Reading a Shaft Spec Sheet Through Your Release
Flex, kick point, torque, and material all shape how a shaft performs — but none of them mean much until you know how they interact with your own release timing.
A Relative Label, Not a Fixed Standard
Flex ratings (Ladies, Senior, Regular, Stiff, Extra Stiff) aren't standardized across manufacturers — a "Stiff" shaft from one brand can play noticeably differently from a "Stiff" shaft from another. We treat flex as a starting point, then confirm it against your actual release timing rather than trusting the label alone.
A shaft too flexible for your release can leave the face open at impact and add unwanted spin; too stiff, and you may lose feel and struggle to load the shaft during the downswing at all.
The Number Most Fittings Skip Entirely
Kick point describes where along the shaft the most bending occurs during the downswing. A low kick point releases energy earlier, suiting a golfer whose own wrist release also happens earlier; a high kick point releases later, suiting a golfer who holds the angle longer. Matching the two closely is usually a bigger factor in feel and consistency than flex letter alone.
Low Kick Point
Loads and releases energy earlier in the downswing — often a better match for an earlier natural release, though it can add spin for players who release even earlier than the shaft.
Mid Kick Point
The most common starting point, releasing energy through the middle of the downswing — a reasonable default while we gather your actual release data.
High Kick Point
Releases energy later, closer to impact — frequently the better match for golfers who hold their release deep into the downswing.
Two More Variables Layered on Top of Release
Torque measures how much a shaft twists under load — lower torque tends to hold face angle more stable through a fast or aggressive release, while higher torque can add feel and a softer sensation for a smoother, later release.
Steel shafts feel firmer and more consistent shaft to shaft, a common choice for irons and wedges. Graphite is lighter and dampens vibration, standard in drivers and fairway woods, and increasingly used in irons for golfers whose release benefits from added shaft speed.
Find Your Release-Matched Shaft
We test flex, kick point, torque, and material against your own release-timing data during every fitting session.