Golf shafts are typically grouped into five flexibility categories. The most flexible shafts are labeled “L,” for ladies. The progressively stiffer categories are A (senior); R (regular); S (stiff); and X (extra stiff).
Full Answer
What are the different types of flex shafts in golf clubs?
Golf clubs for men come in four basic flexes, extra stiff, stiff, regular and senior. 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.
What does flex mean in golf clubs?
Swedish golfer Richard Johnson tests his club's flexibility. 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.
Are flex golf shafts good for seniors?
Some golfers that are aging will have both senior and regular flex golf shafts in their bag. The reason behind this is the increased speed that golfers typically have when using their drivers and fairway woods.
How to pick the right golf shaft flex for your swing?
In order to pick out the proper golf shaft flex, you should get fitted by a club professional. They can connect you to a golf launch monitor, which can detail important information about your golf swing tendencies and help the club fitter pick out the proper golf shaft flex for your swing.
What flex should my shaft be?
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 shaft flex should a high handicapper use?
Regular. The most common flex, regular, is designated as "R" on the flex chart and is recommended for golfers who regularly drive the ball 210 to 240 yards and have a swing speed between 75 and 84 mph. Steel and graphite shafts are available in regular flex, which is appropriate for men with mid to high handicaps.
What shaft flex do pro golfers 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.
What swing speed needs a stiff flex shaft?
What swing speed requires a stiff shaft? Golfers at driving speeds over 90 mph should generally use a stiff shaft. Under 90 mph should probably use a regular shaft.
What happens if your golf 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 happens if your shaft is too stiff?
There are a few tell tale signs that your shafts are too stiff, firstly you will lose the ball to the right, because the shaft is to stiff it will be hard to square up at impact, causing the face to be open when you hit the ball, this is going to produce a fade or slice shot, generally ending up on the right side of ...
What is a good swing speed for a 7 iron?
An average golfer will swing a seven iron about 75 mph. This number can change based on the weight of the club and if it is steel or graphite. The faster you swing a seven iron, the further it will go. If you can swing at about 85 mph, you will see distances closer to 165 yards.
Do pros use regular or stiff 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.
Do any tour pros use regular flex shafts?
Kramer's 2006 “Golf Magazine” article cites a survey showing that just 2 percent of PGA Tour players and 10 percent of PGA Champions Tour players used regular flex shafts in their irons. He also notes that PGA Tour swing speeds average 110 mph, so the players favor a stiffer shaft to better control the club.
How far should a senior hit 7 iron?
Generally, you'll hit the ball longer when you're in your 20s and 30s, but your distances will slowly decrease as you get older....Average 7 Iron Distance By Age.Age RangeAverage 7 Iron Distance40-50146 yards50-60139 yards60+128 yardsAll Golfers145 yards2 more rows
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.
Is 9.5 or 10.5 driver better?
The ideal driver loft depends on your swing speed and the attack angle. Average players that swing the club less than 95 MPH will likely find that a 10.5-degree driver performs the best. Better players who can control their drives and want the most distance will lean more towards a 9-degree driver.
Is regular or stiff flex better for high handicap?
Most high-handicappers (especially men) tend to over-swing. If this describes you (and you know who you are), you should consider a softer flex to help you slow your swing down. Slowing down the swing will certainly produce more accurate shots and better distance control.
How do I know if I need stiff or regular flex 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.
Is a stiff shaft more forgiving?
Stiff Flex: What Is The Difference? 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.
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 does flex mean in golf?
The flex in a golf shaft affects the distance, accuracy and trajectory of your golf shot.
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.
How many yards off the tee for stiff shaft golf?
The stiff shaft is quite popular and should be chosen by those who consistently drive the ball 250 or more yards off the tee.
