|
From Jon, golfer: |
|
Hi, I'm 14 years old, got my handicap down
to 7 last season, am 6'2",160 lbs. Will be getting fitted for my
irons in march. Have been told that rifled shafts are what my swing needs.
What's the difference between them and the step shafts? Thanks! |
|
PGA/LPGA
TEACHING
PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSES: |
Arizona
"There is more
consistency in the rifle shaft due to the way it is made, and the better
player is consistent with his swing, so have the equipment that will react
the same way each time."
- Don
Williams, Teaching Professional
|
Arizona
"Jon: I wish I could tell you the difference but I can't,
although I do know who can... allen@hotstixgolf.com
can. Do not settle for imitations." - Frank
O' Connell, Teaching Professional
|
Arizona
"I am not a clubmaker so I cannot answer your question technically.
However, I am a certified club fitter with Dimension Z Golf and I would
recommend that you test the rifle shafts and come to your own conclusion.
The shaft is very important to the performance of a golf club as it
relates to the player who is swinging it and not to be taken lightly.
Recommendations that do not include comparative ball flight observations
could easily lead to and improper fit both in flex and in materials or
design. Find a Dimension Z fitter in your area and get their help. I
recommend this because Dimension Z has the clubmaker to build precisely to
the fitters specs. If you want to talk to the Dimension Z clubmaker about
the technical aspects call Brad Ingerman at 888-271-1889."
- Marc
Silliman, Teaching Professional |
Arizona
"Jon:
To answer your questions about the rifle shafts, the stepped and
stepless shafts are the same. The rifle is designed with steps to created
the playing characteristics, then the steps are smoothed out in the
production process so you don't see the steps even though they are still
there. What makes the rifle different than most steel shaft it is
frequency matched to ensure the consistency of playability.
Rifle is not the only steel shaft that is frequency matched and a matter
of fact any steel shaft can me matched with the proper equipment. What you
need to do is go the a fitting center that has equipment that can measure
your shaft load, launch angle, spin rates, club head speed, ball speed and
height of the ball to determine the best shaft available. Hope this
answers a few of your questions."
- Pam Bailey,
Teaching Professional |
Florida
"Jon: Hit
the different types of shafts and see what you need. If it is your
pro telling you that is what you need then you are probably getting good
advice but make sure by hitting them during your fitting. Also, do it where
you can see the flight of the ball. Not into a net indoors."
- Jim
Kosters, Teaching Professional |
Florida
"Jon, If you're being fitted by someone
in the know, they should be able to explain the difference. A
quote from www.royalprecision.com
states: And the list of Rifle benefits is extensive: tighter shot
dispersion; better control; greater distance with improved accuracy; a
smooth, yet solid feel at impact."
- John Brott, Teaching
Professional
|
Florida
"Jon,
I would strongly recommend that you get fitted by a Henry-Griffitts
certified club-fitter. Rifle shafts are good for some people but are
difficult to frequency match throughout the set and often end up being
too stiff which will often result in a negative swing compensation. At
the very least get a couple of different opinions before ordering new
clubs. Ask the fitter how the new clubs will help you to achieve
your swing goals. At your age it
is critical that you have equipment that will react correctly to a good
swing and not equipment that requires a swing compensation in order to
get an acceptable result. In my experience, 80% of golfers have
ill-fitting equipment and this can hold you back during an important
period in your development as a golfer."
- David
Balbi, Teaching Professional
|
Florida
"Jon: Don't take anybody's advice on what shaft you need. Go to a
qualified fitter who has multiple fitting clubs so that you can try them
in different lengths, flexes, flex points, and materials. Then see if you
are getting center hits with face tape applied to the club as you hit
balls. Rifle shafts are very consistent, frequency matched shafts that
reduce vibration much like sensicore shafts do without the added weight. I
personally like and use the shaft, but only after a proper fitting process
was completed. Similar advice is buy the demo wood you like and do not
order one with the "same specs" if you can. But with irons many
fitting systems are out there that should lead you to a correct fit for
YOU!"
