“Turning your toes out about 20 degrees — maybe even more — effectively makes you more flexible,” Clearwater says. “It creates greater range of motion in your hips, which produces a distance boost in very short order.” Do this and you’ll gain yards in no time.
What does flex mean in golf shafts?
In golf, “flex” is defined as “the relative strength (stiffness or softness) of a club shaft,” according to PGA pro Mark Blakemore. He notes that a shaft’s flex point, also known as the kick point, is the spot where the shaft will bend the most.
How important is foot action in the golf swing?
“Foot action determines so many things within the golf swing that it’s almost indescribable,” Jack Nicklaus says. “Balance, timing, tempo, rhythm, all the things are necessary to be able to do all the other things you need to do on the golf swing.”
How does knee flex affect your golf swing?
The more knee flex you have, probably the more rounded and shallow the golf swing will become. So if you're hitting hooks, or if you're hitting the ground before the ball, or thinning the ball because you're coming in too much in-to-out, I'd encourage you to straighten the legs a little bit.
What does flaring the right foot mean in golf swing?
Flaring the right foot slightly creates more room for the backswing to operate in, and leads to a more comfortable position at the top of the swing. This leads to a fuller backswing amplitude that can help generate more clubhead velocity and ultimately to more distance.
Why do golfers move their feet?
5:557:29SHOULD YOUR FEET MOVE IN THE GOLF SWING? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn the whole golf swing there is a lot of movement in the feet. But in many cases that can help addMoreIn the whole golf swing there is a lot of movement in the feet. But in many cases that can help add speed. It can help add power.
Does flexibility affect golf?
Flexibility may be the single most important factor in making a successful golfer. A compact, powerful swing is defined by the relationship of shoulder to hip rotation. The shoulders should turn at a 90-degree angle over the hips, which should turn 45 degrees.
Is being relaxed in a golf swing the most important?
For maximum club speed and consistency, your shoulders must be completely relaxed throughout the entire swing. Complete shoulder relaxation is critical as you reverse the swing from the backswing to the swing through the ball.
Why is flexibility so important in golf?
Flexibility is important in the golf swing to allow the golfer to achieve the correct technical positions to improve performance as well as reduce the risk of injury. Adequate flexibility will also allow the golfer to sequence their swing correctly to improve consistency and power.
Does flexibility increase swing speed?
Having adequate mobility will help you generate clubhead speed in many ways, including allowing you to create a longer backswing and improve your separation between your hips and shoulders.
How do you get stronger in golf?
5 Exercises That Will Improve Your Golf GameSide Step-Ups. The first exercise in this program is the side step-up. ... Lunges with Rotation. ... Medicine Ball Core Rotations. ... Cat Camels. ... Sword Draws (Shoulder External Rotation)
How do you stay calm under pressure in golf?
5 Tips for Calming Your Nerves on the Golf CourseChew Gum. There have been a number of studies done on the effects of chewing gum on the brain. ... Take Deep Breaths. The next thing you can do to calm your nerves is to take some deep breaths. ... Visualize Success. ... Live in the Moment. ... Get Excited.
What does a good golf swing feel like?
The golf swing should feel effortless, with minimal tension. Think of it like a coiled spring: as you rotate and load into the backswing, you are storing up energy (just as a coiled spring would) before releasing all that energy – in one sweeping downswing motion – through the ball at impact.
Should your arms be loose in golf swing?
Arm Slot. Teaching professional Shawn Clement agrees that the player's arms should drop to begin the downswing, but he says they must drop into the right position. Clement advises players to focus on dropping their arms in front of the body, while keeping their hands on the proper swing plane.
Does stretching help golf swing?
Golf stretches can help prepare you for a day on the course. These golf stretches may help promote a fluid, full golf swing, which can improve your performance. Before you start your golf stretches, you may want to warm up with five to 10 minutes of light activity, such as walking around the practice tee.
How do I get more flexible in my golf swing?
These 5 simple stretches will improve your flexibility and help your golf swingTwisting Stretch. Start with your legs wider than your hips. ... Hip Press. Tight hamstrings tend to put a lot of pressure on your lower back. ... Scarecrow Twists. ... Standing Side Stretch. ... Shoulder Flossing.
How flexible are pro golfers?
The finish. It's all about flexibility. The PGA Tour pro can finish with his right shoulder facing the target, while most average golfers lack the flexibility to rotate the hips and shoulders completely around to this position.
What does it mean to flare your foot in golf?
In golf, flaring one’s foot corresponds to angling it out slightly so that the line of the foot is not perpendicular to the target line. This is in contrast to seeing both feet parallel to each other and perpendicular to the target line. You can decide to position your feet likewise or flare either of your feet.
Why do you open your left foot slightly?
By opening the left foot slightly you are in effect making more room for the body rotation to occur past the moment of impact. This in turn will lead to a fuller – and easier to perform – follow through.
What does a right foot flare do?
Similarly to the left foot flare, adopting a right foot flare tends to change the angle of the hips slightly. In this case, it tends to close the hip line in relation to the target line. This has for consequence that it favours an inside-to-out swing path and ultimately to a draw, or at least to a ball with right-to-left sidespin.
