What Kick Point Should I Use in Golf?

Choosing the right kick point in your golf shaft is a conversation often crowded with confusing tech jargon, but understanding it is fundamental to launching the ball effectively. Getting this right can add tangible distance and control to your game, while getting it wrong can cost you both. This guide will walk you through exactly what a kick point is, the different types available, and how you can determine which one is the perfect match for your swing.

What Exactly Is a Kick Point? (And Why Does It Matter?)

Imagine your golf shaft isn't just a stiff pole. During your downswing, as you generate speed and lag, the shaft bends. The kick point (also called the bend point) is the specific spot on the shaft that bends the most. Think of it like a diving board - where it flexes dictates how you're propelled off of it. In a golf swing, the unloading of this flex, or the "kick," happens just before impact, adding a final burst of speed and influencing the angle the clubhead is delivered to the ball.

So why does this one spot matter so much? Because the location of the kick point is the primary driver of your shot's launch and spin characteristics.

• A shaft that kicks lower (closer to the clubhead) will send the ball on a higher trajectory with more spin.
• A shaft that kicks higher (closer to your hands) will produce a more piercing, lower ball flight with less spin.

Matching the kick point to your swing is about optimizing your ball flight. It’s the difference between a shot that flies high and lands soft versus one that bores through the wind. One player might need help getting the ball in the air, while another might need to bring their "ballooning" shots back down to earth. The kick point is the tool that helps achieve this.

Breaking Down the Three Main Kick Points

Shafts are generally categorized into three kick point profiles: low, mid, and high. Each one is designed to help a different type of golfer achieve their desired flight.

High Kick Point

A high kick point means the stiffest part of the shaft is near the tip (the end with the clubhead) and the most flexible point is higher up, toward the grip. This construction causes the shaft to "kick" later and with less of an upward angle.

• Ball Flight Produced: Low launch, low spin.
• Who It's For: This profile is typically suited for golfers with fast, powerful swings who have an aggressive transition from the backswing to the downswing. If you naturally generate a lot of clubhead speed and hit the ball high, a high kick point can help tame your trajectory. It's the go-to for players who complain about their shots climbing too high, losing momentum, and getting eaten up by the wind. They don't need help launching the ball, they need help controlling the launch.
• A Simple Check: Do you feel like you lose a lot of distance on windy days? Do your friends say your iron shots "stall" at their peak? A high kick point shaft could tighten up your flight and give you a more penetrating trajectory.

Low Kick Point

In contrast, a low kick point shaft is more flexible near the clubhead and stiffer toward the grip. This configuration causes the shaft to kick more actively and dynamically at the bottom of the swing, essentially helping to "lift" the ball into the air.

• Ball Flight Produced: High launch, mid-to-high spin.
• Who It's For: This shaft is a fantastic option for players with moderate-to-slower swing speeds or those with a very smooth, deliberate tempo. If you struggle to get the ball airborne and your shots often come out as low "line drives," a low kick point shaft can give you the extra launch you need. It also benefits golfers who don't generate much spin and need the ball to land more softly on the green instead of rolling out too far.
• A Simple Check: Is your main struggle with carry distance? Do your approach shots frequently hit the front of the green and release all the way to the back? A low kick point can help add the height and spin necessary to carry hazards and hold greens more consistently.

Mid Kick Point

As the name suggests, a mid-kick point shaft is the balanced "all-arounder." The bend point is located in the middle of the shaft, offering a compromise between the high and low profiles. This makes it a very versatile and popular option.

• Ball Flight Produced: Mid launch, mid spin.
• Who It's For: A vast majority of amateur golfers find a mid kick point works very well for their game. It offers a great blend of distance and control without promoting an extreme ball flight in either direction. Most "stock" shafts sold in clubs off the rack will feature a mid kick point because it fits the widest range of swings. Unless you have a specific, recurring problem with your ball flight being too high or too low, a mid kick point is a safe and highly effective place to start.
• A Simple Check: If you feel your overall ball flight is pretty average and you don't fight a consistent trajectory issue, you are likely a perfect candidate for a mid kick point.

