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What happens if golf shaft is too 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.
When should you get stiff shaft irons?
Stiff shafts are recommended for players who generate high club head speed. If your swing speed is 90 mph or higher, a stiff shaft or an x-stiff shaft should be a good fit.
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.
Who needs a stiff shaft driver?
A good tip for working out what flex you need is the 150-yard test. If you can hit an 8- or 9-iron 150 yards, comfortably, then a stiff shaft is for you. This means that you will have a driver swing speed of around 100 mph and you will see the benefits of a stiff shaft.
Do I need stiff or regular shafts?
If you hit it about 200 yards, move up to Seniors shafts. If you hit the ball longer than that, say 225-250 yards, you should probably choose regular shafts. Anything more than 250 yards, stiff shafts are for you.
Should 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.
Do any pros use stiff 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.
Is stiff shaft better than regular?
What's the difference between regular and stiff shafts? A stiff shaft is firmer and harder to bend than a regular shaft, and so more often than not, they're also heavier in weight. As a rough rule of thumb, the more speed you generate, the stiffer your shafts should be.
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 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 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 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 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.
What happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?
One of the biggest indicators that your golf shaft is too stiff is that you are having trouble hitting the ball high. If you have a low swing speed and the shaft is too stiff, any well-struck ball will have a limit on the shot trajectory and the carry distance.
What happens if you play with a golf shaft that has too much flex?
If you play with a golf shaft that has too much flex, you can find yourself hitting draws with a lot of spin on them. Any golf shaft that has too much flex for your style will flex too much from the start to the finish of the swing, and this allows for inconsistent release points.
How does a club shaft flex affect your swing?
During your swing, your club’s shaft will flex, changing the club head’s position. When you pick the right flex for your swing speed, the clubface lands squarely on the ball, helping to improve your accuracy and maximize your distance. A shaft flex that is too stiff will result in less lag throughout the swing and at impact, ...
Why does my golf ball fade?
A leaking ball flight or fade because you won’t be able to flex the golf shaft enough when you swing to create a square impact position on the ball. A low ball flight, resulting in less distance. Inconsistent contact – your swing won’t feel solid, even when you get center hits.
What is the shaft of a golf club?
The golf shaft is the part of the club that provides the power that is transferred to the head of the club and eventually the ball every time you swing. The flex of your golf club’s shaft is the thing that will directly dictate how your club transfers power, so getting a shaft with too much or not enough flex can significantly affect your ...
How to feel when swinging a golf club?
If you prefer a “springy” feel, consider opting for a more flexible shaft. If you don’t like to feel the clubhead moving during your swing, a stiffer shaft will likely feel more comfortable for you.
Why does my golf ball fly so high?
If the course is wet, your ball will fly too high, the distance will be shorter, or it can limit roll out because it can plug when it lands. You can experience: A ball that tends to misses or pulls mostly to the left on each swing for right-handed golfers and to the right for left-handed golfers. A draw flight.
What is the most important choice when buying golf clubs?
One of the most important choices you have to make when buying golf clubs is which shaft flex to use , with 80% of golfers being suited to either regular or stiff shafts.
Why do golf irons have higher kick points?
Because stiffer shafts need more power or a more efficient action to work at their best, they usually feature higher kick points to help players control their ball flights. RELATED: Best Golf Irons. The right weight and kick point also play a part in finding the right shaft.
Is graphite shaft better than steel?
On the whole graphite shafts are a little lighter than steel alternatives and will help slower swingers find better, longer ball flights. For some golfers, lighter graphite shafts feel easier to use – helping to generate good ball flights with less effort.
Does a slow accelerating arc cause more lag?
This doesn’t just relate to players who swing quickly though, often a slow accelerating arc can generate more lag and power than someone who swings with a quicker tempo. Of course, the distance you hit the ball is one of the tell-tale signs about the shafts you need to be playing.
Is a stiff shaft stiffer than a regular shaft?
A stiff shaft is firmer and harder to bend than a regular shaft, and so more often than not, they’re also heavier in weight. As a rough rule of thumb, the more speed you generate, the stiffer your shafts should be.
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.
How many irons do you need to hit 150 yards?
If you can hit 150 yards with a wedge, 9, or 8 iron you probably need stiff shafts. Using a 6 or 7 iron on 150 yards, go for a Regular flex, and 5 iron or more than Senior or Ladies shaft flex would be the way to go.
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.
Who is the founder of GolfSpan?
Golf Shafts – The Ultimate Guide – All You Need To Know To Choose The Right Shaft. Nick Lomas. Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world.
