How to Tell if Your Golf Shafts are Too Stiff (5 Key Tips)
- Find Your Swing Speed. To determine which shaft flex is best for you, you have to find out what your normal swing speed is.
- Assess Your Driving Distance. If you have a fundamentally sound swing with adequate speed, yet you still struggle to get enough distance, there might be an issue with your ...
- Feel Your Clubhead. A lot of the time, golf instructors will tell you to feel the clubhead. ...
- Consider Your Shot Shape. Do you struggle with a slice? If so, it’s very likely that you’re using club shafts that are too stiff.
- Take Personal Preference Into Account. Finally, consider how you like to play and what you like to feel when you’re swinging the club. ...
How to tell if your golf shafts are too stiff?
How To Know If You Need Stiff Or X Stiff Flex. To know what golf shaft you need, you will need to know your swing speed. The faster your swing, the more stiff of a golf shaft you are going to need. When you swing the club fast, the club needs more resistance and a stiffer shaft. Head to a local golf shop and have your swing speed tested.
What Golf Club shaft stiffness should I use?
What swing speed requires a stiff shaft?
- Swing speeds above 105 mph Extra Stiff
- Swing speeds between 90-105 Stiff
- Swing speeds between 80-95 Regular
- Swing speeds between 70-85 Senior
- Swing speeds less than 70 Ladies
How to pick the right golf shaft?
Info - Choosing the Best Shaft for Your Game
- Choosing the Best Shaft for Your Game. ...
- Shaft Selection Primer 1.0: Single most important determining factor in shaft flex (indicator of overall strength of the player).
- Swing Tempo - Pace of the Swing. ...
- Release. ...
- Trajectory - Height of Ball Flight. ...
- Flight Direction Tendency. ...
- Distance Control. ...
- Price. ...
What shaft flex should I use?
– A Comprehensive Guide
- 4 Type of Shaft Flex You Should Use. This kind of shaft flex is often chosen and used by golf players with years of experience or professionals who play at ...
- 3 Factors When Choosing A Shaft Flex. ...
- Frequently Asked Questions about Shaft Flex. ...
- The Bottom Line. ...
How do I know if my golf shaft is stiff?
There are a few tell tale signs that your shafts are too stiff, firstly you will lose the ball to the right, because the shaft is to stiff it will be hard to square up at impact, causing the face to be open when you hit the ball, this is going to produce a fade or slice shot, generally ending up on the right side of ...
How do I know if my Flex is regular or stiff?
The basics. What are the basic differences between a regular and stiff flex iron shaft? The main difference is that a stiff shaft is harder to bend than a regular shaft. This is usually created by adding more material to make the shaft up which can often also make them slightly heavier.
How do I know if my shaft is not stiff enough?
When To Move To A More Flexible ShaftFeels to heavy.Feels like a 'broomstick' in your hands.You struggle to get the ball up in the air with your driver.You get no spin on the green when you approach with your irons.You hit a slice.Your accuracy drops.You start losing distance.
What happens if your golf shaft is to stiff?
If your golf shaft is too stiff and your swing speed is too slow, your well-struck shot will be limited on both carry distance and shot trajectory; a too-stiff golf shaft will most often lead to weak fades or slices.
What swing speed requires a stiff shaft?
between 97 and 104 mphStiff – This range is still considered fast, but you most likely won't be out on Tour anytime soon. If you're between 97 and 104 mph with the driver, you need a stiff flex. Regular – Now we are getting into the range where a majority of recreational golfers fall, and also where many LPGA pros fall.
Do any pro golfers use regular flex?
Common Mistakes. Kramer's 2006 “Golf Magazine” article cites a survey showing that just 2 percent of PGA Tour players and 10 percent of PGA Champions Tour players used regular flex shafts in their irons.
Can a high handicapper use stiff shafts?
Stiff shafts are appropriate for men with single-digit handicaps as well as some with handicaps 10 to 15 who have high clubhead speed. Stiff flex is available in graphite or steel.
Is a 50g shaft too light?
