Kick Point (Bend Point)
Also called: bend point
The point along a shaft where it flexes most - a lower kick point launches the ball higher, a higher kick point keeps it lower.
Kick point, also called bend point, is the location along the shaft where it bends the most during the swing. It influences launch and ball flight: a low kick point flexes nearer the tip and tends to launch the ball higher, while a high kick point flexes nearer the grip and tends to produce a lower, more penetrating flight.
The effect of kick point is real but smaller than golfers often assume - it fine-tunes launch rather than transforming it. Loft, shaft flex, and how you deliver the club all influence launch more. Kick point is a secondary lever you reach for once the bigger specs are dialed in.
It is most useful as a tuning tool. A golfer who launches the ball a touch too low for their speed might benefit from a lower kick point; someone ballooning the ball might want a higher one. It works alongside flex and loft to shape the final trajectory.
As with torque, kick point is not consistently defined or labeled across manufacturers, so it is best evaluated by hitting the shaft and watching ball flight rather than by reading a spec sheet.