What is a regular (R) shaft?
A regular (R) shaft is favored by golfers who have a medium-fast swing and drive the ball between 225-250 on a regular basis. Golfers who play regular shafts have club speeds between 80-95 mph. Golf club shafts come in three other flexes: extra stiff (X), senior (A) and ladies (L).
Are regular shafted golf clubs better than other shafts?
Conversely, the regular shafted clubs are going to flex more. If you have a slower swing speed, you are probably going to want to choose regular shafted clubs because the additional flex will provide a little more power and accuracy.
What are regular&firm flexes in golf shafts?
Regular and firm flexes -- also known as stiff flexes -- are the most popular among men. Golf club shafts come in five flexes and both graphite and steel shafts use the same system for determining flex. 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.
What is the difference between stiff shaft and regular shafts?
Stiff vs Regular flex The stiff shafted clubs are going to flex less during the swing than the regular shafted clubs. Conversely, the regular shafted clubs are going to flex more.
Is regular or stiff flex better?
The number one fact when you're going to select a shaft for you is how fast you hit the ball. In general, golfers with a fast swing should use a stiff shaft and slowed swings should use a regular flex shaft. To check your swing speed a shot tracking device will be the most accurate method.
What is the difference in golf club shafts?
The higher the speed, the stiffer the shaft. Steel shafts, which are heavier than graphite, are stiff and less forgiving than graphite. According to Golf.com, graphite shafts are lighter and can help increase swing speed. Selecting the right flex for your shaft is key to good ball striking.
Is regular shaft more forgiving?
If you are swinging with a stiffer shaft, but your swing speed is not all that high, you will struggle with your ability to hit the ball both far and straight. A regular shaft will be the more flexible shaft of the two. The major difference between these shaft is the amount of flexibility that they have.
Do regular shafts go further?
No, not necessarily. Whilst this is a heavier object to strike the ball with and that should make it go further, you have to balance your swing speed with this weight. For many golfers a lighter shaft will allow them to generate higher clubhead speeds.
How do I know what shaft flex is right for me?
Some General Guidelines About Shaft FlexTake 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.
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.
Do any pros use regular shafts?
None of the top 100 PGA Tour pros uses regular iron shafts. It is only among the wedge shafts selected by the pros that you finally see the majority of them using slightly 'softer' flex shafts but as we can see below a healthy number still continue to choose extra stiff shafts in their wedges.
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 Flex is best for high handicapper?
Regular. The most common flex, regular, is designated as "R" on the flex chart and is recommended for golfers who regularly drive the ball 210 to 240 yards and have a swing speed between 75 and 84 mph. Steel and graphite shafts are available in regular flex, which is appropriate for men with mid to high handicaps.
What shaft flex should I use for irons?
Determine the Proper Shaft Flex for Your SwingIf You Can Hit 150 Yards with a...Then Your Optimal Shaft Flex Is...6- or 7-IronRegular Flex (R)5-Iron/Hybrid or 4-Iron/Hybrid(Male or Female)Senior Flex (A/M)Any Iron/Hybrid lower than 4 or any Fairway Wood (Females or Juniors)Ladies Flex (L)1 more row•Apr 6, 2022
What flex should a beginner golfer have?
But if a beginner player already has a decent swing motion and generates clubhead speed between the range of 95 to 110 mph or more, then a stiff shaft or extra stiff shaft could be justified to be used by a beginner golfer.
What happens if your golf 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 ...
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 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 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 ...
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.
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 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 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 is the difference between golf shafts?
Differences in Golf Shafts. Golf shafts come in such a wide variety that it can be bewildering. Shafts are made from different materials, with different amounts of flexibility and torque, and in different lengths and weights. Compounding the problem, there is no uniform industry standard for shafts, so a stiff shaft from one manufacturer might feel ...
How long is a golf driver shaft?
Longer shafts have been the rage in golf in the early 21st century, with the standard driver length extending from about 45 to 48 inches.
Why do golfers use graphite shafts?
Many golfers gravitate toward graphite because its lighter weight can translate to more club head speed and more distance. Titanium shafts and hybrid shafts are also available, although neither have attained the popularity of steel and graphite.
What is flex in golf?
The flexibility, or flex, of a shaft refers to its amount of bend. Shafts that bend easily are suited for golfers with slower club head speeds. The extra flexibility enables a slow swinger to hit the ball farther.