50 gram shafts are among the lightest you will see on the market. They tend to be favoured by golfers who struggle to generate clubhead speed. These shafts are often favored by junior and senior golfers, they can give a nice boost to the driving distance of these groups.
Will I lose distance with a stiff shaft?
If the shaft flex is too stiff, your average distance will remain low.
Should a beginner golfer use a stiff shaft?
With the proper fit, the new golfer can learn without making compensations for clubs that are too stiff or too flexible. In general, the faster a golfer's swing speed the stiffer a golf shaft should be in order to provide more control over the ball's flight.
How can I tell my swing speed?
Divide the ball speed by 1.5 to get the estimated swing speed for your drive. Alternatively, you can divide the carry distance by 2.3 to estimate the swing speed at impact, but the result will not be as accurate.
Do pros use stiff or regular shafts?
Most PGA Tour pros will use stiff or extra stiff in their shafts. It is rare to find someone swinging a regular shaft with the amount of swing speed those guys have.
Can a regular flex shaft cause a slice?
When the clubhead gets to the ball, the shaft won't unload properly and the face will remain slightly open, causing a slice. Other swing problems also can cause a slice, of course, but shafts that are too stiff can make the problem worse.
How to tell if your golf club shaft is too stiff?
There are a few telltale signs that might give you an indication that your club shafts are too stiff. If you have a good swing, but your distance is lacking it may be the shaft is too stiff. It may also be that you tend to either slice the ball or fade towards the rough on the right of the fairway, for the same reason.
What is stiffness in golf?
The stiffness or flex of the shaft is a much-neglected aspect of your golfing equipment as most golfers are more interested in the brand, or technical features, or looks of their clubs. What most golfers fail to appreciate is the effect that ‘swing speed’ has on selecting the correct amount of flex of the shaft.
What to use to reduce fade off tee?
Mix and Match. There is nothing wrong with the idea of mix and match and is becoming more common. Using graphite shafts on your driver, woods and long irons will help reduce the fade off the tee, increase the distance and soften the feel if you are to slightly miss-hit.
What is the shaft of a golf club?
The golf shaft is known as the ENGINE of the golf club. On the downswing, as the hips rotate, the weight transfer takes place and the body uncoils, the shaft of the club bends. This bend is also known as flex, and as this flex straightens out, power is transferred from the shaft to the club head and through to the ball.
How fast can a pro swing?
Pros are top athletes and would have a swing speed of 110 mph on average, while amateurs would be swinging between 80 to 95 mph. There are various ways to determine your swing speed, from clip-on devices, iPhone Apps, range monitors, and at the pro shop.
Is graphite shaft stiff?
On the shorter, irons accuracy and control are more important thus the extra flexibility of the graphite shaft may be a disadvantage. Graphite shafts are also graded Ladies, Senior, Regular, Stiff, and Extra Stiff, but remember the actual flex will vary from one manufacture r to another.
What happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?
When the shaft is too stiff, you won’t be able to get enough spin on the ball, causing it to come out very low, and look like it’s falling out of the sky. If it’s too stiff, your shot shape will be from left ...
How is shaft flex determined?
Your shaft flex will be determined mainly by your swing speed, and then by your ability, age and personal preference. Within each shaft flex there are different weights and kick points (bend points). Shaft flex is very important as it will help with your distance and accuracy.
What is shaft flex?
Shaft flex is how much the shaft bends throughout the swing, someone that swings it slow will need a more flexible shaft, while someone that swings it fast will need a stiffer shaft. You get Ladies, Senior, Regular, Stiff and X-Stiff shafts in Woods and Irons, generally your Woods and Irons will be the same flex.
How to know if you need to go stiffer?
You should move to a stiff shaft once your swing speed moves into the next bracket, if you can’t track your swing speed here are some signs you need to go stiffer. Feels ‘whippy’ in your hands. Feels too light. Your ball is ballooning in the air. Your ball is behind your pitch mark when you hit your driver.
What monitors your swing speed?
These are called launch monitors, they track your swing speed, loads of other parameters. Unfortunately they do cost quite a bit of money, which makes it hard to get your hands on one.
Why does my golf ball go high?
