Golf Club Shaft Flex Guide

In today's guide nosotros will review everything you lot need to know about golf shafts. Picking out the proper golf shaft is very of import as it will affect several components of your golf game swing. For example, picking the wrong golf shaft flex tin can cause yous to hook or slice the golf ball. Information technology also can hinder the total distance the ball flies by having too much spin or too low of launch. Just don't worry, at the end of reading today's guide you'll be much more than educated on the ownership process and how to option out the right golf shaft. Lets Get Started!

What Are the Components of a Golf Shaft to Know Near?

  • Type of Golf Shaft Material
  • Weight of Golf game Shaft
  • Torque
  • Kickpoint

Types of Golf Shafts

Steel Shafts

Steel – A steel golf shaft is usually stronger and more durable (less likely to snap) than a graphite shaft. Information technology's also less expensive and sometimes stainless steel is used in the creation of the steel shaft. At that place is also two variations, stepped steel and rifle steel. Stepped is the utilise of steps down the shaft or ridges you see while rifle is smoothen all the way.

Graphite Shafts

Graphite – this type of shaft is usually lighter weight compared to a steel shaft only it'south less durable and more than expensive to make. Graphite is one of the almost mutual shaft types used in golf game clubs and can arguably be considered the main shaft material used, beating out steel. Graphite shafts weight between 50-85 grams.

Multi-material Shafts

Multi-cloth – this shaft uses both steel and graphite to create a multi-material that offers the all-time of both worlds. Usually the shaft is steel with graphite at the tip to help limit whip. A multi-textile shaft can be plant in both irons and drivers.

Titanium Shafts

Titanium Shafts – this is a newer material type existence used to build golf game shafts with. It'due south much lighter in weight every bit compared to steel merely still offers that same potent support you get from steel compared to graphite.

Golf Shaft Weight

When ownership a golf game shaft, you'll see many different numbers in the proper name of the shaft. For example:

  • ldila NV 2KXV Bluish 60 Driver Shaft + Adapter & Grip
  • Matrix OZIK X5 White Necktie 50 Driver Shaft + Adapter & Grip
  • Accra New Tour Z 55 Counter Counterbalanced CB Driver Shaft + Adapter & Grip

These numbers are the weight of the shaft in grams. Shaft weights typically range between 50 grams and 85 grams with the l-60 numbers being pretty common equally seen in the example shafts above.

Shaft Weight is important because information technology tin help y'all generate club caput speed and increase the distance you hitting the golf game ball. Lighter weight shafts tend to be swung faster (since they are lighter), increasing gild speed. However, nosotros don't recommend looking automatically at the lightest shaft and disregarding heavier shafts. It'southward important to find the right weight that fits your swing so you lot can maintain command while also increasing society speed.

Golf Shaft Torque

Torque is the twisting motion the club head has at impact with the golf game ball. The torque of the shaft is the what can help control twisting of the shaft during the swing. College rated torque numbers ways the shaft twists more but information technology also has softer feel. An example is a 5 degree torque vs a 3 degree torque. The 5 caste torque will feel softer compared to the three caste torque which will feel much stiffer.

Golf Shaft Kick point

Shaft kick point is where the shaft bends and affects the trajectory / ball flight. A simple dominion of thumb to retrieve when ownership a shaft is a high kick point rating means depression brawl trajectory. Low kick point means higher brawl flying trajectory. It also may experience like the gild is "whipping" during the swing while a high kick bespeak will feel more solid and stiff.

Should I Buy Steel, Graphite, or Which Type of Shaft Material?

Now that we've discussed a little nearly each blazon of shaft (steel, graphite, titanium, multi-textile) you lot're probably wondering which shaft type is best for you.

For most golfers, a graphite shaft works cracking. Nearly iron sets are made with graphite shafts equally well so y'all get that material type by default usually unless y'all specifically seek out steel shafted irons.

With steel shafts, you may detect that golf game shots are easier to control. Steel shafts identify a greater focus on accuracy as opposed to distance. Since they don't get as much distance as graphite shafts, steel shafts require faster swing speed to make upwardly for the loss of altitude compared to graphite.

Nosotros'd recommend a steel shaft for golfers who have normal swing speed (xc to 110 mph) but desire some actress control on their shots. This is also our recommended shaft material for drivers so you can hitting more fairways and get better looks at hitting the dark-green (from fairway instead of rough) during your golf round.

Graphite shafts are recommended if you want to add distance to your golf swing and are okay giving up some accurateness. 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 likewise much lighter weight (fifty-85 grams) while steel shafts can start at 120 grams in most cases. This lighter weight feel, helps beginners, seniors, and women generate faster club speed to help aid in overall altitude.

If toll is a concern, beware that a fix of graphite shaft irons may cost more than their analogue steel shafted irons. Overall, consider these factors when choosing which textile yous should cull for your golf game shafts.

Oft Asked Questions About Golf Shaft Flex

What swing speed requires a stiff shaft?

According to TaylorMade, they created a chart highlighting the distances and speeds of a golf swing and which golf shaft flex they'd likely require. Here's the link to see the chart.

For the strong shaft, they recommend golfers who generate a swing speed between 95 and 110 mph. In terms of distance, this would be golfers who hit the golf ball approximately 240 yards to 275 yards.

Is a Stiff flex good for beginners?

