The complete guide to buying a second hand golf club shaft
You might not think a lot about your golf club shaft. You swing or putt, and the ball goes in the direction of the hole. Job done.
However, changing your club’s shaft for one more geared towards your playing style can have a significant impact on your game.
If you’re not sure which golf shaft is right for you, we’ve got you covered. This comprehensive guide will introduce you to the different shafts available, and which type will help boost your performance.
And if you need a little extra help choosing the right second hand golf shaft, our PGA professionals are always on hand to make some suggestions. Give us a call if you’d like some advice - or drop into our store if you’re local.
Looking to overhaul your entire golf bag? Check out our guides to buying a pre-loved fairway wood, wedge, iron, putter, driver, and hybrid, as well as our guide to the top three clubs to have in your golf bag.
What is a golf shaft?
A golf club consists of three components. The first is the head, which is used to hit the ball. The second is the grip, which as you might expect, is used to give you grip on the club as well as help provide a solid swing.
The final component is the golf shaft. This is the long, tapered tube that is connected to the golf club head and the grip. By swinging the shaft, you generate enough centrifugal force to strike the golf ball.
There are a wide range of golf shafts available; you don’t have to use the one that originally came with your golf club. This means you can try different shafts and see which one helps improve your performance.
You can get replacement golf shafts for all the clubs in your golf bag, including driver, iron, hybrid and fairway shafts.
What are golf shafts made of?
Golf club shafts were originally made of wood. While wooden golf shafts were hard-wearing, they proved difficult to use. This is because wood is a very inconsistent material, meaning golfers had to adapt their swing depending on the flexibility of the specific wood used in their club.
In the modern day, golf shafts are generally made from steel, graphite, or a combination of both. While other materials like titanium can be used, these types of shafts are exceedingly rare.
Steel golf shafts
Steel shafts are popular with golfers as they are durable and affordable. As steel shafts offer more control, they are ideal if you have a faster swing speed.
There are two different types of steel golf shaft. Stepped steel shafts which gradually narrow down towards the club head, and rifle steel shafts, which don’t narrow down. Stepped shafts offer more flexibility, while rifle shafts offer more control.
Graphite golf shafts
Graphite shafts are lighter than steel golf shafts, but are more expensive. The key benefit of these golf shafts is that they are lightweight, making them the ideal choice for people with a slow swing speed, as well as amateur players.
Another advantage is that graphite has shock-absorbing properties, meaning fewer vibrations transfer to your hands after swinging.
It’s essential to look after your graphite golf shafts well, as they are more prone to breakage.
Multi-material golf shafts
Multi-material shafts give golfers the best of both worlds. There are two different ways that multi-material shafts can be used.
In the first type, the golf shaft has a steel shaft and a graphite tip. The steel shaft provides control, while the graphite tip offers a high swing height. In the second, the shaft core is made of graphite, with steel fibre running around it. This type of golf shaft is extremely popular with professional players as it combines the flexibility of graphite with the strength of steel.
You can find multi-material golf shafts for both drivers and irons.
What different types of golf shafts are there?
There are lots of different types of shafts available, and as a result, you may feel a little spoilt for choice when shopping for a new or replacement golf club shaft!
You can purchase a variety of golf shaft brands. At golfclubs4cash, as well as selling a massive range of used golf clubs, we sell many high-quality shaft brands, including Accra shafts, Fujikura shafts, and Project X shafts.
In this section, we’ll talk about the varieties of golf shafts available so you can see which is right for you.
The flex of the shaft
The flex of your golf shaft can have a significant impact on your game.
Stiffer flexes are more popular with faster golfers as they give more control and direction. Golfers with an average swing speed will do better with a regular shaft, while slower golfers may find that a light flex will give them extra power and height.
We offer a wide range of shaft flexes at golfclubs4cash, from extra stiff to light.
The kick point
The kick point (sometimes referred to as the ‘flex point’ or ‘bend point’) is the area of the shaft that will bend the most when you swing the golf club. For example, a shaft with a low kick point will bend more towards the head, while a shaft with a high kick point will bend towards the grip of the club.
A golf shaft with a low kick point will launch higher, while a shaft with a high kick point will launch lower. So if you’re hitting the ball too high, moving to a shaft with a higher kick point may help your swing.
The torque rating
The torque rating of your golf shaft refers to how much the shaft twists during a golf swing. The torque is generally measured in degrees. A low torque rating means the golf shaft is resistant to twisting, while a high torque rating means the shaft is prone to twisting.
As a rule of thumb, you’re more likely to see a high torque rating in graphite shafts than steel shafts, as graphite golf shafts are more flexible.
If you swing fast, a low torque will give you more control over your shot, while a high torque is excellent if you have a tendency to slice the ball.
The length of the shaft
Not all golf shafts are the same length. If you feel awkward when playing with a specific club, adjusting the length of the shaft may improve your performance.
Playing with a shaft that’s too long for you may mean you lose control of the ball, while playing with a shaft that’s too short may mean you have less power. Not only this, but you may be uncomfortable from being hunched over your golf club!
Generally, the taller you are, the longer your shaft should be, and vice versa. Bear in mind that different brands have different ideas of what length shaft you should use, so it’s always good to try before you buy where you can (pop into our store if you’re nearby and we’ll be happy to help you try some different options out).