What happens if your golf club shaft is too stiff?
If the shaft of your golf club is too stiff for you, you will have a tough time hitting the ball straight. Your swing speed will not be able to release the club to turn it over enough and square up the clubface at impact. Almost always, if a shaft is too stiff for you, then you will hit the ball to the right.
Why do golf shafts get stiffer?
You will notice that as shafts get stiffer, they also get heavier. This is because there is usually a correlation between ball flight and player swing speed. The faster the swing speed, the easier it is to launch the ball.
How fast can you swing a golf club?
If you are continually swinging the club over 105 mph, then an extra stiff shaft is for you. Now, if you can go to the range and launch one and get a number of 125, that’s great news, but that is not your typical swing speed. When switching to an extra stiff shaft, you must be sure you can swing at this high speed for 18 holes, not two holes.
What is extra stiff shaft?
Extra stiff shafts are typically considered to be for better players, lower handicaps. This means that the majority of the models are blades or tour preferred irons.
What is flex in golf?
A golf club’s flex is the strength of the actual shaft. A golf shaft will also have a flex or a kick point that will affect the stiffness as well as the ball flight. If you are swinging a golf club that is not the correct flex for you, there will be effects on the golf shots you can hit. The five most common shaft flex options are Ladies, Senior, ...
Is stiff shaft good for golf?
A stiff shaft can very likely lower your ball flight, and for some players, this may be a good thing. For faster swing speed players that have been using regular shafts, they may notice that they are getting a bit too much height and potentially losing some distance.
Can you lose distance with a stiff shaft?
The only time a player will lose distance with a stiff shaft is if it is not the correct shaft for them, just as you will lose distance with a regular shaft if it is not the right shaft for you. Making sure that your swing speed can flex the shaft you are using correctly is what will give you the distance you need.
How many yards is stiff shaft?
Anything more than 250 yards, stiff shafts are for you. Unless you are a huge hitter and average about 300 yards on your drives, stay away from Extra-stiff shafts. Nine times out of 10, this method works well, but you still need to be comfortable hitting with whichever shaft you choose.
What is a senior flex shaft?
The Seniors flex is meant for golfers who swing a bit harder. A Regular shaft is used by golfers who hit the ball an average or farther than average length. For those long hitters, there are Stiff and Extra-stiff shafts that flex little.
What is flex in golf?
Flex is the amount that the shaft will bend when it is swung. All of us have heard the admonition, “let the club do most of the work”. If you choose the right shaft, that can be true. With the right shaft, you'll swing the club easier and get more distance out of your shots.
Why do you need regular shafted clubs?
If you have a slower swing speed, you are probably going to want to choose regular shafted clubs because the additional flex will provide a little more power and accuracy. When you swing harder, the stiff flex will be more controlled and give you the punch you need to hit better shots. One of the most common problems that many golfers face is ...
What is the most accurate depiction of your the type of flex you should have in your clubs?
Swing Speed. This is the most accurate depiction of your the type of flex you should have in your clubs. If you cannot get properly evaluated in your area, you can consider the other two options. If you have the right type of cellular device, you may be able to find an application that can assist you.
How many yards did Dave hit a steel driver?
Driver Dave hits a regular shafted steel driver 240 yards. Then, he used a graphite driver and hits it about 250 because of the increased clubhead speed. You need to be aware of the type of shaft material you are measuring with and make sure that it matches the clubs you would use when out on the course.
Should I hit a golf ball a mile?
Hitting the golf ball a mile can be a confidence booster and impress everyone around you, but if you aren’t hitting it where you want this can be a problem. If you have a driver with a regular flex and are hitting the ball long but inaccurately, you may want to consider going to a stiffer shaft. The stiffer shafts should provide you ...
Why does my golf shot feel harsh?
The shot will probably feel less solid and harsh, even when impact occurs in the center of the face, because of the different impact vibrations transmitted up the shaft to the golfer's hands. [u]If a golfer is using a shaft that is too flexible, here are the likely results: u] 1. The ball will possibly fly higher for any given loft.
What does miss mean in golf swing?
Depending upon the golf swing, the miss can be either way. Thought being that if it is too soft it lags behind your release and you hook it. Well it could also mean that you can't get the face square as it is so far behind your hands that you hit giant blocks with it. I think it has a lot to do with the load and release of the golf swing in question. The hook is certainly far more common.
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.
Factors Affecting Golf Club Flexibility
Signs and Outcomes of Highly Flexible Shafts
- 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.
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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