From stiff to regular - what did you notice?

[Golfbeat]

Now that I have reached my mid-sixties, I have come to the point that I need to think about switching from stiff shafts to regular (and in irons from steel to graphite). What did you experience were the biggest differences in ball flight, distance, dispersion? Did you feel that you needed to swing with a different tempo?

Edited November 20, 2024 by Golfbeat

[KMeloney]

45 minutes ago, Golfbeat said:

Now that I have reached my mid-sixties, I have come to the point that I need to think about switching from stiff shafts to regular (and in irons from steel to graphite). What did you experience were the biggest differences in ball flight, distance, dispersion? Did you feel that you needed to swing with a different tempo?

I think I know what you're getting at, but... If you think the shaft is going to cause you to have to swing with a different tempo, then do you really think you need to make the switch? If you can no longer handle stiff shafts BECAUSE your tempo has slowed down, then that's another story. 

 

I switched to graphite in my irons in my late 40s (I'm now 54) because of golfer's elbow issues. Graphite has gotten so good that I'd definitely jump into graphite shafts now. I think you'll find that if you get fitted for them, you'll be able to find a brand and profile that works really well with your existing swing, that will accommodate your "aging" by being easier on your joints, and that they may or may not end up being a lighter flex than what you're used to. 

[me05501]

Today's graphite shafts are so much better than what was around when you started playing. You should be able to fit into some graphite shafts that require little to no adjustment in feel, swing weight, etc. If you do a fitting you should be able to try both regular and stiff to see what works best. 

 

If you're borderline, go regular so your clubs will still fit you in a few more years. 

 

Even for drivers and woods you can find regular flex shafts that have plenty of pop and don't feel loose at all. 

[Golfbeat]

25 minutes ago, KMeloney said:

I think I know what you're getting at, but... If you think the shaft is going to cause you to have to swing with a different tempo, then do you really think you need to make the switch? If you can no longer handle stiff shafts BECAUSE your tempo has slowed down, then that's another story. 

 

I switched to graphite in my irons in my late 40s (I'm now 54) because of golfer's elbow issues. Graphite has gotten so good that I'd definitely jump into graphite shafts now. I think you'll find that if you get fitted for them, you'll be able to find a brand and profile that works really well with your existing swing, that will accommodate your "aging" by being easier on your joints, and that they may or may not end up being a lighter flex than what you're used to. 

 

My swing speed for driver went down from 100mph a few years back to now 90 -95 mph. Irons have gone down as well. My questions are driven by my past experience of feeing that a regular shaft was a bit floppy.  That led me to believe that I had to swing slightly differently so that the face had more time to catch up, if that makes sense.

[Golfbeat]

27 minutes ago, me05501 said:

Today's graphite shafts are so much better than what was around when you started playing. You should be able to fit into some graphite shafts that require little to no adjustment in feel, swing weight, etc. If you do a fitting you should be able to try both regular and stiff to see what works best. 

 

If you're borderline, go regular so your clubs will still fit you in a few more years. 

 

Even for drivers and woods you can find regular flex shafts that have plenty of pop and don't feel loose at all. 

 

Yes, I think it is time to go to regular. It won't get better anymore!

[GoGoErky]

1 hour ago, KMeloney said:

I think I know what you're getting at, but... If you think the shaft is going to cause you to have to swing with a different tempo, then do you really think you need to make the switch? If you can no longer handle stiff shafts BECAUSE your tempo has slowed down, then that's another story. 

 

I switched to graphite in my irons in my late 40s (I'm now 54) because of golfer's elbow issues. Graphite has gotten so good that I'd definitely jump into graphite shafts now. I think you'll find that if you get fitted for them, you'll be able to find a brand and profile that works really well with your existing swing, that will accommodate your "aging" by being easier on your joints, and that they may or may not end up being a lighter flex than what you're used to. 

Theres no standard for flex so asking about going from one to another isn’t an easy answer. One shaft company’s regular can be another’s stiff or another’s senior.

 

You have to look at weight and profile of the shaft. As well as does the person release early or late. If it’s early they may not see any difference. 
 

Some are more sensitive to changes than others.

 

If I drop or add too much weight my timing is thrown off. If the stiffness profile is too stiff or too soft my timing is thrown off. Then it becomes how quick can I adjust and compensate to make it work which is something in not interested in doing.

 

So find the weight that feels good to you then find the right profile 

[Nickb333]

^ I totally agree that weight trumps flex. This is based on personal experience only. I really don’t notice much difference between stiff and regular shafts. Weight is easily felt and affects everything for me. 

[dalillama47]

I find shaft weight affects my swing more than shaft stiffness.

[KMeloney]

2 hours ago, Golfbeat said:

 

My swing speed for driver went down from 100mph a few years back to now 90 -95 mph. Irons have gone down as well. My questions are driven by my past experience of feeing that a regular shaft was a bit floppy.  That led me to believe that I had to swing slightly differently so that the face had more time to catch up, if that makes sense.

Understood. But if you had to swing differently with them, then it sounds like they weren't a good match for you (unless you were looking to start swinging differently). By the same token, if someone handed you irons with senior flex shafts in them and told you that this would be your set for the rest of your golfing days, then I think you'd learn how to swing them and get comfortable with them quickly. 

 

But if you're even remotely considering graphite shafts, then I think you should go for it and test out a bunch of them -- and think that you shouldn't necessarily have to be looking at regular flexes immediately in graphite.

[Pepperturbo]

4 hours ago, Golfbeat said:

Now that I have reached my mid-sixties, I have come to the point that I need to think about switching from stiff shafts to regular (and in irons from steel to graphite). What did you experience were the biggest differences in ball flight, distance, dispersion? Did you feel that you needed to swing with a different tempo?

I switched from 120g PX 6.0 to composite Steelfiber six years ago and see 75yrs on the horizon.  All the composite shafts since, that work for me, are stiff, but I tried "R" and "A" flex and ultra-light weight 50+grams.  Ball flight with both were too high and spin was too much, costing yards.  They were far too light for me. 

 

But "yes", when I slowed my fast tempo down, I'd smack them good, some instances longer than I get with "stiff", but with longer and light weight came an up-tick in dispersion left.  All depends on the heads.  Hit one T350 5i with 80g "R", nearly 200yds, course strong lofts pitched in.

 

Currently enjoying Tensei AV AM2 Blue 70g-88g stiff shafts at D2 in T150 irons, and have Pro 95i & 115i Tour S in T100 irons, which are feeling a bit too stiff; they feel close to X-flex.