How do you know 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 ...
Will I lose distance with a stiff shaft?
If the shaft flex is too stiff, your average distance will remain low.
What swing speed requires a stiff shaft?
between 97 and 104 mphStiff – 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. Regular – Now we are getting into the range where a majority of recreational golfers fall, and also where many LPGA pros fall.
Will too stiff a shaft cause a slice?
If your club shafts are too stiff, you'll have trouble loading them properly during your downswing. When the clubhead gets to the ball, the shaft won't unload properly and the face will remain slightly open, causing a 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.
Can you hit the ball farther with a stiff shaft?
Stiff shafts are more efficient if you give them enough power. They have higher kick points to assist the player to control the speed and landing distance of the ball efficiently.
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.
What happens if shaft flex is too soft?
Incorrect flex A golfer using a shaft that is too flexible may experience a ball flight that is too high, a ball that spins too much, or a shot pattern that has inconsistent dispersion.
Is Stiff flex good for beginners?
Beginners may acquire clubs from friends or family and not consider the flex of their shafts. Shaft options include senior, ladies, regular, firm, stiff, x-stiff. Length – shafts can be cut different lengths – for most beginners, standard length is fine, unless you are an abnormal height.
What shaft does Tiger Woods use?
Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 60 TXTiger has a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 60 TX shaft fitted to his driver.
What shaft flex should I use for irons?
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).
Is there a big difference between stiff and regular flex?
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.
Do pros use extra 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.
Can a slower swing speed Use a stiff shaft?
If your golf shaft is too stiff and your swing speed is too slow, your well-struck shot will be limited on both carry distance and shot trajectory; a too-stiff golf shaft will most often lead to weak fades or slices.
Do I need stiff shafts in my irons?
Stiff shafts are recommended for players who generate high club head speed. If your swing speed is 90 mph or higher, a stiff shaft or an x-stiff shaft should be a good fit.
How to tell if your golf club shaft is too stiff?
There are a few telltale signs that might give you an indication that your club shafts are too stiff. If you have a good swing, but your distance is lacking it may be the shaft is too stiff. It may also be that you tend to either slice the ball or fade towards the rough on the right of the fairway, for the same reason.
What happens if you change your shaft too much?
Now you will find the club face will close before impact resulting in a right to left fade if not a slice. The trajectory will also be increased as will the spin and should this be combined with a windy day your golf round will become a grind.
What to look for in short irons?
With the shorter irons, approaching the green, around the green, or from the bunkers control is critical. Here you would be looking for a stiffer shaft with less flex as the swing speed is not as great a factor in the short game.
Is graphite shaft better than iron shaft?
Graphite shafts are of greater benefit on the distance clubs where you may be prepared to sacrifice a bit of accuracy. On the shorter, irons accuracy and control are more important thus the extra flexibility of the graphite shaft may be a disadvantage.
Why are graphite shafts better than steel?
Graphite being a much lighter material than steel makes it easier to swing faster and see an increase in distance off the tee. For this reason, they were considered the correct shafts for beginners and intermediate golfers.
How fast can a pro swing?
Pros are top athletes and would have a swing speed of 110 mph on average, while amateurs would be swinging between 80 to 95 mph. There are various ways to determine your swing speed, from clip-on devices, iPhone Apps, range monitors, and at the pro shop.
Who is the founder of GolfSpan?
Golf Shafts – The Ultimate Guide – All You Need To Know To Choose The Right Shaft. Nick Lomas. Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world.
What happens if your golf shaft is too weak?
A golf shaft that is too weak will flex excessively throughout the golf swing, creating an inconsistent release point .
How does the shaft affect the clubhead?
As the shaft flexes and releases, the golf club’s clubhead changes position; this directly affects whether the golf club’s clubface is open or closed and whether it adds or decreases loft.
Can you use two versions of the same golf club?
Are you not quite ready to make the purchase? By using our UTry ® program, you can choose two versions of the same club – each with a different golf shaft or shaft flex – and test them out yourself!
Does shaft flex help golf?
