Torsion
Torsion is the twisting of shaft and clubhead, especially at impact.
In golf, torsion means the twisting of the club around the longitudinal axis of the shaft. It occurs in two places: during the swing through the movement itself and at impact, when the ball is not struck exactly on the sweet spot. If you strike the ball on the Toe or the heel, the clubface twists open or closed, and the ball loses direction and energy. How much the shaft twists depends on the Torque value. How much the head twists depends on the design of the clubhead.
In practice you can see torsion in your dispersion. For example: your irons regularly curve right on toe strikes and left on heel strikes. That is classic torsion at the head: the ball twisted the face before it took off. Clubs with perimeter weighting, i.e. weight around the edges of the clubface, dampen exactly this effect and make mishits milder. That is why cavity back irons are more forgiving for most golfers than narrow blades.
Typical misconception: many look for the cause of their Slice or Hook exclusively in the swing path. But often it is the combination of strike point and torsion. A look at the ball marks on the clubface, for example with impact tape or powder, quickly shows you whether you are striking the face in the center at all. Only when the strike point is right is it worth working on the curve.
FAQ
How do I recognize whether torsion is ruining my shots?
Look at the ball marks on your clubface, for example with impact tape or foot spray. If the marks are regularly at the toe or heel instead of the center, the head twists at impact and costs you direction and distance. A typical sign: toe strikes curve right, heel strikes left — even though your swing looks the same.
Which clubs help against too much torsion?
Irons with a cavity back design, i.e. with weight around the edges of the clubface, noticeably dampen the twisting on mishits. That makes them more forgiving for most golfers than narrow blades. With the shaft, a lower torque value helps if you notice the shaft twisting too much at your swing speed.
Is torsion the same as torque?
No, but they are related. Torsion is the physical twisting itself, which occurs during the swing and at impact. Torque, on the other hand, is the measured value on the shaft that indicates how much it can twist. A high torque value therefore means more possible torsion in the shaft.