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 do you determine golf shaft flex?
Aug 10, 2021 · 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. Although, choosing the most flexible one will not …
What shaft flex should I use?
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 …
How to determine shaft flex?
Dec 21, 2011 · The flex point, also called the kick point, is the spot on the shaft where most of that bending takes place. The kick point is important because it helps determine the ball's trajectory after you...
What shaft should a senior golfer use?
During the golf swing the shaft causes deflection (bend) that causes the clubhead to be in a forward and toe downward position relative to the grip of the club. This can help generate launch on the golf ball to hit it high, straight, and far. According to GolfScienceLab here are the major things shaft flex can impact: Height of golf shot Curvature
What golf shaft flex should I use?
| Carry Distance | Swing Speed | Flex |
|---|---|---|
| Under 200 yards | Under 75 mph | Ladies or Senior |
| 200 to 240 yards | 75 to 95 mph | Regular |
| 240 to 275 yards | 95 to 110 mph | Stiff |
| Over 275 yards | Over 110 mph | Stiff or Extra Stiff |
What is a good shaft flex?
What does 5.0 shaft flex mean?
What do shaft flex numbers mean?
What happens if shaft is too flexible?
Is Stiff flex good for beginners?
How do you determine what shaft flex you need?
- Take a look at the distance you hit your driver. ...
- If you have a very smooth swing, you might benefit from a softer flex even if you swing fast. ...
- 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 does a 5.5 shaft flex mean?
What is senior flex shaft?
How can I tell my swing speed?
What shaft weight should I use?
What is the difference between regular flex and senior flex?
What is flex in golf shafts?
Types of Flex in Golf Shafts. Beginners should use more flexible shafts. 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 ...
How does flex affect golf?
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 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.
What is extra stiff shaft?
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 popular. It is important to note that if you select a shaft that is too stiff, you will lose loft and control on your shots.
What is the flex point on a golf shaft?
The flex point, also called the kick point, is the spot on the shaft where most of that bending takes place. The kick point is important because it helps determine the ball's trajectory after you hit it. Your shaft can have a high, medium or low kick point.
What does "less loft" mean in golf?
Less loft means less backspin (and a lower trajectory); the stiffer shafts dampen the energy in the shaft; and the higher kick point releases that energy more slowly. Rather than a slapping action, the high kick point is more of a sweeping motion. Golfweeks' Adam Woodard breaks down the results from the match.
What do clubfitters take into account when fitting you for clubs?
Some of these – such as the lie of the clubs, size of the grips and, to some degree, the loft of the clubs – can be adjusted after you buy the clubs.
How does a low kick point work?
That means that the higher the kick point is on the shaft, the lower the ball flight will be. A low kick point gives you a higher ball flight and a medium kick point gives you a medium ball flight.
What is the relationship between a low kick point and a medium kick point?
The general rule for kick points is an inverse relationship. That means that the higher the kick point is on the shaft, the lower the ball flight will be. A low kick point gives you a higher ball flight and a medium kick point gives you a medium ball flight.
What does it mean when a ball has a low kick point?
That means that the higher the kick point is on the shaft, the lower the ball flight will be. A low kick point gives you a higher ball flight and a medium kick point gives you a medium ball flight.
What does a fitter do for a slow swing?
For Slow Swingers. If you have a slow swing speed, you need to get the ball up quicker for a higher launch angle. Your fitter generally will give you clubs with more loft, softer shafts and a lower kick point. The extra loft puts more backspin on the ball so it starts on a higher trajectory; the softer shaft stores more energy;
What shafts do golfers use?
For most golfers, a graphite shaft works great. Most iron sets are made with graphite shafts as well so you get that material type by default usually unless you specifically seek out steel shafted irons. With steel shafts, you may find that golf shots are easier to control.
Why use steel shafts in golf?
With steel shafts, you may find that golf shots are easier to control. Steel shafts place a greater focus on accuracy as opposed to distance. Since they don’t get as much distance as graphite shafts, steel shafts require faster swing speed to make up for the loss of distance compared to graphite.
Why do golf clubs have shafts?
During the golf swing the shaft causes deflection (bend) that causes the clubhead to be in a forward and toe downward position relative to the grip of the club.
Why is it important to pick the right golf shaft?
Picking out the proper golf shaft is very important as it will impact several components of your golf swing. For example, picking the wrong golf shaft flex can cause you to hook or slice the golf ball. It also can hinder the total distance the ball flies by having too much spin or too low of launch. But don’t worry, at the end of reading today’s ...
What is the difference between a steel shaft and a graphite shaft?
Steel – A steel golf shaft is usually stronger and more durable (less likely to snap) than a graphite shaft. It’s also less expensive and sometimes stainless steel is used in the creation of the steel shaft. There is also two variations, stepped steel and rifle steel. Stepped is the use of steps down the shaft or ridges you see while rifle is smooth all the way.
