Now senior flex, I bought a 2nd hand one that said it was a regular flex some time ago, couldn't hit it, went to a PGA pro and he tested it, It was a stiff. New shaft much better results.
Regular. Satisfying enough. Twenty years ago I would play a stiff big stick, shorter shaft. It would not bring so much fun 🥴... Some straighter tee shots though, and a bunch of poor shots too...
So glad I watched this. I've gotten 4 fittings for irons in the last 2 weeks. Two said regular flex, one said stiff, and the last, at first said stiff, then changed it to regular. I'm a 10 hdcp, hit my 7-iron 165, with a swing speed of 74-78MPH. I'm 64 and imagine my swing speed will decrease over the next few years. I also feel that inside, hitting off a mat into a video screen, you have the tendency to "Let 'er rip", vs. a slower, more controlled swing you would take on a golf course, where control is the key. Therefore, IMO, the regular flex would probably suit me better??? Help me Alex!!!
Fundamentally I understand what you're saying and I mostly agree. I play stiff shaft in my driver but I have no problem when I borrow a buddy's set when I travel to Tucson and hit his regular flex driver. And I have another buddy who has a senior flex driver and I've tried that and again I hit it fine. I think most amateurs have so much variability in their swing that it's hard to pick a perfect shaft. What's right on the front nine might be slightly too stiff on the back nine when you're more tired. I'm a 59-year-old mid single digit handicap and pretty much think I can play with anything but I buy all my clubs with stiff shafts. If you want to have some fun look up a Rick Shiels video from a few years ago when he compared driver shafts from senior to extra stiff. He found very little performance difference
Most excellent Alex-3 years ago I switched to Reg Flex in irons and metals. What happened was amazing! Suddenly, the control Id mostly enjoyed returned and my distance increased! Result? Scores came down, the enjoyment increased. Your tips are most excellent and I enjoy your channel very much. My PGA pro here in the States was most helpful, as you are with this tip! Many Thanks and Happy New Year!
You explained this very well. Thanks. I just bought a new Taylormade Stealth 2 plus driver w/Kai’li red 60R shaft as it was on sale for a great price. Now, I don’t know my swing speed and have never been fitted. But, I do believe I’m in that speed range. My old driver is Taylormade R7 also with a stiff shaft but, has a ‘soft tip’. My swing was out of wack though. I also bought a swing caddie so next time I’m at the range, I’ll get some numbers on swing speed. If I need a different shaft, I’ll get it changed. Glad this old video came into my feed today.
I was fitted for my driver and got extra stiff. I never asked why, but after watching this video I went backed and looked at my data from the fitting. my clubhead speed average was 112. Now if I can figure out how to go straight more consistently
Being a senior golfer, driver swing speed 85 mph I am in a senior flex and the shaft bends at the right point. Tried different reg shafts but they don't seem perfom as good as my senior shaft. Excellent video.
90mph with my fitted driver, and been regular flex for years. I tried my friend’s driver fitted with a stiff shaft and hit screamer after screamer. I’ve put a stiff shaft in my own driver head and the results are phenomenal. Straighter, more penetrating, and longer drives. My suggestion is to try different shafts as swing speed might not be the issue but how you deliver the club at impact.
I just bought a new Cobra LTDX driver. I swing the driver at 100-105 mph. I went with a stock stiff shaft. But I also bought a regular flex and a senior flex shaft. I actually hit the senior flex shaft a little bit better. Tighter dispersion, slightly higher ball and club head speed too with senior flex shaft. Very small differences overall. I could play all three pretty much, doesn't really matter. What's up with that?
@@AlexElliottGolf my swing speed is pretty high for a 56 year old. Originally I was fitted for a stiff shaft, however had low flight and shot distance. Now for my Driver (Sim Max D) I have a Diamana S60 R shaft. And I am hitting it 270 yards. My cobra SZ 4 hybrid has a F2 shaft and it goes 200. My games has improved. I hit my driver straighter and more consistent.
Excellent video. I have a regular shaft on my driver. I tried a stiff shaft at the golf shop and wasn’t hitting it well. Changed to a regular and boom right down the middle with a 89 mph swing maybe 90. If i try to swing harder don’t know where the ball will land.
My mum won a driver in a competition many years ago, she said it was a mens driver. But the shaft was super flexible. I have a very fast swing which resulted in the head opening up a bunch and I kept slicing it massively. I thought it was just me having a bad swing/grip/stance. Used someone elses driver which was a really stiff mx4 and absolutely blasted it super straight over and over again. Gonna buy myself a brand new driver in the summer.
my range is about the same on my driver, but I am a brand new golfer. Will say senior and regular feel better on the hands but I lose a little control more. with my stiff shaft I avg about 85-90mph which is slow but I get a nice consistent draw with it at about my average distance so idk. I hope to increase my speeds and consistency, over time with practice.
It’s weird that this video popped up on my feed today, in the shop today I have had a similar conversation with a few members who are in the market for new clubs, asking which staff was best for them. Got a couple of fittings booked in.
Hi, Before that make sure your swing technique is more or less ok or not. May be you are slicing or hooking to compensate each other. To my opinion it's not flex. Generally, weaker flex go left and stiffer will go right (for right handed). When both is happening, in your case, It's not flex issue. I guess !!!! Also watch the trajectory. In both the situation if its low then for sure It's not flex. Softer shaft will generate more ball speed, means higher trajectory. Watch your shot pattern (trajectory) and swing technique please. Have fun 😂😂😂 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
I value your opinion. I go stiff right now but i went for a srixon fitting and the best shaft for me was that recoil f3 Regular (95g) make me wonder about trying a regular flex on my radspeed
For me, shaft flex is a bit like buying trousers...(stay with me on this one...). Yes, as I'm getting older I may need to go up a size but that realy depends of the clothing manufacture, as to which size.. Only way I can tell is by trying them on (or if I've bought from them before). With driver shafts there's so many variables in play, weight/kick point/tourque/length/flex, unless you already know what shaft works for you the only way you can find out whats best is by trying them. I actually play a Project X Black 5.5 (feels a bit whipy but works) and I swing around 90mph.
