Torque
Torque is the measure of the torsional stiffness of a golf club shaft — specified in degrees.
Torque describes how much the shaft twists around its own longitudinal axis during the swing. The value is measured in degrees: a shaft with 3 degrees of torque twists less than one with 6 degrees. Low torque therefore means a shaft that is stiffer in torsion, high torque a softer one that twists more. The value is usually given on the spec sheet of the shaft and, alongside the Flex, is one of the most important shaft specifications. Torque and flex are, however, different things: flex describes the bending, torque the twisting.
In practice, torque mainly influences how the club behaves at impact. For example: you swing fast and occasionally strike the ball on the Toe. With a shaft with high torque, the clubhead twists more and the clubface is less stable. A lower torque can reduce dispersion. Players with a calm, slow swing, on the other hand, often find more torque pleasantly soft and lively. There are no blanket recommendations — it depends on your swing profile.
Typical misconception: many believe less torque is automatically better because tour players use stiff shafts. For moderate swing speeds, a shaft that is too stiff with very low torque can worsen the feel and cost ball speed. You will find the right combination of flex and torque most reliably through a Clubfitting, where you compare different shafts directly.
FAQ
In which clubs does the torque value matter most?
Above all in the driver and the woods, because the shafts there are the longest and twist the most. In the short irons with steel shafts, the difference hardly matters by comparison. Anyone thinking about torque should therefore look first at the shaft in the driver.
Is a lower torque value automatically better?
No. Low torque stabilizes the clubface with fast swings, but with calm swings it often feels boardy and can cost ball speed. Tour players use stiff shafts because they swing extremely fast — for moderate swing speeds, more torque can be more pleasant and longer.
How do I find out which torque suits my swing?
Most reliably through a club fitting, where you compare different shafts directly with a ball and measuring equipment. Dispersion, feel and ball flight quickly show there which combination of flex and torque suits you. Spec sheets alone say little — tested beats guessed.