Shaft Flex Explained - In Simple Terms

[@jts09]

Numbered flex shafts originated with Rifle iron shafts. They were "matched" by frequency rather than weight. Precision Shaft (the company that originally released the Rifle shafts) established frequency matching of shafts. The number refers to the frequency of oscillation of the shaft. A 5.5 shaft oscillates at 255 Hz (Hertz is oscillations per minute). A 6.5 shaft at 265 Hz. When steel Rifle shafts were released, 5.5 was regular, 6.5 was stiff and 7.5 was x-stiff. Those designations have changed over the years to the current standard of 5.0 (regular), 6.0 (stiff) and 7.0 (x-stiff). True Temper responded by weight sorting their shafts to "frequency match" them. They labelled their shafts by flex and "weight" - R300, S300, X300. They later offered other options (X100, etc.)

[@garygill1211]

Good stuff! One of the better explanation of shafts!

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Thank you!

[@yoursimplegolfswing]

I spent some time making custom clubs for people. One of the things you don't mention that is very important is that there is no industry standard for shaft flex ratings. One company's 5.0 regular shaft may have the same flex of a different company's 6.0 flex. That's kind of important to know. If a golfer is used to using True Temper 5.0 and switches brands, assuming that the new brand's 5.0 will have the same flex, they might be in for a surprise.

[@theperthgolfcentre]

That is very true and something that should be noted. Appreciate you commenting and letting everyone know this information! :)

[@michaellissow543]

@@theperthgolfcentre Is there a standard now for stiffness rating across all brands?

[@theperthgolfcentre]

@ we wish! Unfortunately not :(

[@rayc5674]

I swing at 100-105mph and have usually been fitted to stiff to sx type shafts but found my best and most consistent drives is from a higher 3.5-4.5 rather than lower torque

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Do you have a slower tempo?

[@dedicated2WHOiLove]

my game totally changed when i bought dynamic gold x-300 and tipped them very stiff. if you can exaggerate a waggle and feel your shaft flexing you need stiffer.

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Glad to hear you found a shaft that works for you!

[@rosskennedy]

I put a ventus stiff in my ping g25 over standard regular made club more a fairway finder and few yards longer, my swing speed is 90mph.

[@theperthgolfcentre]

That's awesome! I hope it's still going well.

[@rosskennedy]

@theperthgolfcentre still going well,not taken out bag,average 90% of fairways,giving me low 80ies and few high 70ies

[@vernhaynes1544]

Great explanation of shafts! First time watcher but will be back for more vlogs.

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for the suggestion for more Vlogs as well.

[@Stuart.Mckenzie]

Hi Michael, a 70 yr young guy here, driver swing speed around mid 80s. With the passage of time I feel graphite is the way to go however should I go to Regular rather than Stiff (which I have tried and like). I understand getting fitted is the best option but not sure when I’ll be back in Oz. Cheers

[@theperthgolfcentre]

You're as young as you feel Stuart, age is just a number. In relation to your swing speed with driver, you would be looking more at a regular flex shaft. You would just need to find one that suits your tempo, ball flight profile and also what you like the feel of as well. Hopefully will see you soon!

[@anthonycampo185]

Great video. I have a quicker tempo and my ball speed is around 157mph. I was put into a XS 6.5. Thoughts? Should I have gone with a stiff?

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Thanks for the comment. Do you know your swing speed numbers? Ball speed is important but also very relevant to strike and smash factor. What's your ball flight tendencies?

[@iREGULAT3]

What do the clear stickers below the grip indicate? For example VEO or VFW?

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Hey! I'm not sure what you mean sorry? Do you have a screenshot of what the stickers are?

[@rockybowers1146]

What is the blue code on the Hzdrus shaft, usually around 4. I see weight, flex and spin and know what those are.

[@Lilysac]

Nice video!😊helpful!

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Thank you!

[@stevencarrier5060]

What if I normally play a stiff flex, but want to order a new driver with a -1” from the factory. Should I get a regular flex then?

[@ABCarmand]

Hi Micheal, Thanks for the video. I am currently looking for some answers about golf club design. Let me explain. First of all when comparing club heads, I have heard that irons are more accurate than woods (fairway and driver). I have also heard that decreasing shaft length increases accuracy. So my question is, which has a bigger impact on accuracy? The club head or the shaft length? Which would be more accurate: a 1 iron head on a long shaft like for a driver, or a driver head on a shorter shaft like one for an iron? Thanks

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Hello and great question! Generally a golf club that is shorter with more loft will be more forgiving. With that being said, you can play around with this combination to find what works for you. In regard to your comparison between the 1 iron and driver, it would definitely be the Driver with a shorter shaft. While driver heads have less loft, the head size is much larger and manufacturers are then able to distribute weight further back and create a face that is much more forgiving. This is one main reason why 1 irons are extremely difficult to find as are 2 irons and even 3 irons in most game improvement sets. Hope that answers your question!

[@DrewJ79]

I just got a Fujikara Ventus Blue and it says it’s stiff but it’s a 5s so is that sort of between regular and stiff?

[@DrewJ79]

@@theperthgolfcentre Thank you for your response. I have the Callaway Rogue St max on it and its a great combo.