Like where does anyone go to ' try ' New shafts I thought p just read reviews and done trial and error til the right one worked what is the best way to get the optimum shaft if you already have the head?
since the only thing with a slower swing speed than me is a statue, I have tried the senior shaft but it feels too flexible, so I have been using a reg flex with a 10.5 lofted head which gives me a dead straight 170 yd drive, the distance is embarrassing so for Christmas I got a 12 degree head with a reg shaft cut down to 43 inches the thought process being better chance of hitting the sweet spot, perhaps gaining some yardage and still keeping it straight. Your Thoughts ? I have not had the chance to test it yet.
@@AlexElliottGolf Well no doubt it can possibly not work out, but I am at least pretty sure that increased loft will probably help, as for the shaft length, worth a shot, as the saying goes " who dares wins"
Another one that I made a expensive mistake and was fitted for where irons the shafts where stiff but way way to light it took me a season to figure out ended up going to my old irons.
Fantastic video Alex .I can't help but laugh this as just happen to me last week . I was playing a cobra max offset Driver with a regular shaft. And was fading the ball quite a lot . I cracked the head of the Driver so couldn't use it anymore. My brother out of is kind heart bought me a cobra f max offset Driver but with a senior flex shaft .I am now hitting the ball straighter than I have ever drove the ball before and I have gained an extra 15 to 20 yards of carry .I really didn't realise my swing as got slower.
Thanks AE ... I went for two fittings before I spent the money on a driver with the same shaft and clubhead. I wanted to be certain the first set of people weren't just trying to sell me something. But I did pick up an extra 20 yards of carry when I got the right one. The shaft IS the thing. Then I changed the shafts in most of my irons to those the fitting found for me... by working with a independent fitter, I kept the clubheads and just changed the shafts .. saving hundreds .. if not .. thousands of dollars.
I’m around 90mph with driver and use stiff as it felt better and seemed to have better dispersion. The bit I wasn’t sure about was if iron shafts should be the same flex? Guess I need a fitting
I got fitted into a regular flex hybrid and 5w, but a stiff flex in my irons. At the same fitting. I dont know my swing speed, but would geuss right in the middel between the 2 flex's .
Getting back into golf at 26 as someone who swings right around 95 mph but knowing that initial improvement is coming fast would you recommend getting a stiff as buying a new shaft every year isn’t something I can do
Alex, great video...Got fitted for Ping Driver, I was right between stiff and regular. Stiff was recommend so stiff I bought and I hit it great.. love it. Some months later I bought the 3 and 5 woods in the same spec...can’t hit them for toffee..what did I do wrong?
Driver is lighter and longer too so swing speed may warrant stiff for driver then regular for fairways and irons. I’m also between flexes but have stiff driver then regular everything else
I have driver speed around 130. XS is sometimes not enough. For those of us in this category do we take low torque tipped Heavy XS shafts to make it work? I lose club head control if I put a full swing and my timing gets off on 3/4 driver swings
@@AlexElliottGolf Too much spin. I am a bit steep. 3300+. If I could get spin and trajectory down I think I could be sitting in a very good spot. It all comes down to feeling in control of the club head.
Not played since 2010. I have a Titleist 909D stiff flex. Got good club head speed but seem to be hitting low and left. Could this be due to being too stiff or old? To note some still go straight 300-320 yards.. Or just my hands getting behind? 🤷♂️
I swing more consistently with a stiffer shaft than you recommend. I have a quick tempo and that affects the shaft. Smooth tempo, the regular flex would work.
Another great video And you are so correct most golfers think they need a stiff shaft we’re in fact regular or even senior shaft will give them more distance and accuracy
@@AlexElliottGolf Your welcome buddy so which new driver do you like the stealth or the new callaway I know your a cobra guy but just was wanting to get your professional opinion
have you checked out the testing being done on shaft flex comparing senior/lady flex to reg & stiff. distance to dispersion it is interesting. i've played around testing other peoples drivers to mine to see what results are without getting too involved. interesting results.
Question: I am 58 yrs old. Slim. I hit my drives between 175- 200. 200 on a good day. (160 usual).I mean good day..What shaft should I use? Reg or Senior??
Hello Alex, I need some advice. My club head speed is 93-97mph. I am a mid-age single HCP Player. I have 2 shafts. Both Tensei. A CK Blue 60 in regular and a CK Orange 50 in stiff. The orange in stiff seems a bit too hard to me. Balls tend to fly to the right. The Blue in regular, on the other hand, is a bit too soft. The balls are not hit in the middle and often hook. A good fitting is hard to find here. Always indoors, which I have a problem with. Would you then advise a regular or a stiff? What about the weight class? can you give me a tip
I understand what you are saying but why do i hit a driver more straight with a stiff shaft, than a regular flex? I do have trouble getting it up in the air with the stiff shaft, but it seems that I hit many balls left or right with a regular shaft - I am left handed. My swing speed is somewhere in the mid to high 80's, but when I get tired it's going to drop to the high 70's.
I bought a driver off Facebook and didn’t really know the stiffness of the shaft, went to American golf to have a club MOT and the shaft is apparently very stiff and heavy so probably not best for my swing speed so going for a full bag fitting on Thursday as my irons probably need updating as I was “fitted” for them 20 years ago but only started playing again 18months ago, irons are regular flex but my launch angle is too high so will be good to see what the outcome is
@@AlexElliottGolf the driver is a taylor made M1 which I love, and when I connect it goes well , but can be a bit inconsistent so maybe a change in shaft will benefit
It takes me so much time to warm up, I settled on stiff. Holes1-4 I have a hard time firing my hips. After that, I’m good. Oh, I ended up getting a SZ 2nd hand driver.
Thanks for the video! I can’t see what my clubs speed is but ball speed is usually 140-150mph. It kind of puts me borderline between regular and stiff. If I’m borderline, I’d it safer to go with regular?
