Different Club Flex Options
- Ladies Flex or L-Flex <72 mph – This option isn’t just for women, but this is where many recreational female golfers find themselves.
- Senior Flex or A-Flex 72-83 mph – Slow swings fall into this category. ...
- Regular Flex or R-Flex 84-96 mph – Regular flex is the range that most recreational golfers and a lot of LPGA Pro fall into.
How do you determine golf shaft flex?
Aug 10, 2021 · 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. Although, choosing the most flexible one will not …
What shaft should a senior golfer use?
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 …
What Golf Club shaft stiffness should I use?
Sep 01, 2003 · If you want to avoid giving your golf game the shaft, you need to understand the effect that golf club shaft flex has on your game. "Flex" refers to the ability of a golf shaft to bend as forces are applied to it during the golf swing. Those forces are generated by the type of swing that you have: fast or slow, smooth or jerky.
What is golf shaft flex is right for me?
Dec 21, 2011 · Definition. When you swing your club, the shaft bends or "loads" to store power. It then straightens or "unloads" to release that power …
What flex should I use golf?
| Carry Distance | Swing Speed | Flex |
|---|---|---|
| Under 200 yards | Under 75 mph | Ladies or Senior |
| 200 to 240 yards | 75 to 95 mph | Regular |
| 240 to 275 yards | 95 to 110 mph | Stiff |
| Over 275 yards | Over 110 mph | Stiff or Extra Stiff |
How do I know what shaft flex is right for me?
- Take 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.
What flex do I need for my irons?
| If You Can Hit 150 Yards with a... | Then Your Optimal Shaft Flex Is... |
|---|---|
| 6- or 7-Iron | Regular 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) |
Is flex good in golf clubs?
What happens if your golf shaft is too flexible?
Will a stiffer shaft increase distance?
Is Stiff flex good for beginners?
Is regular or stiff flex better?
How far should you hit a 7 iron?
What is the difference between senior flex and regular flex golf clubs?
How can I tell my swing speed?
What does your flex mean?
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 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.
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").
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 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 is a club fitting demo day?
At demo days, you'll be able to hit many different types of clubs with different types of shafts. Or find a good pro shop with swing bays where you can try before you buy. The key, short of a club fitting, is hitting lots of different clubs and watching the effect ...
Why do golfers need flex points?
A power player with a fast swing speed such as PGA Tour player Gary Woodland needs a higher flex point to help keep his shots under control.
What determines the ball flight of a golf club?
Your ball flight is the result of several interrelated factors. The most important is your swing speed, which dictates the club's loft, the shaft flex and the shaft's kick point, among other things. Your fitter starts with your swing speed because swing speed determines how high you need to hit the ball if you want to hit it a long way.
Why does the extra loft on a golf ball help?
The extra loft puts more backspin on the ball so it starts on a higher trajectory; the softer shaft stores more energy; and the low kick point releases the shaft energy quicker. To understand this concept, think of slapping something; your wrist moves your hand very quickly on a sharper arc.
What does a fitter do for a slow swing?
For Slow Swingers. If you have a slow swing speed, you need to get the ball up quicker for a higher launch angle. Your fitter generally will give you clubs with more loft, softer shafts and a lower kick point. The extra loft puts more backspin on the ball so it starts on a higher trajectory; the softer shaft stores more energy;
What does "less loft" mean in golf?
Less loft means less backspin (and a lower trajectory); the stiffer shafts dampen the energy in the shaft; and the higher kick point releases that energy more slowly. Rather than a slapping action, the high kick point is more of a sweeping motion. Golfweeks' Adam Woodard breaks down the results from the match.
What to know before buying a golf club?
Other things have to determined before you buy the clubs – such as the shaft material (steel or graphite), type of flex (regular, stiff, etc.) and length. But golfers also are fit for a less familiar specification – the shaft flex point.
What happens when you swing a golf club?
When you swing your club, the shaft bends or "loads" to store power.
What is shaft flex?
Golf club shaft flex refers to the bend in a club when a player swings and makes an impact with the golf ball. The shaft flex can have a significant impact on a player’s swing and should be selected based on a few different factors identified by a proper club fitting session.
What is a stiff flex shaft?
Stiff Flex or S-Flex 97-104 mph – This flex is for recreational golfers that swing fast. Very common shaft for high-level amateur players.
How to determine flex shaft?
Your starting point should be your swing speed. Measure your swing speed to make sure you are selecting the correct flex. If your swing speed is somewhere in the middle, let’s say you swing right at 97 mph, consider what your current shot shape is. If you typically hit a big slice, that can be compounded by having a shaft that is too stiff, which means a Regular flex shaft is ideal.
How fast is a ladies flex?
Ladies Flex or L-Flex <72 mph – This option isn’t just for women, but this is where many recreational female golfers find themselves.
What are the factors that determine the shafting of a golf club?
The two largest factors that contribute to the selection of the right golf shafting are your swing speed and swing tempo.
Where is the kick point on a golf club?
But this isn’t true. The kick point is actually a small 6” section in the middle of the shaft.
What happens if the shaft is too soft?
If the shaft is too soft, it will typically flex more through impact and cause the clubhead to close and start the ball to the left with added spin. If the shaft is too stiff, it will typically cause the clubhead to come through impact a little more open and cause the shot to come off weak and low right. Let’s break down some different flex options based on driver swing speed.
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 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 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 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!
What is the difference between a steel shaft and a graphite shaft?
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. Stepped is the use of steps down the shaft or ridges you see while rifle is smooth all the way.
Why is shaft weight important?
Shaft Weight is important because it can help you generate club head speed and increase the distance you hit the golf ball. Lighter weight shafts tend to be swung faster (since they are lighter), increasing club speed. However, we don’t recommend looking automatically at the lightest shaft and disregarding heavier shafts.
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What is the average speed of a senior swinger?
Senior – Slower swingers fall into this category. Between 72 and 83 mph signifies you need to be hitting senior 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.
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 ).
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.
Who is Zephyr Melton?
Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF.com, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour.
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 is the kick point of a golf shaft?
Kick point is the part of the shaft that bends the most on the downswing. The kick point determines the trajectory of the shot. Senior golfers should select a low kick point shaft which enables a high trajectory and ball flight. The bend in the shaft is close to the clubhead. A medium trajectory is attained by a shaft with ...
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.
What does the repetition of a square club head through impact result in?
The repetition of a square club head through impact results in straighter shots.
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.
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.
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 ...
