A tip soft shaft is one that is designed to be more flexible in the tip portion of the shaft which we define as the last 16” to 21” of the shaft. Likewise there can be any number of variations in how stiff the tip section of a shaft is designed.
What is “Soft Regular” shaft flex in golf clubs?
PING recommends its “soft regular” shaft flex for players who swing their drivers at 90 mph or less. PING manufactures a variety of clubs with soft regular shafts, including drivers, hybrids, irons and wedges. There is no industry standard regarding the flexibility of golf club shafts.
Should you buy soft or stiffer golf shafts?
When selecting golf club shafts, it is better to buy a softer flex than a stiffer one. Flex is related to ball trajectory, so if you choose a shaft that is too soft, you might have trouble getting air under the ball. If you slice, a softer shaft may help.
What is a tip soft shaft?
A tip soft shaft is one that is designed to be more flexible in the tip portion of the shaft which we define as the last 16” to 21” of the shaft. Likewise there can be any number of variations in how stiff the tip section of a shaft is designed.
What is the path of a soft shaft?
The "path" shows that the player comes almost 2° more from the inside. This is simply explained by the fact that the club head with the soft shaft is too far behind but is also "released too quickly". The release occurs too early and the clubface closes too strongly. This is the reason for the lower dynamic loft, the lower launch and the low spin.
Why is shaft length important in golf?
What weight shafts are available for clubfitters?
What is carbon fiber shaft?
What is flex in golf?
What happens if you don't have a stiff shaft?
When did steel shafts become legal?
Is there a real standard for shafts in golf?
See more
What is the difference between regular and soft regular golf shafts?
When selecting golf club shafts, it is better to buy a softer flex than a stiffer one. Flex is related to ball trajectory, so if you choose a shaft that is too soft, you might have trouble getting air under the ball. If you slice, a softer shaft may help. If you hook, a stiffer shaft may help.
What Flex is a regular shaft?
Types of Flex 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).
What is the difference between regular flex and senior flex?
Senior flex shafts are appropriate for golfers who swing between 75 and 90 mph and carry a driver about 180 to 200 yards. Regular flex shafts are designed for golfers who swing 90 to 100 mph and carry a driver about 200 to 240 yards.
What does a softer shaft do?
While it varies from player to player, most will notice a slightly lower ball flight and more feel in the hands with a softer flex. For some, it can also help maintain spin compared to using the same shaft across the board.
Can you hit a 300 yard drive with a regular flex shaft?
Let me put it bluntly – No You Can't! If some guys on the PGA Tour can't hit it 300 yards – you can't either. Understanding the 'true distance' you hit the golf ball is more important than the 'bragging distance' you can hit it.
How do you know if you need stiff or regular shaft?
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 shaft is best for older golfers?
When it comes to senior flex drivers, the Mitsubishi Rayon are some of the lightest and most forgiving. This is a 57gram shaft, which is a perfect weight for a senior golfer. Anything under 60 grams is going to help golfers get more clubhead and ball speed.
How do I know what golf shaft to use?
A player with a very fast swing will require a shaft with less flex, while a player with a slower swing will need a shaft with greater flex. Flex is generally rated as Extra Stiff (XS), Stiff(S), Firm(F), Regular(R), Senior(S), Amateur(A) and Ladies(L).
What shaft is best for a slow swing speed?
The two most common options are graphite and steel. Players with a slow swing speed normally will choose a graphite shaft to maximize the distance the ball travels, while those with a fast swing will choose steel for greater consistency.
How do I know if my shaft flex is too soft?
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. When the golf ball is struck it will generally have too much spin if the shaft is too flexible, this will cause a 'ballooning' effect on the shot and it will tend to go quite high.
What flex should I have on my wedges?
Stiff Shaft Conclusion It is clear that golfers with a faster swing tempo should stick to heavier weighted wedges with stiff or even extra stiff flex, to prevent unwanted spin and skied strikes.
