A regular (R) shaft is favored by golfers who have a medium-fast swing and drive the ball between 225-250 on a regular basis. Golfers who play regular shafts have club speeds between 80-95 mph. Other Flexes Golf club shafts come in three other flexes: extra stiff (X), senior (A) and ladies (L).
What do the numbers on a golf shaft mean?
Shafts come in five flex categories: extra stiff (X), stiff (S), regular (R), senior (A) and ladies (L). Generally, the faster your swing the speed, the stiffer the shaft you will need. What does 5.5 mean on a golf shaft? Regular Plus – 5.5. Stiff – 6.0. Extra Stiff – 6.5. Extra Stiff Plus – 7.0. What do the numbers on my golf clubs mean?
What does the Flex mean on a golf shaft?
FLEX: The strength of a shaft as it bends during the swing. Because extra stiff, stiff, regular, seniors and ladies flexes are measured in so many ways, these designations have become broad in nature.
What is a regular (R) shaft?
A regular (R) shaft is favored by golfers who have a medium-fast swing and drive the ball between 225-250 on a regular basis. Golfers who play regular shafts have club speeds between 80-95 mph. Golf club shafts come in three other flexes: extra stiff (X), senior (A) and ladies (L).
What is the difference between regular and senior flex shafts?
The regular and senior flex shafts are for the slower swinging player. Some golfers have a hard time deciding if the regular or the senior is going to be the better fit for their game. We have put together some great information about senior and regular flex golf shafts so you can choose an option that will work well for your golf game.
Who should use a regular golf shaft?
Swing Speed In general, golfers with a fast swing should use a stiff shaft and slowed swings should use a regular flex 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.
What's better regular or stiff shaft?
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 a stiff and regular golf shaft?
A stiff shaft is firmer and harder to bend than a regular shaft, and so more often than not, they're also heavier in weight. As a rough rule of thumb, the more speed you generate, the stiffer your shafts should be.
Do any pros use regular shafts?
None of the top 100 PGA Tour pros uses regular iron shafts. It is only among the wedge shafts selected by the pros that you finally see the majority of them using slightly 'softer' flex shafts but as we can see below a healthy number still continue to choose extra stiff shafts in their wedges.
Will a regular shaft cause a slice?
If you are struggling with a slice you might be playing with a shaft that is too stiff for you. Try a more flexible shaft, when a shaft is too stiff the clubface struggles to turn back to square, which will present the clubface open at impact, causing the ball to slice.
Does Tiger Woods use a regular or stiff shaft?
For example, Tiger Woods who consistently hits shots longer than 300 yards has a Regular shaft in his driver.
Which flex shaft is right for me?
– 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
Do regular shafts go further?
No, not necessarily. Whilst this is a heavier object to strike the ball with and that should make it go further, you have to balance your swing speed with this weight. For many golfers a lighter shaft will allow them to generate higher clubhead speeds.
When should I switch from stiff to regular irons?
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.
What shaft is better for high handicappers?
Favourite Steel Shafts For High Handicappers The AMT Red from True Temper is great shaft, at 94g it's light for steel and it is designed to get height and spin on the ball. This is a shaft that will feel great and get you feeling confident in a steel shaft for your irons.
Will a stiff shaft give me more distance?
If the shaft flex is too stiff, your average distance will remain low. If you are struggling with a slice, it is highly likely you are using stiff club shafts. By figuring out the most common type of shot you are playing, it becomes easier to know whether you need a softer shaft.
Who should use stiff shaft driver?
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.
What swing speed should use a stiff shaft?
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).
When should I use stiff shaft 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.
What are the different flexes on a golf club shaft?
Golf club shafts come in three other flexes: extra stiff (X), senior (A) and ladies (L).
What is the speed of a golf shaft?
Golfers who play regular shafts have club speeds between 80-95 mph.
What is stiff shaft?
More commonly known as the stiff shaft (S), this flex is favored by golfers who have a fairly fast swing and drive the ball 250 yards on a consistent basis. Golfers who play a firm or stiff shaft have club speeds between 90-105 mph.
Why do golf clubs bend?
