Most golf shafts are labeled with the flex of the shaft. If you see an R on the golf shaft is generally a men’s regular shaft. If you see an S on the shaft, it is probably a men’s stiff. For the uniflex shaft, you will likely see a U or sometimes something that may say R/S.
What is flex in golf shafts?
It is simply the flex built into the shaft to complement the strength of what the average male golfer may produce to provide the right feel and consistent results.
What is SR flex shaft?
SR is a sub flex between and regular and stiff. It is NOT a soft regular. Tourstage and other Japan brands typically offer SR flex shafts. More sharing options... For Japanese heritage shafts you should think of SR as Strong Regular...they use R2 as the designation for senior flex. More sharing options...
What is an R2 flex shaft?
The R2 is the equivalent of the modern day A-flex. Instead of calling it amateur or senior flex which is ability or age related, the R2 is simply a softer shaft than a standard regular flex for those with reduced swing speeds.
Should you use X Flex or s flex shafts for Your Driver?
Not every golfer can (or is willing) to do that, though. If your driver swing speed is approximately 110 mph or higher, and your carry distance around 270 yards, go with X flex shafts. If your speed is 95 to 110 mph and your carry distance 240-270 yards, go with S flex.
What does r s mean on a golf shaft?
The basics of shaft flex The SR (Senior) and R (Regular) flexes are geared for slower swing speeds and golfers who need help getting the ball airborne. As your game improves and you start to generate more speed, you'll likely find yourself in an S (Stiff) or XS (Extra Stiff) flex.
What is Rs flex shaft?
For those of you who are unaware of the nomenclature, R stands for Regular and is designed for – well, you guessed it – the regular guy. It is simply the flex built into the shaft to complement the strength of what the average male golfer may produce to provide the right feel and consistent results.
What golf shaft flex should I use?
– Golf Shaft Flex ChartCarry DistanceSwing SpeedFlexUnder 200 yardsUnder 75 mphLadies or Senior200 to 240 yards75 to 95 mphRegular240 to 275 yards95 to 110 mphStiffOver 275 yardsOver 110 mphStiff or Extra StiffOct 15, 2019
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 does R mean on a golf club?
regular flex"R" denotes "regular flex" "S" denotes "stiff flex" (might also be designated "Firm") "X" denotes "extra stiff flex" (might also be designated "Tour")
What shaft does Tiger Woods use?
Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 60 TXTiger has a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 60 TX shaft fitted to his driver.
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 you tell what flex shaft you need?
Start by using a launch monitor to analyze your golf swing speed. If your swing ranges between 85 mph and 95 mph then you should start with a regular flex. If your swing speed is faster than 95 mph, then you should try a stiff shaft.
How can I tell my swing speed?
Divide the ball speed by 1.5 to get the estimated swing speed for your drive. Alternatively, you can divide the carry distance by 2.3 to estimate the swing speed at impact, but the result will not be as accurate.
What is a good swing speed for a 7 iron?
An average golfer will swing a seven iron about 75 mph. This number can change based on the weight of the club and if it is steel or graphite. The faster you swing a seven iron, the further it will go. If you can swing at about 85 mph, you will see distances closer to 165 yards.
What shaft should I use for my ball speed?
In general, Kramer explains, a golfer with a high swing speed should use stiffer shafted clubs, while those with lower swing speeds require more flexible shafts. That's why PGA Tour players, who typically have high swing speeds, tend to use stiff or extra stiff shafts.
What happens if golf shaft is too flexible?
Having a shaft that is too flexible can also cause the ball to hook uncontrollably, because the shaft bends incorrectly, it will come through with a closed clubface causing the ball to go left, this is because the shaft can't handle your swing speed, and the head is rotating too much.
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 do the letters on a golf shaft mean?
Golf shafts are designated with a letter code, the letters most commonly being X, S, R, A, and L . What do these letters represent? Those letters tell golfers flex—the relative stiffness—of that shaft.
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.
Why do golf shafts bend?
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.
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.
Why is senior flex represented by an A or M?
Why is senior flex represented by an A or M? " A" originally stood for "amateur." The "M" stands for "mature" or "medium." Also, of course, "S" is taken by "stiff."
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 ...
How to know flex for shaft?
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 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.
What is extra stiff flex?
Extra stiff flex is for players with a swing speed over 100 mph, and their shots cover the 300-yard range. This flex is the right choice for professionals.
How many different shaft flex categories are there?
These are the five different shaft flex categories. You can select the right shaft flex as per your requirements.
Why is it important to have the right golf equipment?
Every golfer knows that having the right set of golf equipment is essential to unleash the best performance on the course. Players often underestimate the shaft flex and use the golf shafts that were not suitable for them.
What happens when a golf shaft is too stiff?
A too flexible shaft causes a nasty hook or a pop-up, whereas an extra stiff shaft pushes the golf ball onto the next fairway.
Why is my golf ball too low?
Golfers using a too stiff shaft and having a lower swing speed tend to abrupt the clubface angle at the point of impact, which pushes the ball too early. It results in hitting the golf ball too low.
What are the ratings for shaft flex?
There are five generally used ratings for shaft flex: Extra Stiff, Stiff, Regular, Senior and Ladies, usually denoted by the letters X, S, R, A and L ("A" is used for Senior because this flex was originally called "amateur").
What is the best way to choose the proper amount of flex in your golf clubs?
A clubfitting with a golf professional is the recommended way to choose the proper amount of flex in your golf clubs.
Why is softer flex better for macho men?
Choosing a softer flex often has the effect of forcing macho men to slow down their swings. And slowing down the swing often makes those macho men into better golfers. And the fact is, the harm in hitting a shaft that is too flexible is much less than the harm in hitting a shaft that is too stiff.
