In the world of golf equipment, much attention is paid to clubheads, grooves, or spin rates—but it’s the shaft that often decides whether energy is transferred with precision or wasted in deflection. The shaft is the invisible engine of the golf swing: a biomechanical link that translates motion into measurable performance. And the more precisely it's matched to the player, the more it transforms consistency, speed, and feel.

The Shaft as a Biomechanical Engine

During every swing, the shaft deforms dynamically in three key ways:

• Lead/Lag Deflection – horizontal bending caused by clubhead inertia.
• Toe Up / Toe Down – vertical bending influenced by momentum and gravity.
• Torsion – twisting around its axis, impacting face angle at impact.

These aren't flaws—they’re essential mechanics that store and release energy. A well-matched shaft behaves like a loaded spring, delivering a powerful and timely “kick” through the ball.

Customization Through Composite Science

Modern carbon fiber composite shafts (CFCs) have replaced steel for one reason: precision. CFCs allow for custom fiber orientation and stacking sequences that fine-tune stiffness, torque, and damping.

Henrik Jentsch’s research confirms:

• The fiber angle and layer sequence directly determine flex profile and energy return.
• Composite shafts offer superior vibration damping, improving feel and reducing dispersion.
• Custom shafts can be built to match a golfer’s unique swing style—rather than forcing the swing to adapt to a stock shaft.

The Role of Kick Point and Energy Transfer

One of the most critical variables is the kick point, or the primary bending zone.

• A low kick point promotes higher launch and more spin.
• A high kick point produces flatter flight with less spin.

Even slight changes in kick point affect launch conditions and energy release. Henrik’s data shows that a well-fitted kick point ensures the stored energy is released at the precise moment of impact—translating to higher ball speeds and better trajectories.

Why Standard Shafts Fall Short

Henrik’s testing uncovered major inconsistencies in “identical” shafts from leading manufacturers:

• Up to 34% variation in stiffness
• Frequency deviations of up to 6%
• Manufacturing flaws like seams, resin-rich zones, and uneven damping across the shaft circumference

These flaws mean two shafts labeled “Stiff” can feel—and perform—entirely differently. Off-the-rack solutions simply cannot deliver the same reliability as a purpose-built shaft.

A Custom Shaft Is a Performance Necessity

A properly fitted shaft is more than an upgrade—it’s a cornerstone of performance. Tailored to a golfer’s tempo, transition, release pattern, and feel, it optimizes energy transfer, improves consistency, and enhances overall ball control—without changing the swing itself.

Conclusion:

The shaft is not just a connection between hands and clubhead—it’s a dynamic system that shapes every shot. Thanks to carbon composite technology and biomechanical understanding, we now have the tools to build shafts that don’t just fit—but elevate—the golfer. The invisible engine has never mattered more.

If you're interested in learning more about how to get a custom-made shaft for yourself, please send me an email, and I’ll get in touch with you to explain the exact price and what information we need to develop the perfect shaft for you.

• www.Golf247.eu

By Henrik Jentsch, Director, Golf Academy 360° powered by eCoach 360° Office

Golfers often obsess over swing mechanics but overlook a silent score killer: poor strategy into the green. Most amateurs—and even low-handicappers—are unaware of how consistently they miss short. The real issue? A fundamental misunderstanding of carry distances and shot dispersion.

The Distance Myth

Most players believe they “know” how far they hit each club. In truth, they know their best-case scenario, not their average carry distance. The result is a chronic habit of leaving approach shots short. Data backs it up:

• Scratch golfers miss short 67% of the time.
• 6-handicappers: 69%
• 14-handicappers: 76%
• 20-handicappers: 79%

Across all levels, shots rarely go long—just 10% of the time, and usually not more than 10 yards. That common fear of "flying the green"? It’s mostly fiction.

The Strategy Shift

Once golfers accept that short is their most frequent miss, the strategic question changes from “How do I avoid going long?” to “How do I stay on the green more often?”

The answer lies in understanding your shot dispersion pattern—the area where most of your shots land. For the majority of players, that pattern sits short of the intended target. Planning for this tendency is the fastest way to hit more greens.

