Why is it important to choose the right golf shafts?
Every golfer’s needs are different. Getting the right shaft is important because it will affect how you deliver the golf club. The wrong shaft will make it harder for you to swing consistently and access the clubface center.
What is a regular shaft?
A Regular shaft is used by golfers who hit the ball an average or farther than average length. For those long hitters, there are Stiff and Extra-stiff shafts that flex little.
What shafts should a senior golfer use?
Some seniors find that when they play a regular steel shaft, they can only hit it 130, and then switching to senior graphite allows them to hit the ball 140. The only real way to know precisely the shaft that you need for your golf game is to go for a custom fitting. Not every golfer needs to spend the money on a custom fitting.
Should I use stiff or regular shafts for MY clubs?
If you are right at 90, you will probably want to go with stiff for your driver and regular for your irons. Most of the time, it is easier to swing a Driver faster than it is to swing irons. Plenty of players have a mix of shafts between their woods and irons. What About The Different Clubs?
When should you use a regular shaft?
Golfers at driving speeds over 90 mph should generally use a stiff shaft. Under 90 mph should probably use a regular shaft.
Do any golf pros use regular shafts?
9% choose stiff+ iron shafts, a flex in-between stiff and extra stiff, but over 70% use either extra stiff or tour extra stiff iron shafts. None of the top 100 PGA Tour pros uses regular iron shafts.
Who should use regular shaft irons?
A driver swing speed between 85-90 mph will be the kind of golfer looking for a regular flex. A regular shaft will help maximise the distance you can generate from your golf swing. This is when you need to be honest with yourself and if you need more help then accept it.
Should I hit stiff or regular shaft?
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.
Does Tiger Woods use a regular shaft?
Tiger knows his equipment better than you know yourself! For almost all of his career he has used Mitsubishi Rayon shafts. This year he remains loyal to this brand with a TaylorMade SIM driver loaded with a Mitsubishi Diamana “White Board” TX (tour extra-stiff).
Do any tour players use regular flex?
Kramer's 2006 “Golf Magazine” article cites a survey showing that just 2 percent of PGA Tour players and 10 percent of PGA Champions Tour players used regular flex shafts in their irons. He also notes that PGA Tour swing speeds average 110 mph, so the players favor a stiffer shaft to better control the club.
Can a high handicapper use stiff shafts?
Stiff shafts are appropriate for men with single-digit handicaps as well as some with handicaps 10 to 15 who have high clubhead speed. Stiff flex is available in graphite or steel.
Should a beginner golfer use a stiff shaft?
With the proper fit, the new golfer can learn without making compensations for clubs that are too stiff or too flexible. In general, the faster a golfer's swing speed the stiffer a golf shaft should be in order to provide more control over the ball's flight.
What flex do I need for my irons?
Should You Use Regular or Stiff Flex Shafts?6-iron Carry Distance6-iron Swing SpeedShaft flex (all clubs)< 130 yards60 – 70 mphSenior Flex131 – 155 yards71 – 80 mphRegular Flex156 – 175 yards81 – 90 mphStiff Flex> 176 yards91 + mphX-Stiff FlexApr 13, 2021
Is regular flex good for most golfers?
The regular shaft is perfect for the golfer with around 90mph of swing speed. Most average golfers and beginners enjoy the regular flex shaft.
What flex do I need for my driver?
– 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 swing speed requires a stiff shaft?
between 97 and 104 mphStiff – This range is still considered fast, but you most likely won't be out on Tour anytime soon. If you're between 97 and 104 mph with the driver, you need a stiff flex. Regular – Now we are getting into the range where a majority of recreational golfers fall, and also where many LPGA pros fall.
How to choose between stiff and regular shafts?
As we mentioned several times, make sure to take plenty of swings as you want to see how you perform when you are tired as well. If you are looking to go to a stiff shaft, play your friends clubs on the 18th hole, this is a much better indication of the shaft you need than a hitting booth inside a store when you make five swings.
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 to lose distance with stiff shaft?
The only time a player will lose distance with a stiff shaft is if it is not the correct shaft for them, just as you will lose distance with a regular shaft if it is not the right shaft for you. Making sure that your swing speed can flex the shaft you are using correctly is what will give you the distance you need. If you are hitting a regular shaft and you lose a few yards, and it starts tailing to the right when you switch to stiff, then you are just not producing the swing speed necessary to hit a stiff shaft consistently. All regular swing speed players make a few fast swings in their round, but you want something that continually delivers.
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 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 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.
How to know what shaft you need for golf?
The only real way to know precisely the shaft that you need for your golf game is to go for a custom fitting. Not every golfer needs to spend the money on a custom fitting. Although they are sometimes very helpful, custom fittings are best for the player who is genuinely undecided about a senior or a regular shaft.
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.
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 ...
What are the different flex shafts for golf clubs?
When it comes time to replace or upgrade the shafts in your golf clubs, it is essential to choose the proper flex. Golf clubs for men come in four basic flexes, 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.
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.
What is a senior flex shaft?
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 and regular flex golf shafts so you can choose an option that will work well for your golf game.
Why is it important to choose the right shaft for golf clubs?
It can give you the best chance at striking the center of the face that will result in optimal launch conditions on the course. It absolutely has an effect on how well you can play.
What does it mean to choose the wrong shaft for a golf club?
