Shafts are NOT the engine of the club

[jaskanski]

Just a bit petty maybe, but I find it annoying when the shaft is often erroneously referred to as the "engine of the golf club". It isn't. If you're looking for automotive simile to liken the golf shaft to, then are more accurate description would be "transmission". 

You - the person swinging the golf club - is the originator of the energy to power the golf club and hence the "engine". The shaft, which transmits that energy in a manner to strike the golf ball is just a dumb inert piece of material when at rest - it's not an engine of any kind. A better description would be a "transmission" in that it harnesses the power developed by the swing and allows that energy to be transferred to the golf ball via the club head ( which would make the club head tyres I guess? lol). Anyhoo - just needed to get that off my chest to satisfy my OCD count for today...

[McGolf]

That's how I talk about it in fittings too

[Will_Mac]

Hey, we're not captains of our own ships either. Metaphors, and their vague inaccuracies, being what they are.

[Rtracymog]

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[revkev]

I appreciate the thread - shafts are an important component but by this time we've seen enough testing to know that the golfer is most important and that the head and shaft come in a rather distance T2 followed by the grip at number 4 and I'm sure some other stuff bringing up the rear.

Bottom line for people who are buying drivers is that the head choice for your swing is just as important as the shaft choice.

[cnosil]

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Bottom line for people who are buying drivers is that the head choice for your swing is just as important as the shaft choice.

I agree. The shaft helps with timing to deliver the clubhead correctly at impact. The clubhead interacts with the ball to impart launch and spin. Both are important and work together to help optimize your swing to get the best results.

[PlaidJacket]

On 1/1/2019 at 2:21 PM, jaskanski said:

Just a bit petty maybe, but I find it annoying when the shaft is often erroneously referred to as the "engine of the golf club". It isn't. If you're looking for automotive simile to liken the golf shaft to, then are more accurate description would be "transmission". 

Not petty IMO. And, I agree with the transmission analogy. Makes prefect sense.

 

3 hours ago, revkev said:

Bottom line for people who are buying drivers is that the head choice for your swing is just as important as the shaft choice.

Again I agree. I believe you have to find the right pairing.

[deauxrite]

I agree.  Great analogy.