How flexible should your golf club shaft be?
It’s always wise to know how that science can help you as a golfer, and that can even come down to how flexible your golf club’s shaft is stiff vs. regular flex is; which shaft is right for you? As a general rule, if you’re between 97-104 mph with the driver, you need a stiff flex.
What are the best golf shafts for beginners?
They are best for beginners, seniors, and lady golfers who struggle to use steel shafts properly and generate distance with steel shafts. Graphite shafts are also much lighter weight (50-85 grams) while steel shafts can start at 120 grams in most cases.
What is the best shaft flex for a 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.
What is the difference between flex shafts and regular shafts?
With that in mind, the main difference between regular and stiff flex shafts then comes down to the distance and the loft that each provides you. Stiff shafts provide less height but greater carry distances, while flexible shafts give a little less distance and higher loft.
What Flex is a regular shaft?
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.
Are all regular shafts the same flex?
Here is one point that is extremely important to understand – there are absolutely no standards when it comes to shaft flex. One company's “stiff” might be another company's “regular.” They all have different profiles.
Is soft regular the same as Senior Flex?
In general, the slower your swing speed, the more flexibility you want in your club's shaft. With a relatively low swing speed, the senior flex helps you square the clubhead at impact and generate more power. PING recommends its “soft regular” shaft flex for players who swing their drivers at 90 mph or less.
What is Senior Flex vs regular flex?
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.
Do any pros play with 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 you hit a 300 yard drive with a regular flex shaft?
Let me put it bluntly – No You Can't! If some guys on the PGA Tour can't hit it 300 yards – you can't either. Understanding the 'true distance' you hit the golf ball is more important than the 'bragging distance' you can hit it.
Is senior flex good for beginners?
Senior flex can be an excellent choice for beginners with slower swing speeds and can benefit from this type of technology.
Do regular shafts go further?
No, not necessarily. Whilst this is a heavier object to strike the ball with and that should make it go further, you have to balance your swing speed with this weight. For many golfers a lighter shaft will allow them to generate higher clubhead speeds.
How do you choose between stiff and regular flex?
Typically speaking, if your Driver swing speed is above 100 mph, you should use a stiff flex drivers. For those with swing speeds in the upper 80s and 90s, the regular shaft flex options makes more sense. Remember that the shaft flex you choose may be different in your irons than in your driver.
What are the easiest irons to hit for seniors?
With combo sets, the longer clubs (4, 5, and 6) are more like hybrids than traditional irons. Then, the 7, 8, 9, and pitching wedge have a traditional iron look and feel of a standard iron. This makes long ones easier to hit (especially off the turf) and the shorter irons geared more toward performance.
Is senior flex stiffer than regular?
A or M = Senior— slightly firmer than ladies. R = Regular— middle of the road shaft and most used. U = Uniflex— for golfers that swing the club at the high end of R and low end of S.
Should a senior golfer use a stiff shaft?
The whole charm of Senior shafts is that they're lightweight, flexible, and easier to launch. As for heavy, stiff shafts, these are better suited for golfers with an above-average or faster swing speed (over 95 mph). When your swing speed is higher, getting the golf ball to launch higher is no concern.
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 ).
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.
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!
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.
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.
Why do you need regular shafted golf clubs?
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.
Which shaft is better for swinging?
You should also take into consideration the shaft’s material when making these important decisions. Graphite and titanium shafts are lighter and will likely make you swing a little faster than with a steel shaft.
How many yards did Dave hit a steel driver?
Driver Dave hits a regular shafted steel driver 240 yards. Then, he used a graphite driver and hits it about 250 because of the increased clubhead speed. You need to be aware of the type of shaft material you are measuring with and make sure that it matches the clubs you would use when out on the course.
Is it better to hit a golf ball a mile?
Hitting the golf ball a mile can be a confidence boost er and impress everyone around you, but if you aren’t hitting it where you want this can be a problem. If you have a driver with a regular flex and are hitting the ball long but inaccurately, you may want to consider going to a stiffer shaft.
Is a driver better than an iron?
It is also important to realize that the shaft you choose for your driver may be different than the shafts you use for your irons. You typically swing a driver with a wide arc and hit your irons with a more shallow swing. This variation could be the main reason why you may hit a driver better than your irons or vice versa.
Should I Use Stiff Or Regular Flex?