How to Figure Out YOUR Ideal Kick Point

Reading the descriptions above probably gives you a good idea of where you might fall. But to really dial it in, you need to be a good observer of your own game. Here’s a simple process to guide you.

Step 1: Honestly Analyze Your Typical Ball Flight

Head to the range or pay close attention during your next round. Don't worry about the one perfect shot or the one horrible miss. What does your average shot do?

• Is your peak trajectory too high? When you hit a solid 7-iron, does it seem to fly up forever but land shorter than you expect? This is a classic sign of excessive spin and launch, pointing you toward a high kick point.
• Is your peak trajectory too low? Do your drives come out like low rockets that get lots of roll but not a lot of air time (carry)? Do your iron shots struggle to clear the lip of a bunker? This indicates a need for more launch, pointing you toward a low kick point.
• Is it generally good? If you don't have a strong tendency one way or the other, the mid kick point is your benchmark.

Step 2: Consider Your Swing's "Engine" – Tempo and Release

Swing speed gets all the attention, but how you generate that speed matters just as much. Your tempo and release point have a huge impact on how you load the shaft.

Tempo: This is the rhythm and pace of your swing. A player with a fast, aggressive transition (think Jon Rahm a quick "rip" from the top) loads the shaft intensely. They often benefit from a more stable, higher kick point shaft to manage that energy. Conversely, a player with a smoother, more rhythmic tempo (think Fred Couples) may get more benefit from a lower kick point shaft that helps create a bit more "kick" for them.

Release: When do you unhinge your wrists on the downswing? A player with an early release, often called "casting," lets go of their angles near the top of the swing. They deliver less dynamic loft and speed into the ball, so a low kick point can help them regain some of that needed launch. A player with a late release holds their wrist angles for a long time, snapping the club through impact with incredible speed. This type of player naturally creates high launch and often needs a high kick point to help control it.

Step 3: The Gold Standard – Get a Professional Fitting

While self-assessment is incredibly valuable, the most definitive way to find your perfect shaft is to work with a qualified club fitter. Here's why:

A fitter doesn't guess. They use a launch monitor to measure everything - launch angle, spin rate, ball speed, carry distance, and more. They can take the exact same clubhead you like and have you hit it with three different shafts - one with each kick point profile. The data makes the choice obvious. You’ll instantly see which shaft helps you launch the ball in the optimal window for your swing speed, helping you maximize carry distance while maintaining control. It takes the guesswork completely out of the equation and is one of the best investments you can make in your game.

Myth-Busting: Kick Point vs. Shaft Flex

It's vital to clear up a common point of confusion: kick point and shaft flex are two separate, distinct properties of a shaft.

• Shaft Flex (e.g., Senior, Regular, Stiff, X-Stiff) relates to how much the entire shaft bends in response to the overall force of your swing (primarily swing speed). This is about controlling the clubhead through impact and mainly affects directional accuracy (dispersion).
• Kick Point relates to where on the shaft that bend is most concentrated. This mainly affects the vertical ball flight (trajectory and spin).

You can find shafts in every combination. For example, a senior player with a smooth_._swing an X-t player with powerful, quick transition may fit into an X-Stiff flex shaft with a high kick point. You need to get *both* right to optimize your performance.

Final Thoughts

Understanding kick point is about moving beyond brand names and discovering how to match your equipment's DNA to your unique swing's fingerprint. A high kick point lowers flight for powerful swings, a low kick helps launch it higher for those who need it, and a mid kick point provides a rock-solid, versatile option for a wide array of golfers. Simply observing your ball flight and being honest about your tendencies is the first, most important step toward optimizing your trajectory and unlocking more distance.

We know that trying to analyze your own swing dynamics can feel overwhelming. With our Caddie AI app, you can get instant, expert-level feedback tailored to your individual game. Instead of guessing why your shots are ballooning into the wind or whether a certain shaft might suit you, you can ask for a quick analysis or a second opinion. We're here to help you understand the 'what' and 'why' behind your ball flight, providing the clarity you need to make smarter decisions about your game and your equipment.