Is wedge flex the same as regular?
Wedge flex generally means something stiffer than regular but not quite as stiff as a stiff shaft. The wedge flex shaft is put in a wedge because it is usually a little heavier than a standard iron flex shot. The heavier shafts help players get the feel and spin they need to hit the proper wedge shots.
Why is shaft length important in golf?
An increased shaft length creates a greater swing-arc, which relates to more distance. Shorter stature golfers often increase the length of the shafts and stand further away from the ball. The longer the shaft the less control and this is where fitment assists.
What weight shafts are available for clubfitters?
Clubfitters now have the option to fit these shafts with weights from 95 to 110gm. This is a reduction from the 115 to 125gm range previously on offer. Steel generally has less flex, more stability, low torque, and provides more accuracy. Standard steel shafts are shorter.
What is carbon fiber shaft?
Modern composite graphite shafts have 3 layers of fiber winding, adding substantial rigidity and performance. Carbon fiber offers increased flex, greater clubhead speed, but reduced accuracy, due to more torque. It also dissipates the stinging shock from a poorly struck shot and will protect the hands and wrist.
What is flex in golf?
Flex. Put very simply, flex is the amount of bend in the shaft. It affects launch angle, spin, ball flight, control, carries, and distance. Shafts are qualified in different ways but reference to flex is the most important. Powerful swings require stiffer shafts which put less load on the shaft.
What happens if you don't have a stiff shaft?
The result is a loss of distance. Added to this the direction control will be lost.
When did steel shafts become legal?
Finally in 1924 steel shafts were legalized and Billy Burke was the 1st to win the US Open with steel. From 1960 to 1970 the aluminum shaft was introduced but besides expensive, it broke very easily. Then followed graphite shafts, displayed at the 1970 PGA merchandise show for the first time.
Is there a real standard for shafts in golf?
It is accepted within the golf industry that there are no real standards when it comes to shaft manufacture and the different properties they all claim to have.
How to determine golf shaft flex?
Another way to determine which golf shaft flex you need is based on your current distances. If you are hitting your driver 180-200 yards, then you need a senior golf shaft. If you hit your driver 200-240 yards, the regular is going to be a better choice. The one problem with using distance as the only determining factor is ...
How fast should a golf shaft be?
Some golfers will decide which shaft they need based on swing speed alone. If your swing speed is between 75 and 85 miles per hour, then you will need a senior shaft. If you are between 85 and 95 miles per hour, then the regular shaft will be the best choice. You can get your swing speed measured at a local golf fitting center.
How important is flex in golf shaft?
How Important Is Flex In A Golf Shaft. The flex of a golf shaft is probably just as important, if not more important than the clubhead itself. Flex is what will make or break a golfer. Even if your golf swing is near perfect, you won’t be able to perform correctly with the wrong flex in the shaft. If you told a golf professional ...
What are the different types of golf clubs for men?
Golf clubs for men come in four basic flex es, 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. We have put together some great information about senior ...
How many percent of golfers keep the shaft the same?
If you told a golf professional that they had to play with new clubs, but they could keep the clubhead or the shaft the same, ninety-nine percent would choose to keep the shaft the same. With all of the variables in the game of golf, it is so essential to make sure that your golf shaft is appropriately fitted to your swing.
How does a golf shaft affect performance?
Without the proper golf shaft in place, you will notice that you have trouble controlling the flight of the golf ball, the distance of your shots, and the path of the ball as well . The proper golf shaft will help to keep you hitting the ball straight with just the right amount of ball flight as well.
What happens if a golf shaft is too stiff?
If a golf shaft is too stiff for a player, there could be a decrease in distance and accuracy as well. The most common miss with a shaft that is too stiff is a slice. If you have tried everything to learn how to fix your slice, it could just be that the equipment you are using does not fit you properly.
What is the speed of a golf shaft?
Golfers who play regular shafts have club speeds between 80-95 mph.
