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Glam Monitor

Should beginners use stiff or regular shaft?

Author

Daniel Foster

Updated on July 25, 2026

If you are reasonably fit young man then stiff should be fine. Yeah with a super duper full fitting you can find a shaft and weight that will eek out 5 more yards and be arguably more accurate but in reality you can learn to swing and play to a decent level with any set of clubs.

What flex shaft should a beginner 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.

Should I have stiff or regular iron shafts?

If you have a slower swing speed, you are probably going to want to choose regular shafted clubs because the additional flex will provide a little more power and accuracy. When you swing harder, the stiff flex will be more controlled and give you the punch you need to hit better shots.

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.

Do any pros 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.

20 related questions found

When should I switch from stiff shaft to regular shaft?

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.

Is graphite or steel shaft better for beginners?

For beginner and high handicap golfers, you are going to most likely want graphite shafts. For scratch and low handicap golfers, a steel shaft might be better if you have the ability and desire to work the ball for your approach shots.

How do you choose between stiff and regular flex?

Typically speaking, if your Driver swing speed is above 100 mph, you should use a stiff flex drivers. For those with swing speeds in the upper 80s and 90s, the regular shaft flex options makes more sense. Remember that the shaft flex you choose may be different in your irons than in your driver.

What is the difference between a stiff shaft and a regular shaft?

What's the difference between regular and stiff shafts? A stiff shaft is firmer and harder to bend than a regular shaft, and so more often than not, they're also heavier in weight. As a rough rule of thumb, the more speed you generate, the stiffer your shafts should be.

Do any pros use graphite shafts?

The results are a consistent performance and the added benefits of graphite. Since most professional golfers use graphite shafts in their woods, there is clearly a swing speed and distance advantage. In fact, some would argue that the launch of graphite shafted clubs has revolutionized golf.

What happens if 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.

Whats the difference between stiff flex and regular flex?

The basics

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. The more force you create in your golf swing (higher swing speed) the stiffer you will want your shaft.

Do all 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.

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.

Can a regular flex shaft cause a slice?

When the clubhead gets to the ball, the shaft won't unload properly and the face will remain slightly open, causing a slice. Other swing problems also can cause a slice, of course, but shafts that are too stiff can make the problem worse.

Will I lose distance with a regular shaft?

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.

Is Bryson DeChambeau's driver the same length as his irons?

That's right. DeChambeau plays all of his irons -- all of which have unique names -- with the same 37.5-inch shaft and has been doing it since 2011, when he made the switch -- from 3-iron to 60-degree wedge -- with coach Mike Schy.

What shaft does Dustin Johnson use?

TaylorMade P730 DJ Proto

The rest of his irons, from 3-iron to pitching wedge, are P730 DJ Proto irons. These are fitted with True Temper X100 shafts - a shaft he has used in his irons ever since his junior days.

What kind of shafts 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.

What type of shaft does Tiger Woods use?

Tiger has a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 60 TX shaft fitted to his driver.

What driver shaft does Rory McIlroy use?

We believe he has it with 8.25 degrees of loft and it is fitted with Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X shaft.

What shaft does Justin Thomas use?

Thomas switched to the Titleist TSi3 driver shortly after it was released in 2020 and used the same Mitsubishi Diamana ZF shaft for nearly three years. The TSi3 drivers come with a five-setting movable weight in the back of the head to help players and fitters create a draw or fade bias.

What driver does Bryson DeChambeau use?

Bryson was using a Cobra King Radspeed driver which had only 7.5 degrees of loft but in 2022 he has switched to a Cobra LTDx which only has five degrees of loft.