When the golf ball is struck it will generally have too much spin if the shaft is too flexible, this will cause a ‘ballooning’ effect on the shot and it will tend to go quite high. You might have an inconsistent shot shape if the shaft is too flexible.Having a shaft that is too flexible can also cause the ball to hook uncontrollably, ...
How to know if you need to go more flexible?
You should move to a more flexible shaft once your swing speed drops into the next bracket, if you can’t track your swing speed here are some signs you need to go more flexible. Feels to heavy. Feels like a ‘broomstick’ in your hands. You struggle to get the ball up in the air with your driver.
How to tell if you need a stiffer shaft?
There are several ways you can use to tell if you need a stiffer shaft. One and the most common is distance and direction. If you tend to hit long balls, but with high inaccuracies, you likely need to have a stiffer shaft.
Why is my golf club shaft so flexible?
Expect misdirected flight paths of the ball. This happens because when a golf club impacts with the ball, the shaft tends to move forward. A right-handed golfer with a flexible shaft will notice that the ball moves towards the left.
What factors affect the flexibility of a golf club?
Factors such as your swing speed and the shaft material affect the flexibility of your golf club. If you often lose your direction despite having an impressive distance, then the problem might be that you are using a highly flexible golf club.
What is swing speed?
Swing Speed. First, let’s define swing speed. It is the speed in miles per hour at which the clubhead travels through the hitting area. On that note, it would be great knowing that if you are a fast swinger, a highly flexible shaft is not for you. It makes it difficult for you to control the clubhead.
What to consider when buying a golf club?
When purchasing a golf club, always consider the type of material used to make the shaft. Different materials have different flexes. For instance, graphite shafts tend to be lighter than their steel counterparts. You are likely to have higher swing speeds when using shafts made from graphite than those made of steel.
Why does my golf club slice?
There is a high chance that your stiff golf club will cause a slice. This happens because the face remains slightly opened when it hits the ball. The shaft fails to unload appropriately, leading to a slice. When choosing a golf club, make a point of picking one that is neither too stiff nor too flexible.
Can you lose clubhead control with a graphite shaft?
For anyone with lower swing speeds, graphite shafts will only make you lose clubhead control. Therefore pick a golf club with a steel shaft since it is stiffer than the graphite shaft and offers more control on the clubhead.
How to determine golf shaft flex?
Start by using a launch monitor to analyze your golf swing speed. If your swing ranges between 85 mph and 95 mph then you should start with a regular flex. If your swing speed is faster than 95 mph, then you should try a stiff shaft.
What to know about golf shafts?
In today’s guide we will review everything you need to know about golf shafts. Picking out the proper golf shaft is very important as it will impact several components of your golf swing. For example, picking the wrong golf shaft flex can cause you to hook or slice the golf ball. It also can hinder the total distance the ball flies by having too much spin or too low of launch. But don’t worry, at the end of reading today’s guide you’ll be much more educated on the buying process and how to pick out the right golf shaft. Lets Get Started!
What is the best shaft for golf?
Steel – A steel golf shaft is usually stronger and more durable (less likely to snap) than a graphite shaft. It’s also less expensive and sometimes stainless steel is used in the creation of the steel shaft. There is also two variations, stepped steel and rifle steel.
Why does my golf shaft have a slice?
When the golf shaft is too stiff, it doesn’t unload properly at impact. This can lead to the face staying open and result in a slice golf shot. Beware, a slice isn’t always an indication the shaft is too stiff so if you already have a slice, it could be caused by another fault in your golf swing.
What shafts do golfers use?
For most golfers, a graphite shaft works great. Most iron sets are made with graphite shafts as well so you get that material type by default usually unless you specifically seek out steel shafted irons. With steel shafts, you may find that golf shots are easier to control.
Why do golf clubs have shafts?
During the golf swing the shaft causes deflection (bend) that causes the clubhead to be in a forward and toe downward position relative to the grip of the club.
What is the most common shaft material used in golf clubs?
Graphite Shafts. Graphite – this type of shaft is usually lighter weight compared to a steel shaft but it’s less durable and more expensive to make. Graphite is one of the most common shaft types used in golf clubs and can arguably be considered the main shaft material used, beating out steel.