Why is it bad to not flaring your feet?
The main negative to not flaring your feet at all is that is may constrain your swing amplitude. This is especially true for golfers with flexibility issues. Indeed, senior golfers or those with certain lower body injuries may be unable to perform a golf swing properly unless their stance allows for foot flaring.
What does it mean when your left foot is flaming?
Flaring your left foot involves rotating your left leg out so that your toes are angled slightly to the left. Or in other words, instead of pointing straight forward, your left foot is positioned so that it points to the left slightly.
Is it easier to align your feet with the target line?
Secondly, it is much easier to align your stance with the target line when the toes are the same distance from the target line. Indeed, flaring your foot tweaks the toe line slightly which can make ...
Can you flare your left foot?
Consequently, the backswing is somewhat reduced in the amplitude it is allowed to comfortably operate in. It is therefore not recommended to flare your left foot if you are looking to increase the width of your backswing or if you suffer from stiffness that limit your backswing already.
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 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.
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 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 shaft do you need for a jerky swing?
A swing that gets jerky at the top—when transitioning into the downswing—will probably need a stiffer shaft. 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 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 a club fitting demo day?
At demo days, you'll be able to hit many different types of clubs with different types of shafts. Or find a good pro shop with swing bays where you can try before you buy. The key, short of a club fitting, is hitting lots of different clubs and watching the effect ...
What is flex point in golf?
He notes that a shaft’s flex point, also known as the kick point, is the spot where the shaft will bend the most.
What happens if your golf shaft is flexed?
If the energy isn’t released quickly enough -- in other words, if the shaft is still flexed on impact -- you’ve wasted potential energy. If the shaft straightens prior to impact, the potential energy you have built is gone and, again, you’ll lose distance on your shot.
How does the shaft work in golf?
A golf shaft stores energy when it flexes during the backswing and the start of the downswing. The energy is released at impact when the shaft whips forward. As the Leaderboard website notes, if you put the grip end of a club into a vise, then pull back on the clubhead, you’ll feel tension in the club. This tension is the stored energy, which will spring the club head forward if you release the club. To achieve maximum distance, Leaderboard.com explains, the stored energy must be released at the moment of impact during a golf swing. If the energy isn’t released quickly enough -- in other words, if the shaft is still flexed on impact -- you’ve wasted potential energy. If the shaft straightens prior to impact, the potential energy you have built is gone and, again, you’ll lose distance on your shot.
What is the difference between a higher flex point and a lower flex point?
All else being equal, Thomas explains, a higher flex point produces lower ball flight, while a lower flex point results in a higher launch angle.
How fast should a golfer swing?
Longtime USGA technical director Frank Thomas advises golfers with swing speeds of 80 to 95 mph to start ...
Is there a flex standard for golf shafts?
Unfortunately, as “Golf Magazine” editor Scott Kramer notes, there is no industry standard regarding flex. In other words, two S shafts manufactured by two different companies may have different amounts of flex.
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.
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.
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 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.
How to activate lower body during golf swing?
Your feet might be the least of your worries now, but by focusing on a few small tweaks in your heels and toes , you can help activate your lower body throughout your swing. “Foot action determines so many things within the golf swing that it’s almost indescribable,” Jack Nicklaus says.
How does Jack Nicklaus explain the golf swing?
Jack Nicklaus explains how your feet are holding back your swing. Jack Nicklaus breaks down how to fix up your feet throughout your golf swing. One of the most common misconceptions about the golf swing is the importance of the lower body. Sure, your upper body is doing the hard work — striking the ball and pulling the club through ...
How much knee flex is needed for a 7 iron?
There is therefore specific amount of knee flex for a 7-iron, especially for a guy who is 6 foot tall because he may have a 29 inch inside leg or a 34 inch inside leg.
How to do a hip turn?
Your weight should be balanced in the centre of your feet. During the backswing, try to maintain good flex in your right (back) knee to act as a brace for your hip turn.
Golf Club Shaft Basics
First things first, before you choose a golf club shaft, you need to identify what kind of play stiff flex and regular flex clubs support. You should also note that your driver shaft could be different from that of your irons. This is because most golfers typically hit their irons with a shallow swing and swing their driver club with a wider arc.
Who and When Should Use Stiff Flex?
As a rule of the thumb, golfers that have a very high swing speed (more than 105 mph) should go for an extra shift shaft. The same also applies to players that generate more power and lag. Another telltale sign that you should look out for when choosing a shaft of the distance that you hit the ball.
Who and When Should Use Regular Flex?
Regular flex is mostly recommended for beginners and players with a low swing speed.
Quick Comparison
According to CNN, one of the key aspects of improving your game is analyzing your swing, and this is highly influenced by the flex you go for. This will help you increase your potential shot distance and optimize your accuracy. If you go with a flex that is too stiff, your distance will reduce.
Final Thoughts
Between stiff flex vs. regular flex, which one should you go for? Well, the purchase decision should be based on your swing and experience levels. Beginners typically use regular flex as they’re easy to control, while experts tend to lean more towards stiff flex for accuracy. You should also consider the material of the shaft.