Ava Romero
Golf shafts come in two types: taper tip and parallel tip. The taper tip shaft was the only option until the 1970s when the parallel tip was introduced. The difference between the two is the tip diameter and shaft weight. While all golf shafts taper from the butt to the tip, parallel tips have a constant diameter below the last step, whereas taper tips continue to narrow. The standard taper-tip shaft for irons is .355 inches at the end, while the industry standard for parallel tip shafts is .370 inches.
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What You'll Learn
- Taper tips have flatter ball flights, while parallel tips throw the ball up in the air
- The difference between the two shafts is the tip diameter and shaft weight
- Taper tips are manufactured with constant weights, meaning a 3-iron shaft weighs the same as a 9-iron shaft
- The standard taper-tip shaft for irons is .355 inch at the end
- Tour professionals and traditionalists prefer taper-tip shafts because of the constant weight
Taper tips have flatter ball flights, while parallel tips throw the ball up in the air
The choice between taper tips and parallel tips depends on the golfer's preference for ball flight and shaft characteristics. Taper tips and parallel tips refer to the design of the golf shaft, specifically the tip diameter and shaft weight. All golf shafts taper from the butt to the tip, but the key difference is that taper tips continue to narrow beyond the last step, resulting in a narrower tip diameter compared to parallel tips.
Taper tips, with their narrower design, tend to produce flatter ball flights. This means that the ball has a lower trajectory and does not ascend as high in the air compared to parallel tips. Taper tips were the only option in the past, but with the introduction of parallel tips in the 1970s, golfers now have a choice that can impact their ball's flight path.
On the other hand, parallel tips have a constant diameter at the tip section, creating a wider tip compared to taper tips. This wider tip contributes to a higher ball flight, propelling the ball upwards more prominently. Golf club manufacturers often use parallel tips in woods to achieve this higher trajectory.
While the ball flight characteristics can be a deciding factor for golfers, it's worth noting that some golfers and professionals claim that the performance feels similar. Blind testing has shown that some golfers did not notice a significant difference in performance between the two types of shafts. However, the choice between taper tips and parallel tips can also be influenced by inventory considerations for club makers and the availability of different shaft lengths for each club.
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The difference between the two shafts is the tip diameter and shaft weight
The difference between a taper tip shaft and a parallel tip shaft lies in two main aspects: tip diameter and shaft weight. All golf shafts taper from the butt to the tip, but the key distinction is that parallel tips stop tapering below the last step, maintaining a consistent diameter, while taper tips continue to narrow.
The standard taper-tip shaft for irons has a tip diameter of .355 inches, requiring a matching clubhead hosel size. On the other hand, the industry standard for parallel tip shafts is ".370 inches, which has become the standard size for irons. This diameter consistency in parallel tips allows club makers to use a single shaft length for each model of woods and irons, streamlining their inventory management.
Regarding shaft weight, taper-tip shafts are designed with constant weights, ensuring that each shaft in the set has approximately the same weight despite variations in length. This characteristic is advantageous for creating overall shaft balance in golf clubs. In contrast, parallel-tip shafts do not guarantee constant weight, and weight can vary between manufacturers.
The choice between taper tip and parallel tip shafts often comes down to personal preference and playing style. While tour professionals and traditionalists tend to favour the taper-tip shaft for its weight consistency, the average golfer may not notice a significant difference in performance. Some sources even suggest that taper- and parallel-tip shafts play very similarly, with blind testing yielding no noticeable difference for testers.
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Taper tips are manufactured with constant weights, meaning a 3-iron shaft weighs the same as a 9-iron shaft
The difference between a taper tip shaft and a parallel tip shaft lies in the tip diameter and shaft weight. While all golf shafts taper from the butt to the tip, the parallel tip shaft stops tapering below the last step, whereas the taper tip continues to narrow. The standard taper-tip shaft for irons is 0.355 inches at the end and requires a clubhead with a hosel of the same size.
Taper-tip shafts are manufactured with constant weights, meaning a 3-iron shaft weighs the same as a 9-iron shaft. This is achieved by making each different raw length, used to make each different numbered iron in a full set, the same weight. Taper-tip shafts are also made to the proper length for each club. For instance, a 9-iron shaft would not fit an 8-iron club.