What Is Shaft Flex?
Shaft flex is the degree to which the shaft will bend or flex during the swing. A more flexible shaft bends easily during the swing and has the potential to produce a longer-ranged shot.
How Does Shaft Flex Impact Your Golf Game?
The shaft flex of your golf club has an immense effect on the game’s outcome as a whole. From high irons to wedges and drivers, you have to make sure they have the correct flex for trajectory, accuracy, and distance.
How to Choose the Shaft Flex for You?
You can know the correct flex for your shaft by evaluating your swing at a golf equipment store. They’ll check all kinds of things like ball speed, distance, clubhead speed, spin, and many other factors. They also try several shafts in the same driver head to give the most accurate results.
What Shaft Flex Should You Use for The Driver?
It would be best if you choose the stiffest shaft flex for your driver because it is often the club that has the maximum swing speed. Since it carries the maximum swing speed, you may consider choosing the most accurate shaft flex.
How to Determine the Right Flex for Your Iron?
Choosing the right flex for the iron depends on the club you use for hitting a 150-yard shot. If you’re about to take a 150-yard shot, consider using these flex for your irons.
Final Thoughts
When selecting a flex for the shaft in your clubs, the tradeoff is between accuracy and distance. Choosing a senior flex helps you to achieve greater distance due to its flexibility but at the cost of lower accuracy.
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What is the most popular decision a golfer makes?
One of the most popular decisions golfers face is whether to get a regular or stiff shaft in their irons, hybrids, fairway woods, and driver. Most resources will tell you to make that decision based on your swing speed. Unfortunately, they are wrong.
Is there a standard for shaft flex?
There Are No Standards for Flex. There is a lot of misinformation amongst golfers (and companies) regarding flex. The most important thing to understand is that there are no standards when it comes to shaft flex. One company’s “regular” could be another company’s “stiff.”.
Is graphite shaft lighter than steel?
Graphite tends to be lighter, but many companies are offering steel shafts in much lighter versions. Long story short, using your swing speed to choose a stiff versus regular shaft is not enough information. You need to know more about your golf swing tendencies and, more importantly, have someone who actually knows shafts well enough to match ...
Did Nick Price find a stiff shaft?
Despite having similar swing speeds, each player needed a much different shaft flex. Nick Price couldn’t find a shaft that was stiff enough for him. He applied so much force to the shaft with his swing length and tempo that he needed a much stiffer shaft profile compared to Fred Couples.
Can you buy a shaft based on your swing speed?
If you purchase a shaft based only on your swing speed and nothing else, you are just guessing. Other characteristics, such as weight, are important. Generally speaking, golfers with slower swing speeds can benefit from a lighter shaft and vice versa. That can be addressed using a graphite or steel shaft.
What is the best mph for senior flex?
Between 72 and 83 mph signifies you need to be hitting senior flex. Ladies – By no means do all women’s golfers will fall in this category, but this is where many of the recreational women’s players find themselves.
Can you extrapolate your swing speed to driver?
You should consider that your swing speed for your irons might not extrapolate perfectly to driver (and vice versa), so while a certain flex might be right in some clubs, that might not be the case in others.
What is the difference between a stiff shaft and a regular shaft?
The main difference is that a stiff shaft is harder to bend than a regular shaft . This is usually created by adding more material to make the shaft up which can often also make them slightly heavier. The more force you create in your golf swing (higher swing speed) the stiffer you will want your shaft.
Which shaft bends the most during a swing?
This is a larger jump than what’s above, it is more like the difference between regular and stiff shafts. Ladies flex is the shaft that bends the most during a swing as ladies tend to have the slowest swings. I think this name needs to change, however, if you don’t create much speed then this is the shaft for you.
How fast can a golf driver swing?
Elite golfers can create swing speeds that far exceed what is on the chart above and so they require stiffer shafts. On top of stiff you also have extra-stiff which would be for swing speeds over 105mph. When some tour golfers swing the driver they can generate 115mph and more, some even exceed 120mph!
What do people brag about in golf?