Choosing the wrong shaft will make it much harder to access the center of the face more consistently on the course , and the last thing we want you to do is to make golf harder on yourself!
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.
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.
What is fitting in golf?
When we put a customer through a fitting, we determine the right profile, weight, and flex that is required. Essentially we are writing a prescription for the golfer’s swing, and order the shaft to match what we believe will help them the most.
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 ...
Which shaft is the most flexible?
The ladies category shaft is the most flexible; the extra stiff is the least flexible. The regular category is in the middle.
How fast should a golf club flex?
Thomas suggests golfers with a swing speed of 80 to 95 mph typically are the best candidates for regular flex shafts. Mike Stachura of “Golf Digest,” however, says that most experienced golf club ...
What is flex in golf?
The flex of a golf club refers to the “relative strength (stiffness or softness) of a club shaft, ” according to PGA pro Mark Blakemore’s golf glossary. “Golf Magazine” editor Scott Kramer notes that an individual club’s flex is generally placed into one of five categories, including “regular,” designated by the letter “R.”.
Who said swing speed is only the most basic of beginnings when it comes to a proper fitting?
Mike Stachura of “Golf Digest,” however, says that most experienced golf club fitters “believe swing speed is only the most basic of beginnings when it comes to a proper fitting.”.
Is a regular shaft flexible?
As a result, one manufacturer’s regular flex shaft may be more or less flexible than another company’s similar product. All companies agree, however, that the “regular” category sits in the middle of the five-letter flexibility spectrum.
How many yards is stiff shaft?
Anything more than 250 yards, stiff shafts are for you. Unless you are a huge hitter and average about 300 yards on your drives, stay away from Extra-stiff shafts. Nine times out of 10, this method works well, but you still need to be comfortable hitting with whichever shaft you choose.
What is a senior flex shaft?
The Seniors flex is meant for golfers who swing a bit harder. A Regular shaft is used by golfers who hit the ball an average or farther than average length. For those long hitters, there are Stiff and Extra-stiff shafts that flex little.
What is flex in golf?
Flex is the amount that the shaft will bend when it is swung. All of us have heard the admonition, “let the club do most of the work”. If you choose the right shaft, that can be true. With the right shaft, you'll swing the club easier and get more distance out of your shots.
Do clubs fitters charge?
Many retailers have professional club fitters on their staffs who provide the service free of charge because it's likely that you will purchase a set of their clubs. Others may charge for their services.
Why is it important to choose the right shaft for golf?
It’s super easy to get caught up in the competitive nature of golf, but it’s really important to choose the right shaft for you, rather than forcing yourself to use a flex that is too stiff. By using a shaft-flex that is right for you, the club will work better and you will gain distance with much less effort, all the while ensuring ...
Why do golfers use stiffer shafts?
Even though it’s true that many of the best players in the world use stiffer flexes in their clubs, it’s because they have the power and speed to use them correctly and achieve long distances. It’s better to go for the right shaft flex for you so that you can achieve top distance for your ability without risking losing control.
What is shaft flex?
The whole idea behind golf club shaft flex selection is being able to find a club that is going to flex just the right amount upon impact with the ball towards the bottom of your swing.
What is the most important factor in swing flex?
Though swing speed is the most important element in determining the flex that you should use, it’s not the only factor. Your swing technique and natural rhythm can also play a role in the fitting.
Which shaft is better for flex?
Though a stiffer shaft is generally considered to be the best flex for achieving distance, it’s important to play to your ability.
How do you know if a club is right for you?
If you choose this option as opposed to getting your technique professionally analyzed by a qualified club fitter, you’ll know if a club is right for you because it will be performing correctly and you won’t feel the need to swing super hard in order to get the ball up and in the air. It should feel comfortable and you should feel confident when standing at address.
Do you need stiffer flex for golf clubs?
Besides, as your technique improves, you’ll likely find that you need to purchase clubs with a stiffer flex, anyway!
What is the most popular decision a golfer makes?
One of the most popular decisions golfers face is whether to get a regular or stiff shaft in their irons, hybrids, fairway woods, and driver. Most resources will tell you to make that decision based on your swing speed. Unfortunately, they are wrong.
Is there a standard for shaft flex?
There Are No Standards for Flex. There is a lot of misinformation amongst golfers (and companies) regarding flex. The most important thing to understand is that there are no standards when it comes to shaft flex. One company’s “regular” could be another company’s “stiff.”.
Is graphite shaft lighter than steel?
Graphite tends to be lighter, but many companies are offering steel shafts in much lighter versions. Long story short, using your swing speed to choose a stiff versus regular shaft is not enough information. You need to know more about your golf swing tendencies and, more importantly, have someone who actually knows shafts well enough to match ...
Did Nick Price find a stiff shaft?
Despite having similar swing speeds, each player needed a much different shaft flex. Nick Price couldn’t find a shaft that was stiff enough for him. He applied so much force to the shaft with his swing length and tempo that he needed a much stiffer shaft profile compared to Fred Couples.
Can you buy a shaft based on your swing speed?
If you purchase a shaft based only on your swing speed and nothing else, you are just guessing. Other characteristics, such as weight, are important. Generally speaking, golfers with slower swing speeds can benefit from a lighter shaft and vice versa. That can be addressed using a graphite or steel shaft.
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.
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.
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 ).