Because golf shafts bend during a swing based on how fast your club speed is, the faster your swing, the stiffer the flex you need. Since you need to make sure the club face is square with the ball at impact, finding the right flex is critical to consistently hitting the ball well.
Is it better to buy a softer shaft or a stiffer shaft?
When selecting golf club shafts, it is better to buy a softer flex than a stiffer one. Flex is related to ball trajectory, so if you choose a shaft that is too soft, you might have trouble getting air under the ball. If you slice, a softer shaft may help. If you hook, a stiffer shaft may help.
What is flex in golf?
The flex of a golf club refers to the “relative strength (stiffness or softness) of a club shaft, ” according to PGA pro Mark Blakemore’s golf glossary. “Golf Magazine” editor Scott Kramer notes that an individual club’s flex is generally placed into one of five categories, including “regular,” designated by the letter “R.”.
Which shaft is the most flexible?
The ladies category shaft is the most flexible; the extra stiff is the least flexible. The regular category is in the middle.
How fast should a golf club flex?
Thomas suggests golfers with a swing speed of 80 to 95 mph typically are the best candidates for regular flex shafts. Mike Stachura of “Golf Digest,” however, says that most experienced golf club ...
Who said swing speed is only the most basic of beginnings when it comes to a proper fitting?
Mike Stachura of “Golf Digest,” however, says that most experienced golf club fitters “believe swing speed is only the most basic of beginnings when it comes to a proper fitting.”.
Is a regular shaft flexible?
As a result, one manufacturer’s regular flex shaft may be more or less flexible than another company’s similar product. All companies agree, however, that the “regular” category sits in the middle of the five-letter flexibility spectrum.
Who benefits from a stiff shaft?
If you can hit an 8- or 9-iron 150 yards, comfortably, then a stiff shaft is for you. This means that you will have a driver swing speed of around 100 mph and you will see the benefits of a stiff shaft.
What happens if my driver shaft has too much flex?
In this case, you will tend to hit high slices. The club will feel a little too whippy in your hand and you will feel that you don’t have as much control of the head as you should have. There can be the benefit of making you slow down your swing to 80% effort though so some may even start to benefit when they make this realization. Golf really is a complicated mistress.
Are heavier shafts stiffer?
Heavier shafts don’t need to be stiffer, however, the extra weight will make them require higher clubhead speeds in order to work efficiently which has a similar effect to less flex. Shaft weight is about feel for many. Personally, I play a heavier shaft in my driver because I love the feel of it, in my irons I have a lighter shaft because they are generally heavier clubs and I like the feel that that gives me. As you try more clubs and set-ups, you will start to learn what you like and it will help you make your choice.
Does shaft flex affect driver distance?
Yes and it is really important you get your flex right. In a study published in Sports Biomechanics, players were asked to hit identical driver with differing shaft flexes. The flex was hidden to everyone involved and the results were staggering. Not only was clubhead speed (which directly influences distance) affected in most players, loft angle was affected in a quarter of them and lie angle in all.
Does shaft flex affect accuracy?
As you’ve read above, there are a number of ways that shaft flex can affect the accuracy of your golf shots. Having a club that suits your swing means you will be more relaxed and consistent hitting the ball, that’s a huge advantage in terms of accuracy. Also, a stiffer shaft tends to help reduce dispersion as the club can move less through impact and so be more consistent.
How can I find out my swing speed?
It’s never been easier to find out these vital statistics of your golf swing. Go to almost any pro or shop that offers custom fitting and they will have some sort of instrument that can give you this number . Think of this as your starting point.
Should a beginner use a regular or stiff shaft?
I would say here that for the majority of cases, a beginner should be using a regular flex shaft. This will enable the golfer to learn a good tempo and to build his/her swing speed up slowly as they improve their technique. Occasionally someone from another sport like hockey or baseball will take up golf and they will have a fast swing that needs re-purposed for golf, these people may require a stiffer shaft.
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.
What do the letters on a golf shaft mean?
Golf shafts are designated with a letter code, the letters most commonly being X, S, R, A, and L . What do these letters represent? Those letters tell golfers flex—the relative stiffness—of that shaft.
Why do golf shafts bend?
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.
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 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.
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.
Why is senior flex represented by an A or M?