Ensuring you get golf clubs with the appropriate shaft flex will not only significantly improve your game, but also make your time on the golf course much more enjoyable.
What to do after determining shaft flex?
After determining your shaft flex, you can then refine your selection based on a desired ball flight; for example, if you are between a regular and stiff shaft flex, how do you know what to choose?
Do all golf shafts bend the same?
As golf shaft technology continues to advance, manufacturers are experimenting more with bend profiles within golf shaft flex segments; in other words, not all stiff golf shafts bend the same.
What is graphite shaft?
Graphite is typically the best material for amateur golfers, though some low-handicap players and professionals enjoy the vibrations they can feel in their hands after hitting a golf ball with a steel shaft.
How to tell if your golf shaft is too stiff?
One of the biggest indicators that your golf shaft is too stiff is that you are having trouble hitting the ball high. If you have a low swing speed and the shaft is too stiff, any well-struck ball will have a limit on the shot trajectory and the carry distance.
What happens if a golf shaft is too flexy?
On the other hand, a shaft with too much flex will create too much lag, making it difficult to control the clubface and achieve consistent contact.
How to tighten up your swing?
Matching the correct flex with your swing speed will help you tighten up the dispersion of your shots while maximizing your distance.
How does shaft flex affect golf swing?
The amount of flex you need in your club’s shaft depends primarily on your swing speed. Once you find the right shaft flex, you’ll notice your distance and accuracy improving, and this can make the game so much more fun!
Which side of the golf ball tends to miss?
A ball that tends to misses or pulls mostly to the left on each swing for right-handed golfers and to the right for left-handed golfers.
What happens when you hit a golf ball with a shaft that has too much flex?
When you hit the ball with a shaft that has too much flex, it decreases your accuracy and distance while magnifying the ball’s spin. If the course is wet, your ball will fly too high, the distance will be shorter, or it can limit roll out because it can plug when it lands. You can experience:
Why is my golf ball leaking?
A leaking ball flight or fade because you won’t be able to flex the golf shaft enough when you swing to create a square impact position on the ball.
How to tell if your golf shaft is too stiff?
One indicator of a too stiff golf shaft would be that you struggle to hit the ball high. Should your swing speed be on the low side combined with a too stiff shaft, any well-struck ball will be limited on the shot trajectory and the overall carrying distance.
What happens when you play with two stiff golf clubs?
Playing with two stiff golf clubs will result in less wrist-snap when you swing, a decreased swing speed, the speed of the golf ball is also reduced, and your shot dispersion will be to the left or right of your intended target.
Why use granite shafts?
Using granite shafts, especially with regards to distance clubs, assists golfers with a slower swing speed. Sacrificing a bit of accuracy for distance is what you will get when using granite shafts. On the shorter irons, control and precision are more important, and you might want to mix and match with some steel shafts here.
What is the best shaft for golf?
Graphite golf shafts are much lighter than stee l. Choosing this material in golf shafts makes it easier to swing faster, and you will see an increase in driving distance from the tee. Graphite is considered to be the correct shafts for beginners and intermediate golfers.
Why is my golf ball leaking?
Not being able to flex the golf shaft enough when you swing won’t allow you to create a square impact position on your ball, leading to a leaking ball flight or fade. Should you tend to either slice the ball or fade towards the rough on the right of the fairway may indicate that your shaft is too stiff.
How does low trajectory affect golf?
Not being able to hit a standard ball; instead, a low trajectory ball will result in less spin on your golf ball. The lack of spin will directly affect your game negatively, as you will have less control of the ball when it comes to greens and fairway play.
Can you work out your swing speed?
Should none of the above be an option, you can work out your swing speed yourself. Although it is advised that you use one of the above methods, following the following steps should give you an idea of your swing speed.
What happens if your golf shaft is too heavy?
If your shaft is too heavy, then you’ll probably experience these side effects: You get less wrist-snap when you swing. You have decreased swing speed. Your golf ball speed is decreased. You get less spin on your golf ball. You lose distance on the course.
Why is my iron shaft stiff?
This is because there’s very inefficient energy transfer from your club to your golf ball unless you hit your shot just right. The feeling you get is too firm.
