
Soft stepping, putting the 5 iron shaft in the 6 iron, moves the flex of the shaft about 1/3 of the way toward the R flex shaft. A double soft step, 4 iron in the 6 iron will move the flex another 1/3 toward the R flex. The weight of the shaft changes very little with stepping.
What is soft stepping in golf shafts?
As an example- soft stepping requires a 3 iron shaft to be put into a 4 iron’s head. A 4 iron shaft should go into a 5 iron shaft accordingly. The shaft that’s left will be used as the extra pitching wedge shaft. You’ll be able to discard it when the 9 iron shaft comes to replace it. Soft stepping helps the flex to be more flexible and softer.
How do you change shafts on a golf club?
The most common practice is by removing all the shafts from your matching irons (3 iron through to PW) then put each shaft in either the following or proceeding club. This is the process of making a clubs shaft a little more flexible.
Should I soft step my shafts twice?
Soft-stepping twice would be cutting the shaft as a 3-iron or two clubs more and would decrease the stiffness by a half flex. If you soft step once for one club, you will do so on all the irons and wedges to have a uniform progression of flex throughout the set.
How to make a golf club shaft more flexible?
Making the club shaft more flexible requires a process. For example when soft stepping, the 3 iron shaft would be put into the 4 iron’s head. The 4 iron shaft would go into the 5 iron shaft and so forth. The only shaft left would be the extra pitching wedge shaft but it is discardable since the 9 iron shaft replaced it.

What does soft stepping a golf shaft mean?
Soft stepping is the term used to indicate changing flex of a taper tip shaft by adjusting the stiffness of a set of irons by putting the lower numbered iron shaft throughout the set. For example, the 8 iron shaft is put in the 9 iron, the 7 iron shaft in the 8 iron and so on through the set.
How much difference does soft stepping make?
The average distance in yards that a golfer hits a soft stepping iron is 150 yards. By using a soft stepping golf iron, you can expect to increase your distance by 10-15 yards.
Can you make a shaft softer?
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 too slightly mishit.
Does soft stepping increase spin?
"The main reason for soft stepping or hard stepping is to change the feel of the shaft for golfers who really want their shafts to feel just right. The second reason is to try to change the launch angle and trajectory of the shot or to reduce or increase spin. A ½ inch can exhibit the beginning of a 'feel' difference.
Does soft stepping add length?
For instance, when you soft step your irons, each of them gets a bit longer. If you are able to adjust this so that the lengths are still the proper fit for your game, you can order them directly from the manufacturer this way.
What is Tiger stepping?
0:585:39TIGER STEPPING / TIGER WOODS WEDGE BUILD SETUP - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIs taking a shaft in this case the dynamic gold shaft that really only runs is only made down to aMoreIs taking a shaft in this case the dynamic gold shaft that really only runs is only made down to a nine iron. So whether you're putting it in a nine or a pitching sand gap lob wedge.
What if my golf shaft is too stiff?
If your driver's shaft is too stiff, the clubhead may not square with the ball at the point of impact, causing slices and fades. If you can't feel the weight of the clubhead loading through the shaft, it's probably too stiff, and can cause errors and issues associated with accuracy such as these.
How do you know if your 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 ...
What does hard stepping a shaft do?
Stepping shafts is a method of reshafting that focuses on a flex between the specific designations, say, between a regular and a stiff flex. "Hard stepping" would make a shaft stiffer, "soft stepping," more flexible.
Can you soft step a graphite shaft?
1:276:04Hard Stepped and Soft Stepped Golf Shafts Explained - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWell you can you can soft step it by instead of using if this is a five iron.MoreWell you can you can soft step it by instead of using if this is a five iron.
What does a soft tip shaft do?
Well a shaft that has a soft tip has a low bend point and this helps lift the ball in the air by adding dynamic loft. Players who hit the ball too high should look for a tip stiff shaft which does not add so much loft, which produces a lower and more penetrating trajectory.
What is a stepped shaft?
Stepped shafts are widely used in drive trains. They are generally holding large gears and cams, which are key elements in power transfer. Mostly supported by bearings at the end, the shaft experiences bending loads, axial thrust and torsional loads. The shaft must have greater strength to withstand these loads.
How to make a club shaft more flexible?
Making the club shaft more flexible requires a process. For example when soft stepping, the 3 iron shaft would be put into the 4 iron’s head. The 4 iron shaft would go into the 5 iron shaft and so forth. The only shaft left would be the extra pitching wedge shaft but it is discardable since the 9 iron shaft replaced it.
What is a stiffer shaft?
