At 05:37 PM 4/26/2007, Brian Parkinson wrote:
If I don't care about having a driver that is over 44 inches long, do I
need a graphite shaft? ...
Is there a distinct performance benefit?
The performance benefit is lower total weight of the club, which
results in higher ball speed. Part of that is higher clubhead speed,
and part is more clubhead mass -- because you will have to add some
weight to the head to maintain the same club MOI.
You can see the details on my web site at
http://www.tutelman.com/golfclubs/DesignNotes/swingwt5.php#total_weight
The short form of the story is this:
*** Go from a 120g standard weight steel shaft to a 60g ultralight
graphite shaft, and save 60g.
*** To keep the same MOI, you'll have to add 20g to the clubhead
itself. Secondary advantages: (1) You can place the 20g anywhere you
want. Heel to provide draw bias. Heel and toe to provide maximum MOI.
Back to increase trajectory height. 20g is enough so it begins to
affect the ball flight. (2) If you like clubhead feel, the light
shaft and heavier head will provide more of it.
*** You have now saved 40g of total club weight (60g off the shaft,
and 20g put back in the head). By my calculations, this will add
about 4mph to your ball speed.
BTW, I practice what I preach. My current favorite driver is only 43
3/4" long. It has a weighted head (Vector 460 13* weighted up to be
218g) and a sub-60g Grafalloy NT shaft. I'm killing it.
Cheers!
DaveT
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