How far can you drive a golf ball?
A good rule of thumb is that if your swing speed is 80 to 95mph but you aren’t able to drive your golf golf ball 200 to 220 yards, you have a shaft that’s too stiff.
What is a firm flex shaft?
A firm flex golf shaft is just that, a golf shaft that’s firm. They’re also called stiff shafts and are the preferred shafts of golfers that have a fast swing speed that regularly hit their golf ball out 250 yards or more. These golfers that tend to use firm flex golf shafts usually have club speed of about 90mph to 105mph.
How fast should a golf swing be?
If your swing speed is between 90 to 105 miles per hour, go with a stiff flex shaft. If it’s between 80 to 95 miles per hour then go with a regular flex shaft. Know your driver distance. This refers to how far you usually hit your golf ball from the tee to where the ball lands while using a driver or woods.
Which is cheaper, steel or graphite?
Steel which is usually used to make heavier golf shafts is cheaper than graphite which is what’s used to make lighter golf shafts. Steel golf shafts also tend to have longer lifespans than graphite shafts since steel is a sturdier material.
Why is a golf shaft better?
Heavier golf shafts make it easier for you to “feel” your golf club in your hands and can slow your tempo. This makes you more conscious of your swing and gives you time to position your wrists properly during at the top of the swing as well as when you make impact with your golf ball. This slower tempo results in a cleaner swing and will lead to improved results on the course.
What happens if your golf shaft is too flexible?
If the shaft is too flexible, you will have a ‘whippy’ feeling in your hands, and you won’t be able to feel the clubhead on the downswing.
Why does my golf ball go left?
You might have an inconsistent shot shape if the 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.
Why is my golf club slice?
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. The more flexible the shaft is the easier it is to turn the clubhead over at impact.
Why does my golf ball come out low?
When the shaft is too stiff, you won’t be able to get enough spin on the ball, causing it to come out very low , and look like it’s falling out of the sky.
How to determine shaft flex?
Your shaft flex will be determined mainly by your swing speed, and then by your ability, age and personal preference. Within each shaft flex there are different weights and kick points (bend points).
Do golf clubs come cheap?
100% yes, golf clubs don’t come cheap these days. You won’t buy a car without test driving it, and you definitely won’t buy a Ferrari if you need to go off-roading. Buying the wrong equipment can really put you on the back foot. Having the right shafts for your game can give you a real advantage, and make the game much easier.
How many iron shafts do you need for a set?
Iron shafts are a little different, firstly you have to buy 7 or 8 depending on your set make up, and they all have to be extracted and then replaced, this is a lengthy process, but it is worth it in the end.
What is the difference between a stiff shaft and a regular shaft?
You may ask yourself, what is the difference between a regular shaft and a stiff shaft? The answer to this is simple and quite self-explanatory. A stiff shaft is harder to bend and tends to be more firm, while the regular shaft is the opposite. Both of these shafts have their advantages and disadvantages.
What are the factors that affect shaft flexibility?
Before we dive into the signs and outcomes of using a highly flexible shaft, there are factors that affect shaft flexibility that you need to know. Distance and accuracy, swing speed and golf club material affect shaft flexibility. In this article we look at their impact on highly flexible shafts and their effect on the turf.
What is swing speed?
Swing Speed. First, let’s define swing speed. It is the speed in miles per hour at which the clubhead travels through the hitting area. On that note, it would be great knowing that if you are a fast swinger, a highly flexible shaft is not for you. It makes it difficult for you to control the clubhead.
What factors affect the flexibility of a golf club?
Factors such as your swing speed and the shaft material affect the flexibility of your golf club. If you often lose your direction despite having an impressive distance, then the problem might be that you are using a highly flexible golf club.
Why does my golf club slice?
There is a high chance that your stiff golf club will cause a slice. This happens because the face remains slightly opened when it hits the ball. The shaft fails to unload appropriately, leading to a slice. When choosing a golf club, make a point of picking one that is neither too stiff nor too flexible.
Why does my golf ball go in the opposite direction?