@@tempo869 I went and got fitted eariler on this year. My swing speed was 105 mph so fitted in to the stiff shaft. My biggest issue is my striking and accuracy at the minute. Massive slice but when I’m swinging alright it’s about 250-260 yards with the odd one that goes a bit more. But with this slice it can be 210 yards and on the next fairway! But seen progress sorting it the last couple of weeks
I know I have the right shaft for my swing. I am 72 yo and I use Senior shafts for all my clubs. My swing speeds are around 85 mph so I use the shaft to get a little more whip into the ball and hit my Driver around 200 yards. So I let the club do allot of the work now. take care.
Dear Mr Elliott What a brilliant you tube So clear It was just what l needed because l have been baffled by all the data. I didn't realise shaft flex required is still how fast on how you swing the club Phew what a relief Could you kindly explain ball speed and spin speed as succinctly and as clearly please
Thank you so much for this video. Great advise as always and I now know what to look for and what to do, to find find the correct flex shaft. Really appreciate it
Would explain it all. Last week I was 130 yards on my pitch wedge but over the last couple of months has been going low and right. Not many places around my area to find out my clubhead speed though. Don't want to go to the golf warehouse place though a incase they hard sell me.
@@jmack619 duly noted. It was only an example of one club. My iron shots on average throughout my set have increased by 20 yards each over the last couple of months. Same fault throughout the set. I think the best thing would be to get a golf pro to see what's going on. Whether it be a club speed increase or that I am just crap lol
@@jpcoll2011 20 yards is a good thing! the low and right . well I donno . I think you and I both need a trip to the golf swing analyzer to see what is going on. Can't remember the name of the machine. You might have some great backspin as well. club face, vs club path , vs target , low point of swing before or after. etc . Best wishes .
@@AlexElliottGolf Too bad my swing was around 112-113 when i did my fit and got x-stiff 1 year ago! swings around 87-88 for irons and got x-stiff aswell. were around 92-92 back then!
The only problem is that each brand has his own category, but not on the same spec. For example, I fit the driver with an Tour AD DI6 SR (Stiff Regular) which perform well with my 93/99 mph clubspeed. Some other regular didn’t fit me because to strong and others stiff was too soft. Difficult to see clearly except a try….but your rule make sense in general. 75mph = no stiff except for putting with a driver 😂
It’s ironic you just posted this. I went to PGA Tour Superstore this past Thursday and they said I was borderline needing regular versus stiff flex. The dispersion and distance was almost identical. So I am keeping the regular flex and ordered a stiff flex so I can change them out depending on how I am playing on the course
@@Parrott65 That's fine for practice rounds. A lot of golfers actually play by the rules to see what would happen should they play in some sort of competition....but that doesn't apply to you it seems.
@@cinepost that's correct. I just play for the enjoyment of it and I know what my "by the rules" handicap is if I ever play in a local tournament. However, it's just rare and all I care about is going out to the course and playing practice/fun rounds.
I use regular in all my clubs. My driver is 44 inches and backweighted 10 grams at the butt end. I did this as an experiment and stuck with it, because I could feel the shaft load on the backswing and unload on the downswing. Interestingly, I picked up 5 yards and my dispersion improved. This isn’t very scientific, but it worked for me. You might want to try it on an old driver. I now use a Srixon 302 that is about 20 years old. I was astonished it outperformed my “newer” Callaway Rogue. I also reduced my fairway woods by an inch and backweighted them 10 grams as well and got the same results.
I have to say Alex I’m at that point where I know my swing speed has dropped and I got fitted for a new driver later part of last year and I was put into a regular shaft where I was playing a stiff shaft before that much so that I got another stiff shaft and put it in my new club but I’m not seeing any difference I also brought a PXG with 50g stiff shaft and distance wise I’m not seeing any difference so I’m a little confused now lol
Regular flex on driver, woods, and irons. I fully believe what I once heard years ago: play the most flexible shaft you can still hit straight with the proper distance.
Distance depends on the club head speed and the amount of the backspin - PREDOMINANTLY - the direction MAY depend on the shaft flex but this is debatable as the stiffer shaft usually gives you a better grouping. Stiffer shaft spins less as well and will allow you to find the centre of the club head much easily as it is not flexing that much and is keeping a similar path .
Possibly the other aspect you did not mention Alex is swing tempo. A golfer with a smooth rhythmic swing would more likely not need a stiffer shaft as the player with the shorter, abrupt fast tempo swing. If a player is swinging too hard for the shaft fitted to his Driver, the misses can be high right fades when he leaves the club face open at impact ( it can't catch up because of shaft bend) and then as you said the next shot is a hook. I have noticed players try to compensate for the high right fades by set up compensations ( closed club face at address, delofted etc) rather than identify the incorrect shaft issue. To make matters worse, many golfers hit down on the Driver shots and add excessive spin to the problem and blame the shaft fitted. Many of us average golfers live in the 85-95 mph swing speed zone. My Sunday best is 94 mph, but my average shot is 89-90 mph ( PRGR monitor readings). I am using Regular flex shaft in my Driver, but I can play a A flex or even L Flex. Some players are not shaft sensitive and adapt to what they have in hand.
This was such a helpful comment back then, but something I only appreciate now after a driver fitting. Always considered myself a slow swinging slicer of a player withg my regular very light shafted 10.5 Cleveland. I assumed based on everything i'd read I'd be fitted for more loft and i might even be fitted for a senior flex. Was fitted this weekend for a stiff flex and 9 degrees on a low spinning head. Turns out I was always swinging so slow as when I really went for it I had a huge slice or a duck hook. In the new driver I could just swing as fast as I wanted and typical shot was a soft fade and 10mph extra clubhead speed for a minimum 25 yards of extra carry. I was blown away.
Hi Alex, a really good topic and thank you for your help. I’m glad I use standard flex clubs as this was how the club pro helped me decide on shafts purely based on swing speeds. 👍😎🇦🇺
This video taught me two things. Driver accuracy hasn't been my fault for my entire life as I'm very close to needing a extra stiff shaft. 😂 And don't try using a joke magicians wand as an iron shaft.
Bought a Cobra Bio Cell+ driver off Golfbidder a while back, have found myself slicing it quite badly lately, didn't realise at the time it's got a stiff shaft. Have been considering replacing it with something newer but now thinking of just changing to a Reg flex shaft to see if it makes much difference.
