Does a lighter golf shaft increase swing speed?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 11, 2026
A lighter driver shaft rarely leads to a faster swing. “Only 12 percent of golfers swing their fastest with the lightest club,” Mucklow says.
Does a lighter golf shaft increase swing weight?
Golfers can adjust the swingweight of their golf club by changing the weight of the shaft in their club. Assuming the shaft is not increased or decreased in length, an increase of 9 grams in shaft weight will increase swingweight by approximately one swingweight point (increase from D3 to D4, for example).
What happens if golf shaft is too light?
A shaft that's too heavy will cause a “labored golf swing.” A shaft that's too light will hurt your ability to make solid contact. When you find the right shaft weight, you'll experience a “high energy swing” with uniform contact.
Does a heavier shaft increase swing speed?
Heavy shafts tend to produce more distance, accuracy, and lower ball trajectory for a golfer with faster swing speeds.
Do lighter shafts go further?
Lighter is faster. It holds true in car racing, running, and well… just about everything. Same for golf shafts too, right? In theory, lighter shafts allow golfers to swing faster with the same effort, and a faster-moving club head means more distance.
29 related questions foundHow do I increase my swing speed?
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- Physical fitness: Your overall strength and the range of motion will significantly affect your goal swing speed. ...
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- Use speed training tools:
Are lighter iron shafts better?
To optimize the swing speed, golfers with slower swing speeds and slow tempo should use lighter golf shafts. The contrary is correct for heavier shafts, which are better for faster swing speeds. Utilizing heavier shafts may improve accuracy, whilst lighter shafts can enhance total distance.
Is 50 gram driver shaft too light?
50 gram shafts are among the lightest you will see on the market. They tend to be favoured by golfers who struggle to generate clubhead speed. These shafts are often favored by junior and senior golfers, they can give a nice boost to the driving distance of these groups.
What shaft weight should I use for my driver?
Shafts can range anywhere from 40 to 85 grams. Typically, the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slow swing might use lighter shaft, and he/she would add weight as swing speed increases. The simple fact is that the lighter shafts provide the opportunity to increase swing speed.
How does a lighter shaft affect swing weight?
When a shaft is lighter, it reduces what's known as the total weight of a golf club, which is the weight of all components: the head, the shaft, the grip, and the things that hold them together such as the tip, tape, and epoxy. When the total weight of a club is reduced, it allows some golfers to swing faster.
What happens if your iron shafts are too soft?
It also will be hard to square the clubhead at impact, meaning you will have a tendency to hit your shots to the right. "Play the most flexible shaft you can control," said Scott Hennessey, president of True Temper shafts. "If it's too soft, you'll spray the ball all over the place."
How many grams should my shaft be?
The shafts in most drivers typically weigh between 40 grams and 85 grams. Shaft manufacturers will offer stiff and regular flex in nearly all weight classes while most light and ladies flex clubs will weigh no more than 55 or 60 grams, but could be as light as 40 grams.
Does shaft weight affect swing speed?
The heavier a shaft is, the more likely it is that your golf ball will fly low and with less spin. If it's lighter, the ball will tend to fly higher and spin more. As Briand explains, the weight of a shaft has less impact on swing speed than golfers think, but that lighter shafts could increase the rate of closure.
What weight shaft does Bryson Dechambeau use?
According to Schomin, along with the 190-gram head, Bryson is using a 48-inch version of the LA Golf Axis Blue 60 X shaft he plays on the PGA TOUR.
How much of a difference can a driver shaft make?
Shafts can range anywhere from 40 to 135 grams. Typically the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slower swing speed will benefit from using a lighter shaft, and you would add weight as swing speed increases. As you might expect at this point, there are always exceptions.
Is a 65 gram shaft heavy?
What is this? This is your average shaft weight, most regular, stiff and x-stiff shafts are 65 grams. Mid to low handicap golfers would use a 65 gram shaft. The 65 gram weight helps players with swing speeds of 90mph to 105mph generate enough speed while still keeping the head under control.
Does graphite shaft increase swing speed?
Graphite shafts are lighter than steel shafts, resulting in an increase in swing speed and distance. This is particularly beneficial to players with slow swing tempos.
How heavy of a shaft should I use for irons?
In general, golfers with slower swing speed and tempo can and should play a lighter shaft. Golfers with very fast speeds and tempo should play heavier shafts. Driver shafts typically weigh 55-60 grams for men and 45-50 grams for ladies. Iron shafts can be as light as 55 grams in graphite, and 130 grams in steel.
Are heavier or lighter golf clubs better?
Lighter clubs, whether via a lighter clubhead, shaft, grip, or any combination thereof, are in fact easier to swing faster. But not without a few consequences. The first is with regards to spin. Usually, lighter clubs produce higher spin rates.
What is a good swing speed for a 7 iron?
An average golfer will swing a seven iron about 75 mph. This number can change based on the weight of the club and if it is steel or graphite. The faster you swing a seven iron, the further it will go. If you can swing at about 85 mph, you will see distances closer to 165 yards.
How can I increase my swing speed without losing accuracy?
Four ways to boost your swing speed—without sacrificing accuracy
- GET THE TOE OF THE CLUBHEAD TO THE BALL FIRST.
- MAKE YOUR DRIVES SIZZLE WITH THIS MID-PRACTICE DRILL.
- RELAX THE LEAD ARM FOR A TENSION-FREE BACKSWING.
Why is my golf swing speed so slow?
If your swing speed is slow, it could be because your golf clubs are too heavy for you. Choosing something more lightweight will naturally help your swing speed increase. One option is to choose graphite clubs. Graphite golf clubs almost always weigh less than steel-shafted clubs.
What happens if shaft is too stiff?
If your driver's shaft is too stiff, the clubhead may not square with the ball at the point of impact, causing slices and fades. If you can't feel the weight of the clubhead loading through the shaft, it's probably too stiff, and can cause errors and issues associated with accuracy such as these.
What happens if a golf shaft is too flexible?
When a golf shaft is too flexible, you will not be able to hit the ball straight. You will also end up losing a bit of distance. When a golf shaft is too flexible, it isn't easy to control the clubface and get it to square up at impact.