The golf shaft is the part of the club that connects the club head to the grip. Golf shafts are characterized by several key properties which work together to improve the accuracy, trajectory and distance of your shots. Two of these features, flex and frequency, are particularly important, and choosing a club with the right amount of each can have a significant impact on the quality of your game.
Definition
Golf.com defines golf shaft flex as the amount of bend or stiffness present in any particular golf club. Frequency is another way of measuring stiffness and refers to speed at which the club will vibrate in relation to the amount of flex. The stiffer a club is, the more it will vibrate. Shaft flex and frequency directly affect the distance and direction of your shot.
Types
Golf Today identifies five stiffness grades for golf shaft flex. Each stiffness grade corresponds to a certain amount of frequency. Extra-stiff (X) flex is the least flexible and corresponds to a frequency of more than 270 cycles per minute. Stiff (S) flex is slightly more flexible and has a frequency of 265 cycles per minute. Regular (R) flex is the type of flex used by the average golfer and has a frequency of 255 cycles per minute. Senior or Men's (A) flex has increased flexibility and a frequency of 245 cycles per minute. Ladies (L) flex is the most flexible and has the lowest frequency at less than 240 cycles per minute.
Effects
The amount of flex and frequency present in a golf shaft determines how much the club will bend as the ball is struck. According to Golfsmith.com, this bend determines in part how far your ball will go when struck. The impact of the shaft's flex and frequency rating directly corresponds to your swing speed. Players with a slower swing speed should use clubs with more flex, which add power to the downswing. If you have a faster swing, a stiffer shaft helps to maintain club head speed.
Frequency Matching
According to Golf.com, frequency matching refers to the synchronization of a golf shaft's flex and frequency rating throughout the entire set of clubs. The purpose of frequency matching is to ensure that all the clubs in your bag have a uniform feel and offer the same level of performance. Frequency matching may occur in manufacturing, and Royal Precision and Fenwick currently market their clubs this way. Clubs that have been frequency matched must be fitted to the golfer's swing speed in order to offer maximum performance.
Considerations
The primary consideration in choosing the flex and frequency ratings for your golf shafts is your swing speed. Choosing too soft or too stiff a shaft can cause your shot to curve or to lose distance. GolfALot.com recommends custom-fitted clubs, which are designed to accommodate your height, weight, swing speed, skill level and stance. While custom-fitted clubs are more expensive, they can potentially offer increased performance over standard clubs.
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