how much flex in golf shaft

Different types of shaft flex available

Carry Distance (Yards)	Swing Speed (MPH)	Recommended Flex
Under 200	Below 75	Women’s or Senior
200 to 240	75 to 95	Regular
240 to 275	95 to 110	Stiff
Over 275	Over 110	Stiff or Extra Stiff

Jun 7 2022

Full Answer

How much flex should your golf shaft have?

Determining which golf shaft flex your need (stiff, regular, senior, etc.) requires club fitting and testing. 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.

How do you determine golf shaft flex?

How do you determine golf shaft flex? The actual flex of the shaft is measured by its vibration frequency. Vibration frequency measurements are taken by attaching weight to the tip of the club, holding the butt of the club in a fixed position and then vibrating it. The more the shaft vibrates, the stiffer it is. What is Lite flex shaft?

What are the best golf shafts?

best golf shafts for irons

1. UST Recoil ZT9 Iron Shaft Set. UST Mamiya Recoil ZT9 Iron Shafts are known for the best and unparalleled stability in the industry.
2. Aerotech Steel Fiber FC 90. The new SteelFiber FC shafts are designed with a progressive tip that gives higher ball flight in the mid- and long irons also classic ...
3. Mitsubishi-Rayon Kuro Kage Black 70 Iron R Shaft. ...

More items...

What is golf shaft flex is right for me?

I was told that I could talk about anything under the sun but knowing that Juwai IQI is an Asian Real Estate Technology Group that empowers residents of Asia to become residents of the world, I thought it best to ... and elevator shafts off-site.

What golf shaft flex is right for me irons?

Determine the Proper Shaft Flex for Your SwingIf You Can Hit 150 Yards with a...Then Your Optimal Shaft Flex Is...6- or 7-IronRegular Flex (R)5-Iron/Hybrid or 4-Iron/Hybrid(Male or Female)Senior Flex (A/M)Any Iron/Hybrid lower than 4 or any Fairway Wood (Females or Juniors)Ladies Flex (L)1 more row•Apr 6, 2022

What does a 5.5 shaft flex mean?

StiffStiff – 5.5. Stiff Plus – 6.0. Extra Stiff Flex – 6.5. Extra Stiff Plus – 7.0.

What flex do most PGA players use?

The most common flex, regular, is designated as "R" on the flex chart and is recommended for golfers who regularly drive the ball 210 to 240 yards and have a swing speed between 75 and 84 mph.

What happens if my driver shaft has too much flex?

Having a shaft that is too flexible can also cause the ball to hook uncontrollably, because the shaft bends incorrectly, it will come through with a closed clubface causing the ball to go left, this is because the shaft can't handle your swing speed, and the head is rotating too much.

Is a 6.0 shaft Stiff?

5.0 out of 5 stars 6.0 62g is VERY stiff! Great shaft! The only thing I would say to someone who is looking at this is if you normally play a stiff shaft you should go with the 5.5 62g variant. the 6.0 62g shaft is extra stiff in my opinion.

Is 6.5 stiff or extra stiff?

Have you ever wondered what the number designation on your Project X shaft means? You know, the 5.0, 6.0, 6.5 and so on printed on the shaft. These numbers correspond with flexes from “regular” to “extra stiff plus”.

Do any pros play with regular flex?

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. He also notes that PGA Tour swing speeds average 110 mph, so the players favor a stiffer shaft to better control the club.

How do you tell what flex shaft you need?

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.

Do pros use regular flex?

Do any tour pros use regular shafts? Tour pros change equipment far more frequently than we mortals but yes, some do use regular shafts at times. One thing to bear in mind here though is that there is no industry standard on stiffness so one brand's regular can be another brand's stiff.

How do I know if I 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.

Can too much flex cause a slice?

If your club shafts are too stiff, you'll have trouble loading them properly during your downswing. When the clubhead gets to the ball, the shaft won't unload properly and the face will remain slightly open, causing a slice.

What flex should I use for my driver?

Should You Use Regular or Stiff Flex Shafts? In general, golfers with driver swing speeds over 95 mph should play stiff flex shafts, and those under 95 mph should play regular flex. Shafts also come in extra stiff (105+ mph) and senior flex (under 85 mph).

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.

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!

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.

How much does a graphite shaft weigh?

Graphite shafts are also much lighter weight (50-85 grams) while steel shafts can start at 120 grams in most cases.

What is the X stiff range?

X-stiff – This is the range where most high-level players fall. If you’re swinging the driver above 105 mph, it might be time to get some X stiff shafts in your set.

What is the average speed of a senior swinger?

Senior – Slower swingers fall into this category. Between 72 and 83 mph signifies you need to be hitting senior flex.

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.

Is True Spec Golf affiliated with 8AM?

Our friends over at True Spec Golf shared some data with us that illustrates the shaft that’s right for you based on your swing speed throughout the bag. ( True Spec and GOLF.com are affiliates of 8AM Golf ).

