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 the course.
What happens when a golf shaft is too flexible?
When a golf shaft is too flexible, you will not be able to hit the ball straight. You will also end up losing a bit of distance. When a golf shaft is too flexible, it isn’t easy to control the clubface and get it to square up at impact. Faster swinging players are the golfers that need to worry about a shaft that is too flexible.
Should golf beginners play with a stiff shaft?
Stiffness or Flex
- Swing Speed. The stiffness or flex of the shaft is a much-neglected aspect of your golfing equipment as most golfers are more interested in the brand, or technical features, or ...
- Indications. ...
- Over Correcting. ...
- Classification. ...
- Beware, Don’t Over-Compensate. ...
What happens if shafts are too stiff?
What Happens If My Shaft Is Too Stiff?
- Struggle To Hit The Ball Far And High. One of the most significant indicators of a too stiff golf shaft is that you struggle to hit the ball high.
- Hitting Slices And Fades. ...
- Decreased Swing And Ball Speed. ...
- Inconsistent Contact. ...
What happens if golf shaft is too flexible?
- Golf ball flying too high
- Difficulty feeling like you can control where the golf ball goes
- No consistency in shots
- Continually missing shots to the left or hitting hooks
- Feeling like you aren’t getting the full distance potential out of your shots
What happens if shaft is too soft?
When a golf shaft is too flexible, you will not be able to hit the ball straight. You will also end up losing a bit of distance. When a golf shaft is too flexible, it isn't easy to control the clubface and get it to square up at impact.
How do I know if my golf shaft is too soft?
The first indication that your driver shaft is too soft is likely going to be a wild shot pattern from the tee. It's perfectly normal, and inevitable, to hit a poor drive from time to time. But if your shots are varying wildly from one swing to the next, there is a good chance that your driver shaft is too flexible.
Do you hit the ball further 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 does shaft stiffness affect ball flight?
On the contrary, a golfer using a shaft that is too stiff will experience ball flight trajectory that is too low, golf balls that do not spin as much as desired, and/or a lack of distance potential.
Can a weak shaft cause a slice?
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.
Does shaft stiffness really matter?
faster swing speeds equal stiffer shafts. slower swing speeds equal weaker shafts. A softer flex gives you more “kick” and ballspeed. A stronger flex makes the ball fly straighter.
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.
Does a stiff shaft help a slice?
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 pro golfers use stiff or regular 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.
Does shaft stiffness affect distance?
If the shaft flex is too stiff, your average distance will remain low.
Do I need a stiff shaft?
If you have a driver with a regular flex and are hitting the ball long but inaccurately, you may want to consider going to a stiffer shaft. The stiffer shafts should provide you with a little more control with your swing without having to swing faster provided you have the right club in your hands.
Can a high handicapper use stiff shafts?
Stiff shafts are appropriate for men with single-digit handicaps as well as some with handicaps 10 to 15 who have high clubhead speed. Stiff flex is available in graphite or steel.
Why is my golf club shaft so flexible?
Expect misdirected flight paths of the ball. This happens because when a golf club impacts with the ball, the shaft tends to move forward. A right-handed golfer with a flexible shaft will notice that the ball moves towards the left.
How to tell if you need a stiffer shaft?
There are several ways you can use to tell if you need a stiffer shaft. One and the most common is distance and direction. If you tend to hit long balls, but with high inaccuracies, you likely need to have a stiffer shaft.
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.
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 to consider when buying a golf club?
When purchasing a golf club, always consider the type of material used to make the shaft. Different materials have different flexes. For instance, graphite shafts tend to be lighter than their steel counterparts. You are likely to have higher swing speeds when using shafts made from graphite than those made of steel.
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.
What does low smash factor mean?
Sometimes you will cover very long distances and other times relatively short distances. Low smash factors are relatively consistent with highly flexible shafts. This scenario means that your shaft and club head combination was not synchronous, hence you lose distance.
Clubtuner
Yes, it is possible. Not as common to slice, but have seen a number of times.
Hstead
Absolutely. If the shaft is too far behind you, flexing too much, the face can be wide open at impact. Especially if the shaft is a high torque shaft. I usually hit weak shafts high and right. You can feel it in your hands when the head is just way too far behind the shaft, and then you have to time the release.
FernTheBrute
When we see super slow-motion videos of a golf swing, it seems like the shaft flex makes the head go ahead of the hands just before impact. Are you saying that a weak shaft would not be able to catch up and the head would end up behind the ball at impact?
feedlotdoc
When ever I have played shafts that were too weak, I hit big nasty slices. I currently have 2 Ping G2HL irons I got from my uncle. The offset is HUGE, so the R flex works in those two clubs, but any others produce a slice.
TCMP
I hook a soft shaft off the planet. Like others said, you have to time the release - which is next to impossible for the average golfer who doesn't play all the time. You can get big distance out of a soft shaft - just not consistently.
beaner25
I suspected last year this is what was wrong with my 3 wood shaft. Too soft. I hit savage (and I mean savage) hooks with this thing if my timing is off. Not so much slices though. Only club in my bag I can hit boomerang shots with
hd.softail
I agree with all comments above which I know muddies the situation. I've seen both situations.
What happens if a golf shaft is too flexible?