There isn't a rule that says beginners should not use a strong golf shaft. Even so, almost beginners have slower swing speeds when they are first learning golf and this unremarkably qualifies them for a regular shaft instead of a potent shaft.

But if a beginner role player already has a decent swing move and generates clubhead speed between the range of 95 to 110 mph or more, so a stiff shaft or extra stiff shaft could be justified to be used by a beginner golfer.

What flex should I use golf?

In social club to choice out the proper golf shaft flex, you should go fitted by a guild professional. They can connect you to a golf launch monitor, which can item important data near your golf game swing tendencies and assistance the order fitter pick out the proper golf game shaft flex for your swing.

Still, if you programme to choice your own flex out, it'southward recommended yous test different flexes. Ask the golf club shop for a driver with a regular, stiff, and extra stiff shaft. Practise hitting several balls with each and see which one produces the desire ball flying, speed speed, and feel that yous desire.

Do golf game shafts make a difference?

Golf shafts do play an of import role in the performance of your golf game swing and the success of the brawl flying far and straight. 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 society. This tin aid generate launch on the golf ball to hit it high, straight, and far.

According to GolfScienceLab hither are the major things shaft flex can impact:

  • Acme of golf game shot
  • Curvature
  • Speed of the club head
  • Direction the clubhead is traveling (swing path)
  • Club face up relation to club path

As y'all can run across information technology impacts all the of import components thus why it'south of import to select the proper golf shaft for your swing.

What swing speed needs a senior flex shaft?

The same TaylorMade golf swing chart referenced in a higher place, recommends a senior flex shaft for a golfer with a swing speed between 75 mph and 85 mph. You don't demand to be a senior in age to apply a senior shaft flex. It'due south again based effectually golf swing speed and then if you're a beginner, a female, a teenager, etc. you can use a senior shaft flex if your swing speed fits in that recommended range.

Do stiff shafts go farther?

According to Golf Scientific discipline Lab, the shaft flex does not have systematic event on clubhead speed. This means that picking out a more than potent shaft flex volition not make you swing the golf game lodge faster, and thus yous won't automatically hit the brawl farther either.

If yous want to hit the golf ball farther, you should work on the mechanics of your golf swing and learn how to generate more power in your legs, core, and arms to swing the club caput faster through the touch zone. This will be the fastest way to increase distance with your golf clubs.

Do I need a stiff shaft or regular?

Determining which golf shaft flex your demand (potent, regular, senior, etc.) requires club fitting and testing. Start by using a launch monitor to clarify your golf swing speed. If your swing ranges between 85 mph and 95 mph then you lot should start with a regular flex. If your swing speed is faster than 95 mph, then you lot should try a potent shaft.

But nosotros recommend practicing with both flexes at a social club plumbing fixtures shop so you can feel how each swings and test how each launches the golf ball to ensure yous are getting the optimal brawl flight, launch angle, back spin, etc. This is something in which a club fitter tin aid you determine since they are the expert with the data.

Does golf shaft flex matter?

Yes, playing with the wrong shaft flex tin can cause your ball flying to come off the confront low and brand the curve and management of the shot harder to control. This as well leads to less distance than what you could be achieving if you played with the right golf game shaft.

What is the best shaft for a slow swing speed?

If you have a slow swing speed, you should apply a golf shaft labeled women's, senior, junior, or regular. It really depends on how slow your golf swing speed is. If it is under 75 mph and then yous should utilise a ladies flex. Senior flex is best for 75 mph to 85 mph.

What is the best shaft for a fast swing speed?

If you believe you take a high golf swing speed that could compete with that of the PGA Bout players and the long drive golfers, then you lot probable fall under the actress stiff golf shaft flex category. Yet, about golfers with fast swing speed will fall under the stiff flex (normal) instead of extra stiff. Try out both and see which feels best and performs all-time for you.

What happens if your golf shaft is too stiff?

When the golf shaft is too stiff, it doesn't unload properly at impact. This tin pb to the confront staying open up and event in a slice golf shot. Beware, a slice isn't always an indication the shaft is too stiff then if y'all already have a slice, information technology could be caused by another error in your golf game swing. However, too stiff of a shaft flex can crusade the slice to get fifty-fifty worse and more severe.

What are the best golf shafts?

Here are 11 of the best golf game shafts to purchase in 2019. These are shafts for the golf driver order, but in that location should be similar models you can also discover for fairway forest and hybrid clubs.

  • Aldila NV 2KXV Blue sixty Driver Shaft + Adapter & Grip
  • Matrix OZIK X5 White Necktie fifty Driver Shaft + Adapter & Grip
  • Accra New Tour Z 55 Counter Counterbalanced CB Commuter Shaft + Adapter & Grip
  • Aldila Rogue Blackness 60 Graphite Wood Shaft
  • Fujikura Vista Pro 55 R-Flex Shaft + Ping 1000 / G30 Commuter Tip + Grip
  • Project X PXV R-Flex Shaft – TaylorMade SLDR, R15, M1 Tip
  • Fujikura Vista Pro 60 – TaylorMade M1, M2, R15 Tip
  • Aldila VS Proto 60 Stiff Shaft – SLDR, R15, M1 Tip
  • Aldila Rogue Silverish lx Graphite Woods Shaft
  • Project Ten PXV R-Flex Driver Shaft, Ping G30 Driver Tip
  • Accuflex PRO LD l″