What is shaft golf?

But shafts are an element part of your game. The golf shaft connects you with the club head and transfers massive amounts of energy. This energy in combination with the properties of your equipment causes several movements of the club head in different directions during the course of the swing. Because of the complexity of these movements, specifications are used to describe the characteristics of a golf shafts. Here, we'll focus two important specifications: Flex & Frequency

How to find the frequency of a golf shaft?

Most shafts have a marking with the flex (A, L, R, S, or X). This will give you a rough range of what the frequency could be. To find the exact frequency of a shaft, you will want to bring the shaft to a club-fitter who could measure it with a frequency machine.

Why is flex misleading?

Flex can be somewhat misleading however because the actual measurement of the stiffness of a shaft is in the frequency. The frequency of a shaft is the number of cycles per minute a shaft will oscillate when one end is fixed (clamped) and the other end is pulled down with a weight attached to it. Ideally a flex (such as Stiff, Regular, ...

What is the right frequency for a golf swing?

What's the right frequency for my swing? The right frequency for your swing depends on the speed and acceleration of your swing as well as WHEN you release the club (when you stop accelerating). When we discuss frequency, we start out with the shaft frequency. But what really matters in the end is the golf club frequency as a whole.

What happens during the downswing of a golf club?

But what really matters in the end is the golf club frequency as a whole. At the start of the downswing, you are accelerating the club to gain speed. During this period, the shaft will bend, causing the club head to lag behind your hands and body.

How to launch a golf club?

The most optimal launch occurs when your club head makes impact with the ball in a square position. You can check to make sure your club head is square if you were to draw a line between you feet and the plane of the face of the club is perpendicular with the line at impact. If the face were open or closed, then your swing will likely result in a sideways trajectory. When your club frequency (as a whole, not just your shaft) is too high or too low for your swing, then you may experience loss of speed and distance as well as an off-center trajectory path.

What is 1/4 of the vibration period of a golf club?

Physics tells us that 1/4 of the vibration period of a club is the time it will take for the club head to return to the square position. Working with a club-fitter who can measure the dynamics of your swing (how and when you release and how fast you swing), can help determine what this time period exactly is, and thus what would be ...

What is the best way to choose the proper amount of flex in your golf clubs?

A clubfitting with a golf professional is the recommended way to choose the proper amount of flex in your golf clubs.

What are the ratings for shaft flex?

There are five generally used ratings for shaft flex: Extra Stiff, Stiff, Regular, Senior and Ladies, usually denoted by the letters X, S, R, A and L ("A" is used for Senior because this flex was originally called "amateur").

Why is softer flex better for macho men?

Choosing a softer flex often has the effect of forcing macho men to slow down their swings. And slowing down the swing often makes those macho men into better golfers. And the fact is, the harm in hitting a shaft that is too flexible is much less than the harm in hitting a shaft that is too stiff.

What happens if your flex doesn't match your swing?

Having a flex that doesn't match the needs of your swing will result in the clubface being misaligned at impact, causing your shots to go off-target.

What is the key to a club fitting?

The key, short of a club fitting, is hitting lots of different clubs and watching the effect that changing shaft flex has on your shots. If you find a flex that feels good and produces a good ball flight, there's a good chance that's the right flex for you.

What happens if your drives go left?

If your drives go left, you might benefit from a stiffer flex; if your drives go right, you might benefit from a softer flex.

What is important to think about in golf clubs?

It's important to think about the shafts in your golf clubs, and specifically whether you are playing the right amount of flex. David Cannon / Getty Images

What does flex mean in golf?

The flex simply refers to how flexible the shaft of the golf club is. This effects the distance, trajectory, and accuracy. As you bring the golf club down to hit the ball, the shaft flexes to allow a more devastating contact with the ball. This can offer you much better shots for less effort, which is often great for beginners.

Why do golfers use regular flex clubs?

High-handicappers tend to use regular flex because these clubs can help them in their ongoing quest to lower their handicapper.

Why do seniors need more flex?

If seniors don’t use more flex, they’ll suffer from shorter distances and lower trajectories. Additionally, more flex offers more forgiveness which is always valued for senior golfers.

Does more flexibility mean better golf?

However, this does not automatically mean that the more flex equates to better performance. In fact, more flex can actually worsen some golfers’ games. For this reason, you must choose the right amount of flexibility for your golf clubs.

Can you take a golf club for a test run?

Alternatively, you can find a golf club store that allows you to take each club for a test run. Here you’ll be able to get a good feel of how each flex option feels as you use it, which can be the best method of finding your perfect flex.

Can you opt for senior flex?

Instead, you can opt for either senior or regular flex.

Can you rent golf clubs with Flex?

If there is not one of these stores around your area, you could also rent various clubs with different amounts of flex. This will let you use the clubs for as many shots as you need to make an informed decision. However, the downside is that it might cost more than you want to pay to rent them all out.

