the effects of torque

[3puttForpar]

I have been looking at getting a replacement shaft for my R7 and I have been looking at the specs of different shafts. This may be a stupid question but I wanted to know what does torque do in a shaft, and what are the effects of having more or less torque?

 

Thanks

3puttforpar

[ACF]

I have been looking at getting a replacement shaft for my R7 and I have been looking at the specs of different shafts. This may be a stupid question but I wanted to know what does torque do in a shaft, and what are the effects of having more or less torque?

 

Thanks

3puttforpar

 

 

 

3putt,

 

 

 

Torque is the "twisting" action of a shaft. The higher the #, the more it twists.

 

 

 

Fitting by Torque #'s is "old school" back in the day when shafts were weak, and we did not have all of the fancy composites, torque would get into the 10-12* range, so shaft mfg.'s touted low torque as a need, well that IMO is out the window.

 

 

 

The Profile of the shaft will explain how to fit the customer.

 

 

 

A General rule..............

 

 

 

Slower Swing needs more torque, faster Swing needs less torque.

 

 

 

If you need any fitting help, let me know, I will be glad to assist.

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

Jody

[taylormadefan]

This is a good question, because I think torque is a term that gets thrown around a lot, and few people really understand what it is and how it affects a golf club.

 

Torque by itself is a measure of rotational force around an axis (center). The two components involved are the Force applied and the length of the radius (distance from the center). The greater either of these values is, the more torque is applied (that's why a longer ratchet makes it easier to remove a rusted bolt than a shorter one).

 

Since golf clubs are attached to round shafts, and the club head is a certain distance away from the shaft, they have torque values since the shaft rotates (twists) during the golf swing. The less the shaft twists, the lower the torque value is, the more it twists the higher the torque value is.

 

Now most people assume that high torque shafts can lead to innacuracy since the clubhead is twisting offline becuase of the shaft. If you're man enough to overpower a high torque shaft (doubtful since Hank Khuene often uses shafts with torque ratings in the 5.4 range) the actual opening of the club face will be so little that the shot will just drop to the right side without severe side spin (according to Tom wishon).

 

In the end, a shaft's torque rating is more a measure of feel than anything else. A higher torque shaft tends to feel smoother and more flexy. Lower torque shafts tend to fell stiffer and more boardy (like grafalloy blue). In the end, shaft torque should not be a critical component in determinging fit of a shaft. If a shaft fits you, then the torque rating will fit you as well.

 

I hope that helps, I tried to make it as easy to understand as possible, if it's still unclear let me know and I'll try and come up with a better example.

[ACF]

This is a good question, because I think torque is a term that gets thrown around a lot, and few people really understand what it is and how it affects a golf club.

 

Torque by itself is a measure of rotational force around an axis (center). The two components involved are the Force applied and the length of the radius (distance from the center). The greater either of these values is, the more torque is applied (that's why a longer ratchet makes it easier to remove a rusted bolt than a shorter one).

 

Since golf clubs are attached to round shafts, and the club head is a certain distance away from the shaft, they have torque values since the shaft rotates (twists) during the golf swing. The less the shaft twists, the lower the torque value is, the more it twists the higher the torque value is.

 

Now most people assume that high torque shafts can lead to innacuracy since the clubhead is twisting offline becuase of the shaft. If you're man enough to overpower a high torque shaft (doubtful since Hank Khuene often uses shafts with torque ratings in the 5.4 range) the actual opening of the club face will be so little that the shot will just drop to the right side without severe side spin (according to Tom wishon).

 

In the end, a shaft's torque rating is more a measure of feel than anything else. A higher torque shaft tends to feel smoother and more flexy. Lower torque shafts tend to fell stiffer and more boardy (like grafalloy blue). In the end, shaft torque should not be a critical component in determinging fit of a shaft. If a shaft fits you, then the torque rating will fit you as well.

 

I hope that helps, I tried to make it as easy to understand as possible, if it's still unclear let me know and I'll try and come up with a better example.

 

 

 

Well said.....

[golfernut78]

thanks taylormadefan. that does a great job explaining it. i know i've had some concerns about torque. i've had a lot of sucess when i switched to the aldila nv-75 of hitting the ball straighter, then most shafts. i had led myself to believe that the 2.8* torque in the nv-75 had more to do with it compared to the 3.5* and 4.4* in previous shafts. i guess it really has more to do with the extra weight in the shaft.

[Bluebear]

Related torque question...

 

I agree that the low torque graphite shafts that I've hit feel more boardy than higher torque shafts, but I'm confused with torque when it comes to steel shafts which are all supposed to have negligable torque usually below 1.9.

 

The DG S300 that I have in my fairway woods don't feel boardy at all. In fact if when I occasionally get on them like off the T with a 3 wood it can feel almost wippy as I feel the shaft load during my downswing and pop after I make contact with the ball. I've felt this on ocassion with a 4 or 5 iron with DG S300 shafts.

 

I don't think I need stiffer shafts. Even though I more of a hitter than a swinger my driver swing speed averages only 100 - 103.

 

Why doesn't the stiff DG S300 with low torque feel boardy?

 

Thanks.

Bluebear

[taylormadefan]

Another good question. It has to do with the differences between steel and graphite when formed in a tube.

 

Graphite is basically a bundle of graphite fibers laid in parallel and all glued together (that's a gross oversimplification especially with modern shafts). Becuase of this the shaft can turn around its center when force is applied to the club head. Modern graphite shafts use many different methods to minimize this.

 

Steel shafts on the other hand because of the inherent properties of tubular steel don't exhibit the same kind of twisting as graphite. Hence the reason why even though a low torque steel shaft still can have feel to it (although I'm sure just about anyone will admit even a high torque steel shaft has less feel than a low torque graphite).

[Bluebear]

Thanks taylormadefan. Makes sense.

Bluebear

[taylormadefan]

I was told that torque is the degree amount the head will twist if the ball is hit off the toe or right of center

 

Remember, that torque is a measure of the force applied at a certain distance (rXF). Unless you literally hit the ball on the shaft and shank it, some torque will always be applied to the shaft.

 

However, because the torque applied to the shaft is affected by both the force and the distance (radius), the closer to the shaft you hit the ball, the less torque will be applied. So the firther right on the club face you are hitting the ball, the more torque will be applied to the shaft.

 

Hope that helps.

[golfernut78]

isn't it true there is not idustry standard for measuring torque?

[taylormadefan]

isn't it true there is not idustry standard for measuring torque?

 

Yes, it is true. The American Society of Testing and Materials tried, and after three years gave up because the major companies couldn't agree on the tests to be used to measure torque and flex of golf shafts.

[golfernut78]

ASTM, got to love them.

 

by the way, love the new avatar. PC LOAD LETTER????