The golf shaft connects the club head to the grip and it also distributes the power of your swing from your hands to the club face. Golf shafts possess several key properties that can affect the distance, trajectory and accuracy of your shots, including the flex point or kick point, which is a measure of how much and where the club will bend once the ball is struck.
Significance
The flex point, also known as a kick point or bend point, is the point on the golf shaft that offers the most amount of bend and that conversely has the most impact on the trajectory of your shot. The flex point is essentially the spot where the energy contained in your downswing is transferred through the shaft and released through the club head.
Types
Flex points are generally categorized according to where they are located on the golf club shaft. Flex points may be identified as low, mid or high with a higher flex point bending closer to the grip and a lower flex point bending closer to the club head. A mid-range flex point will be located in the center of shaft and offers a moderate amount of kick. The placement of the flex point is determined by the golf club manufacturer for standard clubs while customized clubs allow golfers to choose their preferred placement.
Stiffness Grade
How much the shaft will bend at the flex point is determined by the stiffness grade of the golf shaft itself. There are five stiffness grades associated with golf shafts: extra stiff, stiff, regular, senior and ladies. The extra stiff and stiff grades are designed for players with a faster swing speed who can drive the ball farther. The regular grade is designed for players with an average swing speed while the senior and ladies grades are designed for players with slower swing speeds. The speed of your swing will influence whether you choose a high, mid or low kick point.
Effects
The flex point primarily determines the trajectory of your ball and the relationship between the two is inverse. A golf shaft with a higher flex point will generate a shot with a lower trajectory while a golf shaft with a lower flex point will generate a shot with a higher trajectory.
Considerations
The flex point is affected by the type of material the club is composed of. For instance clubs made of graphite, which is a fairly lightweight material, tend to amplify the effects of the flex point as opposed to clubs made of steel, which are less flexible. You should also choose a club with a flex point that is suited to your swing speed to avoid loss of directional control. For instance, if you have a faster swing speed but choose a club with a low flex point, your shot will have increased lift but you may lose some of your ability to direct its trajectory.
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