A History of the Golf Shaft

The golf shaft has changed a lot over the years, especially lately. With all the different options available for shafts today, it is easy to see how golfers could get confused and frustrated. To put some of the latest advancements in perspective we have compiled a brief history of the golf shaft and important dates in its evolution. So if you aren’t happy with all you "choices" in club shafts try to imagine carving a shaft out of that tree in your backyard, then maybe you’ll appreciate all the options you have!

Pre-1826- Early golf matches were played with featherie golf balls and hand crafted wooden-shafted long nosed golf clubs. As early as 1687 tree names like danga wood, ironheart, bulletwood, washaba and purpleheart were just some of the hardwoods used for shafts in Great Britain. The design of these long nosed golf clubs looked like modern day hockey sticks.

1826 - Hickory imported from America to be used in Golf Shafts. Yes I know this is also wood, but it is a specific type of wood that is extremely durable. It’s not some tree just growing in the back of some Scotsman’s yard. Hickory would remain as a major shaft choice well into the 1930s.

1895 - The pool cue is banned as a putter by the USGA. The fact that enough golfers tried it and liked it, to force the USGA had to impose an actual rule banning the use of it,
Reaffirms my belief that golfers will try anything to get that damn ball in the hole!

1910 - Steel shafts are patented by Arthur F. Knight. Unfortunately they fail to gain mass appeal due mostly to the USGA’s and R&A’s refusal to legalize the use of steel shafts in play.

1915 - Allan Lard, of Washington, DC, was issued a patent on a perforated steel tube. These perforations reduced club head torque considerably and also helped increase club head speed.

1924 - After years of debate and struggle, The USGA finally legalizes steel shafted golf clubs. However at this time the R & A still refuses to legalize the use of steel shafted clubs

1929- The R & A finally gives in to public demand and legalizes the use of steel shafted golf clubs. This non-conformity with the USGA causes some interesting problems in competition. During the Ryder Cup Match in Great Britain in 1929, the Americans are forced to play with R & A conforming hickory shafted clubs which required many golfers to get reacquainted with the old wood clubs. Those British can be so stubborn.

1973 - The graphite shaft is invented. This is the first major advancement since the invention of the steel shaft. Aluminum was used in the 1960’s and 1970’s briefly but didn’t prove to be any better that good old American Steel. Due to a lack of knowledge in the shaft design and engineering field, graphite shafts wane in popularity during the late 70’s and almost get buried next to the old hickory and aluminum shafts.

1985 - Graphite shafts make a serious return after some redesign work. The research and development pays off and the graphite shaft secures its place as the shaft of choice in most wood clubs. Steel is still the preferred shaft for irons during this period.

Present Day
While steel still maintains a solid base in the Iron department, it is beginning to show signs of weakness. But in the end with all the materials out there being used in club shafts today, it inevitably comes down to a personal choice for every golfer. Each material has its trade off. Steel, while consistent, has a weight factor. Aluminum offers lightweight but reduced strength. Titanium offers lightweight and strength but is costly. Graphite offers lightweight but is inconsistent. The latest space age material Thermoplastics offers lightweight and features Viscolasticity - Dynamic Stiffening. This means if the golfer swings slowly the shaft will have softer characteristics while if he swings hard the shaft will automatically stiffen. Sounds crazy, I know. There are fat shafts, skinny shafts, bubble shafts, and even composite shafts. Each one of these shafts has a benefit and a weakness and until a definite winner is found it will remain an item of debate and up to each individual golfer to find the right shaft for him or her.

To help sort through all this madness, below is an explanation of the latest shaft ratings that include recommendations to let golfers know what shaft might be right for them. Since every manufacturer is different, we highly recommend trying a club before you decide on a shaft flex.

Shaft Flex L - Ladies is for average women golfers - up to 62 mph swing speed, or older juniors (over 13years old). Carry distance of drives is 160 yards or less.

Shaft Flex A - Flexible is for senior golfers and stronger women - swing speed of 63 mph or higher. Carry distance of drives is 160 to 185 yards.

Shaft Flex R - Medium is for men who possess average swing speed and strength. Also many women golf professionals - swing speed of 77 mph or higher. Carry distance of drives is 175 to 220 yards.

Shaft Flex S - Stiff is for scratch and low handicap amateurs, golf professionals and strong players who lack control - swing speed of 93 mph or higher. Carry distance of drives is 210 to 250 yards.

Shaft Flex X - Extra Stiff is used by a few touring professionals who need extra control from very fast swing speeds of 108 mph or higher. Carry distance of drives is 240 yards and over.