Golf Club Shaft Length

Area clubmakers use high-tech devices to improve players' games

Jacques Lemoyne has one major weakness in building custom-made golf clubs.

He can't make a set to dramatically improve his own game.

"I'm pretty bad and shoot in the 100s,'' said the smiling Lemoyne, who, as owner and operator of The Club House & More in Millcreek for the past nine years, has served golfers with clubs made to their specifications.

"I've taken some lessons, and in my business it's really necessary to have a connection between the teaching pro and the clubmaker,'' Lemoyne said. "A customer should use the blend of both the pro and someone like myself.''

Lemoyne, 56, who used to work at Peek'n Peak, has been certified by Mitchell Golf Equipment Institute and Dynacraft Clubmaking Institute, schools linked with the PGA that instruct prospective clubmakers and those who repair equipment to maximize a golfer's performance.

Those who make or restructure clubs use both the most modern devices as well as tools used for decades. They work with top computerized technology, gadgets like Swing-Rite, a headless club that clicks when a golfer's swing indicates the clubhead's release point, machinery used to bend a club face or hosel that connects a club head, and a simple flat board that marks the impact point of an iron.

There are no bags of golf sets along the walls of Lemoyne's shop, where he and assistant Keith Brown apply their skills in the building at 2537 W. 12th St., tucked in the northwest corner of the Yorktown Plaza.

That differs from Bert Reed, a certified clubmaker who works at Erie Sport Store, 1920 Keystone Drive, off upper Peach Street.

Most top brands are available there, and customers can purchase standard sets. But Reed, 50, who has been involved in golf for more than 20 years, can make adjustments to clubs to fit the player.

"We have full fitting for every length, may it be the driver, irons, wedges and the putter,'' Reed said. "The shaft can be adjusted for flex, lie angle and weight, which is so important for anyone. The clubs are fitted to the specifications, and then are custom ordered from the company."

Reed trained at Dynacraft, in Newark, Ohio, to earn his certification.

"There was a written exam, then I had to build six clubs to specifications. They were then inspected and graded, and I was able to pass the test,'' Reed said.

Lemoyne's shop includes a test- driving area, with a computerized monitor that can determine the club speed, ball-flight angles and length and direction to within a foot, as well as two workshops.

How to Pick the Right Golf Club Shaft

How to Pick the Right Golf Club Shaft

If you are picking out some new golf clubs for your personal enjoyment, one of the biggest factors will be . The shaft of a golf club is the metal that connects the handle to the head, and effectively holds the entire golf club together. It plays a huge role in the swing of the club. Picking the right one can have a huge effect on your whole game, but you have to consider many things when picking it. The best thing you can do is get a seasoned golfer to help you out in this matter, and try out enough golf clubs to feel confident in your choice. There are, however, a few guidelines that will always be helpful for someone picking out a golf club shaft. Pay attention to them, and you can make a wise choice when picking out your golf clubs.

The length of the shaft is definitely the factor that needs the most thought put into it. Since everyone’s swing techniques and height are different, the shaft you choose will have to be tailored personally to you. One way that people determine their desired length is to measure from their navel straight down to the floor. Once you grip the club and lean over to make your stroke, you will find that the length is almost always perfect. However, if you don’t lean as much as other people (or you lean further), the length will have to be altered. Just try out a few lengths before you decide on one, and you should end up being happy with the length of the golf clubs that you choose. However, that’s not all.

also have another factor that is specified by the manufacturer, and this is the flex of the club. If you try to bend it with your bare hands you won’t notice it bending visibly, but when you swing your club it does bend in an almost imperceptible amount. This can largely affect your game, especially if you are used to using another type of club with a different amount of flex. The main thing that changes your choice of flex is the speed of your swing. Do you put all of your force and speed into a swing, or do you do it more delicately? The faster swings will probably be better off with a stiffer shaft. Club shops should be able to help you determine how much flex you need.

Most of these things can be altered by the material that the club is built out of. The two most popular materials are steel and graphite. Each one has its own unique characteristics – generally graphite is considered to be the more professional choice, but you may find that steel shafts work perfectly well for you. The steel shafts are heavier and more durable, and usually cheaper than graphite. However, graphite is perfect for those who prefer lighter clubs and higher torque ratings. The needs of a golfer can range across many different variables, but many find that their needs fall within the offerings of steel shafts.

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