What is the difference between a senior shaft and a ladies shaft?
The senior shaft is a little softer than a regular flex, and male golfers switch to this shaft as they age . Golfers who hit the ball between 200-225 off the tee should choose a senior shaft. The ladies shaft is for golfers who drive 200 yards or less .
What is 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.
Why do golf clubs bend?
Because golf shafts bend during a swing based on how fast your club speed is, the faster your swing, the stiffer the flex you need. Since you need to make sure the club face is square with the ball at impact, finding the right flex is critical to consistently hitting the ball well.
What is extra stiff shaft?
Extra stiff shafts are typically considered to be for better players, lower handicaps. This means that the majority of the models are blades or tour preferred irons.
What happens if your golf club shaft is too stiff?
If the shaft of your golf club is too stiff for you, you will have a tough time hitting the ball straight. Your swing speed will not be able to release the club to turn it over enough and square up the clubface at impact. Almost always, if a shaft is too stiff for you, then you will hit the ball to the right.
How fast can you swing a golf club?
If you are continually swinging the club over 105 mph, then an extra stiff shaft is for you. Now, if you can go to the range and launch one and get a number of 125, that’s great news, but that is not your typical swing speed. When switching to an extra stiff shaft, you must be sure you can swing at this high speed for 18 holes, not two holes.
What is flex in golf?
A golf club’s flex is the strength of the actual shaft. A golf shaft will also have a flex or a kick point that will affect the stiffness as well as the ball flight. If you are swinging a golf club that is not the correct flex for you, there will be effects on the golf shots you can hit. The five most common shaft flex options are Ladies, Senior, ...
Why do golf shafts get stiffer?
You will notice that as shafts get stiffer, they also get heavier. This is because there is usually a correlation between ball flight and player swing speed. The faster the swing speed, the easier it is to launch the ball.
Why are most complete sets made of graphite?
That is because the majority of the golfers who take up the game are not going to have tremendously fast swing speeds.
Is stiff shaft good for golf?
A stiff shaft can very likely lower your ball flight, and for some players, this may be a good thing. For faster swing speed players that have been using regular shafts, they may notice that they are getting a bit too much height and potentially losing some distance.
What does a soft shaft do in golf?
The soft shaft made sure that the clubface stays too open - hence the push. You can easily imagine this: The shaft "bends too far back" during the moment of impact and thus "stays away" from the ball. The release is "delayed" and the clubface remains open.
What is the most important thing about soft shaft golf?
The most important thing is that this player had trouble controlling the direction with the regular shaft. It is clearly visible that the typical draw of the player with the soft shaft is missing and the ball stays to the right of the target. The soft shaft made sure that the clubface stays too open - hence the push.
Is a stiff shaft from shaft A harder than a stiff shaft from shaft B?
A Stiff shaft from shaft A can be significantly softer or harder than a Stiff shaft from shaft B. The flex can also vary with different weights. For example, a Nippon Modus 120 in Stiff can be harder than a Modus 105 in Stiff.
Is flex equal to flex?
Flex not equal to flex. It is also important to note that we have tested two identical shafts with different flexes. A label like "Regular" or "Stiff" itself does not say much. Every manufacturer and every shaft series is different here. A Stiff shaft from shaft A can be significantly softer or harder than a Stiff shaft from shaft B.
Can a soft shaft produce more hooks?
A general statement that a soft shaft produces more hooks or pushes is therefore not possible . The test again shows how individual the shaft Flex can be. Shafts are very complex and identical shafts can produce completely different results for two different players with identical club head speed.
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 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.
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.
What Shaft Flex Should You Use for The Driver?
It would be best if you choose the stiffest shaft flex for your driver because it is often the club that has the maximum swing speed. Since it carries the maximum swing speed, you may consider choosing the most accurate shaft flex.
How to Determine the Right Flex for Your Iron?