I had a similar problem. The Biocell plus is a low spin head, and the Matrix shaft that came with it was very stiff compared to other stiff shafts that I've played.
I've had the BioCell driver in stiff shaft but mine is Project X. Just went for a driver fitting. The fitter said i hit mine cobra biocell better than the 9 new drivers i hit. So still have the biocell
I would agree as having a shaft that is too heavy is a killer. I have found a lighter stiff shaft(er) to be more manageable than a heavy regular.shaft although the points Alex makes remain very relevant..
curious on your thoughts on how weight effects the stiffness of a shaft. Now with 40g X flex shafts on the market, the idea of a swing speed to shaft correlation maybe a mute point. The opposite can be said for 75g Stiffs as well.
I'm pretty sure this is at least 50% of the reason my driver doesn't work well. I get MASSIVE spin with it, like 5000+ at time, and very rarely below 4500. Swing speed around 108, been as quick as 114 when really trying to go after it on the sim. Regular flex "box kit" driver. Ball goes about 220 and then falls out of the sky like it hits a wall. I know I need a fitting and can't wait to get one done and see what is possible with the right club in my hand. Figure I could possibly see as much as 50 yards getting that spin in a more normal range.
You need to get fit and maybe lessons. Do you know your angle of attack? I had a downward angle of attack and higher spin, but have worked on hitting up to generate better spin numbers. I have a similar swing speed and hit 270-300 depending on quality of strike
@@chiefnakoma A fitting is on the list of needs for sure! I've played a few times on the sims, but don't recall at my angle of attack was. Been working on the swing also, as I know it has been very over the top and coming across the ball.
Not accurate for all players. I swing in the low 80s however I get more distance with an X-Stiff shaft. Golf Digest many years ago did a study with many senior players and found that many achieved more distance with stiffer shafts. It depends how you load the shaft, at least that is what the article said.
@@AlexElliottGolf I think it's the right shaft for my swing speed but my problem with driver is not swinging up properly. My shoulders get too level. Getting better tho.
Aren’t there differences between stiff shafts and different brands? High launch stiff, low launch stiff, different kick points. Of course you would respond to this comment by saying “of course go get fitted” but this video could be misleading as is.
Went for a fitting last year and got fitted in a X flex. I was swinging it at 110mph so I could have went with either. I tried both stiff and x and it was the x that came out the best. I use stiff in all my other clubs🤷♂️
@@AlexElliottGolf Yeah, it’s great. I went in thinking I need a forgiving head, so thought I would get a max head, had too much spin at the time and we went with a low spin head in the Mavrik sub zero👍
What shaft do you have in your driver right now? If this helps you hit that thumbs up button
I hit the senior flex. I like em light and whippy.
Now senior flex, I bought a 2nd hand one that said it was a regular flex some time ago, couldn't hit it, went to a PGA pro and he tested it, It was a stiff. New shaft much better results.
My shaft is UST Q-Lin purple got fitted for it stiff with 4.8 torque with original sim head
Regular. Satisfying enough. Twenty years ago I would play a stiff big stick, shorter shaft. It would not bring so much fun 🥴... Some straighter tee shots though, and a bunch of poor shots too...
I'm using a stiff flex but I should probably be using a regular because I'm hitting the ball low and right all the time.
So glad I watched this. I've gotten 4 fittings for irons in the last 2 weeks. Two said regular flex, one said stiff, and the last, at first said stiff, then changed it to regular. I'm a 10 hdcp, hit my 7-iron 165, with a swing speed of 74-78MPH. I'm 64 and imagine my swing speed will decrease over the next few years. I also feel that inside, hitting off a mat into a video screen, you have the tendency to "Let 'er rip", vs. a slower, more controlled swing you would take on a golf course, where control is the key. Therefore, IMO, the regular flex would probably suit me better??? Help me Alex!!!
Fundamentally I understand what you're saying and I mostly agree. I play stiff shaft in my driver but I have no problem when I borrow a buddy's set when I travel to Tucson and hit his regular flex driver. And I have another buddy who has a senior flex driver and I've tried that and again I hit it fine. I think most amateurs have so much variability in their swing that it's hard to pick a perfect shaft. What's right on the front nine might be slightly too stiff on the back nine when you're more tired. I'm a 59-year-old mid single digit handicap and pretty much think I can play with anything but I buy all my clubs with stiff shafts. If you want to have some fun look up a Rick Shiels video from a few years ago when he compared driver shafts from senior to extra stiff. He found very little performance difference
Most excellent Alex-3 years ago I switched to Reg Flex in irons and metals. What happened was amazing! Suddenly, the control Id mostly enjoyed returned and my distance increased! Result? Scores came down, the enjoyment increased. Your tips are most excellent and I enjoy your channel very much. My PGA pro here in the States was most helpful, as you are with this tip! Many Thanks and Happy New Year!
that’s very kind!! thank you appreciate your comments
I'm on the edge of it 92-100 speed on any given day. But the feel of the club for regular flex I cannot get used to.
Swinging regular during a fitting is great advice. I love that.
thanks charles! Hope it helps
You explained this very well. Thanks. I just bought a new Taylormade Stealth 2 plus driver w/Kai’li red 60R shaft as it was on sale for a great price. Now, I don’t know my swing speed and have never been fitted. But, I do believe I’m in that speed range. My old driver is Taylormade R7 also with a stiff shaft but, has a ‘soft tip’. My swing was out of wack though. I also bought a swing caddie so next time I’m at the range, I’ll get some numbers on swing speed. If I need a different shaft, I’ll get it changed. Glad this old video came into my feed today.
A
I was fitted for my driver and got extra stiff. I never asked why, but after watching this video I went backed and looked at my data from the fitting. my clubhead speed average was 112. Now if I can figure out how to go straight more consistently
Being a senior golfer, driver swing speed 85 mph I am in a senior flex and the shaft bends at the right point. Tried different reg shafts but they don't seem perfom as good as my senior shaft. Excellent video.
Thank you 🙏 if takes some time to get it right
Carry that through your set into the irons and consider getting Regular flex shafts in your wedges.
