1. Understanding Torque in Golf Shafts
2. Comparing Torque in Steel and Graphite Shafts
3. Fitting Considerations for Graphite Shafts
4. Conclusion on Torque and Golf Shafts
Is torque something the average golfer needs to consider when selecting clubs? Torque is a crucial concept in understanding how golf shafts function during a swing. This article will delve into the impact of torque on shaft performance, particularly the differences between steel and graphite shafts, and what this means for golfers when choosing their clubs.
Understanding Torque in Golf Shafts
“Torque” refers to the tendency of golf shafts to twist during the swing. All types of shafts, whether steel or graphite, exhibit torque, which is measured in degrees. A high-torque shaft twists more than a low-torque shaft.
In practical terms, some shafts resist twisting better than others. A shaft with a lower torque rating is less prone to twisting, while a shaft with a higher torque rating exhibits more twisting under similar conditions.
The dynamics of a golfer’s swing, combined with the forces applied by the clubhead, create conditions that lead to twisting—an inherent aspect of the golf swing.
Now, is shaft torque something that average golfers need to worry about? Here are some important considerations:
- A strong golfer using shafts with a high torque rating might experience shots that veer towards a fade.
- A smooth swinger with shafts that have a low torque rating may find the impact feel unsatisfactory and the shot trajectory too low.
However, as Tom Wishon, a golf club designer and founder of Tom Wishon Golf Technology, points out, “Torque will never be a factor to worry about in the shaft fitting.” For golfers who do need to consider torque, it’s primarily relevant for graphite shafts rather than steel shafts.
Comparing Torque in Steel and Graphite Shafts
In steel shafts, the uniformity of the material leads to torque existing within a narrow range of degrees, significantly less variable than that found in graphite shafts.
Graphite shafts, on the other hand, can be constructed from a diverse array of graphite fiber strengths, stiffness, and placement along the shaft. Consequently, the torque in graphite shafts can range from as high as 7 or 8 degrees down to as low as 1 degree, whereas steel shafts typically range just above 2 degrees to just below 4 degrees.
Therefore, torque is not something golfers need to stress over when selecting a steel shaft, but it becomes a more considerable factor when choosing a graphite shaft.
Fitting Considerations for Graphite Shafts
Fortunately, the implications of torque in graphite shafts are not overwhelmingly critical. Generally, a powerful golfer with an aggressive swing tempo and a late release should seek a graphite shaft with a torque rating no higher than 4 to 4.5 degrees. Exceeding this torque limit may result in excessive twisting, leading to an open clubface at impact and potential shots that hang or fade right (for a right-handed golfer).
Conversely, if a golfer possesses a smooth, rhythmic swing, avoiding shafts with torque below 3.5 degrees is recommended. Utilizing lower torque shafts may yield an impact feel that is stiff, harsh, and insufficiently solid, alongside a trajectory that could be too low.
Conclusion on Torque and Golf Shafts
Ultimately, for most golfers, as long as the torque of a graphite shaft falls between 3.5 and 5.5 degrees—a range typical for most contemporary graphite shafts—torque will not be a substantial concern in club fitting.
