When it comes to shaft stiffness in golf clubs, there are many ambiguous terms that manufacturers throw around in the marketing of their clubs. Although being similar in composition, mid-firm irons are stiffer than regular-flex clubs made by the same manufacturers. However, you must be careful when choosing your shafts because regular flex clubs made by one manufacturer can be as stiff as mid-firm clubs made by a competitor.
Shaft Options in Clubs
With the growth of new technology, club manufacturers are able to fuse many different materials into shafts, which allow them to distribute weight to different areas of the shaft. This technology has led to shafts that can be designed specifically for certain types of trajectories and swing speeds. In addition, shafts are now lighter and longer than previous shafts and are more customizable than ever for the golfer.
Benefits of a Firmer Shaft
The benefit of going with a mid-firm shaft in comparison with a regular flex is that you can conceivably swing harder without the clubhead going off line. Mid-firm shafts are designed for players with an above average swing speed, usually between 90 and 100 mph. Players who suffer from accuracy problems should look into a shaft that is stiffer, and players with slower swing speeds should look into finding a more flexible shaft to produce a higher trajectory.
Lighter Shafts
Technological gains have made lighter shafts much more common in new drivers and irons, allowing players to swing harder without the repercussions of hitting as many errant shots. Because players can swing faster with lighter shafts, they can switch to a mid-firm or stiff shaft and gain some yardage while adding accuracy to their games. In addition, lighter shafts also have become longer, often measuring more than 46 inches in length in comparison with the standard graphite shaft length of 45 inches, which helps players add even more distance.
Innovation in Shaft Technology
An important element of the new shaft technology available to golfers is that club fitters can fine-tune the shaft flex, weight and kick point to match your swing and add distance to your game. With the help of launch monitors, club fitters can help you find the shaft that bends at the perfect time during your backswing and unbends just before impact, giving you the maximum ball speed for your swing off the clubface.
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