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Will I lose distance with a stiff shaft?

If the shaft flex is too stiff, your average distance will remain low.

Can you hit the ball farther with a stiff shaft?

At a higher kick point, the ball is most likely to go far but could lose trajectory whereas, at a lower kick point, the ball will launch higher, potentially losing some distance. Stiff shafts are more efficient if you give them enough power.

Do stiff golf 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.

What happens if golf shaft is too stiff?

If your golf shaft is too stiff and your swing speed is too slow, your well-struck shot will be limited on both carry distance and shot trajectory; a too-stiff golf shaft will most often lead to weak fades or slices.

Will stiffer shaft lower ball flight?

The lower the bend point in the shaft, the higher the ball flight (minor affect). Generally, the stiffer the shaft, the lower the ball flight. The higher the bend point, the lower the ball flight (minor affect).

22 related questions found

Do any pros play stiff shafts?

There's a popular line of thought that golf professionals use stiff shafts in their game. This is mostly true, but it comes down to swing speed. Golf pros tend to have slightly higher swing speeds than average or even advanced players, and therefore, their shafts have a propensity to be a bit more stiff.

Can a flexible shaft cause a slice?

When the clubhead gets to the ball, the shaft won't unload properly and the face will remain slightly open, causing a slice. Other swing problems also can cause a slice, of course, but shafts that are too stiff can make the problem worse.

What happens if your iron shafts are too soft?

It also will be hard to square the clubhead at impact, meaning you will have a tendency to hit your shots to the right. "Play the most flexible shaft you can control," said Scott Hennessey, president of True Temper shafts. "If it's too soft, you'll spray the ball all over the place."

When should I switch from stiff to regular?

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. If you're between 84 and 96 mph, regular is going to be best for you.

How do I know if I need stiff or regular flex?

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.

Can a golf shaft increase distance?

A heavier shaft will only increase distance for the golfers that have high swing speeds. For golfers with slow swing speeds, a heavier shaft will decrease the distance. Hitting a golf ball far is all about ball speed.

Is Stiff flex good for beginners?

Beginners may acquire clubs from friends or family and not consider the flex of their shafts. Shaft options include senior, ladies, regular, firm, stiff, x-stiff. Length – shafts can be cut different lengths – for most beginners, standard length is fine, unless you are an abnormal height.

What is better stiff or regular shaft?

The regular flex golf shaft is more flexible and easier for slower swing speed golfers to swing than the stiff flex golf shaft. A stiff flex golf shaft creates more resistance in the swing of a golfer. Therefore when they attempt to hit the ball with a bit more speed, they can get the incredible distance.

How fast should you swing 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 swing speed is needed for stiff shafts?

In general, golfers with driver swing speeds over 95 mph should play stiff flex shafts, and those under 95 mph should play regular flex. Shafts also come in extra stiff (105+ mph) and senior flex (under 85 mph).

Will a stiff shaft help accuracy?

When we look at the individuals, we see that accuracy is a matter of fit. Some players were most accurate with regular flex, others with stiff, and some with x-stiff. This myth is a personal “favorite” of mine, having heard it from countless golfers when I worked retail. I am happy to say that it's busted.

How do I know if my golf shaft is too flexible?

Recap: The Effects Of A Golf Shaft That Is Too Flexible

  1. Golf ball flying too high.
  2. Difficulty feeling like you can control where the golf ball goes.
  3. No consistency in shots.
  4. Continually missing shots to the left or hitting hooks.
  5. Feeling like you aren't getting the full distance potential out of your shots.

Are stiffer golf shafts more accurate?

A stiffer-shafted iron, matched to your swing speed, should let you hit more balls on the sweet spot. You'll also hit the ball more accurately, which is particularly important when you hit approach shots with your irons.

How do I know what shaft weight is right for me?

In general, golfers with slower swing speed and tempo can and should play a lighter shaft. Golfers with very fast speeds and tempo should play heavier shafts. Driver shafts typically weigh 55-60 grams for men and 45-50 grams for ladies. Iron shafts can be as light as 55 grams in graphite, and 130 grams in steel.

Does shaft flex really matter?

Shaft flex letters are 'essentially irrelevant,' according to an expert club fitter. The stiffness of a R shaft will differ by company. Most golfers in the world know that shaft flex makes a difference to performance and feel in golf.

How can I tell my swing speed?

Divide the ball speed by 1.5 to get the estimated swing speed for your drive. Alternatively, you can divide the carry distance by 2.3 to estimate the swing speed at impact, but the result will not be as accurate.

What type of shaft does Tiger Woods use?

Tiger has a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 60 TX shaft fitted to his driver.

What flex shaft do PGA players use?

True Temper golf shafts are the most used among the top 100 players on the PGA Tour making up close to 50% of the shafts played with.

Can a stiff shaft cause a hook?

As I say, depends entirely on the plane of your swing, if you're coming massively over the top and it's too whippy then you can easily snap hook one left. If you're swinging in to out for a draw, but not quick enough for the shaft, there's a chance it's gonna stay out right and not come back ...

Are all steel shafts stiff?

Steel shafts, which are heavier than graphite, are stiff and less forgiving than graphite. According to Golf.com, graphite shafts are lighter and can help increase swing speed. Selecting the right flex for your shaft is key to good ball striking.