Selecting The Proper Shaft For Your Game – Shaft Flex

Hello Golf Circuit Fans!

I’m back with another blog post to help you get the most out of your game, and today I am kicking off a series of posts on a popular topic in the equipment world today – shaft fitting.  The new interchangeable shaft technology that manufacturers like TaylorMade, Callaway, Nike, and now Ping have introduced makes it a snap to alter the performance of your driver.

When it comes to selecting the proper shaft there are a few elements that every golfer should be aware of to ensure maximum performance for their unique swing – flex, weight, and torque.  In the first edition of my series on shaft fitting I want to focus on shaft flex.

Shaft flex has a significant bearing on performance.  Most graphite shaft manufacturers engineer their shafts in multiple flexes which refer to how easily the shaft bends during the swing, including the following:

• “A-Flex” or “Soft-R” are often designated as mens senior flexes (“A” originally referred to amateur).  These can also be great for strong juniors or ladies with higher swing speeds, and also for men with extremely smooth swings.

• “R-Flex” is designated as a mens regular flex, but can also be great for ladies with strong or quick swings.

• “S-Flex” is designated as a mens stiff flex.

• “X-Flex” or “Tour-S” are mens extra stiff flex.  These shafts are most often reserved for expert players, but they can be great for stronger men who have extremely quick swings.

• “L-Flex” is designated as a ladies regular flex but can also be great for seniors with slower swing speeds.

Golfers should be aware that selecting a shaft which is too flexible for their swing will likely cause a wild shot pattern and unpredictable ball flight.  While a small boost in distance may result from a shaft that is too soft or flexible, the benefit is usually outweighed by the loss of directional control.  On the other hand, when golfers select a shaft that is too stiff they will likely experience enhanced control but a significant loss in distance.

Golfers can also utilize these different flex properties to match various courses and playing conditions.  A stiffer shaft may be better suited for a tight short course or windy conditions, while a softer shaft might be better suited to a wide open course in calm conditions.

Keeping these ideas in mind should help you find the right shaft(s) for your game and get the most out of today’s modern driver technology.  Stay tuned because next time we will be focusing in on another element of proper shaft fitting – shaft weight.

Until then keep it in the short stuff!

Your Friend,

James

Golf Circuit PGA Professional

Click Here ====> Check out Golf Circuit’s Great Selection of Interchangeable Shafts

 

Lower Your Scores With Properly Fit Wedges

Hello Golf Circuit Followers!

My name is James and I am the resident PGA Teaching Pro here at Golf Circuit.  I’ll be posting tips here on our blog to help you get the most out of your game, and today I want to talk a little bit about your wedges.  There are two basic elements that affect the performance of your wedges, and ensuring that you have both fit to match your game can really help you lower your scores!

Loft:  Most pitching wedges have between 46 and 48 degrees of loft, and the gap in loft between irons is usually 4 or 5 degrees.  This gap, plus the change in length, is what causes irons to carry different distances.  Knowing the loft on your pitching wedge can help you select the proper wedges for your game.  If your pitching wedge has 46 degrees of loft, the next step down would be a 50 degree gap wedge, and then a 54 or 56 degree sand wedge, and then a 58 or 60 degree lob wedge.  Having the right lofts on your wedges makes it easy to hit variety of different shots without having to adjust your swing too much.

Bounce:  There is another angle called bounce that directly affects the performance of your wedges.  Bounce is the angle between the leading edge of your wedge and the turf and it’s usually between 8 and 14 degrees.  The higher the bounce the greater the distance between the leading edge and the turf or the sand.  High bounce wedges are great for players that take large divots, those playing in wet conditions, or those playing from fluffy sand.  Low bounce wedges are great for those who take little or no divot, those playing in hard pan conditions, or those playing from hard sand.

The easiest way to start building a set of wedges that fits your game is to have your pro measure your pitching wedge loft.  That will help you determine exactly what wedges you should be shopping for to minimize distance gaps.  Also, keep in mind the playing conditions at your local course(s) when selecting bounce to maximize your performance around the green.

 

From Tee to Green,

James

 

 P.S. Don’t forget to check out Golf Circuit’s great selection of wedges!  Click Here! <=======

 

 

 

6 Quick Tips for Smart Chipping

BY GEOFF GREIG

1. Hit down to get it up and down.
Trying to scoop or lift the golf ball leads to inconsistent ball striking and poor distance control. Strive for a descending blow on all chip shots. Place the ball in middle or back of your stance to insure the club head strikes the ball before it strikes the ground.

2. Keep your weight left to hit it (correctly) right.
Setting up with your weight on your left foot and keeping it there throughout the shot makes it much easier to hit down on the ball consistently. Try hitting a few chips standing on your left foot only to feel a proper descending blow.

3. For simplicity chip like you putt.
A proper chip is merely a putt that travels in the air for part of the distance. The basics of putting and chipping are the same: pendulum motion, straight back straight through and no wrists. Let the lofted club and weight on the left foot take care of getting the ball airborne you should focus on a simple putting like motion.

4. Vary the backswing length to vary the distance.
Strive for consistent acceleration on the downswing and let the length of the backswing control the distance of the shot. Because the backswing happens at a slower pace it easier to make changes there as opposed to the downswing.

5. Pause for perfection.
Because the chipping motion is an abbreviated one we have a tendency to rush the pace of the swing. A brief pause between the backswing and the downswing will help keep the tempo smooth and insure acceleration through the ball.

6. Pick a precise landing spot.
Distance control is the key to good chipping. Learn the ratio of flight to roll of your favorite chipping clubs so you can pick an accurate landing spot for each chip. Precise focus leads to better results.

Every time you get a bucket of balls use a few of them for chipping practice, your scores will thank you.

5 Step Pre Golf Shot Routine

Pre-Shot Routine

BY GEOFF GREIG

1. LINE UP YOUR TARGET
Pick a precise target for every shot. Stand behind the ball and find an intermediate target three to six inches in front of the ball on the target line. Once you have determined your intermediate target, visualize the golf ball flying or rolling to your target. Strong visualization skills lead to strong golf shots.

2. SQUARE THE CLUBFACE
The clubface is the only thing that touches the golf ball so it should be squared before anything else. Without taking your grip on the club, lay the clubface down so the leading edge is 90 degrees to your target line and it is soled flat on the ground. Use the intermediate target to determine the target line. It is much easier to be consistently accurate using a close by target as opposed to a far away target.

3. GRIP THE CLUB
Making sure the clubface does not move, take your grip. Set your left hand first then your right. Your swing will be much more efficient if both hands are parallel to each other and to the leading edge of the clubface. Double check to make sure the clubface is still square.

4. TAKE YOUR STANCE
Align your shoulders, hips and feet parallel to your target line. Center your weight between the balls of your feet and your heels. Your arms should be hanging vertically from your shoulders and they should be completely free of tension.

5. RESIGHT, RELAX, FIRE
Visualize the target spot and ball flight, relax your muscles and swing. The longer you take to complete this step the worse your chances become to produce a good shot. Do not allow excess thoughts to creep into your mind. Once you get to this step, focus on the target and pull the trigger. The longer you stand over the golf ball without swinging the tenser your body becomes.

Personalize this routine and use it on every shot. It should only take 10 to 15 seconds and it will make a tremendous difference in your game.