Golf Tutorials

What Does a Low Kick on a Golf Shaft Mean?

By Spencer Lanoue
July 24, 2025

You’ve probably heard avid golfers or club fitters mentioning a shaft's kick point, often using terms like low, mid, or high. While it sounds like complex engineering talk, this concept is actually one of the most important factors in how a golf club feels and performs. Understanding what a low kick point means can completely change how you approach your equipment, helping you find a shaft that complements your swing instead of fighting it. This guide will simply explain what a low kick point is, how it affects your ball flight, and who stands to benefit most from having one in their bag.

First Things First: What Exactly Is a Kick Point?

Before we can talk about a 'low' kick point, we have to understand the basic idea. The kick point, sometimes called the bend point or flex point, is the specific area on a golf shaft that bends the most during your swing. Every shaft has one.

Think about a fishing rod. When you cast a line, the rod doesn't bend uniformly along its entire length, there’s a distinct spot where it bows the most before snapping forward. A golf shaft acts in much the same way during your downswing and subsequent release.

As you swing down, your power loads energy into the shaft, causing it to bend. Just before impact, the shaft "kicks" back into a straight position, releasing that stored energy into the clubhead. The location of this maximum bend - the kick point - has a significant influence on how that energy is delivered and, consequently, on the launch angle and spin of your golf ball.

  • A kick point near the grip is a high kick point.
  • A kick point in the middle is a mid kick point.
  • A kick point near the clubhead is a low kick point.

Unpacking the Low Kick Point

Now, let's focus on the star of the show. A low kick point is located closer to the clubhead. Because the maximum bend happens at the bottom of the shaft, it creates a more dynamic "whip" effect right at impact. This sharp, quick release helps to increase the dynamic loft of the clubface as it meets the ball.

Imagine using a shovel to launch a pile of sand. If you flex the handle up high (high kick), the shovel head itself moves less. But if you quickly flex the handle right near the shovel's blade (low kick), the blade snaps upward forcefully. A low-kick shaft does something similar for your golf ball, helping to give it an extra upward "nudge" at impact.

The result of this action is straightforward: a higher launch angle and typically a higher spin rate.

The Feel and Performance of a Low Kick Shaft

Beyond the simple physics, it's important to understand how a low kick point shaft actually feels to swing and how it shows up in your ball flight. Character and performance go hand-in-hand here.

The Feel: Soft and Active

Golfers often describe low kick point shafts as feeling "softer" or more "active" in the tip section. You can often feel the shaft loading and unloading more distinctly, especially if you have a smooth tempo. For some players, this active feel is incredibly satisfying and gives them the sensation of the club doing more of the work. For others, particularly those with very aggressive transitions from the backswing to the downswing, this "whippy" feel can seem less stable or harder to control.

The Performance: Getting It Airborne

The performance benefits are clear and targeted. This isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, but for the right player, it’s a game-changer.

  • Higher Launch Angle: This is the headline benefit. A low kick point shaft is designed specifically to help you get the ball into the air more easily. It raises the trajectory of your shots, turning low liners into high-flying shots that carry farther.
  • Higher Spin Rate: The higher launch usually comes with more spin. That's because the active tip increases the dynamic loft at impact, which imparts more backspin on the ball. This can be great for helping shots stop quickly on the green, but it can be a problem for players who already generate too much spin.

Who Should Play a Low Kick Point Shaft? (And Who Shouldn't)

This is where the rubber meets the road. Choosing a kick point profile isn't about what's "best" in general, but what's best for your specific swing. A shaft is a tool, and you need to select the right one for your job.

This Shaft Might Be Perfect for You If…

  • You Have a Slower to Moderate Swing Speed. Golfers who don't generate massive clubhead speed often struggle to get the ball high enough for maximum carry distance. The "kick" from a low-kick shaft acts like a launch-assist, helping them achieve a more optimal trajectory without having to swing out of their shoes.
  • You Naturally Hit a Low Ball. If your standard shot is a piercing line drive that doesn't get much airtime, you are a prime candidate for a low kick point. It will combat your natural tendency and help add the height you're missing.
  • You Need More Spin to Hold Greens. Do your approach shots hit the green and roll all the way off the back? A low kick point can add the backspin needed to get your ball to land - and a lot more softly.
  • You Prefer a "Softer" Feel. If you like to feel the shaft load and release, and you dislike the "boardy" or overly stiff feel of some shafts, the active tip of a low kick point model will likely feel great to you.

