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Glam Monitor

What is better stiff or regular flex?

Author

Rachel Davis

Updated on May 22, 2026

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.

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?

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.

Should a high handicapper use a stiff shaft?

Designated as "S" on the flex chart, stiff shafts are recommended for golfers who regularly drive the ball 240 to 260 yards and have a swing speed 84 to 93 mph. Stiff shafts are appropriate for men with single-digit handicaps as well as some with handicaps 10 to 15 who have high clubhead speed.

Is stiff shaft better than regular?

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.

35 related questions found

Will I lose distance with a stiff shaft?

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

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.

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 beginners use stiff shafts?

With the proper fit, the new golfer can learn without making compensations for clubs that are too stiff or too flexible. In general, the faster a golfer's swing speed the stiffer a golf shaft should be in order to provide more control over the ball's flight.

Is Firm flex the same as stiff flex?

Since you need to make sure the club face is square with the ball at impact, finding the right flex is critical to consistently hitting the ball well. Regular and firm flexes -- also known as stiff flexes -- are the most popular among men.

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.

Are steel or graphite shafts better?

Typically, steel shafts are much heavier, more durable and are generally less expensive than their graphite counterparts. They are more often than not made from stainless steel and they tend to weigh in between around 90g-120g. Torque or lateral twisting found in all graphite shafts is lower in steel irons.

Which shaft is best for me?

If your drives carry less than 200 yards, you should probably have Ladies shafts, and if your ball carries between 200 and 225 yards, you should buy clubs with Senior shafts. Generally, if there is a doubt about which shafts you should have, choose the softer shafts.

Will a regular shaft increase distance?

The accuracy of a shaft is determined by different factors including its type, material, and swing speed. If your swing speed is good, consider a stiff shaft to land your ball more accurately on the targeted area. The regular shaft may help in increased distance, but would you want to hit your ball inaccurately?

Will regular flex give me more 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.

What flex shaft does Tiger use?

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

What shaft weight should I use?

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.

What swing speed is needed for stiff shafts?

In general, golfers with driver swing speeds over 95 mph should play stiff flex shafts, and those under 95 mph should play regular flex. Shafts also come in extra stiff (105+ mph) and senior flex (under 85 mph).

What gram driver shaft do pros?

The faster the club is moving, the farther the ball goes. It is why the most popular weight for driver shaft-weights on the PGA Tour is still in the mid-60-gram range, with some players having tried shafts less than 50 grams.

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.

Should beginners use graphite or steel shafts?

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.

What shaft is best for irons?

Here are the best iron shafts in our opinion:

  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 happens if a shaft is too stiff?

If your driver's shaft is too stiff, the clubhead may not square with the ball at the point of impact, causing slices and fades. If you can't feel the weight of the clubhead loading through the shaft, it's probably too stiff, and can cause errors and issues associated with accuracy such as these.

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.

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.