Graphite golf shafts can help many golfers get faster swing speeds and therefore hit the ball farther than they could with traditional steel shafts. That's because graphite is lighter than steel and that makes the club easier to swing. There are varying types of graphite shafts. You can buy more flexible, regular and stiff graphite shafts.
Regular Shaft
The regular (R) graphite shaft is designed for golfers who get average distance and accuracy. The flexibility of the graphite shaft will give the golfer more distance off the tee and from the fairway. It has more whip and flexibility than the steel regular shaft. It can give the golfer more distance although accuracy can become a question mark for the average golfer.
Stiff Shaft
Graphite is a more flexible material than steel, but you can use a stiff-shafted (S) graphite club. This club is designed for bigger hitters who get distance naturally. The stiff shaft will help golfers who tend to hit the ball with varying degrees of accuracy. It will keep many big hitters from hitting the ball out of bounds because the shaft will not flex as much as the regular shaft.
Flexible Shaft
The most flexible shaft available is the ladies' (L) shaft. It is designed for golfers who need the most help with their distance. While the ladies' shaft is primarily used by women golfers, there are some men who need the help when it comes to getting club head speed at impact and they will benefit from a flexible shaft. The greater flexibility can help overall distance but it can have a negative impact on accuracy.
Other Shafts
The extra stiff shaft (X) and the senior shaft are also available to golfers who want graphite shafts. The extra stiff shafts are extremely rare among graphite users. The biggest hitters who may be a bit inaccurate will use extra stiff shafts, but they will primarily use steel-shafted clubs. Senior clubs are more flexible than regular shafts but not quite as flexible as ladies' clubs. Many seniors lose distance over the years and the greater flexibility of the shaft can help restore some of those lost yards.
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