"L" is the most flexible shaft and "X" is the stiffest shaft:
- "L" denotes "ladies flex"
- "A" or "M" denotes "senior flex" (might also be designated "AM" or "A/M," or "Senior")
- "R" denotes "regular flex"
- "S" denotes "stiff flex" (might also be designated "Firm")
- "X" denotes "extra stiff flex" (might also be designated "Tour")
What shaft flex should I use?
– A Comprehensive Guide
- 4 Type of Shaft Flex You Should Use. This kind of shaft flex is often chosen and used by golf players with years of experience or professionals who play at ...
- 3 Factors When Choosing A Shaft Flex. ...
- Frequently Asked Questions about Shaft Flex. ...
- The Bottom Line. ...
Who should use senior flex golf shafts?
Shaft flex, for instance, is the most important component. If the shaft does not flex as it should for one’s golf swing, it will become more difficult to nigh impossible to play well. Two dramatic examples would be a fishing pole and a piece a lumber.
What are the different flex in golf clubs?
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 to pick the right golf shaft?
Info - Choosing the Best Shaft for Your Game
- Choosing the Best Shaft for Your Game. ...
- Shaft Selection Primer 1.0: Single most important determining factor in shaft flex (indicator of overall strength of the player).
- Swing Tempo - Pace of the Swing. ...
- Release. ...
- Trajectory - Height of Ball Flight. ...
- Flight Direction Tendency. ...
- Distance Control. ...
- Price. ...
What do shaft flex numbers mean?
These numbers are the weight of the shaft in grams. 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.
What golf shaft flex should I use?
– 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
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 golf shaft flex is right for me 7 iron?
If there is not a facility convenient to your location, the rule of thumb measures to use for clubs that are used to hit the golf ball from 150 yards are: Ladies Flex for a 3 iron or wood; Senior Flex for a 4 iron; Regular Flex for a 5 or 6 iron; Stiff Flex for a 6 or 7 iron and X-Stiff Flex for a 8 or 9 iron.
What flex do I need for my irons?
Should You Use Regular or Stiff Flex Shafts?6-iron Carry Distance6-iron Swing SpeedShaft flex (all clubs)< 130 yards60 – 70 mphSenior Flex131 – 155 yards71 – 80 mphRegular Flex156 – 175 yards81 – 90 mphStiff Flex> 176 yards91 + mphX-Stiff FlexApr 13, 2021
How do I know what golf shaft is right for me?
5 factors to help you find the right driver shaft for your swingFlex. Generally speaking, a driver shaft that's too stiff will cause shots to launch too low, with too little spin and low peak heights. ... Weight. The weight of a shaft has a similar correlation to performance as flex. ... Length. ... Kick point. ... Torque.
Is a 6.0 shaft Stiff?
5.0 out of 5 stars 6.0 62g is VERY stiff! Great shaft! The only thing I would say to someone who is looking at this is if you normally play a stiff shaft you should go with the 5.5 62g variant. the 6.0 62g shaft is extra stiff in my opinion.
What does 5.5 R mean on a golf shaft?
Regular – 5.0. Regular Plus – 5.5. Stiff – 6.0. Extra Stiff – 6.5. Extra Stiff Plus – 7.0.
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.
How fast should you swing 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.
How can I tell my swing speed?
Divide the ball speed by 1.5 to get the estimated swing speed for your drive. Alternatively, you can divide the carry distance by 2.3 to estimate the swing speed at impact, but the result will not be as accurate.
What happens if 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.
How do I know if I need a stiff shaft or regular?
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. 90-105 mph swing speeds should use stiff shafts.
What swing speed requires a 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.
What happens if my golf 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 happens if golf shaft 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 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 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.
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.
What is extra stiff flex?
Extra stiff flex is for players with a swing speed over 100 mph, and their shots cover the 300-yard range. This flex is the right choice for professionals.
How many different shaft flex categories are there?
These are the five different shaft flex categories. You can select the right shaft flex as per your requirements.
Why is it important to have the right golf equipment?
Every golfer knows that having the right set of golf equipment is essential to unleash the best performance on the course. Players often underestimate the shaft flex and use the golf shafts that were not suitable for them.
What happens when a golf shaft is too stiff?
A too flexible shaft causes a nasty hook or a pop-up, whereas an extra stiff shaft pushes the golf ball onto the next fairway.
What is flex shaft?
What Is A Flex Golf Shaft. Flex in a golf shaft determines the amount the shaft will bend during the swing and at impact. Higher flex shafts, such as those on ladies or senior clubs will be extra flexible for slower swing speeds. Pros or low handicap golfers, on the other hand, generally use stiffer shafts. This is to adjust to the faster swing ...
What is the right flex for golf?
What Golf Shaft Flex Is Right For Me. Knowing the flex that is right for you is an important part of golf that often is overlooked. If the flex of your shaft is off, the club head may be in the wrong position at the point of impact, affecting the overall flight path of the ball. With the right flex, the head is more likely to sit at ...
What happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?
A shaft that is too stiff may push the ball onto the next fairway, whereas a shaft that is too flexible may cause a pop-up or a nasty hook. However, to accurately diagnose the correct shaft flex for your driver, it is best to get a club-fitter to determine your swing speed. Then you can discuss your options and pick the most suitable shaft flex.
Why is my golf ball pushed so early?
Comparatively, if your a golfer with a slower swing speed using a shaft that is too stiff, your clubface angle may be too abrupt at the point of impact, causing the ball to be pushed slightly too early. This may also result in hitting the ball too low.
Why does my golf club lag behind?
If you’re a golfer with high swing speed and you’re using a shaft with too much flex, it will cause the clubhead to lag behind where it should be at the point of impact. This may cause the clubface to come around too late and cause a drastic hook.
What happens if the flex of the shaft is off?
If the flex of your shaft is off, the club head may be in the wrong position at the point of impact, affecting the overall flight path of the ball. With the right flex, the head is more likely to sit at the correct angle and contact position for your swing speed.
Which golf club has the highest swing speed?
The driver shaft flex may need to be the stiffest in your bag. The driver is often the club that has the highest swing speed, given its length and weight.
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 the best way to choose the proper amount of flex in your golf clubs?
A clubfitting with a golf professional is the recommended way to choose the proper amount of flex in your golf clubs.
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 happens if your flex doesn't match your swing?
Having a flex that doesn't match the needs of your swing will result in the clubface being misaligned at impact, causing your shots to go off-target.
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 happens if your drives go left?
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 is important to think about in golf clubs?
It's important to think about the shafts in your golf clubs, and specifically whether you are playing the right amount of flex. David Cannon / Getty Images
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 ...
Is the flex on the shaft?
While the flex is sometimes written on the shaft, many times it isn’t, leaving only the number to inform you of the flex. The only problem? The flex that corresponds with each number often changes based on the shaft model.
Is Flex a project X shaft?
A “stiff” flex from one shaft producer will not always equal a “stiff” flex from another. While these codes are accurate based on the flex that Project X indicates, your mileage may vary on how well the feel of the shaft matches the maker’s designation.
What does flex mean in golf?
The flex in a golf shaft affects the distance, accuracy and trajectory of your golf shot.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Who owns Royal Precision shaft?
The Royal Precision shaft company was purchased by True Temper and with that purchase was the numeric stiffness rating patent. Here is a look at how that system is currently applied.
Who invented the rate of oscillation of a shaft?
Dr. Joe Braly introduced club makers to using the rate of oscillation of a shaft (frequency) to understand its stiffness. In the 80’s he did research on the PGA tour. He used a frequency instrument to measure the shafts used by the tour players. From this research, he developed a formula for the stiffness of ratio of the different irons in the set. The ratio he found was 4.3 CPM (cycles per minute) per one half inch of length of club.
What is PCS in golf?
Inspired by the research done by the Braly’s, a club makers organization, the PCS, endorsed and taught frequency based club making to its many, many members. it was a time when shaft design was not as complex as it currently is and when frequency instruments were one of the few tools available to club makers for measuring shaft stiffness.
Is shaft frequency used in stiffness?
Shaft frequency is not of much use in evaluating shaft stiffness. The problem for club makers and fitters who recognized the importance of shaft profiling was that there was not an affordable EI instrument until I designed and manufactured one. They used the frequency instruments they had. As with all technologies, instruments and expertise evolves. Frequency profiling and frequency rating of shaft stiffness were an attempt by club builders to reverse engineer shaft knowledge not shared by the shaft companies. Affordable EI instruments have closed the knowledge gap between the shaft engineer and the club fitter.
Who first discussed shaft oscillation frequency?
The concept of using shaft oscillation frequency was discussed in the 1968 book, “Search for the Perfect Swing” by Alastair Cochran and John Stobbs. “Search for the Perfect Swing” is one of the first explorations of golf technology.
Do golf shaft stiffness rates work across brands?
The systems we have to rate golf shaft stiffness do not work across brands or even across models within brands. Most experienced club fitters use their experience to understand golf shaft stiffness. Many use some systematic method, most often frequency, to rate the shafts they work with.
Does a soft tip increase loft?
Soft tip = more ability to add dynamic loft by bending, so the answer is yes, if you have a late release a softer tip will add launch angle. The tip stiffness also influence on feel of shaft stiffness (over all feel of flex) so when 2 shaft have the same butt CPM or deflection, but different tip stiffness, its obvious that the shaft with ...
Does a soft tip add launch angle?
Tip flex is more important and is overall flex profile. Soft tip = more ability to add dynamic loft by bending, so the answer is yes, if you have a late release a softer tip will add launch angle. The tip stiffness also influence on feel ...
