What Is the Long Part of a Golf Club Called?

The long, slender part connecting your hands to the clubhead is called the shaft. This simple component is quite possibly the most important piece of technology in your entire golf bag, acting as the engine and transmission for every shot you hit. In this guide, we won’t just give you the name, we’ll show you exactly why the shaft matters so much and how understanding it can make you a more consistent and confident golfer.

The Three Essential Parts of Every Golf Club

Before we go deep on the shaft, it helps to understand how it fits in with the rest of the club. Every golf club, from your driver down to your putter, is made of three fundamental parts. Think of them as the team that works together to send your ball flying.

• The Grip: This is the part you hold onto. It’s typically made of rubber or a synthetic material and is designed to provide a comfortable and secure connection between your hands and the club. A good grip prevents the club from slipping during your swing.
• The Clubhead: This is the part that strikes the ball. The design of the clubhead is what separates a driver from an iron and an iron from a putter. It's responsible for launch, distance, and spin.
• The Shaft: This is the long, middle section that brings it all together. The shaft is the bridge between you (via the grip) and the ball (via the clubhead). It channels all the energy you generate in your swing down to the clubhead at the moment of impact.

While the clubhead gets most of the attention and the grip is your direct point of contact, the shaft is the unsung hero. It dictates how the club feels, how energy is transferred, and ultimately, a great deal about where your ball goes.

Why the Shaft is More Than Just a Pole

Calling the shaft just "the long part" is like calling a car's engine "the metal box under the hood." It technically answers the question, but it misses the entire point of what it does. The characteristics of a golf shaft have a massive impact on your ball flight, distance, accuracy, and overall consistency.

As a coach, I see more golfers struggling with poorly fitted shafts than with almost any other equipment issue. The wrong shaft forces you to make subconscious adjustments and compensations in your swing, making a hard game even harder. The right shaft, however, works with your natural swing to deliver the clubhead to the ball efficiently and consistently.

Let's break down the major characteristics you need to know about.

Shaft Material: Steel vs. Graphite

The very first distinction in shafts is what they're made of. For decades, every shaft was made of steel, but modern technology introduced graphite as a popular alternative. Neither is definitively "better" - they just serve different purposes and suit different players.

Steel Shafts

Steel shafts are heavier and more durable. Because they are denser, they tend to vibrate more on impact, providing a very crisp, solid feedback to a player's hands. Better players often prefer this immediate feedback to know exactly where they struck the ball on the face.

• Best For: Players with faster swing speeds, those who prioritize accuracy and a stable, controlled feeling.
• Pros: More affordable, highly consistent from shaft to shaft, provides clear feedback.
• Cons: Heavier, which can reduce swing speed for some players, harsh vibrations on mishits can be uncomfortable.

Graphite Shafts

Graphite shafts are significantly lighter than steel. This lighter weight allows a golfer to swing the club faster with the same amount of effort, which generally translates to more distance. Graphite also dampens vibrations much better than steel, which can make mishits feel less jarring and more comfortable, especially for players with aches and pains.

• Best For: Players with moderate to slower swing speeds wanting more distance, seniors, and most amateur golfers. Graphite is standard in almost all drivers and fairway woods today.
• Pros: Lighter weight for increased swing speed and distance, dampens vibrations for a more comfortable feel.
• Cons: More expensive, can sometimes feel less stable for very fast or aggressive swings.

Shaft Flex: Finding Your Swing's "Horsepower" Rating

Flex is the most discussed characteristic of a golf shaft, and for good reason. It refers to how much the shaft bends during the swing. Imagine cracking a whip - the handle moves, causing the rest of the whip to bend and then rapidly un-bend to create speed at the tip. A golf shaft does something similar, loading with energy on the downswing and then "kicking" that energy into the clubhead at impact.

Matching the shaft flex to your swing speed is fundamental for getting the most out of your equipment. If your shaft is too stiff, it won't bend enough to load and release properly, robbing you of distance and making shots feel dead. If it's too flexible, it will bend too much, leading to inconsistent strikes and a loss of control, often resulting in high hooks (for right-handed players).

Flexes operate on a simple spectrum:

• L (Ladies): For the slowest swing speeds, typically under 75 mph with a driver.
• A (Senior/Amateur): For speeds between 75-85 mph. Note: 'A' doesn't stand for Amateur, it's just the letter used for this flex.
• R (Regular): For the average male golfer, usually with driver swing speeds from 85-95 mph.
• S (Stiff): For players with faster swings, typically between 95-110 mph.
• X (Extra Stiff): For the fastest, most powerful swings, consistently over 110 mph.

A Coach's Tip: Don't let ego choose your flex. Playing a shaft that's too stiff for your swing is a very common mistake. It won't make you a better player, it will only make it harder to get the ball airborne with decent distance. Be honest about your swing speed. If you don't know it, you can get measured at any golf shop or driving range with a launch monitor.

Kick Point: Steering Your Ball Flight

If flex is about how much a shaft bends, kick point is about where it bends the most. This point influences the launch angle and trajectory of your shots. While it's a more advanced concept, understanding the basics can help you diagnose your ball flight.

• Low Kick Point: The shaft's maximum bend point is closer to the clubhead. This "kicks" the head upwards more aggressively at impact, producing a higher ball flight. This is great for players who need help getting the ball into the air.
• Mid Kick Point: This offers a balance between low and high kick points, producing a medium trajectory. It’s the most common kick point and fits a wide range of golfers.
• High Kick Point: The maximum bend point is located higher up the shaft, closer to the grip. This results in a more stable, less "kicky" release and produces a lower, more boring ball flight. This is preferred by strong players who generate too much spin or want a more penetrating trajectory in windy conditions.

Does Your Shaft Really Matter? The Short Answer is a Resounding Yes.

Think of it this way: your body is the engine, but the shaft is the transmission. You can have the most powerful engine in the world, but if it's connected to a faulty transmission, the power never efficiently reaches the wheels. The same goes for your golf swing.

An incorrect shaft can lead to a whole host of problems that you might mistakenly blame on your swing mechanics:

• A nagging slice that won't go away could be caused by a shaft that's too stiff.
• Shots that balloon high into the air and fall short could be from a shaft that's too flexible or has the wrong kick point.
• A general lack of distance could be because a heavy steel shaft is slowing you down, when a lighter graphite shaft would let you unleash your true speed.

The right shaft syncs up with your unique tempo and speed, helping you deliver the clubface squarely to the ball time and time again. That is the very definition of consistency.

Final Thoughts

So, the long part of a golf club is called the shaft. But as you can now see, it's the heart and soul of the club's performance, influencing everything from distance to accuracy. Understanding the basics of material, flex, and kick point empowers you to know your equipment better and make smarter choices that actually help your game.

Of course, knowing these concepts is one thing, but applying them on the course brings its own set of questions. When you're stuck between clubs or facing a tricky lie, having an expert opinion can make all the difference. That's where a tool like Caddie AI comes in handy. You can instantly get strategy advice for any hole or even snap a photo of your ball's lie to get a clear recommendation on how to play the shot. My job is to take the guesswork out of the game so you can stop thinking and start swinging with confidence.