
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 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.
Does tipping a golf shaft reduce spin?
Tipping a shaft, just like choosing a stiffer flex, does not guarantee lower spin. As our players moved from the untipped shaft to the 1/2″ tip to the 1″ tip, two of them did see lower spin. However, two of them registered their highest spin numbers with the most heavily-tipped shaft.
What is soft stepping on a parallel tip shaft?
Soft stepping on a parallel tip shaft is simply the process of trimming less than what the manufacturer suggests. For example, if you have a 5-iron, you tip trim the shaft like a 4-iron. This is called soft stepping once and would decrease the stiffness by a quarter flex.
Do you need a stiff or soft driver shaft?
Generally speaking, there are two extremes. Some players apply a late load to their swing, which would require a stiffer tip of the driver shaft. Conversely, a player that extends early in their swing (most recreational golfers) would require a shaft with a softer tip.

What does a soft tip shaft do?
Well a shaft that has a soft tip has a low bend point and this helps lift the ball in the air by adding dynamic loft. Players who hit the ball too high should look for a tip stiff shaft which does not add so much loft, which produces a lower and more penetrating trajectory.
What does a softer golf 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.
What is the difference between regular and soft 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.
How much difference does soft stepping make?
By using a soft stepping golf iron, you can expect to increase your distance by 10-15 yards.
Should a beginner golfer use a stiff shaft?
With the proper fit, the new golfer can learn without making compensations for clubs that are too stiff or too flexible. In general, the faster a golfer's swing speed the stiffer a golf shaft should be in order to provide more control over the ball's flight.
How do I know what golf shaft to use?
Which flex rating you use will depend on the type of swing you have. For example, beginners and those with less powerful swings tend to use a shaft with greater flexibility to propel the ball more. On the other hand, if a player has a high and powerful swing speed, they will require a stiffer shaft with less flex.
What shaft should a senior golfer use?
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 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.
What flex shaft do I need for 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
What is Tiger stepping?
0:585:39TIGER STEPPING / TIGER WOODS WEDGE BUILD SETUP - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHead on any shaft. It's going to make it more flexible. So for consistency's sake the whole pointMoreHead on any shaft. It's going to make it more flexible. So for consistency's sake the whole point really is we're trying to get the shaft to flex consistently regardless of what iron.
Does soft stepping add length?
For instance, when you soft step your irons, each of them gets a bit longer. If you are able to adjust this so that the lengths are still the proper fit for your game, you can order them directly from the manufacturer this way.
Does soft stepping increase spin?
"The main reason for soft stepping or hard stepping is to change the feel of the shaft for golfers who really want their shafts to feel just right. The second reason is to try to change the launch angle and trajectory of the shot or to reduce or increase spin. A ½ inch can exhibit the beginning of a 'feel' difference.
What is soft stepping on a parallel tip shaft?
Soft stepping on a parallel tip shaft is simply the process of trimming less than what the manufacturer suggests. For example, if you have a 5-iron, you tip trim the shaft like a 4-iron. This is called soft stepping once and would decrease the stiffness by a quarter flex. Soft-stepping twice would be cutting the shaft as a 3-iron ...
What does it mean to soft step twice?
Soft-stepping twice would be cutting the shaft as a 3-iron or two clubs more and would decrease the stiffness by a half flex. If you soft step once for one club, you will do so on all the irons and wedges to have a uniform progression of flex throughout the set. The downside to soft stepping is two-fold.
What is hard stepping?
Hard stepping is the opposite of soft stepping whereby you elect to tip trim more than the amount suggested by the manufacturer to create a stiffer flex. There are two things to be aware of when doing so.
What is the downside of soft stepping?
The downside to soft stepping is two-fold. First, since you are cutting less off the tip, that means you are cutting more from the butt end. While the variation is small, it can lead in some cases to a smaller grip size under the lower hand.
Is a taper tip shaft hard stepped?
The concept of hard stepping a taper tip shaft is just the opposite of soft stepping. However, this is rarely done because you run out of raw lengths when you get to your shorter scoring irons and wedges. If you examine the row labeled "hard stepped once", notice the 9-iron and wedge entries.
Can you tip trim a long iron?