As a whole, if you’re between 97-104 mph with the driver, you need a stiff flex that gives more control and the punch to hit better shots. If your clubhead speed is between 84-96 mph, the speed for most recreational golfers you need a regular flex provides a little more power and accuracy.
Is There A Big Difference Between Regular And Stiff Flex?
A stiff shaft is heavier, firmer, and harder to bend than a regular shaft with a different kick point, the position where the club shaft bends most. If a club has a high kick point, it means it has a stiff shaft that provides players with a shot that fizzes through the air at a lower trajectory.
What Happens If Shaft Flex Is Too Stiff?
If your club shafts too stiff, you will struggle to load properly and generate enough power in the downswing. Once the clubbed receives the ball, the shaft will not unload properly, and the face will remain open, creating a slice and giving a much lower flatter trajectory than desired.
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.
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.”.
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 ...
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.
Which is more flexible, a regular or a uniflex shaft?
Regular is the most flexible and should be used by average swing speeds, Uniflex are slightly more sturdy and stiff is as the name suggest, less flexible and reserved for faster swing speeds. A uniflex shaft offers you an option when you are not sure whether you should be playing a regular flex or a stiff flex shaft.
What shaft is needed for a fast swing?
Fast swing speeds require additional support and therefore a stiffer shaft to hold the club head in the correct position despite the increased velocity, while average swing speeds require a regular flex shaft so there angle of attack is optimal for a high and straight ball trajectory.
What Is A Stiff Shaft And Who Is It For?
Stiff shafts are most used by golfers with fast swing speeds just below the massive swing speed achieved by professional golfers.
What Happens If Your Shaft Is Too Stiff?
Shafts that are too stiff generally lead to weak fades or slices as you cannot close the clubface in time to produce a straight shot or even a draw.
Do I Need The Same Flex In My Driver As My Irons?
The flex of your shafts depends on your swing speed and strength therefore it is likely that you will require the same flex in your irons that you are using in your driver.
Should I Get A Fitting?
The fitting process is aimed at providing you with the best opportunity to garner the maximum benefit out of every club in your bag and worth the price you pay, whether you are a seasoned golfer or a beginner.
Should I Use Stiff Or Extra Stiff Shafts?
Using an extra stiff shaft is only recommended for golfers that have extremely fast swing speed and can control the club at such high speed.
Golf Club Shaft Basics
First things first, before you choose a golf club shaft, you need to identify what kind of play stiff flex and regular flex clubs support. You should also note that your driver shaft could be different from that of your irons. This is because most golfers typically hit their irons with a shallow swing and swing their driver club with a wider arc.
Who and When Should Use Stiff Flex?
As a rule of the thumb, golfers that have a very high swing speed (more than 105 mph) should go for an extra shift shaft. The same also applies to players that generate more power and lag. Another telltale sign that you should look out for when choosing a shaft of the distance that you hit the ball.
Who and When Should Use Regular Flex?
Regular flex is mostly recommended for beginners and players with a low swing speed.
Quick Comparison
According to CNN, one of the key aspects of improving your game is analyzing your swing, and this is highly influenced by the flex you go for. This will help you increase your potential shot distance and optimize your accuracy. If you go with a flex that is too stiff, your distance will reduce.
Final Thoughts
Between stiff flex vs. regular flex, which one should you go for? Well, the purchase decision should be based on your swing and experience levels. Beginners typically use regular flex as they’re easy to control, while experts tend to lean more towards stiff flex for accuracy. You should also consider the material of the shaft.
What are the different flexes on a golf club shaft?
Golf club shafts come in three other flexes: extra stiff (X), senior (A) and ladies (L).
What is the speed of a golf shaft?
Golfers who play regular shafts have club speeds between 80-95 mph.
What is stiff shaft?
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.
Why do golf clubs bend?
Because golf shafts bend during a swing based on how fast your club speed is, the faster your swing, the stiffer the flex you need. Since you need to make sure the club face is square with the ball at impact, finding the right flex is critical to consistently hitting the ball well.
Is it better to buy a softer shaft or a stiffer shaft?
When selecting golf club shafts, it is better to buy a softer flex than a stiffer one. Flex is related to ball trajectory, so if you choose a shaft that is too soft, you might have trouble getting air under the ball. If you slice, a softer shaft may help. If you hook, a stiffer shaft may help.