A right-handed golfer with a flexible shaft will notice that the ball moves towards the left. The driver’s face gets a bit closer which makes the ball go in the opposite direction.
Is it normal to have wild shots on a golf ball?
This makes the ball lose direction quite easily. It is normal to have wild shots when using a flexible shaft. However, if you notice that your shots vary hugely every time you hit the ball, then your shaft might be too flexible. Expect misdirected flight paths of the ball.
What happens if a golfer uses a flexible shaft?
If a golfer is using a shaft that is too flexible, here are the likely results: 1. The ball will possibly fly higher for any given loft. If the golfer is using the proper loft for his or her swing mechanics, this could cause a slight decrease from the golfer's maximum potential distance.
Why does my golf shot feel so hard?
The shot will probably feel less solid and more harsh, even when impact occurs in the center of the face, because of the different impact vibrations transmitted up the shaft to the golfer's hands.
How to make sure your shaft flex is well matched to your swing?
The best thing to do is make sure your shaft flex is well-matched to your swing (by meeting with a clubfitter or at least a teaching pro in a hitting bay when buying new clubs). But when in doubt, always err on the side of more flexibility in the shaft.
Why does my golf ball flies lower?
1. The ball flies lower for any given loft, and possibly shorter in distance, because the golfer's best launch angle for maximum distance cannot be achieved. 2. The ball may tend to "leak" to the fade side of the target because the golfer cannot cause the desired forward bending of the shaft at impact, which helps bring ...
How to tell if your golf shaft is stiff?
Determine what your average driving distance is. Assuming you have a reasonably decent swing – that is, one with which you can hit the ball solidly with reasonable consistency – but don't hit the ball very far, that could be an indication that your shafts are too stiff. If your swing speed is in that range of 80 to 95 mph and yet you can't drive the ball an average of 200 to 220 yards, there's a good chance your shafts are too stiff.
How to determine how stiff a golf club shaft should be?
Knowing your swing speed can help you determine how stiff the flex of your club shafts should be.
Do you need a stiffer shaft for golf?
Sometimes you need a shaft that's a bit stiffer than you would like. Typically, this compromise is to help your accuracy, even if it costs you some distance. Your natural swing shape may work better with a stiffer shaft, or perhaps you're so strong that a flexible shaft simply bends too much when you swing.
What does it mean when a club shaft is stiff?
That isn't possible when your club shafts are too stiff. Instead, the shaft gives the feeling of swinging a baseball bat or a steel rod.
Why does my golf club slice?
If your club shafts are too stiff, you'll have trouble loading them properly during your downswing. When the clubhead gets to the ball, the shaft won't unload properly and the face will remain slightly open , causing a slice. Other swing problems also can cause a slice, of course, but shafts that are too stiff can make the problem worse.
How fast can you swing in golf?
Professional golfers swing fast, typically 110 mph or higher. By comparison, the typical amateur has a swing speed of 80 to 95 mph.
Can you use a stiffer shaft?
Under most conditions, you want the most flexible shafts you can use, not the stiffest. But professionals often choose the compromise of a stiffer shaft so that they can hit the fairway more often with their tee shots, and you may need to do the same.
Stiffness Or Flex
Graphite Or Steel?
- The introduction of graphite shafts has opened up a whole new dimension to golf club technology and performance. Graphite shafts offer the following benefits: 1. They are lighter than steel shafts. 2. Increase swing speeds and distance. 3. Better dispersion from the tee. 4. Assist golfers with slower swing tempos. BUT 1. They are usually more expensive. Graphite being a much light…
Summary
- As a right-handed player, do you tend to come off the tee with a left to right fade or even an occasional slice? Do you also have the feeling that you are striking the ball solidly, but it should be traveling further? Chances are your club shaft is too stiff for your swing speed.
Final Thoughts
- We all want to get the most enjoyment from our game as well as the best possible results. Before getting hung up on which brand of club to buy or what brand your favorite pro is using, first, admit that you are human and unique. Your clubs have to suit you, not your hero. Determine what your swing speed is and how much flex or stiffness your clubs are going to need to provide you with …
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