Do I need a left-handed or right-handed shaft?
Many golf clubs come in left and right-handed varieties, which means golfers that play left-handed aren’t at a disadvantage.
However, the difference lies in the head of the golf club. This means any golf shaft can be used, no matter if you’re left-handed or right-handed.
The only exception is if you’re buying a putting shaft, as these may be bent at an angle which is designed for either left or right play.
When is it time to replace a golf shaft?
We all know how frustrating it is when a golf club breaks or gets damaged. Golf clubs can get rusty, bash against each other in a golf bag, or overheat in a hot car, which can lead to weakness and splitting. Even a mistimed swing against the ground or a tree can mean a golf club is no longer usable.
The good news is because the golf shaft takes the impact, it can be easily swapped out. This means if you have a golf head you love, you can keep on using it without having to buy a completely new golf club.
You may also decide to replace a golf shaft if your ability improves. For example, if your swing speed increases over time, you may opt to replace your flexible shaft with a stiffer one. This is a cost-effective way of enhancing your golf equipment without having to buy an entirely new set of clubs.
And finally, if you buy a brand new golf club, you will quickly know if the shaft doesn’t work for you. For example, your game may feel ‘off’, you may feel you’re swinging off-centre, or you might not hit the ball as far as you usually do. If this is the case, replacing the shaft with a pre-loved option means you can keep using the golf head without compromising on performance.
How easy is it to replace a golf shaft?
It depends on your level of skill and confidence. While you can replace a golf club shaft yourself, it involves loosening the adhesive that holds the shaft, head, and grip together and glueing the new golf shaft in place.
Getting it wrong and not glueing everything together correctly could mean your club head ends up in a tree the next time you play a round!
Here’s a guide to replacing a golf club shaft that you might find useful.
Most shafts will fit most club heads, but if not, there are adaptors you can buy.
If you don’t want to replace the golf shaft yourself, your local golf shop will be able to do it for you.
Our top tips for finding the right second hand golf club shaft
So you know that you want to treat yourself to a new shaft for your golf club. The question is… how do you go about it?
Here are some of the things to bear in mind when looking for a golf club shaft.
Try before you buy
Ask your friends and colleagues what shafts they use and see if you can try them out. This is an effective way of experimenting with new golf shaft configurations.
Don’t forget; if you want to try a golf shaft before you buy, we have stores in Edinburgh and Warrington. Here you can check out the different golf club shafts available and get some helpful advice from professionals.
Can’t make it to a store or borrow a shaft from a friend? Don’t worry. If you buy online from golfclubs4cash, you can return your golf club within thirty days for a full refund (terms and conditions apply).
Know your budget
Think about how much you are willing to spend on the perfect golf shaft, and if you’d be happy to pay a little more if you find something you really love.
Remember that buying a second hand golf shaft means you can get an exceptional golf shaft for a fraction of the normal price.
Buy a ‘job lot’
If you’re not sure which shaft is right for you, a good idea is to purchase a job lot of shafts. This is an assorted collection of golf club shafts, which more often than not, were previously used as demos.
Buying a job lot is an affordable way of trying lots of different golf shafts from a reputable brand. These come in a range of heights, weights and flexes.
As for the ones you don’t use, you can give them to friends or sell them back to a company like golfclubs4cash. Read more about how to sell your old golf clubs to golfclubs4cash.
How much does a pre-loved golf shaft cost?
New golf shafts can vary significantly in cost, with custom-fit shafts costing upwards of £900. However, as there are so many different types of golf shafts available to buy, it makes it easy to find one at your price point, and you’ll love our affordable prices at golfclubs4cash.
The following factors will affect the price of your golf shaft:
- The material (graphite shafts are more expensive than steel)
- The brand (some brands are more expensive than others)
- The manufacturing method (new developments and innovations can up the cost of a golf shaft)
- Whether your shafts are custom fit for you. By this, we mean they have been specifically designed and created to suit your unique style of play
Investing in a second hand golf shaft means you can take advantage of a premium piece of golfing equipment at a low price. Plus, you can sell your old shafts to cover the cost of upgrading!
We offer a range of second hand golf shafts at every price point, meaning that no matter your budget, you can find the perfect shaft for your needs. And with shafts starting from £18.99, there’s something for everyone at golfclubs4cash.
All our second hand golf clubs and shafts are quality checked and are 100% genuine for your peace of mind.
Read more about why you should consider a pre-loved golf club.
Golfclubs4cash: Europe’s largest retailer of second hand golf shafts
We hope this buyers’ guide has given you all the information you need when it comes to choosing a pre-loved golf shaft.
Remember that you’re not bound to the shaft that came with your golf club. By mixing and matching your golf shaft, you can create a fantastic configuration that will improve your speed, distance, and accuracy.
If this article has inspired you to check out some alternative golf shafts, we’re here to help. As Europe’s largest retailer of second hand golf equipment, we have a wide range of golf shafts in stock, from a variety of different brands.
Not only do we stock affordable second hand golf shafts, we also offer a variety of golf clubs, as well as golf bags, and other accessories like clothing and GPS rangefinders. So whether you’re new to golf or looking to replace your existing golf gear, you can take advantage of some fantastic offers without breaking the bank.
Check out our comprehensive range of golf shafts today.