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what are flex ratings in golf shafts

by Mrs. Verna Berge IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Those forces are generated by the type of swing that you have: fast or slow, smooth or jerky. 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").

There are five flex ratings for golf clubs--extra stiff (X), stiff (S), regular (R), senior (A) and ladies (L). Generally, the faster your club speed, the stiffer the shaft, but use care when selecting a flex. If you are not certain or in between flexes, it is better to select a softer flex than a stiffer one.

Full Answer

How much flex should your golf shaft have?

Golfers who have driver speeds between 95 mph and 130 mph typically should use stiff flex shafts, while those less than 95 mph should use regular flex shafts. also come with extra stiff (105+ mph) and senior Flexs (above 85 mph). 0 Shaft Flex Mean? Each hour is five points if we use the Regular format.

What is the Flex and frequency of a golf shaft?

· Typically there will be 10 cycles between shaft flexes. Thus if one shaft registers 250 cpm and another is 270 cpm, there is a 2- flex difference between the shafts regardless of what flex the manufacturer claims them to be. By assigning a specific frequency number to a shaft, the shaft can be closely matched to a player.

What are the best golf shafts for a high handicapper?

The Best Drivers for High Handicap Golfers

  1. Callaway XR 16. Approval from most golfers in the acoustics department. ...
  2. Cleveland Launcher HB. High ball flight with low spin and from a draw bias. ...
  3. TaylorMade RBZ Black. The RBZ Black driver is the latest in the high-tech lightweight RBZ range presenting a well-priced driver offering top performance.
  4. PGX Offset Golf. Massive ‘sweet’ spot. ...

What shaft flex should I use?

– A Comprehensive Guide

  • 4 Type of Shaft Flex You Should Use. This kind of shaft flex is often chosen and used by golf players with years of experience or professionals who play at ...
  • 3 Factors When Choosing A Shaft Flex. ...
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Shaft Flex. ...
  • The Bottom Line. ...

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What flex golf shaft should I use?

– Golf Shaft Flex ChartCarry DistanceSwing SpeedFlexUnder 200 yardsUnder 75 mphLadies or Senior200 to 240 yards75 to 95 mphRegular240 to 275 yards95 to 110 mphStiffOver 275 yardsOver 110 mphStiff or Extra StiffOct 15, 2019

What flex should I have on my irons?

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 does 5.0 shaft flex mean?

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”.

What shaft flex do PGA players use?

90% of the top 100 PGA Tour pros use extra stiff or Tour extra stiff flex shafts in their driver. As a whole pro players of woods, hybrids and utility irons again use extra stiff or Tour extra stiff shafts with stiff and stiff+ flex shafts only being more used in irons and wedges.

How do I know what shaft flex is right for me?

Some General Guidelines About Shaft FlexTake a look at the distance you hit your driver. ... If you have a very smooth swing, you might benefit from a softer flex even if you swing fast. ... If your drives go left, you might benefit from a stiffer flex; if your drives go right, you might benefit from a softer flex.

Is regular or stiff flex better?

Experts suggest that at the beginner level, you should opt for a regular shaft. This is because it is easy to handle and it assists you with your range. A stiff shaft is a better option for those who are more experienced at golf and have a good swing speed and driver carry distance.

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 senior flex good for beginners?

Senior flex can be an excellent choice for beginners with slower swing speeds and can benefit from this type of technology.

What does R and S mean on golf clubs?

"R" denotes "regular flex" "S" denotes "stiff flex" (might also be designated "Firm") "X" denotes "extra stiff flex" (might also be designated "Tour")

Do pros 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.

What happens if shaft is too flexible?

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.

What shaft does Tiger woods use?

The new shaft is a Fujikura Ventus Black 6X, and Woods used it at the JP McManus Pro-Am, too.

Does shaft flex matter in irons?

Shaft flex letters are 'essentially irrelevant,' according to an expert club fitter. Most golfers in the world know that shaft flex makes a difference to performance and feel in golf.

Do you need stiff flex irons?

Who should use stiff flex irons? 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.

How do I know if I need stiff shaft irons?

When To Move To A Stiffer Shaft?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.You ball spins to much on the greens when you approach with your irons.Your accuracy has dropped.You start hitting hooks.More items...

What happens if shaft is too soft?

When a golf shaft is too flexible, you will not be able to hit the ball straight. You will also end up losing a bit of distance. When a golf shaft is too flexible, it isn't easy to control the clubface and get it to square up at impact.

How many flex ratings are there for golf clubs?

There are five flex ratings for golf clubs--extra stiff (X), stiff (S), regular (R), senior (A) and ladies (L). Generally, the faster your club speed, the stiffer the shaft, but use care when selecting a flex. If you are not certain or in between flexes, it is better to select a softer flex than a stiffer one.

How does flex affect golf?

The flex in a golf shaft affects the distance, accuracy and trajectory of your golf shot. Because the shaft flexes during a swing, the position of the clubhead changes and it is important to select the proper flex in a club so that the clubface will be square on the ball when it makes contact.

Why is it important to use a more flexible shaft?

The flex in a golf shaft affects the distance, accuracy and trajectory of your golf shot. Because the shaft flexes during a swing, the position of the clubhead changes and it is important to select the proper flex in a club so that the clubface will be square on the ball when it makes contact.

What is the softest flex for golf?

Women generally have the lowest club speed of all golfers and should select a ladies flex. This is the softest of all the flex ratings. If you consistently hit the ball less than 200 yards off the tee , this is an appropriate flex. Women who hit further may want to consider either senior or regular flex clubs.

What happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?

It is important to note that if you select a shaft that is too stiff, you will lose loft and control on your shots.

What is stiff shaft?

