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 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 should I buy?
Some golfers will decide which shaft they need based on swing speed alone. If your swing speed is between 75 and 85 miles per hour, then you will need a senior shaft. If you are between 85 and 95 miles per hour, then the regular shaft will be the best choice. You can get your swing speed measured at a local golf fitting center.
Are stiffer golf shafts more accurate?
A stiffer-shafted iron, matched to your swing speed, should let you hit more balls on the sweet spot. You'll also hit the ball more accurately, which is particularly important when you hit approach shots with your irons.
Will I lose distance with a stiff shaft?
If the shaft flex is too stiff, your average distance will remain low.
Are steel shafts easier to hit?
Steel shafts are geared much more towards scratch golfers and better players in general. Once players improve and move on from game improvement irons, then they will most likely turn to steel shafts in their irons for several reasons.
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.
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.
How do you know if you need a stiffer shaft?
To check your swing speed a shot tracking device will be the most accurate method. Based on your swing speeds here are our recommendations: 80-95 mph swing speeds should use regular shafts. 90-105 mph swing speeds should use stiff shafts.
Do pro golfers use steel shafts?
On the whole, steel shafts are the most used option by amateurs and tour professionals.
Should a high handicapper use steel or graphite shafts?
High-handicapped golfers who need help generating speed should use graphite, this will really help them pick up speed. Steel could help you with stability though. What is this? The most important thing is to be fit for the right shaft flex whether it be in graphite or steel.
Do most pros use steel or graphite shafts?
As discussed previously, most professional players use steel shafts in their irons because of their consistency. Accuracy with irons is key for pro players. When it comes to driver shaft and fairway wood selection, graphite is often the shaft of choice, even for pros.
What is a good swing speed for a 7 iron?
An average golfer will swing a seven iron about 75 mph. This number can change based on the weight of the club and if it is steel or graphite. The faster you swing a seven iron, the further it will go. If you can swing at about 85 mph, you will see distances closer to 165 yards.
What happens if your 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.
What is considered a moderate swing speed in golf?
When we say 85mph, we mean that's your club speed with a driver, not a fairway wood, hybrid or iron. It's frequently referred to as a “moderate” swing speed, and more and more brands make ranges tailored to it.
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 ...
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.
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.
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 ...
Who is Nick Lomas?
Shaft – wikipedia.org. 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 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.
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.
Who is Bill Herrfeldt?
Bill Herrfeldt specializes in finance, sports and the needs of retiring people, and has been published in the national edition of "Erickson Tribune," the "Washington Post" and the "Arizona Republic.". He graduated from the University of Louisville.
What is the difference between torque and kickpoint?
Although not as critical as shaft flex, the torque and kickpoint of your clubs can make a significant difference in your performance, Golf today explains. Torque refers to the amount of twist in a shaft. Graphite twists more than steel. Kickpoint refers to the spot on the shaft that bends the most.
What is the difference between golf shafts?
Differences in Golf Shafts. Golf shafts come in such a wide variety that it can be bewildering. Shafts are made from different materials, with different amounts of flexibility and torque, and in different lengths and weights. Compounding the problem, there is no uniform industry standard for shafts, so a stiff shaft from one manufacturer might feel ...
Why do golfers use graphite shafts?
Many golfers gravitate toward graphite because its lighter weight can translate to more club head speed and more distance. Titanium shafts and hybrid shafts are also available, although neither have attained the popularity of steel and graphite.
What is flex in golf?
The flexibility, or flex, of a shaft refers to its amount of bend. Shafts that bend easily are suited for golfers with slower club head speeds. The extra flexibility enables a slow swinger to hit the ball farther.
What is the difference between graphite and steel?
Graphite shafts made a big splash when they entered the marketplace in the 1970s. Graphite is lighter and generally more flexible than steel. It also is more expensive.
How long is a golf driver shaft?
Longer shafts have been the rage in golf in the early 21st century, with the standard driver length extending from about 45 to 48 inches.
Is there a uniform industry standard for golf shafts?
Compounding the problem, there is no uniform industry standard for shafts, so a stiff shaft from one manufacturer might feel completely different than a stiff shaft from another manufacturer. As Golf.com states, "you need to experiment with different combinations of shafts and clubheads to come up with your ultimate prize.".
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 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.
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).
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 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.
BigMack
I set up a simulator in my garage about a year ago, and since that time my driver swing speed has climbed from about a 92 to around 100mph (sometimes a little higher). I never have considered the stiffness in my steel shafted irons until this morning where I was looking at a graph and it says I should be playing stiff.
Pepperturbo
Most people notice the change from R to S. How far you hit each club is NOT the measuring stick, least for me. Club distance is tied to club head design and loft in conjunction with shaft profile design. FYI, your M2 7i is 28.5, comparable to my traditional lofted 5i at 27'. I would hit a 7i with that loft as far or farther.
Chadwickog
If you are happy with your current shafts, I would not worry about it. I have always felt that shaft weight is more important than flex, especially with irons. Though you do tend to see the heavier shafts be stiff/x-stiff more often
lefthack
Hooks can be a sign of too weak of shaft, but as other day, swing speed isn't everything. Consistent distance and grouping are what you should care about.
kiwihacker
I've played both DG S300 and R300 in my irons and notice very little difference. The R300 feel a little smoother and the S300 feel a little tighter and possibly offer a tighter dispersion (not that I've ever tested this on a launch monitor or other test) but otherwise they play almost the same in terms of launch, trajectory and distance.
Exactice808
Hooks can be a sign of too weak of shaft, but as other day, swing speed isn't everything. Consistent distance and grouping are what you should care about.
ChipNRun
I am not an aggressive swinger, nor do I have a sharp transition at the top. I would say dispersion-wise, I am tending left - some are nice baby draws and some are out of bounds
How much weight should a golf shaft be?
Weight. Getting the correct weight of your shaft is an important factor to consider as well. Shafts can range anywhere from 40 to 135 grams. Typically the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slower swing speed will benefit from using a lighter shaft, and you would add weight as swing speed increases. As you might expect at this point, there are ...
What is the difference between stock shafts and aftermarket shafts?
The difference between stock shafts and aftermarket shafts is usually found in quality control. Many times the bigger OEMs will strip off the paint of last year’s model and give them a new exterior. The graphics look attractive, but you really have no idea what is beneath it.
What is the biggest misconception about golf shafts?
One of the biggest misconceptions about shafts is that there are standards out there that manufacturers adhere to. Most golfers assume that a shaft marked regular or stiff will be the same across the board, no matter who they buy it from.
Why didn't Nick Price find a stiff shaft?
Regardless of the similarity in their swing speeds, Nick Price couldn’t find a shaft stiff enough for his swing because he would apply such an enormous amount of force, whereas Couples didn’t need as stiff of a shaft because of his smooth tempo.
Why is shaft profile important?
Getting the right shaft profile for your swing is very important. It will greatly affect your ability to hit quality shots on the course . There is a lot of confusion in the golf shaft industry. With no standards for performance, the quality greatly varies, and often you get what you pay for. We hope that we have cleared up some ...
What is the most important thing about a driver shaft?
One of the most important things about shafts is how they handle the force that a player’s swing will apply. Generally speaking, there are two extremes. Some players apply a late load to their swing, which would require a stiffer tip of the driver shaft. Conversely, a player that extends early in their swing (most recreational golfers) ...
Do you need a softer shaft for a golf swing?
Conversely, a player that extends early in their swing (most recreational golfers) would require a shaft with a softer tip. Getting this right is extremely important, and it’s often not discussed at all when people talk about choosing shafts (it’s mostly just about flex), which leads us to our next point.
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.