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 ...
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 ...
Why does a golf shot feel more solid?
3. The shot will feel more solid because impact vibrations transmitted up to the hands along a shaft which is both more flexible and more bent will feel more solid .
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.
Can a golfer's loft decrease?
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. On the other hand, if the golfer is using too little loft, which is the case with a very high percentage of players today with the driver and 3-wood, the more flexible shaft could bring his launch ...
What Is Golf Shaft Flex?
When we talk about golf shaft flex, we are referring to the ability of the club to flex during the swing.
What Problems Will I Have If The Shaft Is Too Flexible?
One of the biggest issues you will face when using a golf shaft that is too flexible is that the ball will not travel in a straight line.
How Do I Know If A Golf Shaft Is Right For Me?
As we have just discussed, the flight of the ball may be well off when you use a shaft that is too flexible.
Does Shaft Flex Influence Weight?
A lot of the weight of your golf club will be related to its flex but that doesn’t mean that the weight and flex of the shaft are the same thing.
Conclusion
Finding the right golf equipment is essential to getting the best performance and playing to your strengths.
What Happens If Your Driver Shaft Is Too Stiff?
Playing with the correct shaft in your driver is incredibly important. With the correct shaft flex you will be able to deliver the club at optimum speeds, and produce the correct numbers in terms of launch and spin on the golf ball.
What is Shaft Flex, And Why Is It Important In Drivers
Shaft flex is how much the shaft bends while you swing the club, if you swing it slowly you will need a more flexible shaft, while if you swing it fast you will need a stiffer shaft.
What Are The Signs Your Driver 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 the course.
Will You Adapt Your Swing To The Incorrect Shaft Flex
Yes you will, if your shaft is too stiff you will adapt your swing in more ways than one.
How Does Weight, Kick Point And Torque Affect Shaft Flex
90% of the time shaft flex is impacted by weight, the heavier the shaft is the stiffer it is, and the lighter the shaft is the more flexible it is.
How Does Swing Speed Affect What Shaft Flex You Should Use?
Swing speed is the main influencer in what shaft you should use. The faster you swing the more the shaft will bend, so the more you need to control it.
How To Discover Your Swing Speed?
By using a very fancy piece of machinery called a launch monitor, you are able to track how fast your swing speed is. The most popular companies are Trackman, Flightscope and GC Quad.
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 is stiffness in golf?
The stiffness or flex of the shaft is a much-neglected aspect of your golfing equipment as most golfers are more interested in the brand, or technical features, or looks of their clubs. What most golfers fail to appreciate is the effect that ‘swing speed’ has on selecting the correct amount of flex of the shaft.
What to use to reduce fade off tee?
Mix and Match. There is nothing wrong with the idea of mix and match and is becoming more common. Using graphite shafts on your driver, woods and long irons will help reduce the fade off the tee, increase the distance and soften the feel if you are to slightly miss-hit.
How many irons do you need to hit 150 yards?
If you can hit 150 yards with a wedge, 9, or 8 iron you probably need stiff shafts. Using a 6 or 7 iron on 150 yards, go for a Regular flex, and 5 iron or more than Senior or Ladies shaft flex would be the way to go.
What is the shaft of a golf club?
The golf shaft is known as the ENGINE of the golf club. On the downswing, as the hips rotate, the weight transfer takes place and the body uncoils, the shaft of the club bends. This bend is also known as flex, and as this flex straightens out, power is transferred from the shaft to the club head and through to the ball.
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.
Why is my golf shaft weak?
Swinging with a weak shaft flex can hurt you in both windy and wet conditions. Because the spin is so high when you hit it with a weaker flex, the wind will magnify the spin and decrease your distance and accuracy.
What is the shaft of a golf club?
Golf shafts are the engine of the golf club. But what does that mean? Since the very first golf clubs, club makers have considered how much or how little a golf shaft flexes; the golf shaft provides the power that is transferred to the clubhead and, ultimately, to the golf ball. Because the shaft flex directly facilitates this power transfer, your shaft choice can make or break your game.
What is a slice in golf?
Typical Miss: Slice (left to right for right-handed golfer) 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.
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.
Do golf clubs pair with shafts?
No matter what you play with, it is important to pair your golf clubs with the right golf shafts. Insider Tip: Swing Tempo Matters A person’s swing tempo will correlate with how he/she will “load” the golf shaft during the swing.
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.
Factors Affecting Golf Club Flexibility
Signs and Outcomes of Highly Flexible Shafts
- Unfortunately, most golfers overlook the importance of shaft flexibility following their swing speeds and general play type. If you purchase a light and highly flexible golf club, expect your strength to overpower the club. On the other hand, a very stiff golf club reduces your distance, and you will have a lot more misses here and there. Therefore you need to be true to yourself and un…
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How do you know if you need a stiffer shaft?
There are several ways you can use to tell if you need a stiffer shaft. One and the most common is distance and direction. If you tend to hit long balls, but with high inaccuracies, you likely need to have a stiffer shaft. - Q: What happens if your shaft is not stiff enough?
The outcomes of a highly flexible shaft are quite detrimental. You will notice that the ball takes misdirected paths towards the opposite direction. The ball tends to go too high and spins a lot.