Shaft Questions???

[Jsaw]

I'm shopping for a new shaft and I am needing help with some shaft specs. Below is the specs for the Aldila NV-65 Stiff. Could you guys help explain to me what each of them mean and how each one will effect my swing. I know what the weight of the shaft is but what I would like to know for each spec is for example: How will the 67g. shaft effect the way I hit the ball as compared to the 78g. shaft??


Freq. - 260

Tip Dia. - .335/.350

Butt Dia. - .625

Torque - 3.5

Launch Angle - Low-Mid

Weight - 67g.

Length-Tip Par. - 46"-3.0"

Trim Code - F



Thanks,

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by Jsaw

I'm shopping for a new shaft and I am needing help with some shaft specs. Below is the specs for the Aldila NV-65 Stiff. Could you guys help explain to me what each of them mean and how each one will effect my swing. I know what the weight of the shaft is but what I would like to know for each spec is for example: How will the 67g. shaft effect the way I hit the ball as compared to the 78g. shaft??


Freq. - 260

Tip Dia. - .335/.350

Butt Dia. - .625

Torque - 3.5

Launch Angle - Low-Mid

Weight - 67g.

Length-Tip Par. - 46"-3.0"

Trim Code - F



Thanks,

The weight is more for control and feel. For a faster swinger, they would do well with a heavier shaft, as this will help guide the shaft through the swing more consistently without giving up clubhead speed in the process. The general rule of thumb is to use the most flexible shaft that you can control. As your swingspeed increases, control becomes harder. So, you go up in weight to accomodate.

The frequency of the shaft is the cycles per minute measurement of the shaft. 260 is stiff. I play 260, and my swingspeed is about 109 on average.

Tip diameter is exactly that. Some heads are .350, some are .335. In any case, a .335 shaft will fit into any head (for a wood).

Butt diameter is the size of the butt end of the shaft. Some are smaller (.600), some are larger (.630)

Torque is the shaft's resistance to twisting durin the transtion to the downswing. The lower the number, the more resistant it is to deflection. It's quite common to find more stout and dead feeling shafts with less torque, while more active and whippy shafts have higher torque. This isn't a rule, but it's a guide. I would be more concerned on weight, bend point and tip stiffness before torque. It's basically a measure of "feel".

Launch angle is the shafts designed trajectory off the tee. Low mid is between mid and low, so if you have trouble getting the ball off the ground on the tee, get something that is mid/high or high, like the Grafalloy ProLaunch for example.

Weight you already know.

Length is the total length of the uncut shaft. AFter install, it is cut to length. You insert 1.5" (on average) into the head, and trim to length.

The Parallel Tip Section is the section of the tip that can be cut to adjust the feel in the tip section and make the shaft considerably stiffer. Most fairway woods require tipping to make them play to proper swingweight, sometimes as much as 3".

The trim code is the code the particular shaft has been given by said manufacturer for proper installation. The Aldila site, for example, has a chart where you can cross reference what head you're putting the shaft into, and trim accordingly. 0" for a driver, 1" for a 3W, 2" for a 5W, ect.


Hope this helps.

R35

[warbirdlover]

One thing to elaborate on Rock's excellent description is a low launching shaft (low ballflight) is usually high bend (more toward the grip). A mid-launching shaft is mid-bend (or mid-"kick") and a high launching shaft (ProLaunch for example) is a low-flex shaft. If you already knew this disregard!!

[Jsaw]

Thanks for the info, this helps out alot.

[VtDivot]

very nice description professor

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by VtDivot

very nice description professor

Hey, I did all the work, then you give WBL the praise?

Jacka$$!

R35

[LyleG]

Originally Posted by Jsaw

I'm shopping for a new shaft and I am needing help with some shaft specs. Below is the specs for the Aldila NV-65 Stiff. Could you guys help explain to me what each of them mean and how each one will effect my swing. I know what the weight of the shaft is but what I would like to know for each spec is for example: How will the 67g. shaft effect the way I hit the ball as compared to the 78g. shaft??

Freq. - 260
Tip Dia. - .335/.350
Butt Dia. - .625
Torque - 3.5
Launch Angle - Low-Mid
Weight - 67g.
Length-Tip Par. - 46"-3.0"
Trim Code - F
Thanks,

Freq - In this case it is a measurement of butt stiffness. The shaft is placed in a frequency machine clamped at the butt with a 5 inch clamp, a 205g weight is placed on the tip and the shaft is twanged. The machine measure the oscillation of the shaft. This number in this context is only useful in comparing one NV shaft to another. It really does not help you compare the NV to other shafts as butt stiffness inly one of many flex variables that need be measured. Ten shafts can all have identical butt frequencies yet all play differently. They can range from a noodle to a fence post.

In regards to bend point. Bend point is the location of the apex of the shaft when bent or placed under load. The difference between a high bend point shaft and low bend point shaft is usually less that 7 inches. While it will effect ball flight slightly (no where near as much as people believe) it is one of the least important shaft fitting variables. Loft of your club is responsible for 80% of the shots height, forward shaft bend at impact, spin, and bend point account for the other 20%.

[VtDivot]

Originally Posted by Rockford35

Hey, I did all the work, then you give WBL the praise?

Jacka$$!

R35

That was directed at you... you know I'd never give WBL praise

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by LyleG

Freq - In this case it is a measurement of butt stiffness. The shaft is placed in a frequency machine clamped at the butt with a 5 inch clamp, a 205g weight is placed on the tip and the shaft is twanged. The machine measure the oscillation of the shaft. This number in this context is only useful in comparing one NV shaft to another. It really does not help you compare the NV to other shafts as butt stiffness inly one of many flex variables that need be measured. Ten shafts can all have identical butt frequencies yet all play differently. They can range from a noodle to a fence post.

In regards to bend point. Bend point is the location of the apex of the shaft when bent or placed under load. The difference between a high bend point shaft and low bend point shaft is usually less that 7 inches. While it will effect ball flight slightly (no where near as much as people believe) it is one of the least important shaft fitting variables. Loft of your club is responsible for 80% of the shots height, forward shaft bend at impact, spin, and bend point account for the other 20%.

That's interesting. Why have I seen big changes in launch angle after reshafting? For example - I went from a Fuji 55g stiff (el cheapo) shaft to an NT Comp 65g stiff shaft that brought the ball flight from stratospheric ballooning down to a nice penetrating angle. Is it the lighter weight? More flexible tip?

[LyleG]

Originally Posted by Eracer

That's interesting. Why have I seen big changes in launch angle after reshafting? For example - I went from a Fuji 55g stiff (el cheapo) shaft to an NT Comp 65g stiff shaft that brought the ball flight from stratospheric ballooning down to a nice penetrating angle. Is it the lighter weight? More flexible tip?

Its actually a lot of factors in your case.

The 55g fuji was no doubt a complete noodle, soft from tip to butt as most 55g shafts are. The NT is a pretty stout stiff in general. Mid butt, mid mid section and a very stiff tip. The tip stiffness alone will change the ball flight quite a bit.

When I said loft=80% everything else 20% I mean when comparing shafts that are somewhat close to fitting the player. Lightweight fuji's dont fit many men under the age of 70 well.