Stiffer shafts are meant for golfers who have higher swing speeds and can help with straighter and more accurate ball flight. Regular flex shafts are easier to hit and are for slower swing speeds. Some players want to change their shafts to be between the two for their swing speed and style. Soft stepping golf shafts is a way to do this.
Why is hard stepping important?
The effect of hard stepping helps the shafts become a little stiffer while lowering ball flight after contact. The club lengths will become longer after hard stepping. If you wished to keep the original shaft length, you will have to make changes to the shaft’s butt end.
Does soft stepping work on a parallel shaft?
The effect of soft stepping works identically even if the shafts are parallel or taper tipped .
Why do golf clubs have soft stepping?
"The main reason for soft stepping or hard stepping is to change the feel of the shaft for golfers who really want their shafts to feel just right.
What are the two ends of a golf shaft?
There are two ends of the shaft to consider. The butt end (the end to which the grip is fitted) and the tip which fits into the club-head. There are two different types of tip, parallel and taper-tip. The parallel-tip shaft is a constant diameter from the last step down to the tip of the shaft. The idea of this is that one shaft can be manufactured ...
What is a taper tip shaft?
The taper-tip shaft, as the name indicates, tapers down from the last step in the shaft. Taper-tip shafts are manufactured to the correct length and flex for each club so it is important that the correct shaft is fitted to the corresponding club. A 3 iron shaft would fit into an 8 iron, for example, but it would play far too soft in flex ...
How to get flex on a parallel tipped shaft?
To obtain the correct flex with a parallel-tipped shaft, the shaft is cut from the tip end at the appropriate point to achieve the correct flex. Then the shaft is cut from the butt end to achieve the desired length. The taper-tip shaft, as the name indicates, tapers down from the last step in the shaft. Taper-tip shafts are manufactured ...
What is hard stepping?
Hard stepping and soft stepping is a way changing the flex of a shaft in a club to obtain an in-between flex which will also produce a slightly different ball flight. It works the same way regardless if the shafts are taper or parallel tipped. Depending on which way you go, a regular shaft can be made to feel a little firmer ...
What shaft would fit a 9 iron?
The PW s haft would be fitted into the 9 iron head, the 9 iron shaft would fit into the 8 iron and so on. The PW would require a new shaft and the 3 iron shaft would be left over. The effect on each club would be that each clubs shaft would be a little bit stiffer than they originally were and produce a slightly lower ball flight.
What is the size of a Wilson over fit shaft?
There are others such as the Wilson over fit shaft (fat shaft) manufactured by True Temper and Apollo which measures in at .500 but most the common are .335, .350, .355 and .370. The smaller sizes,.355, .350 and .355 are what a wood would usually require and. .355 and .370 for irons but this is not a steadfast rule as club manufacturers are ...
How to make a stiff shaft feel firmer?
The most common practice is by removing all the shafts from your matching irons (3 iron through to PW) then put each shaft in either the following or proceeding club.
Why do golfers use soft stepping?
A paraphrased quote from Tom Wishon (Master Club Maker. "The main reason for soft or hard stepping is to change the feel of the shaft for golfers who really want their shafts to feel just right. The second reason is to try to change the launch angle and trajectory of the shot or to reduce or increase spin. A ½ inch can exhibit the beginning of ...
What is hard and soft stepping?
Hard and soft stepping is a way of changing the flex of a shaft in a club to obtain an in-between flex which will also produce a slightly different ball flight. It works the same way regardless if the shafts are taper or parallel tipped. Depending on which way you go, a regular shaft can be made to feel a little firmer and a stiff shaft can be made ...
What happens when you soft step?
3iron will become 4iron length, 4iron will become 5iron length and so on. When you soft step, the club lengths will increase. PW will become 9iron length, 9iron will become 8iron length and so on.
Can a PW shaft fit a 9iron?
This is the process of making your clubs shaft a little stiffer. The PW shaft would be fitted into the 9iron head, the 9iron shaft would fit into the 8iron and so on. The PW would require a new shaft and the 3iron shaft would be left over.
Benefits of Soft Stepping Irons: 3 Major Benefits
The ball flight differs in hard and soft stepping by changing the shaft’s flex. No matter the shafts are parallel tipped or tapered, it works the same way. It depends. Stiff shafts can give you a softer feel where a regular shaft gives a firmer feel. The best practice is to remove all the shafts and then put them in the proceeding club.
Additional Benefits of Soft Stepping Irons
Now that you know why soft stepping irons are needed, if you find your clubs are too stiff, it’s time to soft-stepping them for better results. On the other hand, opt for hard stepping if you like to have stiffer clubs. The decision depends on your choice how you want your swings.