In golf there are a few things that people like to brag about around the club. How far they hit a driver, how high their swing speed is and what their handicap is to name a few. However, another that people use as a bragging point is the flex of their shaft. This can get tiresome and it can mean that some golfers play a shaft ...
What type of shaft is used for irons?
You have three main choices when it comes to your irons. You have the classic steel shaft, the graphite shaft or the innovative SteelFibre (a graphite shaft surrounded by a very thin layer of steel fibre).
How fast should a driver be to swing a golf club?
The starting point for this is swing speed, if you swing your driver between 90-105 mph then you will probably need a stiff shaft. This will benefit you by delivering great control of your club during your swing and stop you spraying it everywhere.
Why do you need a regular shaft?
A regular shaft will help maximise the distance you can generate from your golf swing. This is when you need to be honest with yourself and if you need more help then accept it. Even if that means playing a senior flex in your forties, if it will help you then go for it.
What Happens If Your Driver Shaft Is Too Stiff?
Playing with the correct shaft in your driver is incredibly important. With the correct shaft flex you will be able to deliver the club at optimum speeds, and produce the correct numbers in terms of launch and spin on the golf ball.
What is Shaft Flex, And Why Is It Important In Drivers
Shaft flex is how much the shaft bends while you swing the club, if you swing it slowly you will need a more flexible shaft, while if you swing it fast you will need a stiffer shaft.
What Are The Signs Your Driver Shaft Is Too Stiff
There are a few tell tale signs that your shafts are too stiff, firstly you will lose the ball to the right, because the shaft is to stiff it will be hard to square up at impact, causing the face to be open when you hit the ball, this is going to produce a fade or slice shot, generally ending up on the right side of the course.
Will You Adapt Your Swing To The Incorrect Shaft Flex
Yes you will, if your shaft is too stiff you will adapt your swing in more ways than one.
How Does Weight, Kick Point And Torque Affect Shaft Flex
90% of the time shaft flex is impacted by weight, the heavier the shaft is the stiffer it is, and the lighter the shaft is the more flexible it is.
How Does Swing Speed Affect What Shaft Flex You Should Use?
Swing speed is the main influencer in what shaft you should use. The faster you swing the more the shaft will bend, so the more you need to control it.
How To Discover Your Swing Speed?
By using a very fancy piece of machinery called a launch monitor, you are able to track how fast your swing speed is. The most popular companies are Trackman, Flightscope and GC Quad.
Stiffness Or Flex
Graphite Or Steel?
- The introduction of graphite shafts has opened up a whole new dimension to golf club technology and performance. Graphite shafts offer the following benefits: 1. They are lighter than steel shafts. 2. Increase swing speeds and distance. 3. Better dispersion from the tee. 4. Assist golfers with slower swing tempos. BUT 1. They are usually more expensive. Graphite being a much light…
Summary
- As a right-handed player, do you tend to come off the tee with a left to right fade or even an occasional slice? Do you also have the feeling that you are striking the ball solidly, but it should be traveling further? Chances are your club shaft is too stiff for your swing speed.
Final Thoughts
- We all want to get the most enjoyment from our game as well as the best possible results. Before getting hung up on which brand of club to buy or what brand your favorite pro is using, first, admit that you are human and unique. Your clubs have to suit you, not your hero. Determine what your swing speed is and how much flex or stiffness your clubs are going to need to provide you with …
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- Unfortunately, most golfers overlook the importance of shaft flexibility following their swing speeds and general play type. If you purchase a light and highly flexible golf club, expect your strength to overpower the club. On the other hand, a very stiff golf club reduces your distance, and you will have a lot more misses here and there. Therefore you need to be true to yourself and un…
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How do you know if you need a stiffer shaft?
There are several ways you can use to tell if you need a stiffer shaft. One and the most common is distance and direction. If you tend to hit long balls, but with high inaccuracies, you likely need to have a stiffer shaft. - Q: What happens if your shaft is not stiff enough?
The outcomes of a highly flexible shaft are quite detrimental. You will notice that the ball takes misdirected paths towards the opposite direction. The ball tends to go too high and spins a lot.