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.
How to compare golf shafts?
In this comparison of shafts, we place particular emphasis on the CPM, i.e. the stiffness. In addition to the shaft and swing weight, this is decisive for the performance off the tee. The shaft profile also plays a major role, i.e. how the shaft behaves during the swing.
Are all shafts marked regular and stiff the same?
Most golfers assume that a shaft marked regular or stiff will be the same across the board, no matter who they buy it from. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Are shafts one of the most misunderstood product categories in golf?
One of the most misunderstood product categories in the golf industry is shafts. There are plenty of myths and mistruths out there that we wanted to clear up for you in this article and share what we have learned at Pete’s Golf over the past several decades.
What does R mean on club?
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.
What shaft is best for my swing speed?
– 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
Which shaft is best for my swing?
Slow swing speeds will generally require softer-flex shafts, while high swing speeds need stiffer shafts; due to variations in swing patterns, however, swing speed is only one portion of finding the right shaft. Briand's recommendation is to use your current driver shaft as a baseline.
What is a flex R golf shaft?
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 should my swing speed be 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 is the average swing speed for a 7 iron?
75 mphAccording to TrackMan statistics, the average 7-iron clubhead speed on the PGA Tour is 90 mph. The average male recreational golfer, on the other hand, swings the same club at closer to 75 mph, which is why he hits his 7-iron about 140 yards, compared with 170 to 180 yards for the Tour guys.
How do you pick a golf club shaft?
How to Pick the Right Golf ShaftChoose between graphite and steel shafts. ... Pick shafts whose flex is right for your swing. ... Factor in the weight, length and torque of the shafts when you are purchasing new golf clubs. ... Don't let your ego stand in the way.
What shaft is best for irons?
10 top-selling wood and iron shafts that will change your gameTrue Temper Dynamic Gold 120 Tour Issue Iron Shaft. ... Accra iSeries Steel Iron Shaft. ... Fujikura Ventus Blue Wood Shaft. ... Nippon N.S.Pro Modus3 Tour Iron Shaft. ... VA Composites Nemesys Wood Shaft. ... Oban CT Steel Iron Shaft.More items...•
What driver shaft is most used on tour?
Fujikura driver shafts are the most used by the top 100 PGA Tour players with 28 players using them including Justin Thomas, Jordan Speith, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Louis Oosthuizen. The Ventus Blue 6X and Ventus Black 6X shafts are the most popular individual driver shafts.
What flex do I need for my 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
Who should use senior flex golf shafts?
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.
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.
What is the difference between torque and kickpoint?
Although not as critical as shaft flex, the torque and kickpoint of your clubs can make a significant difference in your performance, Golf today explains. Torque refers to the amount of twist in a shaft. Graphite twists more than steel. Kickpoint refers to the spot on the shaft that bends the most.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.".
What is shaft flex?
Shaft flex is a description of how much a shaft will bend under the force of a golf swing with a head attached at the tip end. The speed and frequency of your swing will determine what flex you need. There are generally 5 different flex notations (from most bendable to least bendable): A-flex (Senior), L-flex (Ladies), R-flex (Regular), ...
What is the shaft of a golf club?
Many consider the golf shaft the "engine of the club". Golf shafts are either made from graphite or steel. Both types have its benefits and disadvantages. Either way, the golf shaft is where power is stored and released at impact. Sitting in between the golf grip and club head, a solid connection is what allows the golf shaft to do its job.
How long is a 0.370" iron shaft?
decreasing in length from #3-PW). 0.370" parallel iron shafts arrive in uncut lengths, usually 41" or 42" for irons or 46" or more for woods.
What happens if you swing too heavy?
If the overall club is too heavy, you can lose swing speed which can result in a loss of yardage. Too light of a club will be hard to guide and control which can lead to mishits. Players with faster swing speeds or more accelerated tempos can benefit from heavier shafts.
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.
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 ...
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) ...
Do you need a softer shaft for a golf swing?
Conversely, a player that extends early in their swing (most recreational golfers) would require a shaft with a softer tip. Getting this right is extremely important, and it’s often not discussed at all when people talk about choosing shafts (it’s mostly just about flex), which leads us to our next point.
What shafts have 55g?
It is noticeable that there are also shafts with 55g in this category, such as the Accra TZ5 S or the Kiyoshi Black 55 03. Both shafts are actually stiff and particularly stiff for their weight class. Ventus Blue and Black are also in this range with the 6 X.
What is the shaft profile of a Fujikura Ventus?
The Fujikura Ventus, for example, has a very special bending profile in which the middle part of the shaft is extremely soft, while the tip is particularly stiff.
Why are driver shafts so interesting?
Driver shafts are so interesting because they have the exciting task of providing maximum speed transfer while minimising dispersion. It is no secret that the right driver shaft can make a big difference. It's not for nothing that professionals are constantly testing and trying to get the maximum out of them, whereas with iron shafts they often ...
What is the Armrq 47 shaft used for?
They are mainly used by ladies and seniors who have difficulties accelerating the club. The Armrq 47 is the shaft used by Honma Beres. As expected, this shaft is extremely soft. The special thing about this shaft, however, is the low torque.
How much higher is a stiff shaft?
The rule of thumb for most manufacturers is that the difference between the flexes is about 10 CPM. So the CPM for a stiff shaft is roughly 10 higher than for a regular shaft. This is at least the case with Ventus, Motore, Vizard, Accra and Mitsubishi.
Is a 60g shaft stiffer than a regular shaft?
The Vizard shafts are basically rather on the soft side. This means that a 60g in Regular is only marginally stiffer than, for example, a Fujikura Vista Pro 55 R or a Fujikura Motore F3 5R. Honma has relatively soft shafts not only in the Beres, but also in the TR20 series.
Is a Fujikura driver shaft bad?
This is not to say that these driver shafts are all bad. It just means that they are not the same shaft and that stiffness, profile and above all weight can vary greatly. A Fujikura Ventus made for shaft, for example, which is now used by some of the major manufacturers, has little to do with the original Fujikura Ventus and it is possible ...
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 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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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 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!
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 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.