- Joe
Sciortino, Teaching Professional
|
Illinois
"Jon:
you are at an important time in the development of your game. Be sure you
find a good club fitter at a place where you can demo some for the clubs
outside. I am not sure where Baraboo is, but do your research of the
fitters in your area. If you cannot find one, I send all my students to a
gentleman in Lake Forest, IL, just over the Wisconsin / Illinois border.
He has done this for 30 years and I haven't found anybody better, or more
honest than him. I'll be glad to give you his name and number if you are
interested. As far as your question, rifle shafts were designed to act and
feel more like graphite. This was a way for the shaft companies to lay
with the weight of the shaft a well as some for the playing
characteristics. Rifle is an option, what is best for you depends on your
swing and what fits your swing - thus the importance of an honest club
fitter. Be careful, this is an investment so take your time and do it
right. Good luck, let me know of any other fitting questions."
- Brian
Bishop, Teaching Professional
|
Indiana
"Rifle shafts are designed as I
understand it to quickly throw the ball in the air. So if you are
seeking higher ball flight, rifle shafts are for you." - Bruce
Cohen, Teaching Professional
|
Indiana
"The difference between rifled golf shafts and stepped golf shafts is
basically this: first, rifled golf shafts get their rigidity (stiffness)
from a new process which creates a hexagonal inner diameter of the golf
shaft (like a rifle gun barrel). Shafts such as the Dynamic Gold derive
their rigidity from periodic steps, or increases in shaft diameter. The
closer the steps go to the bottom of the shaft, and the closer the
distance between steps, the stiffer the shaft. Second, rifled golf shafts
(on the average) weigh 8-9% less in comparable (the same) flexes. I'm not
sure how a fitter or teacher can state "this player needs to have
rifled golf shafts." The ultimate determinant in shaft fitting and
selection continues to be desired ball flight and flexion of the shaft at
impact (determining the right flex.)"
- Darren
Galgano, Teaching Professional
|
Minnesota
"Rifle shafts may be an option; however do not buy anything until
you have your swing speed checked, and the frequency of you current set
checked. If you can't find someone in your area who can do that, call me."
- Jim
Manthis, Teaching Professional
|
Missouri
"Dear Jon: the rifle shaft will keep the ball lower in its
flight. The rifle shaft will also have more torque in the swing."
- BJ
Miller, Teaching Professional
|
New Jersey
"Dear Jon: I'd kill to have your lanky
swing arch - bet you can hit it a mile! At 14 and still growing you
certainly will benefit from club fitting, but keep in mind that in the
next few years you may need revisions. Seek out a reputable & highly
skilled PGA/LPGA Professional who specializes in clubfitting & ask
their advise. Many times a compromise can be reached- clubs that fit well
enough to keep you progressing in scoring without costing your folks tons
of $$$. Also, be sure your parents are involved as its highly probable
they know where your final growth will lead & this is valuable to a
good clubfitter.
Regarding shafts...it is best to hit everything available (not knowing
their specs if possible) & let the ball flight & your feel tell
you what's best. Best wishes for a great future."
- Bryan Jones, Teaching Professional |
|
North Carolina
"Riffle shafts play about 15 cycles
stronger than step shafts. However don't know which are best for you.
I have a 17 year old about 6' 2 who has been playing all his life.
Been through several different set of clubs. I custom fit and
frequency match shafts to a players swing. Find someone to fit you for
a custom set and guarantee the clubs to perform. If they can't find
someone that can. If I can help in any way let me know. Good
Golfing!"