What Is Golf Shaft Flex?

When we talk about golf shaft flex, we are referring to the ability of the club to flex during the swing.

What Problems Will I Have If The Shaft Is Too Flexible?

One of the biggest issues you will face when using a golf shaft that is too flexible is that the ball will not travel in a straight line.

How Do I Know If A Golf Shaft Is Right For Me?

As we have just discussed, the flight of the ball may be well off when you use a shaft that is too flexible.

Does Shaft Flex Influence Weight?

A lot of the weight of your golf club will be related to its flex but that doesn’t mean that the weight and flex of the shaft are the same thing.

Conclusion

Finding the right golf equipment is essential to getting the best performance and playing to your strengths.

How to determine golf shaft flex?

Another way to determine which golf shaft flex you need is based on your current distances. If you are hitting your driver 180-200 yards, then you need a senior golf shaft. If you hit your driver 200-240 yards, the regular is going to be a better choice. The one problem with using distance as the only determining factor is ...

What are the different flex shafts for golf clubs?

When it comes time to replace or upgrade the shafts in your golf clubs, it is essential to choose the proper flex. Golf clubs for men come in four basic flexes, extra stiff, stiff, regular and senior. The regular and senior flex shafts are for the slower swinging player. Some golfers have a hard time deciding if the regular or the senior is going to be the better fit for their game.

How important is flex in golf shaft?

How Important Is Flex In A Golf Shaft. The flex of a golf shaft is probably just as important, if not more important than the clubhead itself. Flex is what will make or break a golfer. Even if your golf swing is near perfect, you won’t be able to perform correctly with the wrong flex in the shaft. If you told a golf professional ...

How fast should a golf shaft be?

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.

How many percent of golfers keep the shaft the same?

If you told a golf professional that they had to play with new clubs, but they could keep the clubhead or the shaft the same, ninety-nine percent would choose to keep the shaft the same. With all of the variables in the game of golf, it is so essential to make sure that your golf shaft is appropriately fitted to your swing.

What is a senior flex shaft?

The regular and senior flex shafts are for the slower swinging player. Some golfers have a hard time deciding if the regular or the senior is going to be the better fit for their game. We have put together some great information about senior and regular flex golf shafts so you can choose an option that will work well for your golf game.

What happens if a golf shaft is too stiff?

If a golf shaft is too stiff for a player, there could be a decrease in distance and accuracy as well. The most common miss with a shaft that is too stiff is a slice. If you have tried everything to learn how to fix your slice, it could just be that the equipment you are using does not fit you properly.

Which shaft is more accurate?

The idea that stiffer shafts are more accurate is busted. Our testing actually showed the opposite: the regular flex shaft was the most accurate of the group.

Why do golfers bend their shafts?

Shafts can have the same flex but different weight, bend profile, or torque. Also, the player’s tempo has a big impact on how they load the shaft. A player with a slower swing and aggressive tempo may bend the shaft just as much as a player with a faster swing and slower tempo.

Is there a correlation between swing speed and shaft flex?

One of the most interesting and surprising findings is that there is not a direct correlation between swing speed and shaft flex . Players 2 and 3 provide a great example: they both fit best into a regular flex shaft but their swing speeds are 20 MPH different!

Can you choose your shaft flex?

The choice is yours: you can let your ego select your shaft flex, or you can choose to hit longer, straighter shots. The evidence we gathered clearly shows that shaft flex is a critically important variable in choosing the right clubs, and fitting it is not as easy as finding your swing speed on a chart. Make an appointment with your local club fitter and see if, like our testers, you can gain up to 16 yards of extra distance.

Where is Matt from Plugged In Golf?

He's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.

Do you know the loft of a six iron?

Most of the specs of your golf clubs remain a secret from you playing partners. No one in your group will ever know the loft of your six iron, the length of your driver, or if the grooves on you wedges are conforming.

Does a golf shaft give you more distance?

While the data here is not nearly as neat and clean as I’d expected, I believe that it does make the case that being fit for the right shaft will give you more distance and accuracy. If you look at each player individually, you will see that each one has one flex that clearly outperformed the others. Four of the six testers found that one shaft produced their longest and straightest shots. The other two golfers found two shafts that performed very similarly.

What happens when a golf shaft is too flexible?

What happens when a golf shaft is too flexible? The results may vary by swing profile, but in general, shots will be inconsistent in contact and direction, and there may be a wide variation in distance…sometimes really long, and other times quite short. See more about what happens when shafts are not correct in our previous post.

Is the shaft distorted by impact?

Notice how the shaft is now leaning BACKWARD S and actually has been distorted by impact! This shot actually ended up being a push/slice as the shaft was not strong enough to control the face of the club through impact. The smash factor on this shot was actually 1.40…WAY below what we need from a driver causing a BIG loss of distance.