Types of Flex in Golf Shafts
- Overview. The flex in a golf shaft affects the distance, accuracy and trajectory of your golf shot. ...
- 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 ...
- Stiff Shaft. ...
- Regular Flex. ...
- Senior Flex
- Ladies Flex. ...
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 …
What shaft flex should I use?
Aug 29, 2016 · Nippon defines shaft flex as “the amount the golf clubs’ shaft deflects or bends,” but True Temper says it’s “the resistance to bending.” Mitsubishi Rayon (MRC) and Fujikura told …
How to determine shaft flex?
Sep 01, 2003 · "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, …
What shaft should a senior golfer use?
According to Golf Science Lab, the shaft flex does not have systematic effect on clubhead speed. This means that picking out a more stiff shaft flex will not make you swing the golf club faster, …
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 |
What is a good shaft flex?
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 does 5.0 shaft flex mean?
Is Stiff flex good for beginners?
What happens if shaft is too flexible?
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.
Will a stiffer shaft increase distance?
How can I tell my swing speed?
What does a 5.5 shaft flex mean?
What do the numbers on Hzrdus shaft mean?
What do the numbers on a graphite golf shaft mean?
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.
How to measure shaft flex?
The most common way is to clamp the butt end of the shaft, attach a weight to the tip, displace it, and measure the CPM (cycles per minute) or frequency that the shaft oscillates . This can also be done in reverse – clamp the tip and weight and displace the butt.
Is flex only one part of the equation?
While they didn’t agree on much, every shaft manufacturer that we spoke to said that flex is only one part of the equation . MRC noted that torque values will vary widely from model to model, and that has a big impact on performance.
Is there a standard way to measure flex?
Given that there’s not a standard way of measuring flex, you can correctly assume that there is no standard for labeling flex either. What one manufacturer calls “stiff” might be “regular” to another. This is why they universally emphasize the importance of fitting.
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").
Is over swinging a problem for macho men?
But over-swinging is a common problem among male high-handicappers. 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.
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.
Does shaft flex affect club speed?
According to Golf Science Lab, the shaft flex does not have systematic effect on clubhead speed. This means that picking out a more stiff shaft flex will not make you swing the golf club faster, and thus you won’t automatically hit the ball farther either.
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.
Why is it important to pick the right golf shaft?
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 ...
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 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.
What Do Shaft Flex Numbers Mean?
When it comes to flex in a shaft, there is no industry standard McCormack added. “Thus, one company’s ‘Stiff’ could be another company’s ‘X,’ and vice versa.’ So relying just on the small letter on the shaft’s side is essentially meaningless.
Does Golf Shaft Flex Make a Difference?
Golfers should get fit before buying a shaft with the wrong flex for their swing, according to McCormack. Through statistical input, personal feel, and expert counsel, a golf club fitting may help golfers properly match a club and shaft to their swing. The only way to know for sure if a shaft is right for your game is to compare it to others.
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.
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 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 to choose shaft flex?
These are just general guidelines, however; the best way to choose shaft flex is to go through a club fitting. Not every golfer can (or is willing) to do that, though.
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.
Why do shaft makers vary the amount of stiffness?
Shaft makers vary the amount of stiffness because golfers have different types of swings—different swing speeds, different tempos—and different amounts of stiffness in a shaft better match up to those different swings. The slower a golfer's swing, generally speaking, the more flex he or she requires in the shafts that are in their golf clubs.
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 ...
What does it mean when a golfer's swing is slower?
The slower a golfer's swing, generally speaking, the more flex he or she requires in the shafts that are in their golf clubs. And the faster the swing, the more stiffness. Tempo also matters: A jerkier swing requires more stiffness, a smoother swing less stiffness, generally speaking.
What does a Shaft Flex of 6.5 mean?
The equivalent of a 6.5 flex is the eXtra-stiff shaft under the LARSX labels.
How is the Flex of a Shaft Measured?
In the LARSX system, manufacturers use a deflection board where the butt of the shaft is clamped while weight is hung on the tip of the shaft. The amount that the shaft bent, was used to rate the shafts stiffness. A major problem in this method is the lack of a standard in the deflection board hence differences in the flex from various brands.
How to calculate the stiffness of the shaft?
Add up all the measurements taken in the production of the EI curve to determine the overall stiffness of the shaft
