Golf equipment technology is always improving. A large market exists for the newest and best in golfing equipment that promises to hit the ball straighter and longer. Shafts are no exception to these sales pitches, but shafts have to meet certain USGA guidelines. According to USGA.org, a shaft must twist the same amount in both directions and bend in a way that its deflection is the same no matter how the club is rotated.
Steel Shafts
Steel golf shafts are perhaps the most common type of shaft used professionally and for recreational use. Most steel shafts consist of carbon steel, but stainless steel is also used to produce shafts, according to the website Golfalot. Steel shafts provide a great deal of shot control because of their rigidity and low torque. Playing with steel shaft clubs requires fast swing speeds to produce long-distance shots. The two types of steel shafts include stepped steel and rifle steel. Stepped steel shafts reduce the circumference of the shaft from the grip down to the clubhead through sections that are marked by steps. The stepped steel shaft is the more common shaft found on the market. Rifle steel shafts are smooth from handle to clubhead and provide more seamless energy transference.
Graphite Shafts
Even though graphite shaft clubs are typically more expensive than steel shaft clubs, graphite is less durable, according to Golfalot. The lighter weight of the graphite shaft produces greater swing speeds and can increase shot distances; however, accuracy is often sacrificed for distance because of the shaft's extreme flexibility. Graphite shafts are popular among senior and women golfers, who can achieve greater swing speeds with these shafts compared with steel shafts. You can choose from a number of flex options for graphite shafts. An advantage of using graphite shafts is the minimal shaft vibration created upon impact with the ball. Drawbacks to using graphite shafts include the inconsistency in shots produced and the adverse effects on the swing that result from scratches to the shaft.
Combination-Material Shafts
Newer to the golf shaft market are combination-material shafts that consist of both steel and graphite. The majority of these shafts are typically made of steel and only the tip consists of graphite, according to Golfalot. The steel part of the shaft provides the control and stability associated with traditional steel shafts, while the graphite tip provides some whipping action for faster clubhead speeds. The graphite tip also cuts down on jarring or strong vibrations that sometimes result upon ball impact.
Other Shaft Types
Shafts made of titanium tend to mimic graphite shafts in many ways. Namely, the vibration is cut down noticeably upon impact with the ball. Titanium club shafts also weigh less than steel, allowing for higher swing speeds and greater distances.
Nanofuse club shafts are made from metallic carbon fiber materials, according to the Golfalot. Nanofuse shaft manufacturers claim that the combination of alloy with carbon fiber provides the feel and distance of a light graphite shaft with the control and consistency of a steel shaft. Also, the mix of strength and its light weight does not sacrifice shot accuracy.
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