GOLF TIPS

One of the big benefits to golfers in the quest for greater distance has been the arrival of lightweight graphite shafts that can withstand the stress of high club head speeds.

It’s a simple equation: the lighter the shaft the faster the club can be swung. The faster the club moves the farther the ball goes.

Such thinking has led power players such as Camilo Villegas to use a shaft as light as 60 grams, unheard of for tour players just a couple years ago. However, some players have decided to buck this trend because of the huge “feel” difference between the driver and all of the other clubs in the bag, especially since the hybrid club is so popular and almost in every tour players bag male or female.

The hybrid shafts usually are around 230 grams or about 15 percent heavier than most drivers and some players don’t like such a big difference in weight and feel between the clubs.

Take this into account next time you are shopping for a driver. You want a light shaft, but not enough to compromise your feel throughout the set. If you don’t mind this difference, then go ahead and bomb away.

Steve Wozeniak is PGA Director of Instruction Bellevue/Lake Spanaway Golf Courses. He has taught more than 50 tour players and over 100 PGA and LPGA teaching professionals