If you want to avoid giving your golf game the shaft, you need to understand the effect that golf club shaft
Shaft
The shaft of a golf club is the long, tapered tube which connects the golfer's hands to the club head. While hundreds of different designs exist, the primary purpose of the golf shaft remains the same: to provide the player with a way to generate centrifugal force in order to effectively strike the ball. When properly gripped the player can hit the ball further and more accurately, whilst applying less force.
How do you determine golf shaft flex?
Aug 10, 2021 · 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. Although, choosing the most flexible one will not …
What shaft flex should I use?
Sep 01, 2003 · If you want to avoid giving your golf game the shaft, you need to understand the effect that golf club shaft flex has on your game. "Flex" refers to the ability of a golf shaft to bend as forces are applied to it during the golf swing. Those forces are generated by the type of swing that you have: fast or slow, smooth or jerky.
How to determine shaft flex?
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 …
What shaft should a senior golfer use?
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. This can help generate launch on the golf ball to hit it high, straight, and far. According to GolfScienceLab here are the major things shaft flex can impact: Height of golf shot Curvature
What is an A flex golf shaft?
What golf shaft flex should I use?
| Carry Distance | Swing Speed | Flex |
|---|---|---|
| Under 200 yards | Under 75 mph | Ladies or Senior |
| 200 to 240 yards | 75 to 95 mph | Regular |
| 240 to 275 yards | 95 to 110 mph | Stiff |
| Over 275 yards | Over 110 mph | Stiff or Extra Stiff |
Is flex good in golf clubs?
What shaft flex should I use for irons?
| If You Can Hit 150 Yards with a... | Then Your Optimal Shaft Flex Is... |
|---|---|
| 6- or 7-Iron | Regular 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) |
What happens if your golf shaft is too flexible?
Is Stiff flex good for beginners?
What is the difference between senior flex and regular flex golf clubs?
How fast should you swing a 7 iron?
What is a 5.5 flex shaft?
How do I know what shaft flex is right for me?
- Take 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.
When should I switch to regular flex shafts?
Will a stiffer shaft increase distance?
What does flex mean in golf?
"Flex" refers to the ability of a golf shaft to bend as forces are applied to it during the golf swing. Those forces are generated by the type of swing that you have: fast or slow, smooth or jerky.
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").
What is flex in golf shafts?
Types of Flex in Golf Shafts. Beginners should use more flexible shafts. 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 ...
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.
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.
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 is extra stiff shaft?
Extra Stiff. Extra stiff shafts should generally be reserved for really long hitters (about 300 off the tee) and this flex can be difficult to find, as it is not popular. It is important to note that if you select a shaft that is too stiff, you will lose loft and control on your shots.
How to determine golf shaft flex?
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.
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 use steel shafts in golf?
With steel shafts, you may find that golf shots are easier to control. Steel shafts place a greater focus on accuracy as opposed to distance. Since they don’t get as much distance as graphite shafts, steel shafts require faster swing speed to make up for the loss of distance compared to graphite.
What is the difference between a steel shaft and a graphite shaft?
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. Stepped is the use of steps down the shaft or ridges you see while rifle is smooth all the way.
What is titanium shaft?
Titanium Shafts – this is a newer material type being used to build golf shafts with. It’s much lighter in weight as compared to steel but still offers that same strong support you get from steel compared to graphite.
How much does a golf shaft weigh?
Shaft weights typically range between 50 grams and 85 grams with the 50-60 numbers being pretty common as seen in the example shafts above. Shaft Weight is important because it can help you generate club head speed and increase the distance you hit the golf ball.
Why is shaft weight important?
Shaft Weight is important because it can help you generate club head speed and increase the distance you hit the golf ball. Lighter weight shafts tend to be swung faster (since they are lighter), increasing club speed. However, we don’t recommend looking automatically at the lightest shaft and disregarding heavier shafts.
What does Flex mean in golf clubs?
Golf club shaft flex refers to the bend in a club when a player swings and makes an impact with the golf ball. The shaft flex can have a significant impact on a player’s swing and should be selected based on a few different factors identified by a proper club fitting session.