You Might Want to Look Elsewhere If…

  • You Have a Very Fast Swing Speed. Strong players with aggressive swings often find that a low kick point feel too uncontrolled. The active tip can lead to inconsistencies in launch and spin, sometimes resulting in shots that "balloon" - they fly very high but lose energy and fall short of their intended distance, especially into the wind.
  • You Already Hit a High Ball. If you don't struggle for height, adding more with a low kick shaft is counterproductive. You’ll risk hitting those ballooning shots and losing control of your trajectory in anything but calm conditions.
  • You Fight a Hook. While not a hard and fast rule, the pronounced whipping action of a low kick point can sometimes encourage the clubface to close more quickly through impact. For a player who already battles a hook (a ball curving hard to the left for a righty), this can sometimes exaggerate the problem.

Low Kick vs. Mid Kick vs. High Kick: A Simple Breakdown

To put it all in context, let's line up the three main profiles side-by-side. Think of them as three different flavors of performance.

  • Low Kick Point:
    • Location: Near the clubhead.
    • Characteristics: High launch, high spin.
    • Feel: Active, "whippy" tip section.
    • Best For: Golfers needing help to get the ball airborne and add spin. Ideal for slower to moderate swing speeds.
    • Mid Kick Point:
      • Location: In the middle region of the shaft.
      • Characteristics: Medium launch, medium spin.
      • Feel: A balanced blend between stability and action.
      • Best For: The widest range of golfers. It's the "do-it-all" option that provides a great combination of control, feel, and distance for the average player.
    • High Kick Point:
      • Location: Near the grip.
      • Characteristics: Lower launch, lower spin.
      • Feel: Stable, firm, and controlled, especially in the tip.
      • Best For: Golfers with high swing speeds who generate plenty of height and spin on their own. This helps them control trajectory and prevent ballooning for a more penetrating ball flight.
    How to Decide if a Low Kick Point is Right for YouFeeling like a low kick point shaft might fit your game? Here’s a simple process to follow before making a change.
    1. Analyze Your Ball Flight: Go to the range and pay close attention. Are your shots consistently too low? Do your irons struggle to carry all the way to the flag? Does your driver produce low rollers with very little airtime? These are all tell-tale signs a low kick point could help.
    2. Check Your Current Equipment: Take a look at your current shafts. Most manufacturers will print the model name on it. a quick search for that model online will usually tell you its kick point profile. You might discover you're already playing a high kick shaft when a love one might suit you better.
    3. Visit a Fitter or Demo Day: This is the most crucial step. Guessing about D+DNA can be expensive and frustrating. A professional club fitter will use a launch monitor to measure your actual launch angle, spin rate, and distance with different shaft profiles. The data doesn't lie. It will definitively show you whether a low kick shaft helps you or hurts you, taking all the guesswork out of the final equation.
    Final ThoughtsIn the end, a low kick on a golf shaft is a deliberate design choice created to produce a higher ball flight with more spin. It's an outstanding piece of technology for golfers with moderate swing speeds, or anyone who struggles to get the ball up in the air. Selecting equipment that works with your natural tendencies is one of the quickest paths to more consistent golf and lower scores.Diving into equipment details can often lead to more questions than answers about your own game - is your swing the cause, or is it the shaft? This is one of the many reasons we built Caddie AI. When you're standing on the range wondering if a low kick shaft could truly fix your low ball flight, you can ask for a personalized analysis based on your abilities. It's purpose-built to provide the clear-cut, expert advice you need in seconds, acting as your go-to golf coach and equipment guru right in your pocket.

Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. His mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.

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