Often I get the question from fitters about how to select the right shaft weight for a player. There’s definitely some art and some science to it, but in the end, a fitter needs to draw on his experience. For this discussion, let’s start with iron shafts and next week, we can explore wood shafts.

To start, let’s look at the history of the shaft over the last 50 or so years. Dynamic Gold became the shaft of choice for, well… everyone. For 20 years, we all played a 130 gram steel shaft. Tour players, beginners, juniors, everyone. There were exceptions of course – like the Ping Cushin shaft or the Apex 4 shaft from Hogan, but, for the most part it was Dynamic Gold – unless you had a need for something lighter and your pro suggested graphite. Graphite in those days was not good. If someone said you need graphite shafts, it was like stopping short of saying “or learn to play tennis, or buy a boat or enjoy family picnics on the weekends”. Graphite was a last ditch effort to keep playing golf. Then, something happened. In the mid 90’s, graphite shaft companies started to figure out that they could use the material to their advantage and make shafts that were specifically targeted at certain player types (women and seniors). The stigma became if you want consistency, play steel. If you want lightweight, play graphite. That largely still exists today – however inaccurate it is. 

In the mid 2000’s, Shaft companies started to explore each other’s niche markets and crossover started to happen – graphite shafts started to have the weight and consistency of steel, and steel shafts started to have the light weight, easy launch characteristics of graphite. Bottom line is a player can choose either material and he can get a shaft that is perfect for him.

On to weight selection of a shaft. Did you ever wonder how a driver shaft relates to an iron shaft in terms of weight? Fortunately, there is a relationship between the ideal weights for a player. Here’s an easy starting guide for you: 

If a player loves his driver shaft, double it’s weight and subtract a little (5 -15 grams) and that’s the weight of his iron shaft. If he loves his iron shaft, cut it in half and add a little (5-10 grams). Say he loves his 65 gram driver shaft (and hits it well) – double it (130 grams) and subtract a little. I’d start him in a 115 – 120 gram shaft. He plays Dynamic Gold in his irons – I’d look at 70 gram driver shafts. 

For FW Woods, typically, we add 10 grams from the driver weight, then add another 10 grams for hybrid. UNLESS, the player is a slower swing speed player, then we keep it the same (women and possible a senior player).

As you progress, you can get closer to the feel he likes too. Base his iron shaft off his driver shaft of choice. Say he likes a Diamana or Ventus Blue – try him in a Elevate or Nippon Modus. Say he like Hrzdus Black or Ventus Black – try him in Dynamic Gold. The more you tinker, the more you’ll find similar combinations. The best thing you can do is grab a few clubs and hit them. WRITE Down your perceptions. This one feels soft, this one feels hard. This one launches low, this one high. When you fit a player and he likes something, you might just have an easy answer. Not familiar with what he has? Ask him if you can take a swing with it… Ahhh. This one feels like XYZ shaft. Here, try this iron shaft. Your feel can help you fit someone else!!

What will a weight change in a shaft do? Obviously, a lighter shaft will allow a player to swing the club faster. Typically, a heavier club will help the player hit it straighter. Our goal is to find the sweet spot. What is the lightest shaft he can hit straight?

If a player slices the ball, our instinct might be to try a lighter shaft because we think he can’t get through the shot. This isn’t always the case. We have to look at a player individually and decide. Say he’s 85 MPH with a 7 iron. Ask yourself if he looks like he can handle the flex. Chances are, he can. Next, look at his path (and face). Chances are both are left. If you try a heavier shaft and he still slices it, but slices it less, check his path again. Chances are it’s less left. This means he needs MORE weight and he is trying to muscle the club because he doesn’t feel enough weight. Heavier will help him stay on path. Go up in 10 gram increments until you find the right one. Heavier generally helps a hook too. 

Shafts in general have gotten too light over the years in my opinion. as we chase distance, we need lighter to increase clubhead speed. This comes at a cost of not being able to swing it as well or as consistently for some players. Don’t be afraid to try heavier shafts. On the other hand, some players will benefit greatly from a lighter weight shaft. We try to start every player we think will fit in steel in a 95 gram shaft unless we see something in their current set that we really like. From 95 grams, we have options. We have heavier and lighter. Look at the 95 gram set up and see if he hits it straight and in balance. Check his swing data, then progress heavier or lighter as needed. Once you find the magic weight, you can fiddle with similar options from multiple companies. Each company has different flavors in each weight class. One of them will be the one for that player. Be patient. You’ll find it. Remember he doesn’t have an unlimited number of swings. Give him 3 or 4 with each shaft. Make a decision and move on or wrap it up. 

Hope this helps. Until next time – happy fitting!!