What is the most common shaft material used in golf clubs?
Graphite Shafts. Graphite – this type of shaft is usually lighter weight compared to a steel shaft but it’s less durable and more expensive to make. Graphite is one of the most common shaft types used in golf clubs and can arguably be considered the main shaft material used, beating out steel.
What is a multi material shaft?
Multi-material – this shaft uses both steel and graphite to create a multi-material that offers the best of both worlds. Usually the shaft is steel with graphite at the tip to help limit whip. A multi-material shaft can be found in both irons and drivers.
What is shaft flex?
Mitsubishi Rayon (MRC) and Fujikura told us about how shaft flex is a guideline for connecting swing speed to a particular shaft.
How to measure shaft flex?
The most common way is to clamp the butt end of the shaft, attach a weight to the tip, displace it, and measure the CPM (cycles per minute) or frequency that the shaft oscillates . This can also be done in reverse – clamp the tip and weight and displace the butt.
Is there a standard way to measure flex?
Given that there’s not a standard way of measuring flex, you can correctly assume that there is no standard for labeling flex either. What one manufacturer calls “stiff” might be “regular” to another. This is why they universally emphasize the importance of fitting.
Is flex only one part of the equation?
While they didn’t agree on much, every shaft manufacturer that we spoke to said that flex is only one part of the equation . MRC noted that torque values will vary widely from model to model, and that has a big impact on performance.
Who is Matt Saternus?
Matt Saternus. Matt is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Plugged In Golf. He's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
Where does Matt Saternus live?
He's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters. Latest posts by Matt Saternus ( see all)
Where does Matt live?
He's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
What is shaft in golf?
But shafts are an element part of your game. The golf shaft connects you with the club head and transfers massive amounts of energy. This energy in combination with the properties of your equipment causes several movements of the club head in different directions during the course of the swing.
What is the frequency of a shaft?
The frequency of a shaft is the number of cycles per minute a shaft will oscillate when one end is fixed (clamped) and the other end is pulled down with a weight attached to it. Ideally a flex (such as Stiff, Regular, or X-Stiff), should correspond to one frequency number.
What are the 5 flex markings?
There are 5 commonly used flex markings: Senior, Ladies, Regular, Stiff, X-Stiff. Flex can be somewhat misleading however because the actual measurement of the stiffness of a shaft is in the frequency.
How to know if your club head is square?
You can check to make sure your club head is square if you were to draw a line between you feet and the plane of the face of the club is perpendicular with the line at impact. If the face were open or closed, then your swing will likely result in a sideways trajectory. When your club frequency (as a whole, not just your shaft) ...
What happens if your club face is open?
If the face were open or closed, then your swing will likely result in a sideways trajectory. When your club frequency (as a whole, not just your shaft) is too high or too low for your swing, then you may experience loss of speed and distance as well as an off-center trajectory path.
What happens if your club frequency is too high?
When your club frequency (as a whole, not just your shaft) is too high or too low for your swing, then you may experience loss of speed and distance as well as an off-center trajectory path.
What happens during the downswing of a golf club?
But what really matters in the end is the golf club frequency as a whole. At the start of the downswing, you are accelerating the club to gain speed. During this period, the shaft will bend, causing the club head to lag behind your hands and body.
What Is A Senior Flex Golf Shaft?
A senior flex golf shaft is a graphite shaft built to accommodate the needs of a slower swing. Players that use a senior flex golf shaft will typically have swing speeds below 85mph. These golfers struggle to get both distance and launch. The senior flex golf shaft is almost always offered in graphite so that it has a lightweight feel.
How Does A Senior Shaft Compare to Other Shafts?
Several factors can help golfers decide to switch to the senior shaft. One of the most critical parts of this process is understanding the difference between senior golf shafts and other flexes.
Who Should Use Senior Flex Shafts?
Senior golf shafts are obviously built for senior golfers, but there is more to it than that. Here are some factors that will help you decide if a senior golf shaft is a perfect fit for your golf game.
Is Senior Flex Good For Beginners?
A senior flex can be an excellent choice for a new player who is older or lacks a bit of strength. The senior flex shaft is a terrible idea for a college kid who plays baseball and runs marathons on the side.
Conclusion
I hope you feel you have a better understanding of what a senior flex golf shaft is and whether or not it could be a good fit for your golf game. The overall benefits of a senior flex golf shaft include increased launch, added forgiveness, and a lighter feel.
Why do shaft makers vary the amount of stiffness?
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. The slower a golfer's swing, generally speaking, the more flex he or she requires in the shafts that are in their golf clubs.
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 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.
Who is Brent Kelley?
Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Golf shafts are designated with a letter code, the letters most commonly being X, S, R, A, and L.
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.
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 ...