90mph with my fitted driver, and been regular flex for years. I tried my friend’s driver fitted with a stiff shaft and hit screamer after screamer. I’ve put a stiff shaft in my own driver head and the results are phenomenal. Straighter, more penetrating, and longer drives.
My suggestion is to try different shafts as swing speed might not be the issue but how you deliver the club at impact.
I just bought a new Cobra LTDX driver. I swing the driver at 100-105 mph. I went with a stock stiff shaft. But I also bought a regular flex and a senior flex shaft. I actually hit the senior flex shaft a little bit better. Tighter dispersion, slightly higher ball and club head speed too with senior flex shaft. Very small differences overall. I could play all three pretty much, doesn't really matter. What's up with that?
That's interesting. You have higher then average swing speed. That's good though!
Great video. Funny thing is that with my driver and irons I have a regular flex but in my 4 hybrid I have a senior flex.
How do you get on with them all
@@AlexElliottGolf my swing speed is pretty high for a 56 year old. Originally I was fitted for a stiff shaft, however had low flight and shot distance. Now for my Driver (Sim Max D) I have a Diamana S60 R shaft. And I am hitting it 270 yards.
My cobra SZ 4 hybrid has a F2 shaft and it goes 200.
My games has improved. I hit my driver straighter and more consistent.
Excellent video. I have a regular shaft on my driver. I tried a stiff shaft at the golf shop and wasn’t hitting it well. Changed to a regular and boom right down the middle with a 89 mph swing maybe 90. If i try to swing harder don’t know where the ball will land.
Thank you! I have been trying to figure this out for a long time! 🙌🏽
Hope it helps jack
My mum won a driver in a competition many years ago, she said it was a mens driver. But the shaft was super flexible. I have a very fast swing which resulted in the head opening up a bunch and I kept slicing it massively. I thought it was just me having a bad swing/grip/stance. Used someone elses driver which was a really stiff mx4 and absolutely blasted it super straight over and over again. Gonna buy myself a brand new driver in the summer.
my range is about the same on my driver, but I am a brand new golfer. Will say senior and regular feel better on the hands but I lose a little control more. with my stiff shaft I avg about 85-90mph which is slow but I get a nice consistent draw with it at about my average distance so idk. I hope to increase my speeds and consistency, over time with practice.
It’s weird that this video popped up on my feed today, in the shop today I have had a similar conversation with a few members who are in the market for new clubs, asking which staff was best for them. Got a couple of fittings booked in.
brillaint
Well I was hitting hooks and slices with a stiff shaft, so should I try X stiff?
Hi, Before that make sure your swing technique is more or less ok or not.
May be you are slicing or hooking to compensate each other.
To my opinion it's not flex.
Generally, weaker flex go left and stiffer will go right (for right handed).
When both is happening, in your case, It's not flex issue. I guess !!!!
Also watch the trajectory. In both the situation if its low then for sure It's not flex.
Softer shaft will generate more ball speed, means higher trajectory.
Watch your shot pattern (trajectory) and swing technique please.
Have fun 😂😂😂
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
I value your opinion. I go stiff right now but i went for a srixon fitting and the best shaft for me was that recoil f3 Regular (95g) make me wonder about trying a regular flex on my radspeed
For me, shaft flex is a bit like buying trousers...(stay with me on this one...). Yes, as I'm getting older I may need to go up a size but that realy depends of the clothing manufacture, as to which size.. Only way I can tell is by trying them on (or if I've bought from them before). With driver shafts there's so many variables in play, weight/kick point/tourque/length/flex, unless you already know what shaft works for you the only way you can find out whats best is by trying them. I actually play a Project X Black 5.5 (feels a bit whipy but works) and I swing around 90mph.
good points here! good to hear
Like where does anyone go to ' try ' New shafts I thought p just read reviews and done trial and error til the right one worked what is the best way to get the optimum shaft if you already have the head?
Alex, what about the weight of the shaft. If I fit into an “R” what is a good shaft weight to consider? Thanks in advance….
I have a Fuji Velocore TR in 50R and a Tensei Pro Orange in 60S, pretty much a toss up for me at 62 and a 95mph club speed
since the only thing with a slower swing speed than me is a statue, I have tried the senior shaft but it feels too flexible, so I have been using a reg flex with a 10.5 lofted head which gives me a dead straight 170 yd drive, the distance is embarrassing so for Christmas I got a 12 degree head with a reg shaft cut down to 43 inches the thought process being better chance of hitting the sweet spot, perhaps gaining some yardage and still keeping it straight. Your Thoughts ? I have not had the chance to test it yet.
You got to have a balance of what will perform for you too. Sometimes this didn’t match up
@@AlexElliottGolf Well no doubt it can possibly not work out, but I am at least pretty sure that increased loft will probably help, as for the shaft length, worth a shot, as the saying goes " who dares wins"
What about swing speeds for irons. My swing speed is around 78-83mph. Would you suggest reg or stiff?
Another one that I made a expensive mistake and was fitted for where irons the shafts where stiff but way way to light it took me a season to figure out ended up going to my old irons.
Fantastic video Alex .I can't help but laugh this as just happen to me last week . I was playing a cobra max offset Driver with a regular shaft. And was fading the ball quite a lot . I cracked the head of the Driver so couldn't use it anymore. My brother out of is kind heart bought me a cobra f max offset Driver but with a senior flex shaft .I am now hitting the ball straighter than I have ever drove the ball before and I have gained an extra 15 to 20 yards of carry .I really didn't realise my swing as got slower.
Love that your smashing the driver straight 🙌🏼🙌🏼
So I’m from an 89-101. Mainly from 95-98 would I be a stiff or a regular in a wood
Thanks AE ... I went for two fittings before I spent the money on a driver with the same shaft and clubhead. I wanted to be certain the first set of people weren't just trying to sell me something. But I did pick up an extra 20 yards of carry when I got the right one. The shaft IS the thing. Then I changed the shafts in most of my irons to those the fitting found for me... by working with a independent fitter, I kept the clubheads and just changed the shafts .. saving hundreds .. if not .. thousands of dollars.