What happens if your flex doesn't match your swing?
Having a flex that doesn't match the needs of your swing will result in the clubface being misaligned at impact, causing your shots to go off-target.
What is the key to a club fitting?
The key, short of a club fitting, is hitting lots of different clubs and watching the effect that changing shaft flex has on your shots. If you find a flex that feels good and produces a good ball flight, there's a good chance that's the right flex for you.
What happens if your drives go left?
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 is important to think about in golf clubs?
It's important to think about the shafts in your golf clubs, and specifically whether you are playing the right amount of flex. David Cannon / Getty Images
What does flex mean in golf?
The flex in a golf shaft affects the distance, accuracy and trajectory of your golf shot.
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.
Why is it important to use a more flexible shaft?
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.
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 happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?
It is important to note that if you select a shaft that is too stiff, you will lose loft and control on your shots.
How many yards off the tee for stiff shaft golf?
The stiff shaft is quite popular and should be chosen by those who consistently drive the ball 250 or more yards off the tee.
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.
What to know about golf shafts?
In today’s guide we will review everything you need to know about golf shafts. 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 guide you’ll be much more educated on the buying process and how to pick out the right golf shaft. Lets Get Started!
What is the best shaft for golf?
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.
Why does my golf shaft have a slice?
When the golf shaft is too stiff, it doesn’t unload properly at impact. This can lead to the face staying open and result in a slice golf shot. Beware, a slice isn’t always an indication the shaft is too stiff so if you already have a slice, it could be caused by another fault in your golf swing.
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.
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.
How much does a graphite shaft weigh?
Graphite shafts are also much lighter weight (50-85 grams) while steel shafts can start at 120 grams in most cases.
What are the different shaft flexes?
Shaftology 101 states there are 5 basic shaft flexes (L, A, R, S and X). For those new to golf, here is what the letters stand for in the order from the most flexible to the stiffest. The L stands for ladies, A for amateur or senior flex today, R is regular, S is stiff and finally X is extra stiff. These have pretty much stood the test of time since shafts first received flex designations, but that is not the case anymore. Here is a primer to get you up to speed with all the new designations you may encounter.
What does SR stand for in a flex shaft?
The SR actually stands for strong regular. Another way to put it, it is in-between a traditional R and S flex as a single or discrete flex. Unless you see characters like / or & in-between the S and X, then it is not a combination flex shaft like some of the FST steel iron shafts.
What is the difference between R2 and R3?
The R2 is the equivalent of the modern day A-flex. Instead of calling it amateur or senior flex which is ability or age related, the R2 is simply a softer shaft than a standard regular flex for those with reduced swing speeds. R3. The R3 nomenclature was also derived from the Japanese manufactures and would be the modern day equivalent ...
What is R3 Flex?
The R3 flex is the gender neutral term for those with the lowest swing speeds. SR. This flex designation can be confusing because some may look at the SR as being short for senior flex. Or others may think it could be a combination R and S flex model depending how it is cut. It is neither.
What is the R3 in golf?
The R3 nomenclature was also derived from the Japanese manufactures and would be the modern day equivalent of L or ladies flex. The name R3 takes out the sex of the individual in the fitting equation and instead relates it the player’s swing speed much the same way that ladies grips are now referred to as undersized.
Is a double X stiff enough?
XX. The double X – yes, there is such a category for those with very high swing speeds in which standard X is just not stiff enough. XX may be equivalent or a cross-over to the TX designation.
What is flex in golf shafts?
In simple terms, the definition of flex is the amount of bend in the shaft when under the load of the swing.
What is a senior flex shaft?
Senior flex shafts allow the golfer to launch the golf ball easily into the air. The shaft also allows for the feel and control that golfers seek when striking the ball.
What are the benefits of graphite shafts?
The modern graphite shafts have many benefits: 1 They are lighter and the golfer will swing the clubhead faster through impact without trying to force the speed. 2 Speed equals distance. 3 They launch the ball into the air easily. They offer control, stability, and less vibration through impact. 4 Confidence in every swing.
What are the factors that determine the swing speed of a golf club?
The most important factors are the swing speed that is generated at the clubhead at Impact, and the tempo of the swing.
What does X mean in golf?
X = Extra Stiff— for the young, strong golfer with very high swing speed.
Why do golf clubs push shots?
The result is pushed shots because of the inability to square the face at impact. Contrary to this is if the shaft is too soft, the club feels too whippy, and “sprayed” shots in all directions are the result.
How to hit the ball consistently further and straighter?
If you want to hit the ball consistently further and straighter, then use more flex.
What is the X stiff range?
X-stiff – This is the range where most high-level players fall. If you’re swinging the driver above 105 mph, it might be time to get some X stiff shafts in your set.
Can you extrapolate your swing speed to driver?
You should consider that your swing speed for your irons might not extrapolate perfectly to driver (and vice versa), so while a certain flex might be right in some clubs, that might not be the case in others.
Is True Spec Golf affiliated with 8AM?
Our friends over at True Spec Golf shared some data with us that illustrates the shaft that’s right for you based on your swing speed throughout the bag. ( True Spec and GOLF.com are affiliates of 8AM Golf ).
What is SR shaft?
SR is a sub flex between and regular and stiff. It is NOT a soft regular. Tourstage and other Japan brands typically offer SR flex shafts.
What shaft is in a Ping G410?
In the PING G410, the ALTA "SR" shaft is listed as a 56g "soft regular", while the standard "regular" shaft is 59g. I've hit the SR in the G410 and really liked it. My driver swing speed is likely between 92-95 nowadays, so usually around 240yds on the drive, but can hit out there to 265 when I get the right launch angle and contact (no wind, no downhill, summer)
