Golf club shafts are available in 5 flex options namely X (extra stiff), S (stiff), R (regular), A (senior flex) and L (ladies flex). X flex shafts offer the most resistance to bending and L flex the least.
What does the R stand for on a golf 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 does L and X mean in shafts?
"L" is the most flexible shaft and "X" is the stiffest shaft: "L" denotes "ladies flex" "A" or "M" denotes "senior flex" (might also be designated "AM" or "A/M," or "Senior") "R" denotes "regular flex"
What are the different flex ratings for golf shafts?
Golf shafts have different flexes and weights that make them beneficial for certain swings speeds of golfers. There are five different flex ratings: X, S, R, A and L. X is extra stiff, S stiff, R regular, A originally meant amateur but now denotes senior, and L ladies.
Which golf shafts should I use?
If you have a slow swing speed, you should use a golf shaft labeled women’s, senior, junior, or regular. It really depends on how slow your golf swing speed is. If it is under 75 mph then you should use a ladies flex. Senior flex is best for 75 mph to 85 mph.
What is R for on golf driver?
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 flex golf shaft 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 is an R2 driver shaft?
Googled Description: 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.
What does RL mean in golf?
Posted April 13, 2016. RL stands for regular/light which basically is their seniors flex.
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?
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).
Is R2 a senior 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.
What happens if your driver 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.
What does S flex mean in golf?
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.
What does r4 mean in golf?
Round 4 Scoring Average | PGA TOUR Stats.
What is Kickpoint in golf?
Simply put, it is the part of a golf shaft at which the shaft experiences the greatest amount of bend when the tip is pulled down. So when you swing a club it would be the entire area of the shaft where the flex is happening. Golfers may also refer to kickpoint as the flex point or bend point.
What does MC mean in golf?
missed cutLonger explanation: Everyone knows what "MC" means when it appears next to a golfer's name in tournament scores; "MC" means "missed cut." But the "MC" acronym has been around for a long time.
What golf shaft flex is right for me 7 iron?
Find the Correct Golf Shaft Flex for Your Swing Speed 8-iron or 9-iron: You'd likely want an “X” or extra stiff flex shaft. 6-iron or 7-iron: You'd likely want an “S” or stiff flex shaft. 5-iron or 6-iron: You'd likely want an “R” or regular flex shaft.
Do I want regular or stiff flex?
Swing Speed 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. Based on your swing speeds here are our recommendations: 80-95 mph swing speeds should use regular shafts.
How do I know if I need stiff or regular flex irons?
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.
Is 9.5 or 10.5 driver better?
The ideal driver loft depends on your swing speed and the attack angle. Average players that swing the club less than 95 MPH will likely find that a 10.5-degree driver performs the best. Better players who can control their drives and want the most distance will lean more towards a 9-degree driver.
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. Shaft manufacturers have their own internal method of determining flex and building that into the design of a raw, uncut shaft and then suggesting a systematic way ...
Why would a clubmaker suggest S flex shafts?
Therefore the clubmaker or fitter would suggest S-flex shafts in the lighter weight pattern because the frequency and deflection reading matched that of the heavier weight R-flex shafts.
What is a mid bend shaft?
A shaft classified as “mid” bend point has the stiffness distribution more evenly spread along the length of the shaft. In order for a low bend point shaft to have more flex built into the tip means the shaft has a disproportionate amount of its stiffness in the butt end. In determining the flex of the shaft whether by deflection ...
What shafts have the same weight?
If you have two R-flex shafts of the same weight and length, the one with the lower bend point shaft will often appear to be stiffer even though it may not feel that way when swung. The original Apollo Shadow R-flex steel shaft is a prime example. The weight is the same as a Dynamic Gold which has the stiffer tip section.
How much lighter is a 41" shaft?
Not exactly Earth shattering. Over the length of a 41” shaft, 7g amounts to 0.17g per inch. Manufacturers built the flex of their new lighter weight shafts the same as the standard weight shafts.
What is the role of the shaft in golf?
The golf shaft connects the clubhead to your hands and it plays a very important role in terms of feel, distance, ball flight, and accuracy with both your irons and woods. More often than not golfers overlook the importance of playing with the correct shaft in their irons and woods.
What is the tip of a golf shaft?
The tip of the golf shaft refers to the bottom part of the shaft that attaches the shaft to the clubhead and the butt refers to the top part of the shaft. Iron shafts don’t have specific tips but driver, hybrid, and fairway wood shafts do. These specialized tips ensure that woods and hybrids can be adjusted according to the adjustability ...
What is shaft weight?
Shaft weight is the actual weight of the shaft in ounces or grams and swing weight refers to how heavy the clubhead feels when you swing the club . Swing weight will differ based on the relationship between the shaft and clubhead weight. Swing weight is measured using a swing weight scale.
What is the difference between graphite and steel shafts?
Steel and graphite shafts differ in a variety of different ways but with that being said both of these shaft types are great for many unique reasons. Steel shafts feature durable designs, they are affordable and they provide feedback on off-center strikes. On the other end of the spectrum, graphite shafts are available in a wide variety ...
Why is torque important in graphite wood?
Torque is very important when looking at graphite wood shafts but when we look at steel iron shafts torque becomes less relevant based on the construction difference of these two shaft types. Torque directly impacts accuracy and the importance of torque is amplified as swing speed/force applied increases.
What is shaft flex?
Shaft flex refers to the shaft’s ability to bend once force is applied to it in the form of a golf swing. Swing speed and force applied on the shaft are directly correlated. More speed equals more force applied which in return will cause the shaft to bend more. To maximize performance optimal shaft flex is required to ensure ...
Is graphite shaft longer than iron shaft?
The majority of iron shafts are steel shafts, but graphite iron shafts continue to increase in popularity. Wood shafts are longer than iron shafts but the majority of wood shafts are lighter than iron shafts and this is the main reason why steel shafts are rarely used in modern-day drivers and fairway woods .
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.
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 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 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.
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.
Why are shafts important in golf?
Golf shafts are vital to having the best possible outcome of any golfer's swing. Golf shafts have different flexes and weights that make them beneficial for certain swings speeds of golfers.
What is the rating of iron shafts?
Most iron shafts have a rating of 3 degrees. The higher the degree of torque the more flexible the shaft is likely to feel during a swing. Golf shafts affect accuracy, trajectory and distance of golf shots. Picking the proper shaft for a golf club is essential to maximum output of the club--and golfer.
What is a nanofuse shaft?
There are some other high-end specialty shaft materials on the market, such as Nanofuse shafts that combine elements of both graphite and steel shafts. These shafts use a nanocrystalline alloy and a carbon fiber polymer to provide a lightweight but rigid shaft.
What is the most common shaft material?
The most common shaft materials are steel and graphite. Steel shafts are more common and are the most durable shaft material and provide superior control over shots. However, steel shafts are heavier than graphite so they do require a higher swing speed in order to get distance.
How fast should a golf driver go?
Golfers who swing around 90 mph with their driver should look at using a regular shaft. Senior flex is appropriate for swing speed of about 80 mph, while those with a slower speed should use L flex shafts. When swinging faster than 100 mph, use a stiff shaft.
What is the kick point in golf?
Kick points in shafts are where the shaft flexes most. These points affects the trajectory of the ball upon contact. The higher the kick point in a shaft the lower the ball trajectory for that club.
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 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) ...
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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 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.
How to determine golf shaft flex?
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.
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.
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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