Golf Club Frequency Analyzer

Sometimes golf manufacturers mislead the public about the flex or stiffness of their club shafts. In order to properly compare golf shaft flex, frequency analyzing must be done. This puts golf shafts on a level playing field so stiffness in a shaft can truly be measured and compared. Who is to say Titleist doesn’t make a stiffer shaft than Ping? Both manufacturers could label a club as “stiff” flex, but how do you truly know they are the same?  This is the dilemma golfers run into when purchasing clubs. Since no industry standard exists, you must take it upon yourself to have the flex measured.

A frequency measuring machine will properly gauge the flex of a golf shaft with scientific calculations. These calculations allow you to compare the flex of clubs in a standard fashion.  As you can see in the picture below, the device clamps in a golf club shaft. The head of the club is pulled down and let go creating a spring or “wobble” effect. As the club oscillates up and down a laser beam pointed at the middle of the shaft measures the frequency of movement.

A stiffer shaft will have a faster rate of oscillation; while a shaft with more flex will oscillate slower. The frequency analyzer records oscillations in terms of “cycles per minute”. This value will display on the machine within a few seconds of trial. Once this is captured, the length of that same club must be measured. Using both the length (inches) and frequency (cycles per minute) as data points, a chart can be plotted. Where the two points connect on the horizontal and vertical axis, a respective flex rating can be given. (see chart below)

At some point in your life you have probably compared two golf clubs of identical specifications, only to find out one club felt more flexible than the other. Despite both being labeled as “stiff” on the shaft, you were sure one felt different. A variety of reasons exist for this feeling you are getting. As touched on earlier, the manufacturer could have mislead you about just how stiff the shaft is – or the lengths of each club are different. All things equal, a shortened shaft will play stiffer than a longer shaft. A shorter shaft has less length to “bow” with the swing resulting in increased stiffness.

A golf shaft frequency analyzer is a very important piece of equipment. It allows all golf shafts to be tested relative to each other based on length and oscillations. Next time you go into a golf shop ask to have your clubs tested to make sure you are getting exactly what the manufacturer claims. The real flex of a golf shaft can vary by a full class in some cases. One manufacturer’s stiff shaft may play like a regular when compared to a different manufacturer’s clubs. Don’t buy any driver or set of irons until you get a frequency reading.