HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR IDEAL DRIVER SHAFT WEIGHT?

How do you go about getting the correct driver shaft weight?

It goes without saying the best option is a decent custom fitting session with a proper club expert like Jason Macniven (and a launch monitor) to understand how you launch drives into the air. But for any golfers who insist on selfmedicating there are things you can do to help.

Feel the difference

Macniven says: “Hit a light, mid and heavyweight shaft so you can feel the difference and gauge how different the results are. If light is good for you, you’ll feel the shaft is lively and responsive. If it’s too heavy, you’re likely to feel it’s hard work getting the club going and get the sensation you need your best swing to get decent results.”

Look at...

Which shaft weight gives the most consistently centred strike (often using a shorter driver shaft can help with this), the most club/ball speed and which gives the best dispersion.

Be prepared to give something up

Golfers can gain distance through a proper shaft weight fitting, but it might be at the expense of dispersion, or vice versa. The decision has to be driven by the player, not the fitter, so be honest about what ultimately you’re trying to achieve.

Once you’ve found your weight, dig into balance points

Potentially counter-balanced shafts can create more speed; they’re heavier at the grip end and lighter at the head, but not all golfers gain, as some lose the sensation of where the clubhead is. Macniven adds: “For some, the hammer idea, where the head is heavier and you get more smash (like some of the long drive guys), is better. But it’s all about unlocking a golfer’s swing DNA characteristics, it’s not one size fits all.”