Should someone like me, who has always used stiff shafts, switch to softer ones to try to regain dis

HighlandLaird · November 30, 2015

I started to play golf 61 years ago, when I was 13. I was scratch at 16 and won many amateur tournaments using stiff shafts. Now I'm 74, should I switch to "softer" shafts to regain some of the 60+ yards I have lost with increasing age, or would I be better sticking with stiff shafts? I find I tend to hit my irons "fat" with regular shafts. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

DavePelz4 · November 30, 2015

You might consider a fitting where you get fit with the best shafts for your swing, regardless of whether they are senior, regular, stiff or even ladies flex for that matter.

Springsteennut · November 30, 2015

If you've lost that much distance I would make a change.

DTXgolfer12 · November 30, 2015

As Ron Jeremy says......All "stiffs" are not created equal.

Weight in the shaft is just as important as flex - if not more. What weight shafts are you currently playing? What is your swing speed/launch angle/ and spin rate? What ball are you playing?

SwooshLT · November 30, 2015

You could try lighter weight stiff to keep the irons but definitely go regular in driver with more loft!

Exactice808 · November 30, 2015

Echo echo echo.....

My $0.02

Flex is for your transition and how hard you actually flex the club..... Swing speed helps increase it.... but your timing/tempo really is what you need to look at

1) Lets face it, no matter what we do when you age.... we cant keep the same 120mph swing we had when we were 18. Be realistic about your swing speed, if you are still swinging 100mph at your age.... then why change. Your Tempo may have changed not your speed and that is why you might be missing shots.
2) Get a fitting to see if your clubs match your current swing, Current swing means, Overall Swing speed, Tempo, and Transition, if know of them match...then you are not swinging equipment that is optimal for you
3) I am sure I dont have to say it so I will say it in general, leave the EGO at the door..... if you need a 45gram shaft in Senior flex...... The Golf ball is not prejudice to shafts.... All that matters is you put the ball in the hole the fastest way possible...... if it guaranteed me a par or better on each hole, I would play ladies shafts with rainbows, unicorns and sunshine shooting out of my @$$.......

Good luck up, this is the fun time to see how much you can optimize your set for you!!!!!

MtlJeff · November 30, 2015

I've changed shaft flex a couple of times, from regular when i first started, to stiff, to X-stiff, then back to stiff....

My experience is when you need a different flex, you will be able to feel that you need a different flex. Either because the shaft will feel too sluggish when you swing, or because you feel you can't load it properly. Feel will tell you all

As others have said, not all stiffs or regulars are created equal. I'm a tweener so i can play X in low weights and stiff in higher weights

You may find the same aswell. But it doesn't hurt to try out and see for yourself. If you feel that the shafts are stiff, you are probably right

I have a friend i play with regularly who turned 60 recently, and he was a scratch golfer for many years too. He recently also switched to regulars and likes it....the downside is we can't trade clubs anymore LOL

TheFlyingWASP · November 30, 2015

I'd say yes. My dad is 71 & played Callaway Stiff Graphite in his old school GBBs for years. He's switched to a blended mix of Regular & Senior & is seeing much better distance & ball elevation. Everyone is different, but I'd certainly look into it.

tannyhoban · November 30, 2015

You'd be 7 years ahead of my dad. Finally convinced him to get fit this year (hey, he called me) when he suggested we go find him a nice new set. He was still playing stiff everything. Cobra woods and the King Cobra II's.

From the fitting, he went with all 2013 (new) Cobra woods and irons in A flex, he's so trendy. Every once in awhile he's reticent, until he hits his next 220 yard bomb. His old driver had gotten to the point where he was sometimes below 200....

It didn't fix any of his flaws but it did give him back some of those hard earned yards, both woods and irons.