Great to hear this has helped you 🙌🏼🙌🏼
So helpful Alex. Thank you. Keep up the great work on our behalf. Appreciated immensely.
Great advice again Alex. Just used for the first time a Trackman & was amazed the details of the info available
Love that thank you Frank!!
I’m around 90mph with driver and use stiff as it felt better and seemed to have better dispersion. The bit I wasn’t sure about was if iron shafts should be the same flex? Guess I need a fitting
yeah that’s right
I got fitted into a regular flex hybrid and 5w, but a stiff flex in my irons. At the same fitting. I dont know my swing speed, but would geuss right in the middel between the 2 flex's .
Yes that could be the case
Getting back into golf at 26 as someone who swings right around 95 mph but knowing that initial improvement is coming fast would you recommend getting a stiff as buying a new shaft every year isn’t something I can do
How does the weight of the shaft play a role in selecting correct shaft? Some are 45 gram, 55 gram, 60 gram etc.
what about weight? i am in the stiff flex mph. 50 g or 60g shaft?
all depends on dynamic loft at impact. Also, all the long driver competitors are now using regular and soft shafts.
Great video Alex.found this so helpful with you explaining the swing speed and club characteristics👏👏
Alex, great video...Got fitted for Ping Driver, I was right between stiff and regular.
Stiff was recommend so stiff I bought and I hit it great.. love it. Some months later I bought the 3 and 5 woods in the same spec...can’t hit them for toffee..what did I do wrong?
Thank you Michael!! I think it comes down to playability what one gets you to perform the best outside ok the course
Driver is lighter and longer too so swing speed may warrant stiff for driver then regular for fairways and irons. I’m also between flexes but have stiff driver then regular everything else
Well great video and advice. have lots i needmto try thanks. Best coach
I have driver speed around 130. XS is sometimes not enough. For those of us in this category do we take low torque tipped Heavy XS shafts to make it work? I lose club head control if I put a full swing and my timing gets off on 3/4 driver swings
Wow that is fast!!! It would be hard to say without seeing your spin numbers but I would say you would be
@@AlexElliottGolf Too much spin. I am a bit steep. 3300+. If I could get spin and trajectory down I think I could be sitting in a very good spot. It all comes down to feeling in control of the club head.
I've always been on the fence between R and S. 93-98mph swing speed here. Always been a balancing act.
Not played since 2010. I have a Titleist 909D stiff flex. Got good club head speed but seem to be hitting low and left. Could this be due to being too stiff or old? To note some still go straight 300-320 yards.. Or just my hands getting behind? 🤷♂️
Hi, i have a video covering this tonight which may help you
@@AlexElliottGolf awesome. I will keep an eye out! Thanks Alex
I swing more consistently with a stiffer shaft than you recommend. I have a quick tempo and that affects the shaft. Smooth tempo, the regular flex would work.
Another great video
And you are so correct most golfers think they need a stiff shaft we’re in fact regular or even senior shaft will give them more distance and accuracy
Thank you bill great to hear you have it sorted
@@AlexElliottGolf
Your welcome buddy so which new driver do you like the stealth or the new callaway
I know your a cobra guy but just was wanting to get your professional opinion
have you checked out the testing being done on shaft flex comparing senior/lady flex to reg & stiff. distance to dispersion it is interesting. i've played around testing other peoples drivers to mine to see what results are without getting too involved. interesting results.
Question: I am 58 yrs old. Slim. I hit my drives between 175- 200. 200 on a good day. (160 usual).I mean good day..What shaft should I use? Reg or Senior??
Shaft weight and swing dynamics play a part. Swing speed matched only to the shaft flex is a bit simplistic no ?
Yes!! Totally but I think for general golfers to understand this can be a minefield
Hello Alex, I need some advice. My club head speed is 93-97mph. I am a mid-age single HCP Player. I have 2 shafts. Both Tensei. A CK Blue 60 in regular and a CK Orange 50 in stiff. The orange in stiff seems a bit too hard to me. Balls tend to fly to the right. The Blue in regular, on the other hand, is a bit too soft. The balls are not hit in the middle and often hook. A good fitting is hard to find here. Always indoors, which I have a problem with. Would you then advise a regular or a stiff? What about the weight class? can you give me a tip
Hi Michael, I have a tip coming on this tonight that will certainly help you!
I understand what you are saying but why do i hit a driver more straight with a stiff shaft, than a regular flex? I do have trouble getting it up in the air with the stiff shaft, but it seems that I hit many balls left or right with a regular shaft - I am left handed. My swing speed is somewhere in the mid to high 80's, but when I get tired it's going to drop to the high 70's.
Hmm yeah, that does seem strange, maybe get this looked into? Thanks for the support on the channel
I bought a driver off Facebook and didn’t really know the stiffness of the shaft, went to American golf to have a club MOT and the shaft is apparently very stiff and heavy so probably not best for my swing speed so going for a full bag fitting on Thursday as my irons probably need updating as I was “fitted” for them 20 years ago but only started playing again 18months ago, irons are regular flex but my launch angle is too high so will be good to see what the outcome is
That’s class and does it go better for you???
@@AlexElliottGolf the driver is a taylor made M1 which I love, and when I connect it goes well , but can be a bit inconsistent so maybe a change in shaft will benefit
@@simonread6008 does AG have different shafts in store ? Iv never seen a section of just shafts and Iv Wondered why
Other you tube instructors are saying shaft flex means little and proving it. Shaft weight is king. Your thoughts please
It takes me so much time to warm up, I settled on stiff. Holes1-4 I have a hard time firing my hips. After that, I’m good. Oh, I ended up getting a SZ 2nd hand driver.
Thank you Jeff this a great point
Thanks for the video! I can’t see what my clubs speed is but ball speed is usually 140-150mph. It kind of puts me borderline between regular and stiff. If I’m borderline, I’d it safer to go with regular?
I would say so yes!
