Club Times Digital - August 2021

GOLF

GOLF

The Complex Movement of a Golf Shaft During the Swing

This becomes problematic because it alters the angle that the club makes with the ground during the swing, known as dynamic lie angle. Altering the dynamic lie angle has a notable effect on the initial direction of a golf shot.

continued By: John Breedlove, PGA Professional

For example, if the club head strikes the ball in the toe down position, the loft of the club will not be perpendicular to the ground causing the shot to fly to the right of the intended target line for a right handed golfer.

In last month’s edition of the club times, we began the discussion about the importance of choosing the right golf shafts for your game. If you have been around the game for the last few years, you have no doubt had someone tell you that it is important to have a professional club fitting, but what you may not have heard is “Why” it’s important. For this reason, we are addressing the complex and dynamic movement that a golf shaft undergoes as forces are exerted upon it during a golf swing. The three primary shaft movements are deflection, droop, and torsion. In the previous edition we discussed shaft deflection, which primarily influences the initial ball speed and trajectory of the shot. In this edition we will take a brief look at “shaft droop” which primarily influences the direction of the golf shot as it leaves the club face. Remember that due to the weight and center of gravity of the club head, the golf shaft is bending in multiple directions during the swing. This bending occurs in the lead/lag or toe up/down directions. Golf “shaft droop” is the bending of the shaft in the “toe down” direction. Shaft droop can be thought of as the downward bending of the shaft when viewing the swing down the line.

The toe down bending of the shaft during the swing and its effect on dynamic lie angle is another example of why it is very important to determine the correct shaft model and flex as well as the correct lie angle for each individual golfer. Working with a professional club fitter to choose the right golf equipment dramatically increases the player’s chance of getting the ball started on their intended line with a good golf swing.

This bending of the shaft occurs as swing speed is increased and the center of gravity of the club head naturally begins to align itself with the centerline of the golf shaft. Generally speaking, the softer the flex of the golf shaft and/or the faster the swing speed, the more the golf shaft will droop.