how to tell if a golf club is stiff or flex

• Stiff vs Regular flex. The stiff shafted clubs are going to flex less during the swing than the regular shafted clubs. ...
• Additional Analysis. There are three basic numbers that you will need to understand to find the right woods, irons, or hybrids.
• Swing Speed. This is the most accurate depiction of your the type of flex you should have in your clubs. ...
• Driver Carry Distance. This is how far you typically hit the ball from the tee to where it lands with your driver and most of your woods.
• Club From 150 Yards. This will help you find the right flex for your irons. When using this method, be sure to make a typical, rhythmical swing.
Distance vs. Accuracy. 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 ...
Graphite and Steel. You should also take into consideration the shaft’s material when making these important decisions. ...
Tee It Up. Before you begin your next round, consider finding the right types of clubs for your game. ...
Sources and References: Regular vs Stiff for driver shaft – thehackersparadise.com Shaft – wikipedia.org Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has ...

What is a stiff shaft on a golf club?

A stiff shaft is heavier, firmer, and harder to bend than a regular shaft with a different kick point, the position where the club shaft bends most. If a club has a high kick point, it means it has a stiff shaft that provides players with a shot that fizzes through the air at a lower trajectory.

How to choose between stiff vs regular flex golf clubs?

In most cases, you will have to choose from stiff vs regular flex. These places can be at your local country club or an actual store. When you just want to get some clubs from a retail or online store, it is a good idea to at least know which shaft you should get.

How do I know if my shaft is too stiff?

If the shaft is too stiff and your swing is around 90 mph the club head will not be square on at impact resulting in loss of loft and control. The feel is another indicator, if the club feels dead like a steel rod chances are the shaft is too stiff.

How do I know if my golf clubs are stiff or regular?

There should be a sticker that indicates it near the grip and it should have a letter on it, R for regular, S for stiff etc. That’s the easiest way but if the sticker isn’t there then you can take it to a pro who can do some investigatory work for you.

How do I know if my golf clubs are stiff?

What Is Golf Shaft Stiffness? Simply put, golf shaft stiffness is how easy or difficult it is to bend the golf shaft. Easier to bend means the golf shaft is on the softer side. When it becomes very difficult to bend, it's getting stiffer and stiffer.

What is the difference between Flex and stiff golf clubs?

The regular flex golf shaft is more flexible and easier for slower swing speed golfers to swing than the stiff flex golf shaft. A stiff flex golf shaft creates more resistance in the swing of a golfer. Therefore when they attempt to hit the ball with a bit more speed, they can get the incredible distance.

What is the difference between stiff and stiff flex?

Stiff And X Stiff Driver Shafts Overview Most driver shafts are going to be graphite for increase swing speed but the flex of the shaft is most important when a golfer makes their final decision on a new club. Stiff shafts are for golfers that swing fast; the extra stiff are for those that swing exceptionally fast.

What swing speed needs a stiff flex?

If you're swinging the driver above 105 mph, it might be time to get some X stiff shafts in your set. Stiff – 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.

How do you tell if your irons are stiff or regular?

The basics 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.

How do you tell if I need a stiff or regular 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 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 pro golfers 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.

Are stiff clubs good for beginners?

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 fast should you swing 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.

Will I lose distance with a stiff shaft?

If the shaft flex is too stiff, your average distance will remain low.

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 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 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.

Why do you need regular shafted golf 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.

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.

Which shaft is better for swinging?

You should also take into consideration the shaft’s material when making these important decisions. Graphite and titanium shafts are lighter and will likely make you swing a little faster than with a steel shaft.

Is it better to hit a golf ball a mile?

Hitting the golf ball a mile can be a confidence boost er 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.

Is a driver better than an iron?

It is also important to realize that the shaft you choose for your driver may be different than the shafts you use for your irons. You typically swing a driver with a wide arc and hit your irons with a more shallow swing. This variation could be the main reason why you may hit a driver better than your irons or vice versa.

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 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.

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.

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.

Why are graphite shafts better than steel?

Graphite being a much lighter material than steel makes it easier to swing faster and see an increase in distance off the tee. For this reason, they were considered the correct shafts for beginners and intermediate golfers.

What to look for in short irons?

With the shorter irons, approaching the green, around the green, or from the bunkers control is critical. Here you would be looking for a stiffer shaft with less flex as the swing speed is not as great a factor in the short game.

What happens if you change your shaft too much?

Now you will find the club face will close before impact resulting in a right to left fade if not a slice. The trajectory will also be increased as will the spin and should this be combined with a windy day your golf round will become a grind.

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.

Why does my golf club face close at impact?

In this case, the club head is unloading too soon causing the club face to close slightly at impact.

What happens when a golf shaft is too stiff?

A too flexible shaft causes a nasty hook or a pop-up, whereas an extra stiff shaft pushes the golf ball onto the next fairway.

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.

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 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.

Why is my golf ball too low?

Golfers using a too stiff shaft and having a lower swing speed tend to abrupt the clubface angle at the point of impact, which pushes the ball too early. It results in hitting the golf ball too low.

What is extra stiff flex?

Extra stiff flex is for players with a swing speed over 100 mph, and their shots cover the 300-yard range. This flex is the right choice for professionals.

How many different shaft flex categories are there?

These are the five different shaft flex categories. You can select the right shaft flex as per your requirements.

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 are the factors that affect shaft flexibility?

Before we dive into the signs and outcomes of using a highly flexible shaft, there are factors that affect shaft flexibility that you need to know. Distance and accuracy, swing speed and golf club material affect shaft flexibility. In this article we look at their impact on highly flexible shafts and their effect on the turf.

What is the difference between a stiff shaft and a regular shaft?

You may ask yourself, what is the difference between a regular shaft and a stiff shaft? The answer to this is simple and quite self-explanatory. A stiff shaft is harder to bend and tends to be more firm, while the regular shaft is the opposite. Both of these shafts have their advantages and disadvantages.

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.

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.

How to tell 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 does it mean when your golf club feels like it's flexing?

When the shaft has the right amount of flex, the clubhead’s weight will load the shaft, and you’ll notice a slight “springy” feeling just before and through impact. So, if your club feels like you’re playing with a steel rod, you have one that is too stiff.

How does shaft flex affect golf swing?

The amount of flex you need in your club’s shaft depends primarily on your swing speed. Once you find the right shaft flex, you’ll notice your distance and accuracy improving, and this can make the game so much more fun!

What does flex do on a golf swing?

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.

Why is my golf ball leaking?

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.

What happens if a golf shaft is too flexy?

On the other hand, a shaft with too much flex will create too much lag, making it difficult to control the clubface and achieve consistent contact.

What is the biggest indicator of flex?

The speed of your swing will be one of the biggest indicators of the flex you need.

Should I Use Stiff Or Regular Flex?

As a whole, if you’re between 97-104 mph with the driver, you need a stiff flex that gives more control and the punch to hit better shots. If your clubhead speed is between 84-96 mph, the speed for most recreational golfers you need a regular flex provides a little more power and accuracy.

Is There A Big Difference Between Regular And Stiff Flex?

A stiff shaft is heavier, firmer, and harder to bend than a regular shaft with a different kick point, the position where the club shaft bends most. If a club has a high kick point, it means it has a stiff shaft that provides players with a shot that fizzes through the air at a lower trajectory.

What Happens If Shaft Flex Is Too Stiff?

If your club shafts too stiff, you will struggle to load properly and generate enough power in the downswing. Once the clubbed receives the ball, the shaft will not unload properly, and the face will remain open, creating a slice and giving a much lower flatter trajectory than desired.

Stiffness Or Flex

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