What’s your average distance with driver? I’m trying to decide on regular vs stiff as well and think I’m on the borderline of regular and stiff
@@tempo869 I went and got fitted eariler on this year. My swing speed was 105 mph so fitted in to the stiff shaft. My biggest issue is my striking and accuracy at the minute. Massive slice but when I’m swinging alright it’s about 250-260 yards with the odd one that goes a bit more. But with this slice it can be 210 yards and on the next fairway! But seen progress sorting it the last couple of weeks
I know I have the right shaft for my swing. I am 72 yo and I use Senior shafts for all my clubs. My swing speeds are around 85 mph so I use the shaft to get a little more whip into the ball and hit my Driver around 200 yards. So I let the club do allot of the work now. take care.
Great that you have the shaft that works for you 🙏🙏
You talking diver swing speed for driver shaft, wood speed to wood shelf and say 7 iron speed for iron shalfs or all based on say the driver?
Dear Mr Elliott
What a brilliant you tube So clear It was just what l needed because l have been baffled by all the data. I didn't realise shaft flex required is still how fast on how you swing the club Phew what a relief
Could you kindly explain ball speed and spin speed as succinctly and as clearly please
i will try and cover this on another video for sure 🙌🏼
Thank you so much for this video. Great advise as always and I now know what to look for and what to do, to find find the correct flex shaft. Really appreciate it
Thank you - I really hope this helps
I just bought a stiff but average my driver around 115-120, should I be looking at an x-stiff?
Yes i would say so
I'm using X flex but it's right weight around 45 grams (Japan spec).
Would explain it all. Last week I was 130 yards on my pitch wedge but over the last couple of months has been going low and right. Not many places around my area to find out my clubhead speed though. Don't want to go to the golf warehouse place though a incase they hard sell me.
It’s a hard one but getting the set up right in your equipment is key
@@AlexElliottGolf is it an issue for à pitching as well ? I wouldn,t think so, but ...
@@jmack619 duly noted. It was only an example of one club. My iron shots on average throughout my set have increased by 20 yards each over the last couple of months. Same fault throughout the set.
I think the best thing would be to get a golf pro to see what's going on. Whether it be a club speed increase or that I am just crap lol
@@jpcoll2011 20 yards is a good thing! the low and right . well I donno . I think you and I both need a trip to the golf swing analyzer to see what is going on. Can't remember the name of the machine. You might have some great backspin as well. club face, vs club path , vs target , low point of swing before or after. etc . Best wishes .
What shaft would you recommend for my 106-107 mph clubhead speed
I would looking down the stiff
@@AlexElliottGolf Too bad my swing was around 112-113 when i did my fit and got x-stiff 1 year ago! swings around 87-88 for irons and got x-stiff aswell. were around 92-92 back then!
The only problem is that each brand has his own category, but not on the same spec.
For example, I fit the driver with an Tour AD DI6 SR (Stiff Regular) which perform well with my 93/99 mph clubspeed. Some other regular didn’t fit me because to strong and others stiff was too soft. Difficult to see clearly except a try….but your rule make sense in general. 75mph = no stiff except for putting with a driver 😂
It’s ironic you just posted this. I went to PGA Tour Superstore this past Thursday and they said I was borderline needing regular versus stiff flex. The dispersion and distance was almost identical. So I am keeping the regular flex and ordered a stiff flex so I can change them out depending on how I am playing on the course
That's cheating you know.....
@@cinepost I don't care what others think or feel about my game. I'm not out there to compete against anyone except myself.
@@Parrott65 That's fine for practice rounds. A lot of golfers actually play by the rules to see what would happen should they play in some sort of competition....but that doesn't apply to you it seems.
@@cinepost that's correct. I just play for the enjoyment of it and I know what my "by the rules" handicap is if I ever play in a local tournament. However, it's just rare and all I care about is going out to the course and playing practice/fun rounds.
I use regular in all my clubs. My driver is 44 inches and backweighted 10 grams at the butt end. I did this as an experiment and stuck with it, because I could feel the shaft load on the backswing and unload on the downswing. Interestingly, I picked up 5 yards and my dispersion improved. This isn’t very scientific, but it worked for me. You might want to try it on an old driver. I now use a Srixon 302 that is about 20 years old. I was astonished it outperformed my “newer” Callaway Rogue. I also reduced my fairway woods by an inch and backweighted them 10 grams as well and got the same results.
I have to say Alex I’m at that point where I know my swing speed has dropped and I got fitted for a new driver later part of last year and I was put into a regular shaft where I was playing a stiff shaft before that much so that I got another stiff shaft and put it in my new club but I’m not seeing any difference I also brought a PXG with 50g stiff shaft and distance wise I’m not seeing any difference so I’m a little confused now lol
Hi David this is just general advice me sometimes it doesn’t fit the mean
I've noticed similar phenomena with grips that are too small or too big. Care to comment on that factor? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.
Yes!! To think can limit your release and to think can mean you struggle to get the club in the fingers
Regular flex on driver, woods, and irons. I fully believe what I once heard years ago: play the most flexible shaft you can still hit straight with the proper distance.
Nice you have a good combo for you
Distance depends on the club head speed and the amount of the backspin - PREDOMINANTLY - the direction MAY depend on the shaft flex but this is debatable as the stiffer shaft usually gives you a better grouping. Stiffer shaft spins less as well and will allow you to find the centre of the club head much easily as it is not flexing that much and is keeping a similar path .
I use a stiff shaft over a regular flex and I get a much straighter shot
Such a good point not to get the shaft for your fastest swing only 👍
Well done alex great advice 👏 👍
THANK YOU Roy
Great tips
Glad it was helpful!
how is this diff for irons?
i can def swing over 95 for driver around 100 but for irons im closer to like 90 and shorter irons would be slower
Possibly the other aspect you did not mention Alex is swing tempo. A golfer with a smooth rhythmic swing would more likely not need a stiffer shaft as the player with the shorter, abrupt fast tempo swing. If a player is swinging too hard for the shaft fitted to his Driver, the misses can be high right fades when he leaves the club face open at impact ( it can't catch up because of shaft bend) and then as you said the next shot is a hook. I have noticed players try to compensate for the high right fades by set up compensations ( closed club face at address, delofted etc) rather than identify the incorrect shaft issue. To make matters worse, many golfers hit down on the Driver shots and add excessive spin to the problem and blame the shaft fitted.
