Do I need to swing faster with a stiff shaft?

Publish date: 2023-05-30

Swing Speed

The number one fact when you're going to select a shaft for you is how fast you hit the ball. In general, golfers with a fast swing should use a stiff shaft and slowed swings should use a regular flex shaft. To check your swing speed a shot tracking device will be the most accurate method.

How fast should you swing be to use a stiff shaft?

The general guideline used is if you have a fast swing speed (about 100 +mph) then you will need a stiff or even X-stiff shaft.

Can a slower swing speed Use a stiff shaft?

Let's get into it. Stiffer shafts are not ideal for learners or for golfers with slower swing speeds. Stiff shafts are not forgiving and can frustrate recreational players and even experienced players with slower swing speeds. The stiffer the shaft, the more it requires you to do the work.

What happens if you swing slow with a stiff shaft?

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 I lose distance with a stiff shaft?

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

32 related questions found

What flex shaft does Tiger Woods use?

He currently uses a 60-gram Diamana D+ driver shaft in his TaylorMade M5 driver.

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 happens if a golf shaft is too flexible?

When a golf shaft is too flexible, you will not be able to hit the ball straight. You will also end up losing a bit of distance. When a golf shaft is too flexible, it isn't easy to control the clubface and get it to square up at impact.

Do I need a stiff or extra stiff shaft?

What is this? If your driver swings are clocking in at more than 105 miles per hour, you are going to need an extra stiff shaft. If, however, you are closer to 95 mph, the stiff should be the right fit.

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 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.

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.

Can stiff shaft cause slice?

If your club shafts are too stiff, you'll have trouble loading them properly during your downswing. When the clubhead gets to the ball, the shaft won't unload properly and the face will remain slightly open, causing a slice.

Is regular or stiff 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.

Are stiff shafts harder to hit?

Stiff golf shafts are harder to bend and flex. Also, they're heavier in weight which maintains their stiffness. As a rule of thumb, these properties are going to benefit golfers with faster swing speeds and longer distances. If you think of your shaft as a lever than the stronger the lever, the more reliable the shot.

Can a flexible shaft cause a slice?

If you are struggling with a slice you might be playing with a shaft that is too stiff for you. Try a more flexible shaft, when a shaft is too stiff the clubface struggles to turn back to square, which will present the clubface open at impact, causing the ball to slice.

What happens if my shaft is too soft?

The first indication that your driver shaft is too soft is likely going to be a wild shot pattern from the tee. It's perfectly normal, and inevitable, to hit a poor drive from time to time. But if your shots are varying wildly from one swing to the next, there is a good chance that your driver shaft is too flexible.

What happens if my iron shafts are too light?

Too light of a shaft encourages an early unhinging of the wrists in the downswing, a swing flaw shown here with an iron known as casting that robs you of speed. Mucklow's data also shows that a heavier shaft improves your swing path.

What kind of shaft should a beginner golfer use?

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

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.

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 driver does Bryson DeChambeau use?

Bryson DeChambeau discusses his new 5-degree Cobra King LTDx 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.

Will a softer shaft help my slice?

Play a shaft with a softer tip

To reduce a slice, you'll want to do the opposite. 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.

Are my iron shafts too stiff?

If the shaft is too stiff and your swing is around 90 mph the club head will not be square on at impact resulting in loss of loft and control. The feel is another indicator, if the club feels dead like a steel rod chances are the shaft is too stiff. You want to feel the weight of the club head loading the shaft.

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