What is the difference between measuring Loading versus Swing Speed in shaft flex fitting?
The most prevalent method of discerning shaft flex is by way of Swing Speed. Unfortunately, via research that was done by True Temper’s R&D group, it has been proven that Swing Speed is only 50% accurate in determining the proper flex for a particular golfer. The proper flex will provide the greatest assistance in obtaining maximum club head speed at impact and provide the best accuracy. The assumption made by using Swing Speed as a flex fitting method is that as swing speed increases “Loading” or the force applied to the shaft increases in direct proportion. Thus a high swing speed golfer is assumed to load the shaft significantly more than a slower swing speed golfer and thus is perceived to require stiffer flex shafts. True Temper’s R&D group investigated this thesis and found that in actuality golfers of the same tempo, handicap and swing speed exerted significantly different loading force on the shaft with no direct correlation to swing speed. Our experience verifies these finding