Why is senior flex represented by an A or M? " A" originally stood for "amateur." The "M" stands for "mature" or "medium." Also, of course, "S" is taken by "stiff."
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 ...
Why is it important to choose the right shaft for golf clubs?
It can give you the best chance at striking the center of the face that will result in optimal launch conditions on the course. It absolutely has an effect on how well you can play.
What does it mean to choose the wrong shaft for a golf club?
Choosing the wrong shaft will make it much harder to access the center of the face more consistently on the course , and the last thing we want you to do is to make golf harder on yourself!
How much weight should a golf shaft be?
Weight. Getting the correct weight of your shaft is an important factor to consider as well. Shafts can range anywhere from 40 to 135 grams. Typically the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slower swing speed will benefit from using a lighter shaft, and you would add weight as swing speed increases. As you might expect at this point, there are ...
Why didn't Nick Price find a stiff shaft?
Regardless of the similarity in their swing speeds, Nick Price couldn’t find a shaft stiff enough for his swing because he would apply such an enormous amount of force, whereas Couples didn’t need as stiff of a shaft because of his smooth tempo.
What is fitting in golf?
When we put a customer through a fitting, we determine the right profile, weight, and flex that is required. Essentially we are writing a prescription for the golfer’s swing, and order the shaft to match what we believe will help them the most.
Why is shaft profile important?
Getting the right shaft profile for your swing is very important. It will greatly affect your ability to hit quality shots on the course . There is a lot of confusion in the golf shaft industry. With no standards for performance, the quality greatly varies, and often you get what you pay for. We hope that we have cleared up some ...
What is the most misunderstood product category in the golf industry?
One of the most misunderstood product categories in the golf industry is shafts . There are plenty of myths and mistruths out there that we wanted to clear up for you in this article and share what we have learned at Pete’s Golf over the past several decades.
What is a golf shaft spine?
SPINE ALIGNMENT:Golf shafts, because they are round and hollow, have a spine that is a result of the manufacturing process. Spining (or “puring,” as it is called by SST Pure, which holds several patents in this technique) focuses on the alignment of a shaft in a clubhead: The spine is placed in a particular position in relationship to the head, the purpose being to produce optimal results. The effectiveness of spining for ordinary golfers remains somewhat controversial. Many touring pros, in the name of consistency and accuracy, have their clubs adjusted for spine placement. Most amateurs, however, do not.
What is a raw shaft?
RAW: A raw shaft is an uncut shaft that has not been installed in a clubhead. BLANK: This is another word for a raw shaft. When clubmakers refer to a blank, they mean a raw shaft. SPINE ALIGNMENT: Golf shafts, because they are round and hollow, have a spine that is a result of the manufacturing process.
How much does a shaft weigh?
WEIGHT:Overall shaft weight usually is expressed in grams. This reflects the weight of an uncut shaft. Once a shaft is trimmed, of course, the final weight is reduced. Stronger flexes generally weigh more than regular, senior or ladies flexes of the same model. True Temper’s Dynamic Gold, the most popular steel iron shaft on the PGA Tour, weighs abourt 130 grams. At the other end of the spectrum, Mitsubishi Rayon has a Bassara graphite driver shaft that weighs about 35 grams.
What is the most precise method of measuring shaft strength?
FREQUENCY:A more precise method of measuring shaft strength, although measurements from one frequency machine cannot necessarily be compared to those from another machine. As a shaft vibrates, these machines measure the number of vibrations. The higher the vibration count, the stiffer the shaft.
What does low torque mean on a golf swing?
Normal measurements are in the 2- to 6-degree range. A low torque number means less twisting of the shaft but also can mean a harsher feel . A high torque number is associated with a soft-feeling shaft, although there may be a sacrifice in accuracy. FLEX: The strength of a shaft as it bends during the swing.
What is torque in swing?
TORQUE: A measurement of the circular rotation of the shaft during the swing.
What is the kick point of a golf shaft?
KICK POINT: Modern shafts, particularly graphite shafts, can produce kick in different sections of the shaft — high kick, mid kick and low kick being three obvious points of reference. Fitters often spend considerable time matching a golfer’s swing with a particular kick.