Secondly, if you have a long iron or hybrid, you cannot tip trim less than zero which will not maintain uniformity in the set. In the example above would affect the 2-iron by soft stepping once or the #2 and 3-iron by soft-stepping twice.
Is a 39.5" shaft stiffer than a 4" shaft?
The 39" 5-iron shaft is not only shorter, but stiffer than the 39.5" 4-iron shaft to offset the heavier weight. Therefore, if we placed the 39.5" 4-iron shaft into the 5-iron (or soft stepping once), then the club will become more flexible. Soft stepping twice would be placing the 40" 3-iron shaft into the 5-iron.
Benefits of Soft Stepping Irons: 3 Major Benefits
The ball flight differs in hard and soft stepping by changing the shaft’s flex. No matter the shafts are parallel tipped or tapered, it works the same way. It depends. Stiff shafts can give you a softer feel where a regular shaft gives a firmer feel. The best practice is to remove all the shafts and then put them in the proceeding club.
Additional Benefits of Soft Stepping Irons
Now that you know why soft stepping irons are needed, if you find your clubs are too stiff, it’s time to soft-stepping them for better results. On the other hand, opt for hard stepping if you like to have stiffer clubs. The decision depends on your choice how you want your swings.
What are the myths about the shaft?
The Myths. Myth #1 – Tipping a shaft changes the feel. Myth #2 – Tipping a shaft will reduce spin. Myth #3 – Tipping a shaft will reduce launch angle. Myth #4 – Tipping a shaft will improve accuracy.
Does tipping a golf shaft help with accuracy?
Conclusion. If you want a shaft to feel stiffer, tipping it will get results. However, tipping (just like playing a stiffer shaft) is no guarantee of lower spin, lower launch, or greater accuracy. If you’re interested in maximizing your distance off the tee and hitting more fairways, the best approach is to work with a high quality club fitter.
Does a tipped shaft lower spin?
Tipping a shaft, just like choosing a stiffer flex, does not guarantee lower spin. As our players moved from the untipped shaft to the 1/2″ tip to the 1″ tip, two of them did see lower spin. However, two of them registered their highest spin numbers with the most heavily-tipped shaft.
Can you buy accuracy with a stiffer shaft?
You can’t buy accuracy with a stiffer shaft, and you can’t get it by tipping your shaft either. None of our testers saw the 1″ tipped shaft stand alone for accuracy, though two were equally (or near equally) accurate with the 1″ tip and the untipped shaft.
Why do you tip a golf shaft?
Here’s another way to understand why tipping makes a shaft meaningfully stiffer. When you cut off a portion of the softest part of a golf shaft ( the tip), it increases the overall stiffness. The handle section of a shaft, on the other hand, is longer and more uniformly stiff, so removing material from the handle does not make such ...
How much should a golf tipping shaft be?
These recommendations can range from 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches and vary from product to product and manufacturer to manufacturer.
What is shaft tipping?
Shaft tipping is when a club builder removes length from the tip section of a shaft, which is the end where the clubhead is installed. In most cases, tip trimming a shaft makes it meaningfully stiffer. It also increases torsional stiffness, known as “torque,” which is a shaft’s resistance to twisting. On the other end of the shaft is the handle, ...
Why is tipping so complicated?
The reason tipping is so complicated is first and foremost the way most golf shafts are made. As we describe in this article, nearly all golf shafts on the market are made by hand with a decades-old process known as the Roll-Wrapping Method. Because these shafts are made by hand, it’s impossible for even two shafts that are supposed ...
Does trimming a shaft affect flex?
Handle trimming doesn’t affect shaft flex as much as tip trimming because most shafts become gradually stiffer as they move from tip to handle. For that reason, trimming the handle section of a shaft does not dramatically increase shaft stiffness. Here’s another way to understand why tipping makes a shaft meaningfully stiffer.
What is the biggest misconception about golf shafts?
One of the biggest misconceptions about shafts is that there are standards out there that manufacturers adhere to. Most golfers assume that a shaft marked regular or stiff will be the same across the board, no matter who they buy it from.
How much weight should a golf shaft be?
Weight. Getting the correct weight of your shaft is an important factor to consider as well. Shafts can range anywhere from 40 to 135 grams. Typically the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slower swing speed will benefit from using a lighter shaft, and you would add weight as swing speed increases. As you might expect at this point, there are ...
