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Does shaft flex matter?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 20, 2026

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.

What happens if shaft is too flexible?

Having a shaft that is too flexible can also cause the ball to hook uncontrollably, because the shaft bends incorrectly, it will come through with a closed clubface causing the ball to go left, this is because the shaft can't handle your swing speed, and the head is rotating too much.

Do any PGA players use regular flex shafts?

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.

Does steel shaft flex matter?

1) Shaft flex is a very important variable in fitting. Our testers saw variations of as much as 22 yards of distance from one flex to another. Getting the right flex is key to an optimal fit.

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.

39 related questions found

Are Aldila shafts good?

Much smoother and easier to load. It was a stiff flex like I normally play, but just felt really good. On the tee box I found this shaft hit higher than the stock shaft, but spin was still about the same. While I didn't have an accuracy problem with the stock shaft, the Blue was just a little tighter yet.

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.

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.

Will a stiffer shaft help my slice?

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.

What shaft does DeChambeau use?

DeChambeau's driver is Cobra's King Speedzone with an L.A. Golf prototype shaft made just for DeChambeau. The loft is 5.5 degrees—similar to what most long-drive competitors use.

When should I switch to regular flex shafts?

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.

What shaft does Rory McIlroy use?

The irons in his bag remain unaltered for 2022 with McIlroy gaming the the TaylorMade P770 3-iron and P730 Rors Proto irons from 4 to PW with Project X 7.0 shafts. McIlroy is also sticking by his TaylorMade MG3 wedges in 54 and 58 degrees, in Project X 6.5 shafts.

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."

How can I measure my swing speed at home?

Using a launch monitor at a practice range or golf shop is the most accurate way to have your swing speed measured. There only truly accurate way to find out your swing speed is to measure it on a launch monitor as you hit balls out onto a range.

What is the average swing speed for amatuer golfers?

SPEED KEYS DISTANCE (BALL SPEED, THAT IS)

The average male amateur's swing speed is 93.4 miles per hour, according to research by TrackMan, for an average distance of 214 yards. Using TrackMan's "optimal" distance, the average golfer's potential is 255 yards at that same swing speed.

Is Stiff flex or regular flex better?

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 do you tell the difference between regular and stiff flex?

What are the basic differences between a regular and stiff flex iron shaft? The main difference is that a stiff shaft is harder to bend than a regular shaft. This is usually created by adding more material to make the shaft up which can often also make them slightly heavier.

Are stiff shafts more accurate?

Fast Swings Require Stiffer Shafts

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.

Are expensive golf shafts worth it?

Because of the material and production differences, there's usually a price tag difference as well. While they may look identical on the outside, the aftermarket version of a shaft is housing better performance and for most golfers, that's worth a slight increase in cost.

Will a stiffer shaft increase distance?

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

What shaft is best for irons?

5 Best Iron Shafts

  1. True Temper Elevate Shafts. First up is the True Temper Elevate Tour iron shafts. ...
  2. KBS C Taper Lite. The KBS C Taper Lite is a great shaft for mid-handicap players who want a steel shaft with a lightweight design. ...
  3. Project X 10. ...
  4. Nippon N.S. Pro Zelos. ...
  5. Project X Cypher.

What percentage of golfers can break 80?

Only about 2 percent of all golfers ever break 80, which generally is considered the Holy Grail of scoring. To legitimately break 80 — no improved lies; no 3-foot gimmes; no free drop from out of bounds — is to breathe the rarefied air of good, if not great golf.