Parallel & Taper-Tip Shafts
There are two ends of the shaft to consider. The butt end (the end to which the grip is fitted) and the tip which fits into the club-head. There are two different types of tip, parallel and taper-tip.
The parallel-tip shaft is a constant diameter from the last step down to the tip of the shaft. The idea of this is that one shaft can be manufactured to fit all irons and one shaft can be manufactured to fit all woods. To obtain the correct flex with a parallel-tipped shaft, the shaft is cut from the tip end at the appropriate point to achieve the correct flex. Then the shaft is cut from the butt end to achieve the desired length. The taper-tip shaft, as the name indicates, tapers down from the last step in the shaft. Taper-tip shafts are manufactured to the correct length and flex for each club so it is important that the correct shaft is fitted to the corresponding club. A 3 iron shaft would fit into an 8 iron, for example, but it would play far too soft in flex and would be too long. To obtain the desired length for a taper-tipped shaft, the club should be cut to length from the butt end, after the tip end has been fitted into the hosel of the club-head.
The parallel-tip shaft is a constant diameter from the last step down to the tip of the shaft. The idea of this is that one shaft can be manufactured to fit all irons and one shaft can be manufactured to fit all woods. To obtain the correct flex with a parallel-tipped shaft, the shaft is cut from the tip end at the appropriate point to achieve the correct flex. Then the shaft is cut from the butt end to achieve the desired length. The taper-tip shaft, as the name indicates, tapers down from the last step in the shaft. Taper-tip shafts are manufactured to the correct length and flex for each club so it is important that the correct shaft is fitted to the corresponding club. A 3 iron shaft would fit into an 8 iron, for example, but it would play far too soft in flex and would be too long. To obtain the desired length for a taper-tipped shaft, the club should be cut to length from the butt end, after the tip end has been fitted into the hosel of the club-head.
Hard Stepping and Soft Stepping
Hard stepping and soft stepping is a way changing the flex of a shaft in a club to obtain an in-between flex which will also produce a slightly different ball flight. It works the same way regardless if the shafts are taper or parallel tipped. Depending on which way you go, a regular shaft can be made to feel a little firmer and a stiff shaft can be made to feel a little softer. The most common practice is by removing all the shafts from your matching irons (3 iron through to PW) then put each shaft in either the following or proceeding club.
Soft stepping a set of irons
This is the process of making a clubs shaft a little more flexible. The 3 iron shaft would be fitted into the 4 iron head, the 4 iron shaft into the 5 iron head a so on. The 3 iron would require a new shaft and the PW shaft would be left over. The effect on each club would be that each clubs shaft would be slightly softer than they were originally were and produce a slightly higher ball flight.
This is the process of making a clubs shaft a little more flexible. The 3 iron shaft would be fitted into the 4 iron head, the 4 iron shaft into the 5 iron head a so on. The 3 iron would require a new shaft and the PW shaft would be left over. The effect on each club would be that each clubs shaft would be slightly softer than they were originally were and produce a slightly higher ball flight.
Hard stepping a set of irons
This is the process of making a clubs shaft a little stiffer. The PW shaft would be fitted into the 9 iron head, the 9 iron shaft would fit into the 8 iron and so on. The PW would require a new shaft and the 3 iron shaft would be left over. The effect on each club would be that each clubs shaft would be a little bit stiffer than they originally were and produce a slightly lower ball flight.
This is the process of making a clubs shaft a little stiffer. The PW shaft would be fitted into the 9 iron head, the 9 iron shaft would fit into the 8 iron and so on. The PW would require a new shaft and the 3 iron shaft would be left over. The effect on each club would be that each clubs shaft would be a little bit stiffer than they originally were and produce a slightly lower ball flight.
Remember, when you hard step, the club lengths will decrease. 3 iron will become 4 iron length, 4 iron will become 5 iron length and so on. When you soft step, the club lengths will increase. PW will become 9 iron length, 9 iron will become 8 iron length and so on.
Adjustments will have to be made to the butt end of the shaft if you wish to keep the original clubs length.
Adjustments will have to be made to the butt end of the shaft if you wish to keep the original clubs length.
A paraphrased quote from Tom Wishon (Master Club Maker)
"The main reason for soft stepping or hard stepping is to change the feel of the shaft for golfers who really want their shafts to feel just right. The second reason is to try to change the launch angle and trajectory of the shot or to reduce or increase spin. A ½ inch can exhibit the beginning of a ‘feel’ difference. At an inch, some golfers who have a very consistent swing will start to notice some difference in launch angle and/or spin. But in my experience, soft stepping or hard stepping is done far more for the purpose of image than for real performance purposes."
"The main reason for soft stepping or hard stepping is to change the feel of the shaft for golfers who really want their shafts to feel just right. The second reason is to try to change the launch angle and trajectory of the shot or to reduce or increase spin. A ½ inch can exhibit the beginning of a ‘feel’ difference. At an inch, some golfers who have a very consistent swing will start to notice some difference in launch angle and/or spin. But in my experience, soft stepping or hard stepping is done far more for the purpose of image than for real performance purposes."
Tip Sizes
The tip diameter is a measurement of the circumference of the shaft at the tip and is expressed in inches. There are generally four different tip sizes available and are as follows: .335, .350, .355 and .370. There are others such as the Wilson over fit shaft (fat shaft) manufactured by True Temper and Apollo which measures in at .500 but most the common are .335, .350, .355 and .370.The smaller sizes,.355, .350 and .355 are what a wood would usually require and
.355 and .370 for irons but this is not a steadfast rule as club manufacturers are constantly changing the sizes they fit.
.355 and .370 for irons but this is not a steadfast rule as club manufacturers are constantly changing the sizes they fit.