On the other hand, with a parallel-tip shaft, the entire tip section, or the portion below the last step, has a constant diameter of 0.370 inches. This is the industry standard for irons. Parallel-tip shafts are the same within the model type for each iron but are trimmed to fit the length for each club. Consequently, parallel-tip shafts are heavier in longer irons and weigh less in shorter irons.
The parallel-tip shaft is advantageous for club makers as it allows them to manage their inventory more efficiently. They can stock a single shaft length for each model of woods and irons, as opposed to keeping different shaft lengths for each club.
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The standard taper-tip shaft for irons is .355 inch at the end
The standard taper-tip shaft for irons measures .355 inches at the end. This type of shaft is characterised by a tapered tip that gradually narrows down, as opposed to the parallel tip shaft, which maintains a constant diameter. The taper tip shaft was the only option available until the 1970s, when the parallel tip variant entered the market.
The two types of shafts differ in terms of tip diameter and shaft weight. The standard taper-tip shaft for irons, with its .355-inch diameter, is slightly smaller than the parallel tip, which typically measures ~.370 inches. While the specific dimensions may vary among manufacturers, the industry standard for irons is .370 inches.
The weight of the shaft is another distinguishing factor. The parallel tip shaft has a constant diameter but not a constant weight. When trimmed to fit different iron heads, the weight of the shaft changes. On the other hand, the taper tip shaft is designed to maintain a consistent weight throughout the set of irons. Each raw length used to create each numbered iron in a full set is made to be the same weight.
The choice between taper-tip and parallel-tip shafts can impact the performance of the golf club. Taper-tip shafts tend to produce a flatter ball flight, while parallel-tip shafts can propel the ball higher into the air. This is why taper-tip shafts are often chosen for irons, as they provide more control and precision, while parallel-tip shafts are commonly used for woods.
It is worth noting that the availability of different shaft options allows golfers to customise their clubs to suit their unique playing style and preferences. The standard taper-tip shaft for irons, with its .355-inch diameter, remains a popular choice among major OEMs and golfers alike.
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Tour professionals and traditionalists prefer taper-tip shafts because of the constant weight
The choice between a taper-tip and a parallel-tip shaft ultimately depends on the player's preference. The two types of shafts differ in terms of their tip diameter and shaft weight. While the taper-tip shaft has a smaller tip diameter, the parallel-tip shaft has a constant diameter throughout the tip section.
The taper-tip shaft was the only option available until the 1970s, when the parallel-tip shaft entered the market. The dynamic taper-tip shaft, produced by True Temper, is one of the few steel shafts that offer a consistent weight across each shaft. This is because, traditionally, a single master shaft was used for every head, resulting in a consistent weight across the set.
Tour professionals and traditionalists often opt for the taper-tip shaft due to its constant weight. The dynamic pattern from True Temper ensures that each shaft, regardless of length, weighs the same. This is achieved by cutting more from each iron shaft, progressing from the long to the short irons. Consequently, the balance point of the clubs differs between the dynamic parallel tip and taper tip versions.
While the taper-tip shaft is favoured by skilled players, the average golfer is unlikely to notice a significant difference between the two. In fact, blind testing conducted by True Temper revealed that players did not discern any variation in performance between the taper- and parallel-tip shafts. This suggests that both types of shafts can deliver comparable results.
Ultimately, the decision to choose between a taper-tip and a parallel-tip shaft may be influenced by factors beyond weight consistency. Players should consider factors such as shaft length, flex, and personal comfort when selecting the shaft that best suits their game.
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Frequently asked questions
The difference is in the tip diameter and shaft weight. All golf shafts taper from the butt to the tip, but parallel tips stop tapering below the last step, while taper tips continue to narrow.
The industry standard for irons is .370 inches. The standard taper-tip shaft for irons is .355 inches at the end.
Parallel-tip shafts allowed club makers to control inventory as they could stock just one shaft length for each model of woods and irons.
According to True Temper, there is no difference in performance between the two shaft types. Blind testing with identical iron heads showed that testers noticed no difference in the clubs.