What is the difference between graphite and steel?
Graphite shafts made a big splash when they entered the marketplace in the 1970s. Graphite is lighter and generally more flexible than steel. It also is more expensive.
Is there a uniform industry standard for golf shafts?
Compounding the problem, there is no uniform industry standard for shafts, so a stiff shaft from one manufacturer might feel completely different than a stiff shaft from another manufacturer. As Golf.com states, "you need to experiment with different combinations of shafts and clubheads to come up with your ultimate prize.".
Which is more flexible, a regular or a uniflex shaft?
Regular is the most flexible and should be used by average swing speeds, Uniflex are slightly more sturdy and stiff is as the name suggest, less flexible and reserved for faster swing speeds. A uniflex shaft offers you an option when you are not sure whether you should be playing a regular flex or a stiff flex shaft.
What is a stiff shaft?
Uniflex Vs Stiff Shafts. Stiff shafts are generally used by golfers that have played golf for an extended period and honed their swings to be able to control the driver at such high speeds. As you grow in confidence and control of your swing speed you may find that you are not getting the maximum benefit from a regular shaft ...
How fast should a golf swing be?
The same applies to golfers with a swing speed of 95 mph and the use of a stiff flex shaft. If you hit your drives between 240 yards and 275 yards the uniflex shaft will be best suited to your swing.
What is the average swing speed for a golf club?
Regular flex is aimed at the average golfer with a swing speed between 75 mph and 85 mph and as high as 90 mph. This is the most used flex and most new clubs come standard with regular flex shafts. It can be identified by an “R” nomination on the shaft and is available in steel and graphite shafts. Most golfers who consistently drive ...
How heavy is a driver shaft?
Driver shaft weight can vary from 65g to 130g.
Why use graphite shafts?
Graphite shafts are manufactured from a composite material to save weight enabling you to swing faster. A couple of grams of weight-saving can add a few miles per hour to your swing speed and produce more distance.
How to increase speed on a golf swing?
Get wide early for speed where it counts. Start the backswing with your leading arm straight and keep the maximum width without compromising other swing mechanics .
Why do you need regular shafted clubs?
If you have a slower swing speed, you are probably going to want to choose regular shafted clubs because the additional flex will provide a little more power and accuracy. When you swing harder, the stiff flex will be more controlled and give you the punch you need to hit better shots. One of the most common problems that many golfers face is ...
What is the most accurate depiction of your the type of flex you should have in your clubs?
Swing Speed. This is the most accurate depiction of your the type of flex you should have in your clubs. If you cannot get properly evaluated in your area, you can consider the other two options. If you have the right type of cellular device, you may be able to find an application that can assist you.
How many yards did Dave hit a steel driver?
Driver Dave hits a regular shafted steel driver 240 yards. Then, he used a graphite driver and hits it about 250 because of the increased clubhead speed. You need to be aware of the type of shaft material you are measuring with and make sure that it matches the clubs you would use when out on the course.
Should I hit a golf ball a mile?
Hitting the golf ball a mile can be a confidence booster and impress everyone around you, but if you aren’t hitting it where you want this can be a problem. 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 ...
Who Should Use Regular Flex?
It all depends on your swing speed. With a Driver if you swing in the range of 85mph – 95mph, you should be using a Regular flex shaft.
Who Should Use Lite Flex?
It is difficult to come by Lite flex shaft other than in beginner sets.
How To Know If Your Shaft Is Too Flexible
The first thing you will notice if the shaft is too flexible, will be a ‘whippy’ feeling when swinging the club, you will also lose the feeling of where the clubhead is on your downswing.
How To Know If It Is Too Stiff
Having a shaft that is too stiff will feel very hard to swing, it will generally feel too heavy making you tired after a few swings.
What Shaft Flex Do The Pros Use?
Most Professionals swing over 90mph with a 6 Iron, and over 105mph with a Driver, this would indicate that they use X-Stiff shafts in their clubs.
Our Favorite Lite Flex Shafts – Callaway Edge 10 Piece Golf Set
Like I mentioned before Lite flex shafts usually come in package sets.
Our Favorite Regular Flex Shafts – True Temper Elevate 95
This shaft is ultra lightweight, with high spinning, high launching characteristics to get the ball up with ease, this promotes optimal flight trajectory and landing conditions. The VSS technology reduces vibrations.
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 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.
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.