Jentsch’s Green Targeting Strategy

Henrik Jentsch, a leading voice in strategic performance coaching, suggests a simple fix:

• Always play one club more than you think
• Or, aim 5–10 yards past the flag—unless the pin is at the back of the green

Let’s break it down by pin location:

🟢 Front Pin

• Most dangerous to aim at directly.
• If your rangefinder says 150 yards, aim for 160.

This ensures your average shot lands on the green, not in the fringe or bunker.

⚪ Middle Pin

• Play for 155–160 yards instead of the exact number.
• You’ll center your dispersion more safely and reduce the chances of falling short.

🔴 Back Pin

• Here’s the exception: Aim at the exact yardage.
• Your shot pattern will likely end up just short of the flag, which is ideal.
• Missing long in this zone can lead to tricky downhill chips—so trust your number.

Results That Matter

This minor change in course management, not mechanics, can lower your score by 2–4 strokes per round. By planning smarter, you’ll:

• Hit more greens
• Create more birdie chances
• Avoid scrambling from poor lies
• Reduce pressure on your short game

A Game of Managed Misses

Jentsch emphasizes a powerful coaching truth:

“Golf is a game of misses. Your success depends on how well you manage them.”

Even a perfectly struck shot is only useful if it lands where it should. Without strategy, you’re relying on chance. And chance doesn’t break 80.

🎯 Takeaway: Next time you pull a club for your approach shot, don’t ask, “Can I get there?”

Ask instead: “Where will my average shot finish?”

Then adjust your aim—and your scorecard will thank you.

• www.Golf247.eu

With the Spider ZT series, TaylorMade introduces a new generation of performance putters built around the principle of zero torque and lie-angle balance. These design innovations aim to eliminate compensatory movements and deliver unmatched stability throughout the stroke—transforming the way golfers experience putting.

What Is Zero Torque—and Why Does It Matter?Traditional putters—whether toe-down blades, moderate toe-hang designs, or face-balanced mallets—generate torque that the player subconsciously compensates for. This can lead to inconsistencies in face angle, loft, and lie at impact. Zero torque putters remove this reactive element, allowing the club to move naturally on plane.

Thanks to a balanced, torque-neutral head, the Spider ZT putters promote a smoother stroke that feels instinctive and effortless. Golfers no longer need to fight against twisting forces; instead, they can focus entirely on feel and alignment.

Lie-Angle Balance and Natural MovementEach Spider ZT model is designed with proper lie-angle balance, encouraging the putter to swing vertically without twisting. The result is enhanced control over the three critical putting variables: loft, lie, and face angle. When these elements are stable, roll quality improves—and so does accuracy.

Tour professionals like Lucas Glover and Adam Scott pay close attention to these variables. The Spider ZT's athletic design supports a setup where eyes are directly over the ball and posture is aligned with intent, creating a synchronized putting motion.

Three Models, One PhilosophyThe Spider ZT is available in three versions—standard, mid-length (counterbalanced), and long. Each shares the same core tech:

• Center-shafted design for balance through the center of gravity

• KBS Tour GPS shaft for enhanced weighting and feel

• Interchangeable head weights for fine-tuned balance

• 3mm Pure Roll insert for improved end-over-end roll

• Rear “wings” for added stability and forgiveness

Mid-length and long models add extra mass in the grip area, helping smooth out tempo and offering greater stability under pressure.

Smarter Putting by DesignThe true innovation lies in how these elements work together. Zero torque and lie-angle balance reduce the need for compensation, while the shaft and head technology add structure and feedback. The result? A putter that builds confidence through consistency.

Whether you’re an elite player or a weekend golfer, the Spider ZT makes it easier to control the core mechanics of putting. You’ll square the face more consistently, match your posture more naturally, and maintain your intended path with less effort.

ConclusionTaylorMade’s Spider ZT line represents more than just another mallet series. It’s a performance tool shaped by science, precision, and feedback from top-level play. For those seeking a smarter way to putt—where technology complements feel—the Spider ZT is a bold and worthy choice.

• www.Golf247.eu