What is the correct way to measure a golf club shaft? The correct way to measure a golf club shaft is by laying the club flat on a hard surface with the sole of the club face resting against a wall, and then measuring from the butt end of the grip straight down to the bottom of the soleplate or the point where the sole meets the ground.
Accurate shaft measurement is vital for good golf. It affects distance, control, and overall feel. If your clubs are the wrong length, your game will suffer. This guide shows you simple steps to get precise measurements. We will look at how to check length and other key areas. This helps ensure you have the right golf club specifications.
Basic Shaft Length Measurement Techniques
Measuring the length of your golf club is the first step in ensuring a proper fit. Do not guess this measurement. Precision matters greatly for consistent ball striking. This is often called golf club shaft length measurement.
Tools Needed for Accurate Measurement
You do not need fancy tools for this job. A reliable tape measure is enough.
- Steel Tape Measure: A standard metal tape measure works best. It stays straight when measuring.
- Flat, Hard Surface: A garage floor or a sturdy table works well. This ensures the club stays flat.
- Wall or Vertical Edge: You need something straight to press the club head against.
Step-by-Step Shaft Length Measurement
Follow these steps carefully to measure the full length of the club. This is the industry standard method.
- Position the Club: Place the golf club face down. The toe of the club should point toward the wall.
- Press Against the Wall: Push the sole (bottom) of the club head firmly against the wall. Make sure the heel of the club head is touching the ground. The shaft should lie flat on the floor.
- Measure from the Bottom: Extend your tape measure from the bottom end of the grip (the very top where you hold it).
- Read the Measurement: Read the tape measure where it meets the very bottom of the sole or the point where the sole touches the floor. Record this number clearly.
This measurement is the true playing length of the club. Do this for every club in your bag. Comparing these lengths tells you if your set is progressive correctly.
Checking Shaft Overhang Measurement
Sometimes, people measure the grip differently. The shaft overhang measurement refers to how much shaft sticks out past the end of the grip. This measurement is less common for initial fitting but important for grip replacement.
To check overhang:
- Remove the grip completely.
- Measure the exposed shaft length from the tip of the shaft up to where the grip ends.
- Compare this to the standard specifications for that grip model.
Too much overhang can cause the grip to feel soft or spongy. Too little might mean the grip is pulling the shaft tip too much.
Deciphering Shaft Flex and Frequency Matching
Shaft length is just one piece of the puzzle. The stiffness, or flex, of the shaft is equally critical. Measuring shaft flex is harder than measuring length, but vital for consistent power transfer.
What is Shaft Flex?
Shaft flex dictates how much the shaft bends during the swing.
- Too Stiff: Can cause a fade or slice. You cannot load the shaft correctly.
- Too Flexible: Can cause a pull or hook. The shaft over-bends at impact.
Common flex ratings are Ladies (L), Senior (A), Regular (R), Stiff (S), and Extra Stiff (X).
Frequency Matching Golf Clubs: The Modern Approach
Modern club building relies heavily on frequency matching golf clubs. This method ensures that all your irons feel the same stiffness, regardless of slight differences in shaft length or club head weight.
Frequency is measured in Cycles Per Minute (CPM). A higher CPM means a stiffer shaft.
How to Measure Frequency (CPM)
This requires specific equipment, often found in professional fitting studios.
- Clamp the Shaft: Secure the club shaft horizontally in a specialized clamp. The clamp must hold the shaft at a specific distance from the butt end (usually 1 inch).
- Use a Frequency Meter: A device measures how many times the shaft vibrates per minute when plucked.
- Record the Reading: Note the CPM reading.
Target CPM Ranges (General Guide):
| Flex Designation | Typical CPM Range |
|---|---|
| Ladies (L) | 220 – 235 |
| Senior (A) | 235 – 250 |
| Regular (R) | 250 – 265 |
| Stiff (S) | 265 – 280 |
| Extra Stiff (X) | 280 + |
Consistency is key. A set of irons measured by CPM should have very close numbers, perhaps varying by only 3–5 CPM between clubs. This promotes repeatable ball striking.
Examining Golf Club Tip Stiffness
Tip stiffness impacts the trajectory of the ball. The tip section is the end of the shaft near the club head.
- Stiffer Tip: Tends to keep the ball flight lower. Good for players who struggle with high shots.
- Softer Tip: Tends to launch the ball higher. Good for slower swing speeds needing more lift.
This stiffness is related to the material construction, the taper rate, and how much the shaft bends due to shaft bending moments during the downswing. While hard to measure precisely without specialized equipment measuring torque or bending profiles, understanding its effect is crucial during proper golf club fitting.
Advanced Fitting Parameters: Weight and Torque
Beyond length and flex, weight and torque strongly influence performance. These factors are often assessed during a proper golf club fitting.
Importance of Swing Weight Measurement
Swing weight measurement describes how a club feels when swung. It is not the absolute weight of the club, but how that weight is distributed. It measures the balance point.
A heavy club head or a heavy grip will change the swing weight. Standard measurements use a swing weight scale.
- Lighter Swing Weight (e.g., C9): Feels lighter in the hands, easier to swing fast, often used for woods or drivers.
- Heavier Swing Weight (e.g., D3): Feels heavier in the head, better control for irons, often preferred by stronger players.
If your driver length is adjusted (cut shorter or extended), the swing weight will change. Adjustments using lead tape or changing grip weight can restore the desired swing weight feel.
