Golf is a game of precision, and all golfers want to play at their best, regardless of ability. Golf shafts can be one of the most critical elements of equipment for all golfers, from beginners to professionals. Mid-firm shafts and stiff-flex shafts give players two different options for ball flight and trajectory.
Shaft Overview
Golf shafts typically come in four different flexes. Regular shafts work for golfers with average swing speeds. Stiff shafts benefit players with high swing speeds -- 90- to 100 miles per hour with the irons and above 100 miles per hour with the driver -- and extra-stiff shafts are for golfers with extremely high swing speeds. Ladies and senior-flex shafts provide extra help for golfers with swings that are slower than average.
Frequency Explained
The frequency and flexibility of each shaft goes into compressing and hitting the golf ball. During the golf swing, the club flexes in three points and bends on both the back swing and down swing. The stiffness of the shaft determines how much the club flexes and bends, as well as gives a feeling of stability and consistency during the golf swing. Golfers with high swing speeds need more consistency and stability in their shaft for better results at impact.
Stiff Shafts
Stiff shafts are ideal for the golfer with a faster-than-average swing, or a golfer with a moderate swing who is looking to keep the ball down. Because stiff shafts require a faster swing to flex properly, golfers with slower swings will not be able to disperse the ball quite as much and their misses will be less off line. The tradeoff is distance. The club will not load as much, and club head speed will decrease.
Mid-Firm Shafts
Golfers looking for less of a tradeoff between distance and accuracy who are right in between regular and stiff could try a mid-firm shaft flex. This is a specialty flex shaft that is available in limited models and quantities, but it is right between regular and stiff on the stiffness scale. With golfers fine-tuning their games for precision, these shafts provide a go-between option that increases distance and accuracy without sacrificing control or workability.
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