Choosing the right flex for the iron depends on the club you use for hitting a 150-yard shot. If you’re about to take a 150-yard shot, consider using these flex for your irons.
Final Thoughts
When selecting a flex for the shaft in your clubs, the tradeoff is between accuracy and distance. Choosing a senior flex helps you to achieve greater distance due to its flexibility but at the cost of lower accuracy.
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What happens if your golf shaft is flexed?
If your club’s shaft is still flexed at impact you’re losing power and require a less flexible shaft -- you’d move up from a senior to a regular flex, for example. If your shaft straightens before impact you need a more flexible shaft.
How does shaft flex affect swing?
If you could watch a swing in slow motion you’d see the clubhead lag a bit on the way down as the shaft bends.
What is flex in golf clubs?
A golf club’s degree of flex describes the shaft’s stiffness. The most flexible shafts are typically labeled L for “ladies” -- although many women swing clubs with less flexible shafts. The next level up on the stiffness scale is labeled either A or M, both of which usually stand for “senior” -- to avoid confusion with “stiff” shafts, which are labeled as S. Moving on from senior flex, the remaining three levels, which become progressively stiffer, are R for “regular,” S and then X for “extra stiff.” PING avoids the term “senior,” however, and instead labels its comparable shafts as “soft regular.”
What is senior flex?
In general, the slower your swing speed, the more flexibility you want in your club’s shaft. With a relatively low swing speed, the senior flex helps you square the clubhead at impact and generate more power. PING recommends its “soft regular” shaft flex for players who swing their drivers at 90 mph or less. PING manufactures a variety of clubs ...
Do seniors need senior flex shafts?
When to Use Senior Flex. Just as women don’t have to use a “ladies” golf shaft, senior citizens don’t have to swing clubs with “senior” shafts. In fact, a senior-flex shaft may be right for some younger players. In general, the slower your swing speed, the more flexibility you want in your club’s shaft. With a relatively low swing speed, the senior ...
Is a senior shaft more flexible than a regular shaft?
If you compare clubs from the same manufacturer, you can be reasonable sure that a “senior” or “soft regular” shaft will be more flexible than a “regular” shaft, for example. But one company’s senior shaft may be noticeably more or less flexible than another manufacturer’s senior shaft. Indeed, while PING recommends a senior-shafted driver ...
Why is shaft length important in golf?
An increased shaft length creates a greater swing-arc, which relates to more distance. Shorter stature golfers often increase the length of the shafts and stand further away from the ball. The longer the shaft the less control and this is where fitment assists.
What weight shafts are available for clubfitters?
Clubfitters now have the option to fit these shafts with weights from 95 to 110gm. This is a reduction from the 115 to 125gm range previously on offer. Steel generally has less flex, more stability, low torque, and provides more accuracy. Standard steel shafts are shorter.
What is carbon fiber shaft?
Modern composite graphite shafts have 3 layers of fiber winding, adding substantial rigidity and performance. Carbon fiber offers increased flex, greater clubhead speed, but reduced accuracy, due to more torque. It also dissipates the stinging shock from a poorly struck shot and will protect the hands and wrist.
What is flex in golf?
Flex. Put very simply, flex is the amount of bend in the shaft. It affects launch angle, spin, ball flight, control, carries, and distance. Shafts are qualified in different ways but reference to flex is the most important. Powerful swings require stiffer shafts which put less load on the shaft.
What happens if you don't have a stiff shaft?
The result is a loss of distance. Added to this the direction control will be lost.
When did steel shafts become legal?
Finally in 1924 steel shafts were legalized and Billy Burke was the 1st to win the US Open with steel. From 1960 to 1970 the aluminum shaft was introduced but besides expensive, it broke very easily. Then followed graphite shafts, displayed at the 1970 PGA merchandise show for the first time.
Is there a real standard for shafts in golf?
It is accepted within the golf industry that there are no real standards when it comes to shaft manufacture and the different properties they all claim to have.