- Steve
Prueter, Teaching Professional
|
North Carolina
"Jon: You have many choices in shafts for your game. Some
information on rifle shafts is that they are a shock absorbing shaft by
design. There are no step downs in them. They are totally smooth
from tip end to butt end. The design of the shaft is o the inside, where
it is beveled like the inside of a rifle barrel. Hence, the name
rifle shaft. The shaft absorbs the impact immediately and as it goes up
the shaft it lessens, and when it gets to your hands it is gone. There
are flighted rifle shafts that offer another twist, in that they have
different bend points in them. The long irons have low bend points,
enabling the player to get the ball in the air a little easier, the mid
irons have mid bend points, and short irons have high bend points, so that
the ball won't balloon on you. They are a very consistent shaft as they
are frequency matched. Make sure that when you are fitted that you
have your swing speed measured. Try different flexes to make sure that you
have the shaft that gives you the best feel and performance. You
don't want to get the shaft based on the technical data, feel and what the
ball is doing in the air is just as important." - Ben
Hynson, Teaching Professional
|
North Carolina
"I question your use of the rifle shaft for a 14-yr old of
6'2" as it appears you will only get stronger and possibly even need
a little longer shaft which will (along with the rifle shaft) send the
ball higher with a 'less-strong' tip. I'd check your growth and strength
pattern over the last two years and suggest you might wait before getting
custom fit for a set of clubs that next year won't be good for you...and
check the stepped 'dynamic' pattern shaft with its stiffer tip." - Bill
Johnson, Teaching Professional
|
|
Oregon
"Jon: the rifle shaft will get the ball down a little lower for
you. The flex point is higher up toward the handle. May feel a little
more solid at impact. Will dampen the hit more than a regular step down
shaft and less than graphite of sensicore. I am assuming that you have a
high ball flight."
- Penny
Larsen, Teaching Professional |
South Carolina
"Jon: Rather than focus upon differences, I would like to ask the
process by which it was determined that a rifle shaft would fit your
needs? Did you actually hit a rifle shaft yet? And, if so were the lie
angle and the other specs compatible with your swing? If this is not so,
then recommendation from a buddy should fall upon deaf ears. While it
sounds as though steel might best suit you there is no means by which a
professional can determine what one of the hundreds available would suit
your needs without evaluating the cluster result of several shots with
10 of the 13 specs correct. Find a real club fitter. Hope this helps.
Call me if you would like to talk further."
- Michael
Lucas, Teaching Professional
|
Texas
"Jon: rifle shafts have the steps on the inside, rather than
outside. Shafts should be the correct length first and flex second based
on speed and tempo to find the one that gives you the optimum ball
flight (height and distance)." - Mark
Moore, Teaching Professional
|
Texas
"Rifle shafts are supposed to have less torque than step shafts.
I would look on their web site and get more of a detailed explanation.
Being a low handicap, I would try different shafts and find what you
like. The 2 most important considerations a Tour player uses when
selecting clubs are cosmetic looks and feel. Getting clubs is not an
exact science. Your personal preference is important also."
- Randy
Dalton, Teaching Professional |
Texas
"Rifle shafts are a bit more precise on the frequencies and they
tend to produce a higher ball flight because they have no steps. Make
certain to be fit by someone who knows your swing as well as knowing
equipment. Go with the most flexible shaft you can control. Good
luck!"
- Dave Baron, Teaching Professional
|
Wisconsin
"Stepped shafts flex at the steps, a rifle will flex where you
basically make the shaft flex. Callaway has the rifle as their stock
shaft for x-14 pro series irons. Usually, rifle shafts are frequency
matched, which means every shaft in the set flexes at the same frequency
(ex. 6.0, 5.7, etc.). Where as when they are not matched a regular
shaft set may have a 8 iron frequency of 5.7, 3 iron of 6.3, etc. Shafts
are in the range of 5.5 to 6.5 for regulars. Downside of rifles are that
you are not able to work the ball as well."
- Sean English, Teaching Professional
|
Wisconsin
"Jon, the main reason behind the stepless steel shafts is simply
feel. Rifle shafts have a 'softer' feel (less vibration) than other
shafts. However, the Rifle shaft does have different characteristics than
that of a Dynamic Gold shaft. Generally, the Rifle shaft has a mid-high
level kick point meaning trajectory should be a little higher than a
Dynamic Gold. The other major benefit of the Rifle is they are frequency
matched meaning within a set of 8 shafts there are less inconsistencies in
terms of weight, etc. All in all I wouldn't worry too much about the type
of shaft, but be sure the length and flex of shaft is fit properly. In
recent years club fitting has began to change the way shaft length is
fitted for golfers so be sure you actually hit different length shafts and
see the difference."
- Brian
Gadowski, Teaching Professional
|