Torque: Resistance to Twisting
Torque measures the shaft’s resistance to twisting along its length when force is applied to the club head.
- Low Torque: The shaft resists twisting more. This offers a more stable feel and is often preferred by players with fast swing speeds.
- High Torque: The shaft twists more easily. This can provide a softer feel but might lead to less directional control for fast swingers.
Torque values are inherent to the shaft design and material but are less frequently adjusted by fitters than frequency or weight distribution.
Adjusting the Club Head Geometry
Shaft measurement dictates overall club length, but the face angle and lie of the club head also need precise setting. These settings interact with the shaft’s behavior at impact.
Setting Loft and Lie Angle Adjustment
The loft and lie angle adjustment determines where the ball starts and how it travels horizontally.
- Loft: The angle of the club face relative to the ground at address. Affects launch height and distance.
- Lie Angle: The angle between the shaft and the ground when the club is perfectly flat on the turf.
Measuring Lie Angle:
- Place the club on a lie angle machine or a dedicated angle gauge.
- Ensure the club sole is sitting flat on the measuring base.
- Read the angle directly from the gauge against a reference line.
If the lie is too upright (too vertical), the toe points up, often causing the ball to go left (for a right-handed player). If it is too flat (too horizontal), the heel digs in, often causing the ball to go right. Adjusting this angle is crucial after setting the final shaft length, especially for irons.
Importance of Consistent Head Weight
While we focus on the shaft, the head weight influences the overall feel and launch characteristics. If you change the shaft length significantly, you might need to adjust the head weight (using removable weights) to maintain the proper swing weight measurement.
Integrating Measurements for Proper Golf Club Fitting
All these individual measurements must work together during proper golf club fitting. A professional fitter assesses how all components interact.
The Interaction of Length, Flex, and Swing Speed
The most common fitting error involves mismatching shaft length and flex to swing speed.
| Swing Speed (Driver) | Recommended Flex | Length Adjustment Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 75 mph | L or A | May benefit from slightly longer clubs for easier launch. |
| 75 – 90 mph | R or S | Standard length usually works best. |
| Over 90 mph | S or X | May need standard or slightly shorter lengths for better control. |
A shaft that is too long forces the golfer to adjust their posture, often leading to inconsistent strikes. A long club makes the club feel whippier, even if the measured frequency is correct, because the increased shaft lever arm magnifies any bending.
How Shaft Bending Moments Affect Impact
When you swing, inertia creates significant forces, known as shaft bending moments. These moments cause the shaft to bend forward during the downswing.
- The shaft “kicks” forward just before impact.
- This kick adds effective loft and speed at impact.
- If the shaft is too soft for your speed, it over-bends, leading to excessive dynamic loft and a high, weak shot.
By accurately measuring length and frequency, a fitter can select a shaft that manages these bending moments correctly for your specific swing dynamics.
Utilizing Shaft Bend Profile Technology
Advanced fitting centers use specialized machinery to map the shaft profile—how it bends along its entire length. They measure:
- Tip Stiffness: As discussed earlier.
- Mid-Section Stiffness: Affects control through the hitting zone.
- Butt Stiffness: Relates to the feel in the hands.
These profiles, combined with frequency matching, help select shafts with precise golf club tip stiffness characteristics needed for optimal launch and trajectory control.
Maintaining Club Specifications and Re-Measuring
Golf clubs are not impervious to change. Components shift over time, especially grips and ferrules. Regular checks are important.
Grip Changes and Length Recalculation
When a grip is replaced, the overall club length often changes slightly.
- Thicker grips make the club feel shorter and can increase the swing weight measurement slightly (because they add weight to the butt end).
- Thinner grips do the opposite.
Always re-measure the club length after installing a new grip using the standard method described above. If the change exceeds 1/8 inch, you might need to adjust the shaft length slightly to compensate.
Checking Assembly Integrity
The head hosel connection must be tight. A loose head affects feel and changes the effective shaft bending moments. Visually inspect the ferrule (the plastic ring where the shaft meets the head). If it is cracked or has slipped up significantly, the epoxy bond might be failing, requiring professional attention.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I measure shaft flex by just bending it with my hands?
A: No, not accurately. While you can feel if a shaft is very loose or very stiff, hand-bending cannot give you the precise CPM number needed for frequency matching golf clubs. You need a frequency meter for reliable results.
Q: Does the grip material affect the club length measurement?
A: Yes, slightly. The thickness of the grip material impacts the overall length when measured from the butt end. A thicker grip adds length to the measurement, even if the actual shaft length remains the same. Always use the golf club shaft length measurement method where the club is pressed against a wall.
Q: How often should I have my clubs measured and checked?
A: It is wise to check your golf club specifications annually. If you change your swing speed significantly, or after any major repairs or grip changes, re-measure everything, especially length and loft/lie.
Q: What is the difference between measuring shaft length and measuring shaft overhang measurement?
A: Shaft length is the total measurement from the top of the grip to the ground. Shaft overhang measurement specifically looks at the length of the bare shaft protruding past the installed grip, which is important for grip inspection and replacement.
Q: Do driver and iron shaft measurements use the same standards?
A: The length measurement standard is the same (measured off the ground). However, the flex requirements differ greatly. Drivers are often built to a specific length to maximize speed, while irons require precise measuring shaft flex via CPM to ensure consistent gaps between clubs.