What is the difference between stock shafts and aftermarket shafts?
The difference between stock shafts and aftermarket shafts is usually found in quality control. Many times the bigger OEMs will strip off the paint of last year’s model and give them a new exterior. The graphics look attractive, but you really have no idea what is beneath it.
Why didn't Nick Price find a stiff shaft?
Regardless of the similarity in their swing speeds, Nick Price couldn’t find a shaft stiff enough for his swing because he would apply such an enormous amount of force, whereas Couples didn’t need as stiff of a shaft because of his smooth tempo.
Why is shaft profile important?
Getting the right shaft profile for your swing is very important. It will greatly affect your ability to hit quality shots on the course . There is a lot of confusion in the golf shaft industry. With no standards for performance, the quality greatly varies, and often you get what you pay for. We hope that we have cleared up some ...
What is the most important thing about a driver shaft?
One of the most important things about shafts is how they handle the force that a player’s swing will apply. Generally speaking, there are two extremes. Some players apply a late load to their swing, which would require a stiffer tip of the driver shaft. Conversely, a player that extends early in their swing (most recreational golfers) ...
Is the shaft of a truck the same as the transmission?
It absolutely has an effect on how well you can play. The shaft is similar to the transmission of a car. While it’s not the engine, it’s still extremely important. If you are driving a truck you want a transmission that can handle its particular demands.
Pwood28
Can anybody help me with a suggestion for a driver shaft with a stiff tip/soft butt profile that is mid to high launching. During an iron fitting, I was fit into C Taper Lite iron shafts, and told that because I have a tendency to "yank it" down the line, the stiff tip/soft butt profile was the way to go.
Valtiel
To be clear, there really is no such thing as a soft butt/stiff tipped shaft that is considered mid or high launching. The launch characteristics of a shaft in isolation are determined by its tip to butt deflection ratio.
Pepperturbo
Can't give a "new" and improved shaft with soft butt and stiff tip. In my experience, a softer butt section isn't going to protect from yanking. A softer butt section is common but comes with low-mid trajectory. Four things create high trajectory early release, softer tip section, faster swing speed and or increased loft.
KevCannon
Mitsubishi Diamana DF ( butt section is a tad stiffer than previous whiteboards), Tensei Pro White, Diamana D+ , Aldila’s green profiles typically, Aldila rogue 125 msi and new 130 msi, Graphite Design has a few as well that are def worth checking out
monkeyboy
Look at the Titleist custom shaft matrix - good details and easy to read the shaft specs.
KevCannon
General consensus is the Pro Orange feels much stiffer in the butt section than Pro White. From what I have heard Orange feels and plays more stout overall. Pro White has more feel to it, and if you load the shaft hard you can feel the bend point up near the hands.
KevCannon
I hear ya. Just looking at EI profiles is great to give an idea on type of shaft profile, but that’s why it’s best to test whenever possible lol.

What Is Tipping and Why Would You Do It?
The Myths
- Myth #1 – Tipping a shaft changes the feel Myth #2 – Tipping a shaft will reduce spin Myth #3 – Tipping a shaft will reduce launch angle Myth #4 – Tipping a shaft will improve accuracy
How We Tested
- For this test, we brought together five golfers with handicaps ranging from 10 to +3. Each player hit five drives with each of three shafts. One shaft was untipped, one was tipped 1/2″, and one was tipped 1″. The shaft used was the Nippon Regio Formula B. Each shaft was built to the same finished length and swing weight. All testing was done at and with the help of Club Champion
The Results
- Tipping a shaft unequivocally changes the feel. All five of our testers noticed a difference, though some were more sensitive to it than others. Despite not knowing which shaft they were testing, each one identified the feel as you would expect: the untipped version felt the softest, the 1″ tipping felt the stiffest. If you like the shaft you’re playing but want a stiffer feeling, tipping it sho…
Conclusion
- If you want a shaft to feel stiffer, tipping it will get results. However, tipping (just like playing a stiffer shaft) is no guarantee of lower spin, lower launch, or greater accuracy. If you’re interested in maximizing your distance off the tee and hitting more fairways, the best approach is to work with a high quality club fitter.