Differences Between Senior Golf Clubs And Regular Sets?
Posted on
February 21st, 2010
by admin
“What’s the difference between senior’s golf clubs and a regular set? Trying to buy a golf club set, and I don’t know…”
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Weight, and shaft flexibility. They are designed for a slower swing. If you still swing hard, you will over-swing a Senior club.
Club head weight and shaft stiffness or lack of stiffness.
References :
experience
Senior clubs most likely have “Senior” flex shafts.
They are more for slow tempo, slower swing speeds.
They will also most likely have a mid to high kickpoint to promote a higher ball flight.
To someone with any decent amount of speed, the shaft will feel very “whippy”.
The difference is in the shaft of the clubs. Golf club shafts have different speed ratings, meaning that some are designed for players with slower swing speeds, and some are designed for players with faster swing speeds. The senior clubs are designed to give the “senior” players similar results without all of the club head speed. A person with a high swing speed should not use senior clubs to get a further edge. The contrary would happen. Speak with a qualified salesperson at your local golf pro shop and see what he or she recommends for your swing type.
Normally the shafts of the clubs are different for a senior’s set. They’re normally graphite and have more flex than a standard set. I play with stiff steel shafts on my irons and stiff graphite shafts on my woods. Its a matter of swing speed and distance. If you swing slow, a more flexible shaft will make up the difference in distance. Also senior sets tend to have more hybrid clubs which are easier to hit.
Senior clubs, on the woods, have more loft and the head is weighted to help get the ball in the air. The irons have less loft to help gain lost distance. Senior clubs have a lighter shaft too, which makes it easier to play 18 holes of golf with less physical strain.
Generally a slower club head speed or a slower tempo will dictate a senior (A) flex. But there is truly no way to tell how well a set of R or A flex clubs will work with your swing unless you get a proper fitting. Off the shelf clubs A or R in most cases will work for you if you know your swing speed and tempo. But to fine tune your selection you need to get fitted. Reason for that is there is no PGA or industry standard for rating shaft flex, same goes for loft.
You will find that for most of us slower swingers, dependent on the shaft brand, we can go with an A or R due to the variance in manufactures. I’m fortunate in that I know how to build clubs and right now I’m a tweener, not yet ready for a full A flex but due to age and slowing down I’m not a true R flex. So when I trim the tips of my clubs lately I cut them the length that is halfway between A and R. And if you are going to get fit for clubs go to a certified club fitter, not a big box store retailer.
Your specs for the right shaft and club lie are determined at ball striking, not at address. Based on the charts or apps online, which use my height and wrist to floor measurements, I’m a regular club length with no adjustment to lie. But when I have been fitted properly based on moment of ball impact I need a 3/4 inch shorter club and a 1.25 degree change for lie. If you are going to invest $600 to $900 for a set of clubs it only makes sense to invest $75 in a proper fitting prior to your purchase. Once your club fitter gets your specs down, tell him which clubs you plan to buy and if he can make the shaft and lie changes for that brand. Not all irons will take to bending for lie adjustment, so ask your fitter ahead of your purchase.
Wow… Thanks for dropping by and adding your insight!
Bill