Stiff Shaft. The stiff shaft is quite popular and should be chosen by those who consistently drive the ball 250 or more yards off the tee. This shaft generally appropriate for mid-low handicaps, but be sure to have your clubhead speed measured before choosing between a stiff and regular flex.

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 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.

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.

What Shaft Flex Should You Use for The Driver?

It would be best if you choose the stiffest shaft flex for your driver because it is often the club that has the maximum swing speed. Since it carries the maximum swing speed, you may consider choosing the most accurate shaft flex.

How to Determine the Right Flex for Your Iron?

Choosing the right flex for the iron depends on the club you use for hitting a 150-yard shot. If you’re about to take a 150-yard shot, consider using these flex for your irons.

Final Thoughts

When selecting a flex for the shaft in your clubs, the tradeoff is between accuracy and distance. Choosing a senior flex helps you to achieve greater distance due to its flexibility but at the cost of lower accuracy.

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What is the best mph for senior flex?

Between 72 and 83 mph signifies you need to be hitting senior flex. Ladies – By no means do all women’s golfers will fall in this category, but this is where many of the recreational women’s players find themselves.

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.

What is the right flex for golf?

What Golf Shaft Flex Is Right For Me. Knowing the flex that is right for you is an important part of golf that often is overlooked. If the flex of your shaft is off, the club head may be in the wrong position at the point of impact, affecting the overall flight path of the ball. With the right flex, the head is more likely to sit at ...

What is flex shaft?

What Is A Flex Golf Shaft. Flex in a golf shaft determines the amount the shaft will bend during the swing and at impact. Higher flex shafts, such as those on ladies or senior clubs will be extra flexible for slower swing speeds. Pros or low handicap golfers, on the other hand, generally use stiffer shafts. This is to adjust to the faster swing ...

What happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?

A shaft that is too stiff may push the ball onto the next fairway, whereas a shaft that is too flexible may cause a pop-up or a nasty hook. However, to accurately diagnose the correct shaft flex for your driver, it is best to get a club-fitter to determine your swing speed. Then you can discuss your options and pick the most suitable shaft flex.

Why is my golf ball pushed so early?

Comparatively, if your a golfer with a slower swing speed using a shaft that is too stiff, your clubface angle may be too abrupt at the point of impact, causing the ball to be pushed slightly too early. This may also result in hitting the ball too low.

What happens if the flex of the shaft is off?

If the flex of your shaft is off, the club head may be in the wrong position at the point of impact, affecting the overall flight path of the ball. With the right flex, the head is more likely to sit at the correct angle and contact position for your swing speed.

Which shaft flex is the stiffest?

The driver shaft flex may need to be the stiffest in your bag. The driver is often the club that has the highest swing speed, given its length and weight. It is also the club that you want the most accurate shaft flex. Since it carries the highest swing speed and the furthest distance of any club in your bag, you want to be exact.

Do pro golfers use stiff shafts?

Pros or low handicap golfers, on the other hand, generally use stiffer shafts. This is to adjust to the faster swing speeds of stronger golfers to ensure that the clubhead is in the exact position it needs to be at the point of contact.

What is shaft in 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.

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 ...

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 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 know if your club head is square?

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) ...

What happens if your club frequency is too high?

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 are the flex ratings in golf clubs?

The four main flex ratings are L, R, S, and XS. These stand for Ladies, Regular, Senior, and Extra Stiff. Usually L, R, or S should work fine for the casual player, so it is a good idea to simply try out the golf clubs in the category you fit into. You will find more often than not that this level of flex is perfect for you.

What is the most important factor in golf clubs?

Perhaps the most important factor is that of the flex of the golf clubs that you are buying. There are different flex ratings for different golf clubs and choosing the right one can have a great positive effect on your game. It may be difficult to understand at first, but you should be able to pick a shaft with the perfect flex for you ...

What are graphite and steel?

Graphite and steel are the two materials that almost every golf club is made of, and each of them is very distinct when you look at them from a flex viewpoint. Steel clubs have a lower torque rating, which means that they will be useful more to one group of golfers than another.

What to consider when choosing golf clubs?

When choosing golf clubs, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by how many things you must take into consideration. The length of the shaft, the weight of the head, the grip, and many other smaller details combine to make clubs that are perfect for your golfing style.

Is it a good idea to pick a golf club?

When you are faced with the choice of picking new golf clubs, it is a good idea to know which one you prefer so that you can choose the one that you will be most accustomed to. Picking the flex level of a new set of golf clubs can be one of the hardest choices you will make, especially if you are new to golfing.

Is shaft frequency used to measure stiffness?

Shaft frequency is not of much use in evaluating shaft stiffness. The problem for club makers and fitters who recognized the importance of shaft profiling was that there was not an affordable EI instrument until I designed and manufactured one. They used the frequency instruments they had.

Do golf shaft stiffness rates work across brands?

The systems we have to rate golf shaft stiffness do not work across brands or even across models within brands. Most experienced club fitters use their experience to understand golf shaft stiffness. Many use some systematic method, most often frequency, to rate the shafts they work with.

What does the average golfer pay no mind to?

What the average golfer pays no mind to is shaft weight . Most couldn’t tell you the weight of the shaft in their current driver or the one they’re lined up to buy. Talk to the average fitter, however, and they’ll tell you that weight is critical. For some, it’s the first thing that they fit for.

Is there a hard and fast rule for club fitting?

The takeaway, once again, is that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to club fitting. Both weight and flex can have a significant impact on the performance of a club, so both should be given adequate attention during a club fitting.

Is shaft flex more important than weight?

Myth #1 – Shaft flex is more important than shaft weight. In this test group, weight proved to be slightly more important than flex. That said, one different tester could have tipped the scales the other way. Both weight and flex are critical elements in picking the right shaft.

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