What is Kickpoint in Golf Shafts, and How it Affects Shots

The kickpoint may not be something you have heard of, and yet the role it plays in your shots does mean it’s something that cannot be ignored.

Basically, the kickpoint of a golf shaft refers directly to the point where the shaft is reaching its absolute maximum bend at the point when the tip is actually being bent down. What that means is we are talking about an area of the shaft rather than one small point on the item.

Now, you may also see it being referred to as the flex point, or the bend point. However, no matter the terminology used, it all refers back to the exact same thing.

There are Three Kickpoint Locations

The next thing you should know is that there tends to be three distinct kickpoint locations. Now, a club won’t have all three since we are talking about an area, but different brands will have different locations.

In general, you are looking at your clubs having one of the following.

A Low Kickpoint

With a low kickpoint, you will have a kickpoint area toward the lower end of the shaft, and it will be closer to the club head.

This positioning tends to be better for players with a slower swing speed. That’s because a slower swing speed often results in individuals struggling to get the height they need to then achieve the best possible distance from their shot.

But there can be an issue.

If you don’t really struggle with getting height and the correct trajectory, then having a club with a low kickpoint is going to lead to getting too much height. That then means the ball is subject to more wind and increased movement.

Basically, if you hit the ball too high, then it’s going to be tougher for you to take control of your shot. 

A Mid Kickpoint

With a mid kickpoint, it will very clearly be in the absolute heart of the shaft. It will often be equidistant to either end of the shaft itself.

With a mid kickpoint, it’s going to work best when you require little in the way of corrections with your shots. Or, if you do need some corrections, then you are talking about something that is very slight.

A High Kickpoint

With a high kickpoint, you are looking at the area being up closer to the grip part of the shaft. 

With a high kickpoint, they will often be more aligned to those players with faster swings. It will tend to be the case that a faster swing leads to them generating so much launch that it sends the ball too high.

That then means you will lose distance even though you have the speed to allow the ball to carry further. That is detrimental to your game, so changing the shaft could help to alter the flight and improve your shot.

But here’s something else that’s important to know. 

A club with a higher kickpoint will often be far less forgiving than one with a low kickpoint. That is something to take into consideration when weighing up whether or not you want to change your shafts.

How it Affects Your Shot

The kickpoint is going to have a direct influence on your shot, but how it affects it comes down to a number of different things. However, being aware of this makes it easier for you to change the shafts you use in your bag.

The Trajectory

The main way in which the kickpoint will affect your shot is by changing the trajectory. It will help you to either hit the ball higher, or lower depending on the kickpoint location.

The general rule of thumb is as follows:

A low kickpoint shaft is going to result in the ball flying on a higher trajectory.

A high kickpoint shaft will push the ball onto a lower trajectory.

But while that sounds basic, it does provide you with some sound information that can have a direct influence on your shot. Also, it lets you know how the shaft could be negatively affecting your game resulting in it being easier to make some changes.

Looking at Your Shots

So let’s say you realize you are hitting your shots too high on a regular basis. Chances are that it means you are using shafts that have a low kickpoint, and that’s just emphasising your natural way of hitting the ball.

In this instance, it would be wise to change your shafts to something with a higher kickpoint. We aren’t saying you need to go from one end of the spectrum to the other, but removing the low kickpoint will automatically bring the ball down and improve your overall shot.

But then the opposite is true.

Often, high handicappers can struggle with getting the ball up off the deck and into the air. If that’s the case with you, then looking at using shafts with a low kickpoint can help get it up off the ground and, once again, improve your shots.

What a Change in Kickpoint Won’t Do

You now see how the kickpoint changes trajectory and how it could impact your shots, but let’s get one thing straight when it comes to what it is not capable of doing.

Changing the kickpoint location is not going to correct your problems if they are caused by a bad swing. If that’s the case, then you need to work on the swing, stance, grip, and a whole host of other things instead of believing changing shafts will make a huge difference. 

You see, the key is in the angle and position of the clubhead at that point of impact with the ball. The COG of the clubhead, along with your downswing, makes the difference, so please don’t put all your faith in the kickpoint.

Overall, knowing more about the kickpoint will change your game. It alters the trajectory, and that changes the distance you can achieve. Ultimately, small differences such as this can then lead to big improvements in your game, so don’t ignore it as it may explain why you are struggling in certain areas.