Many of us average golfers live in the 85-95 mph swing speed zone. My Sunday best is 94 mph, but my average shot is 89-90 mph ( PRGR monitor readings). I am using Regular flex shaft in my Driver, but I can play a A flex or even L Flex. Some players are not shaft sensitive and adapt to what they have in hand.
Yes Kyr that is a great point. Everyone should
Read this and what’s been highlighted here
This was such a helpful comment back then, but something I only appreciate now after a driver fitting. Always considered myself a slow swinging slicer of a player withg my regular very light shafted 10.5 Cleveland. I assumed based on everything i'd read I'd be fitted for more loft and i might even be fitted for a senior flex.
Was fitted this weekend for a stiff flex and 9 degrees on a low spinning head. Turns out I was always swinging so slow as when I really went for it I had a huge slice or a duck hook. In the new driver I could just swing as fast as I wanted and typical shot was a soft fade and 10mph extra clubhead speed for a minimum 25 yards of extra carry. I was blown away.
You do need to be careful with shaft flex, one companies R is another's S and vice-versa
great advice thank you
You are so welcome!
for years i played a regular shaft, i didn't think i had club head speed. turns out i swing around 116mph lol.
Hi Alex, a really good topic and thank you for your help. I’m glad I use standard flex clubs as this was how the club pro helped me decide on shafts purely based on swing speeds. 👍😎🇦🇺
you’re welcome! hope this helps
Flex and speed do not directly correlate. It depends how you load it. Weight is more important than flex
This video taught me two things.
Driver accuracy hasn't been my fault for my entire life as I'm very close to needing a extra stiff shaft. 😂
And don't try using a joke magicians wand as an iron shaft.
Bought a Cobra Bio Cell+ driver off Golfbidder a while back, have found myself slicing it quite badly lately, didn't realise at the time it's got a stiff shaft. Have been considering replacing it with something newer but now thinking of just changing to a Reg flex shaft to see if it makes much difference.
I had a similar problem. The Biocell plus is a low spin head, and the Matrix shaft that came with it was very stiff compared to other stiff shafts that I've played.
Love that!! That’s the reason I made this video
I've had the BioCell driver in stiff shaft but mine is Project X. Just went for a driver fitting. The fitter said i hit mine cobra biocell better than the 9 new drivers i hit. So still have the biocell
I would argue that weight is much more importent then flex ( although they go hand in hand most of the time. Heavier = stiffer )
I would agree as having a shaft that is too heavy is a killer. I have found a lighter stiff shaft(er) to be more manageable than a heavy regular.shaft although the points Alex makes remain very relevant..
Couldn’t agree more 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Thanks Mate!
curious on your thoughts on how weight effects the stiffness of a shaft. Now with 40g X flex shafts on the market, the idea of a swing speed to shaft correlation maybe a mute point. The opposite can be said for 75g Stiffs as well.
I'm pretty sure this is at least 50% of the reason my driver doesn't work well. I get MASSIVE spin with it, like 5000+ at time, and very rarely below 4500. Swing speed around 108, been as quick as 114 when really trying to go after it on the sim. Regular flex "box kit" driver. Ball goes about 220 and then falls out of the sky like it hits a wall. I know I need a fitting and can't wait to get one done and see what is possible with the right club in my hand. Figure I could possibly see as much as 50 yards getting that spin in a more normal range.
interesting! not the first time i have heard soemtning like that !
You need to get fit and maybe lessons. Do you know your angle of attack? I had a downward angle of attack and higher spin, but have worked on hitting up to generate better spin numbers. I have a similar swing speed and hit 270-300 depending on quality of strike
@@chiefnakoma A fitting is on the list of needs for sure! I've played a few times on the sims, but don't recall at my angle of attack was. Been working on the swing also, as I know it has been very over the top and coming across the ball.
the end is truly priceless
Not accurate for all players. I swing in the low 80s however I get more distance with an X-Stiff shaft. Golf Digest many years ago did a study with many senior players and found that many achieved more distance with stiffer shafts. It depends how you load the shaft, at least that is what the article said.
Nice you have a shaft that works for you!!
I use a senior 55 g.
Nice how do you get on with it??
@@AlexElliottGolf I think it's the right shaft for my swing speed but my problem with driver is not swinging up properly. My shoulders get too level. Getting better tho.
Very interesting video
Glad you liked it
Mate, where has your mic gone?
it must have been quite low, sorry i will have a look into this
Regular, my swing speed is about 87-94.
Thank you
Interesting, but what about the shaft weight. How does a heavy regular flex compare to a light stiff shaft?
Well that could of saved us some messages had you of put this video out 2 weeks ago🤣🤣🤣 Thank you
hahaha 😂
Aren’t there differences between stiff shafts and different brands? High launch stiff, low launch stiff, different kick points. Of course you would respond to this comment by saying “of course go get fitted” but this video could be misleading as is.
no i completely agree that’s a very fair poor!
I’m just over 110 and I’ve only ever used a regular. My friend who’s an instructor looked at my shaft and said “WTF are you doooing “
At 94 to 100 mph, use 5.5 which is firm.
I don’t think you can forget the playability factor on a fitting to
I swing right at 95 mph. I’m gonna flip a coin for reg and stiff lol.
After a year of golf and choosing a stiff driver shaft. Lots of missed balls low and right.. This year we will be regular... Update you all next year!
Went for a fitting last year and got fitted in a X flex. I was swinging it at 110mph so I could have went with either. I tried both stiff and x and it was the x that came out the best. I use stiff in all my other clubs🤷♂️
Could be a good option due to your spin numbers. Does it perform for you?
@@AlexElliottGolf Yeah, it’s great. I went in thinking I need a forgiving head, so thought I would get a max head, had too much spin at the time and we went with a low spin head in the Mavrik sub zero👍
Can you get fitted for just a shaft not the whole driver as I have the head but need to get a suitable shaft
I love my RAD speed
Alex can speak up had your so low on my TV. You must record it very low
i will have a look into this!