Swing Speed vs. Swing Tempo
Swing speed is measured in miles per hour. It is very easy to measure this, as most golf courses have speed sticks available to members and customers. But speed isn’t everything. The tempo of the swing is very important. For instance, look at the swing of 2021 Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama compared to the 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson.
Different Club Flex Options
It is important to use the correct flex option that suits your swing. If the shaft is too soft, it will typically flex more through impact and cause the clubhead to close and start the ball to the left with added spin.
Club Shaft Kick Point
The kick point is mistakenly thought of as being a wide variance; the high kick point being up by the grip and the low kick point being down by the clubhead. But this isn’t true. The kick point is actually a small 6” section in the middle of the shaft.
How to Choose the Correct Club Flex
So, let’s take what we have learned from above and apply it to selecting a new driver.
Why is the flex point important?
The kick point is important because it helps determine the ball's trajectory after you hit it. Your shaft can have a high, medium or low kick point.
What does a fitter do for a slow swing?
For Slow Swingers. If you have a slow swing speed, you need to get the ball up quicker for a higher launch angle. Your fitter generally will give you clubs with more loft, softer shafts and a lower kick point. The extra loft puts more backspin on the ball so it starts on a higher trajectory; the softer shaft stores more energy;
Who is Mike Southern?
He is the author of the instructional golf book "Ruthless Putting" and edited a collection of swashbuckling novels. Southern was trained in electronics at Forsyth Technical Community College and is also an occasional woodworker.
What is shaft flex?
Mitsubishi Rayon (MRC) and Fujikura told us about how shaft flex is a guideline for connecting swing speed to a particular shaft.
Where does Matt live?
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.
Who is Matt Saternus?
Matt Saternus. Matt is the Founder and Editor in Chief of 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.
What happens if you mismatch your golf shaft?
If your swing is mismatched to your golf shaft flex—if you are using an X flex shaft, for example, when you should be using an R flex shaft—you will have a harder time squaring the clubface at impact. The way your shots are flying can clue you into the possibility you might be using the wrong flex.
When were steel shafts invented?
Alas, no. Golf industry veteran Tom Wishon, of Tom Wishon Golf Technologies, explains: "Shortly after steel shafts were introduced in the 1920s, steel shaft makers discovered they could change the diameter and wall thickness of the tubes to create shafts with different amounts of stiffness to better match to the different swing speeds ...
Who is Brent Kelley?
Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Golf shafts are designated with a letter code, the letters most commonly being X, S, R, A, and L.
What is flex in golf shafts?
In simple terms, the definition of flex is the amount of bend in the shaft when under the load of the swing.
What is flex in golf?
In simple terms, the definition of flex is the amount of bend in the shaft when under the load of the swing. Another way to express it is the stiffness or the softness of the shaft. It is generally accepted that the grading system of flex is universal. Contents [ show] The Different Types of Club Flex Available.
What are the benefits of graphite shafts?
The modern graphite shafts have many benefits: 1 They are lighter and the golfer will swing the clubhead faster through impact without trying to force the speed. 2 Speed equals distance. 3 They launch the ball into the air easily. They offer control, stability, and less vibration through impact. 4 Confidence in every swing.
What is a flight scope?
Modern technology has developed a Flight scope that is readily available in most golf retail outlets or driving ranges. Before deciding on the type of shaft you must have this test, as it will not only show your swing speed but also your ball flight and other important factors.
What is the kick point of a golf shaft?
Kick point is the part of the shaft that bends the most on the downswing. The kick point determines the trajectory of the shot. Senior golfers should select a low kick point shaft which enables a high trajectory and ball flight. The bend in the shaft is close to the clubhead. A medium trajectory is attained by a shaft with ...
What is a high kick point shaft?
A medium trajectory is attained by a shaft with the kick point close to the center of the shaft. A high kick point is for high-speed swings and offers the lowest trajectory.
Who is Nick Lomas?
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.
