7 Undeniable Signs You Need Stiffer Shafts for Your Clubs

Did you know the shaft of your golf clubs is more important than the head? The shaft can have a huge impact on distance, accuracy and ball flight. Many golfers use a shaft which is not the right fit for them.

I’ve put together 7 undeniable signs you need stiffer shafts for your clubs. Some of these are based off my own experiences with the wrong golf shaft.

 

1. Recent Strength Gains

Strength is a benefit that cannot be denied in golf. If you’re strong, you can hit the ball a long way. The right equipment is needed to match this strength. If you’ve been working out more and want to bring that strength to the golf course, you will need a club that has a stiffer shaft.

You’ll probably notice that your golf clubs have a lighter and more whippy feel to them. You may also have a hard time controlling your golf clubs.

If you feel stronger, be honest about it. Does this strength change the shaft? If you’re swinging 10 mph faster than before, you might need a more rigid shaft.

 

2. Distances are reduced

You may not believe it, but a golf shaft not stiff enough will cause you to lose distance. The problem is that the shaft doesn’t create enough resistance at impact for all the power you are creating.

When you have a high swing speed, don’t leave distance on the table.

A launch monitor is a great tool to use to test your club to see if you are losing any distance. Take your normal swing using your standard golf shaft, and then do it again with something a little stiffer.

It may be time to switch if you notice that you get more distance from the stiffer shaft. Dispersion is the only thing to watch out for. Sometimes, hitting it harder but all over is not worth it.

 

3. Ball Flight Too High

High ball flight should result in greater distance. You can reach a point when the ball flight becomes too high. When the ball flight is high, you will lose some distance since the ball will balloon instead of piercing the air.

Higher ball flight is good on wedge shots when you want to stop the ball on the green, but it’s a problem on a driver when you are looking for long-distance and extra roll.

Use a launch monitor to check the peak height and ensure your ball flight does not go too high.

This is also affected by the loft of your club. Some golfers prefer to have a low loft on their irons as it encourages them to go further. These golfers will have lower peak heights. The peak height is the key relationship to be considered in relation to distance.

If you’re hitting a shot that has a peak height of 90 feet but it still travels far, that’s great.

The ball will fly further down the shaft if you choose a stiffer shaft.

If you still have a low peak height, you may be experiencing a swinging error or not needing a stiffer shaft.

 

4. Uncontrollable ball flight

I understand that distance is incredibly appealing. I know I would not be happy if you removed 20 yards from my game. It is important to hit the ball straight.

You may need to stiffen your shaft if you notice that you have no control over the ball flight. A shaft that is too supple for your game will give you less control of the clubface.

As you’re swinging, the twisting of the club is getting you off track.

I have an average swing speed that allows me to use a men’s regular shaft in my irons and a men’s stiff shaft in my driver.

However, if I switch to a lightweight and more flexible ladies’ shafted club, I have difficulty hitting consistent straight shots. My swing speed is just too high and although I may occasionally get a shot that flies far and lands exactly where I want, the chances of me hitting it consistently are too low.

I’ll take controlled ball flight and give up a few yards.

 

5. Hooking The Ball

A hook could be an indication that you need stiffer golf shafts. If your golf shots are slinging left, you might want to try a stiffer shaft. The stiffer shaft slows down the ball and will ensure that it stays straight.

A club that is too fast for you is not always responsible for a hook. There are many different reasons why shots go left.

Before you replace your golf shafts, take a look at this video showing you fixes for hitting a hook and make sure it’s what you should be working on.

Pay attention to the shaft you choose. If you use one that is too stiff, you may notice a change in your swing. There is a fine-line between hooking and cutting for some golfers.

 

6. Shaft Feels Too Whippy

Feeling is so important in Golf. You will notice a difference in the feedback, feel and even the vibrations when you impact the ball with the correct shafts. If your shaft feels like it’s just flying around and you are losing control, chances are you don’t have the correct shaft flex.

A shaft with too much flexibility will feel like it has no torque or resistance. You will feel this if you have a lot of speed.

Many graphite golf shafts feel a bit more whippy. This won’t cause issues in your golf game; even graphite shafts can come in a stiff flex that will help to control how whippy it is.

 

7. Spin is Too High

The spin on a wedge is excellent, but the spin on a driving club is not so good. High spin rates make it difficult to hit the ball straight and can cause shots to be too high.

A golf launch monitor can be used to check your spin rates. The ideal spin rate for a driver is around 3000 or lower. The speed of your swing will affect the spin rate for the driver. If you swing faster, your speed will increase, but the spin rates may be too high if your shafts do not have enough stiffness.

 

Find out which Flex you should use on your golf clubs

Now that you know what to check, you can determine if your golf shaft’s stiffness is appropriate for your game. How will choose the shaft flex that is best for your game?

Here are a couple of ways to tell which shaft is right for you.

Get a Custom Fitting

Golf club fittings are a great way to find out which golf shaft is right for you. You can learn a lot about your game by going to a True Spec Fitting.

Custom fitting sessions can be expensive and are more accurate than a launch monitor.

When you leave your custom golf fitting, there should be a lot more information about the shaft than just a flex.

Test Clubs With a Launch Monitoring

Launch monitor technology in the past was so expensive that amateur golfers really couldn’t access it until they went to a custom fitting facility or a simulator. Things have changed and launch monitors can now be purchased for less that $500.

These launch monitors are not as accurate as the premium Trackman but they still provide enough information to determine if a shaft is right for you.

The launch monitor can be used to determine spin rates and other parameters such as peak height, distance total, etc. Our portable launch monitor allows you to check your swing at various times of the day to see if it is progressing as you would like and if it is still fitted with the correct shaft.

Golf Shaft Flex Calculator

If you are aware of your swing speed, and some other details about your game then a golf shaft calculator is an excellent option to consider. Our golf flex calculator will provide accurate results to help you choose the right golf shaft for your style of play.