[@arunsharma-dx4yn]

What you haven't mentioned is that depending on the flex and swing speed, the heavier driver head will always be behind the club handle on the downswing i.e., the club shaft will not be straight on the downswing. Thus the face will be more likely to be open. Actually timing the swing so that the face is neither open nor closed on ball impact and with the club grip forward of the club head is key. It also relates to the length of the shaft as a cut down shaft will be less flexible than the original full length shaft. This suggests that a player's different length fairway woods may require different shaft flexibility compared to the driver [in part due to their different mass x distance {turing moment}].

[@scottbutler2761]

great advice

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Thank you Scott!

[@WeAreOne-31]

Nice video. Thanks.

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Thank you!

[@dudosmokokos]

Thanks for the video. I have a club head speed of about 83 to 86 mph. I’ve learned through the years that stiff shafts are better for me because of the tighter dispersion. Usually hit 205 to 210 yard drives. The other day I tried different shafts from graphite design including extra stiff which turned out to be the longest (221 to 226 yards) why is that? (It was also the tightest dispersion)

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Hello! Great to hear that you've found a shaft to work. Just a question, is that club speed driver?

[@latrader7546]

everyone talks about swing speed. What club are we measuring swing speed with? i swing my driver 105 but i dont swing my PW that fast so does each club need to have a specific shaft to that clubs swing speed?

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Great question! The swing speed we are measuring here on the video is for our Driver. There are swing speed measurements for a 7 iron which can then be utilised to determine what is best for your iron set. With wedges you can run with the same shaft that is in your iron set to keep it consistent, or have something slightly heavier as there are less full shots and it can provide some more feel around the greens.

[@brandon1025]

Would a 70gram or 75gram xstiff shaft be better for a fast tempo with average swing speed of 110

[@brandon1025]

@@theperthgolfcentre I have a big problem now with spin it's tremendously high with my driver and is affecting distance

[@theperthgolfcentre]

How has the spin been lately?

[@brandon1025]

@theperthgolfcentre it's kind of hit or miss lately when I play 18 I'll have a few that are spinny but for the most part its been better.

[@theperthgolfcentre]

@@brandon1025 that's good that they are better for the majority!

[@TwannGoDisc]

odd that u mention the oldest player in the masters & then the champion? lol great video. I found some jpx 923's with the graphite shafts but L flex. I have a slow speed and a bad wrist so they might be great for me. Is it ok for men to use womens clubs?

[@theperthgolfcentre]

It's definitely ok as the terminology is just of an industry standard. Everyone is different in how they swing, their club speed and tempo. I would just ensure that the length is correct and that your ball flight is good. If you are unsure, just check with a local Pro that has a ball flight monitor to see your numbers.

[@TwannGoDisc]

@@theperthgolfcentre thanks! I got some men’s cobras & the new cobra driver & putter! Absolutely loving my set & broke 90!!! Shot an 85 the other day.

[@theperthgolfcentre]

@@TwannGoDisc That's awesome to hear! Keep up the great work!

[@grownbabygolf1676]

Where would True Temper XP90's (ap1 716) fall? Light, med, heavy?

[@grownbabygolf1676]

@Perth Golf Online ty brother. Just bought them for my Son (13)...he doesn't know yet. Ty for your response

[@bobreidy8665]

KIS...well done.

[@johncearley8463]

Great video. I have been away from golf for the last 5 years and it sounds like everything has changed, I am use to the following terms like Flex Point, Torque and Club Swing Weight. Are all the graphite shafts the same now? I understand the Flex of the shaft is still the same and based on your swing speed but now when I go to a Golf Shop they are asking about Spin Rate and MOI. There would have to be many different shafts to properly fit a person and not just something off the rack Right? Keep up the good work! hoping you have a great 2023

[@johncearley8463]

@@theperthgolfcentre Thank You Sir!

[@kirkclements4893]

The more that your swing is powered by a pulling of the lead side, the less stiff you need the shaft. The more you power the swing by the trail side pushing the shaft with motorized wrists and hands then the stiffer the shaft should be. And that is all there is to it!!!

[@mickyd2673]

Where RU in Perth?

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Perth Golf Centre is located at The Western Australian Golf Club in Yokine.

[@JeffSG71]

Freddy Couples Mayor of Tempo town.

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Haha yes he is!

[@sageagbonkhese4091]

Stop using lady flex and senior flex to describe shafts.. Golfers continue to get into the wrong equipment because of this designation.

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Yes we understand where you're coming from with this comment. Having a more general term rather than ladies and senior would be better. Hopefully in the future all manufacturers will come to the table and get some simpler and more accurate terms.

[@rikclarke4881]

There's actually very minimal difference in shafts flexes.

[@vreeke777]

Shaftflex is not a fairytale yust get fitted

[@theperthgolfcentre]

True, just gets confusing for people and it's good for them to walk into a fitting have some knowledge behind them :)

[@fredgarvin4252]

Dg & PX are head & shoulders above the rest!! Everything else is garbage!!!

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Haha yes they are good shafts for sure.

[@robertbacon7731]

1st and last view, just so boring in presentation......

[@theperthgolfcentre]

Sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy the video. I will always take on feedback and try my best to work on improving my presentation. Hope your golf is going well!