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Does a lighter shaft increase distance?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 18, 2026

Using a lighter shaft allows more weight to be placed in the clubhead through adjustable weights, hotmelt, etc. without increasing the total weight of the club. This “redistribution” of shaft weight into the clubhead can be one of the last tweaks in a fitting that unlocks more distance off the tee.

Do heavier shafts 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.

What happens if a shaft is too light?

A shaft that's too heavy will cause a “labored golf swing.” A shaft that's too light will hurt your ability to make solid contact. When you find the right shaft weight, you'll experience a “high energy swing” with uniform contact.

Does shaft weight affect distance?

Heavy shafts tend to produce more distance, accuracy, and lower ball trajectory for a golfer with faster swing speeds.

What shaft is better for distance?

If you use a 6- or 7-iron to hit that 150 yard shot then a regular shaft will be the best for your game. By using a shaft-flex that is right for you, the club will work better and you will gain distance with much less effort.

37 related questions found

What happens if shaft is not stiff enough?

When the golf ball is struck it will generally have too much spin if the shaft is too flexible, this will cause a 'ballooning' effect on the shot and it will tend to go quite high. You might have an inconsistent shot shape if the shaft is too flexible.

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

To check your swing speed a shot tracking device will be the most accurate method. Based on your swing speeds here are our recommendations: 80-95 mph swing speeds should use regular shafts. 90-105 mph swing speeds should use stiff shafts.

Does a lighter shaft increase swing weight?

When a shaft is lighter, it reduces what's known as the total weight of a golf club, which is the weight of all components: the head, the shaft, the grip, and the things that hold them together such as the tip, tape, and epoxy. When the total weight of a club is reduced, it allows some golfers to swing faster.

Are lighter iron shafts better?

To optimize the swing speed, golfers with slower swing speeds and slow tempo should use lighter golf shafts. The contrary is correct for heavier shafts, which are better for faster swing speeds. Utilizing heavier shafts may improve accuracy, whilst lighter shafts can enhance total distance.

Can a driver shaft increase distance?

In general, lower handicap players with smooth swings can play lighter shafts which in turn MAY generate more ball speed and therefore more distance. Golfers with faster tempos, faster transition from the top and higher club head speed may in fact generate more distance with a firmer and heavier shaft.

Does a lighter golf shaft increase swing speed?

A lighter driver shaft rarely leads to a faster swing. “Only 12 percent of golfers swing their fastest with the lightest club,” Mucklow says.

How many grams should my shaft be?

The shafts in most drivers typically weigh between 40 grams and 85 grams. Shaft manufacturers will offer stiff and regular flex in nearly all weight classes while most light and ladies flex clubs will weigh no more than 55 or 60 grams, but could be as light as 40 grams.

What happens if my iron shafts are too flexible?

A golfer using a shaft that is too flexible may experience a ball flight that is too high, a ball that spins too much, or a shot pattern that has inconsistent dispersion.

What weight shaft does Bryson DeChambeau use?

According to Schomin, along with the 190-gram head, Bryson is using a 48-inch version of the LA Golf Axis Blue 60 X shaft he plays on the PGA TOUR.

Does 10 grams make a difference in golf shaft?

While most focus more on shaft flex, shaft weight is equally important. 10 grams may not sound like a big deal, but during the golf swing, it can make a big difference. This weight can make a big difference to feel, clubhead speed and dispersion (the accuracy of your drives).

What weight shaft should I use in my irons?

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.

Are heavier or lighter golf clubs better?

Lighter clubs, whether via a lighter clubhead, shaft, grip, or any combination thereof, are in fact easier to swing faster. But not without a few consequences. The first is with regards to spin. Usually, lighter clubs produce higher spin rates.

How do shafts affect ball flight?

Generally, the more flexible a shaft, the higher the 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).

Are heavier iron shafts better?

Using a shaft that is optimized will lead to a consistently good ball and clubhead contact. That will result in improved accuracy and longer distance. The use of heavier iron shafts is said to contribute to greater accuracy, while lighter shafts are known to increase total distance.

Does lighter shaft decrease swing weight?

Adjust the swingweight of a club by installing a heavier or lighter shaft. The swingweight increases by one swingweight point for every 9g of shaft weight added. The swingweight decreases by one swingweight point for every 9g of shaft weight removed.

What swing weight do pros use?

The swing weight of irons probably varies between D2 and D5 for 95% of Tour players. Most will be somewhere in this range. Players with high club head speed like Rory McIlroy or Dustin Johnson tend to be around D5-D6. Players with more average tour club head speed are around D3-D4.

How can I tell my swing speed?

Divide the average yardage by 2.3. This number represents your average club head speed in miles per hour, according to the book "Science and Golf III." If 195 is your average drive distance yardage, 84.7 mph is your approximate swing speed.

Does Tiger Woods use a regular or stiff shaft?

For example, Tiger Woods who consistently hits shots longer than 300 yards has a Regular shaft in his driver.

Do pros use stiff shafts?

Most PGA Tour pros will use stiff or extra stiff in their shafts. It is rare to find someone swinging a regular shaft with the amount of swing speed those guys have.

What shaft is best for a slice?

Unlike the pros, you should look for shafts with weaker tip sections that allow for more release of the club head as it comes into impact. A more active tip section will generally allow for a faster rate of closure, which is beneficial to golfers suffering from a slice.