The Shaft Flex

The purpose of selecting the right flex is to maximise energy transfer. The golf shaft operates like a spring. During the transition to the top of the swing, the golf shaft bends or becomes loaded. Energy that is stored would be released during the downswing.

The answer to fitting shaft flex, if there is one, can probably be found in what is now best described as "Flex feel". Flex feel, also known as flex playability, describes the level comfort the golfer experiences with his or her clubs.

The theory of matching swing speed to shaft flex follows the long accepted premise that the faster the swing speed, the more stress is placed on the shaft during the swing, and thereby the stiffer the flex should be in order for the golfer to maximise his or her potential for distance.

What Shaft Flex is best for me?
Shaft manufacturers today have facilitated shaft selection by testing (oscillation frequency method) and rating the shaft according to the golfer's swing speed.

For example, an iron shaft rated for recommended swing speed of 65 - 75 m.p.h. will enable the golfer to have an optimum carry distance of between 145 - 155 meters.

If the golfer's swing speed is 10 to 15 m.p.h. or more, below the shaft's swing speed rating, say 55 m.p.h., then terms such as 'dead', 'unresponsive' or 'boardy' might best describe the feeling of impact, because the shaft is too stiff.

Conversely, if the golfer's swing speed is at least 10 to 15 m.p.h. above the shaft's swing speed rating, say 85 m.p.h., he will probably feel 'limber' or 'whippy', because the shaft is too soft.

Effects on Golf Shotmaking Performance Factors

What happens if the shaft flex is too stiff for the golfer?

• Will cause a slight to moderate loss in distance.

• Will cause a decrease in clubhead feel.

• Will cause a decrease in the feeling of solid impact with the ball.

• Could cause a shot that is slightly straighter, but could also cause the golfer to push the ball.

What happen if a shaft is too flexible (soft) for a golfer?

• Could cause the golfer to hit the ball slightly less to the slice side of the fairway.

• Could cause the ball to fly on a slightly higher trajectory.

• Could cause the golfer to increase carry distance, possibly with a very slight decrease in accuracy.

• Will cause an increase in the ability to feel the clubhead during the swing and through impact.

• Will cause an increase in the sensation of a solid feeling of impact.

FAST FACT

A little flexible is better than too stiff because it is far better to increase clubhead feel and gain the feeling of a solid impact than it is to lose this feeling during the swing. The loss of distance and feel that comes from a shaft being too stiff is far more damaging to the golfer than is the possible slight increase in trajectory and the slight loss of accuracy that could come with a shaft that is too (or a little) flexible.