wondering if someone would clear up some shaft concerns I have. When buying a shaft what does the spin and launch mean? I assume that the launch is the height of ball flight and spin would be RPM's of the ball, but how does that affect total yardage?

    Correct me if i am wrong,

    much appreciated,

    -Alex

  2. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Launch angle, height, ball back spin, and launch ball speed all impact distance. Between the angle at which you make contact with the ball and your native club head speed, different golfers need different characteristics to where and how much a shaft flexes. Lower spin is not always a good thing. A ball speed of just over 100 mph will need back spin to help maintain loft. Someone like JT with a ball speed in excess of 170 mph needs less spin to minimize ballooning. Club head speed alone is not a primary deterrent of shaft selection. Using devices like a Trackman can dial in your swing characteristics to match to one of the 100s of shafts just in the Titleist matrix.
  3. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military
    You're correct. Launch angle & spin work together and definitely have an effect on total yardage (along with flex). This is why it is so critical to get fit for a driver (actually all clubs). Purchasing the wrong head/shaft combo can produce mediocre results and with the cost of equipment these days, nobody wants mediocre results.
  4. 19hole

    19hole
    Reading, MA

    Launch is the height of the ball trajectory and spin is the RPM of the ball. Ideally, you want a launch angle of between 12°-14°. This is thought to be optimal and a fitter will use the loft of the club and the shaft to get you there. With a driver, you should be trying to get the spin rate under 3000 RPM. Higher spin rates make the ball balloon and you will lose distance. Tour driver spin rates are as low as 2000 RPM. If you can get to 2600-2800 you will be doing great.
  5. Todd S

    Todd S
    Beavercreek, OH

    Based on your swing speed there is an ideal launch angle and spin rate to get the most yardage.
    So to optimize your driver the launch angle and spin rate needs to mach your swing speed.

  6. Every one of these posts above is absolutely correct. But a shaft will not affect spin and launch as much as the head itself (a shaft will change but the head design will change things the most). You need to have the right head (D2 or D3, as well as loft, and Surefit hosel configuration) that's matched with the correct shaft.


    The best description I've heard of a shaft is its used to help with timing. The right shaft will help deliver the head to ball with the most efficient energy transfer and consistency at impact. I'd check out TXG on YouTube. They are making great videos on fitting and breaking the how and the why on all facets of getting the right fitting.
  7. If you know the loft that suits you, get fit on GC Quad. with a shaft that performs at the proper parameters. Ball speed, launch, total spin for most distance & control. Higher spin is good for most average speed golfers to keep ball in the air longer & help with dispersion. Get fitted with your golf ball that you game.

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