Stiff vs. Regular Shaft: This Chart Makes it Clear

Here's how to know which shaft flex to choose, and other shaft variables that influence ball flight

By
, GolfLink Editor
Updated July 3, 2024
New golf clubs on a rack with stiff and regular shaft flexes
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    New golf clubs on a rack with stiff and regular shaft flexes
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    Orest Drozda
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    Shutterstock license

The lion’s share of golfers fit into either stiff or regular flex shafts. So how do you decide between a stiff vs. regular shaft, or a different flex, when it’s time to buy a new club or replace a shaft? 

Even though the world of golf shaft flex can be quite complex – with variables like kick point, weight, and length combined with flex to create a mind-boggling equation – it can also be quite simple. 

Brian Foy, founder of Steadfast Golf Shafts and PGA Professional who has conducted countless club fittings and golf lessons throughout his career, explains.

“You have four flexes and you're typically going to be in between two, right?” Foy said. “If you're right on the fence, I would highly and always recommend going with the weaker flex.”

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Golf Shaft Flex Chart

While there are plenty of variables to consider when choosing between a regular and stiff shaft, the most reliable way to select the best shaft flex is to start with your driver swing speed. The faster your swing speed is, the stiffer your shaft should be. 

While stiff and regular shafts fit the majority of golfers, Ladies Flex, Senior Flex, and X-Stff shafts are also common.

This golf shaft flex chart can help you find the appropriate shaft flex based on your driver swing speed.

Shaft Flex

Driver Swing Speed

Ladies / L

Up to 75 mph

Senior / A

70-84 mph

Regular / R

80-94 mph

Stiff / S

90-109 mph

X-Stiff / X

105+ mph

Stiff vs. Regular Flex Shaft

Golfer showing shaft flex on his downswing

Every shaft flexes during the down and through swing

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    Golfer showing shaft flex on his downswing
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    Photoongraphy
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    Shutterstock license

Every shaft flexes during the golf swing, specifically during the down and through swing. As swing speed increases, the amount a shaft flexes also increases, and because the amount that the shaft flexes has a direct influence on where the club head is throughout the swing (the shaft, afterall, is the only connection between your grip and the club head), it's paramount to use a shaft the flexes the right amount for your swing. 

That's why players with faster swing speeds need stiffer shafts to get the optimal flexion during the swing, while slower swing speed players can use weaker shafter (regular, senior, or ladies) to get the right flexion from their swing.  

“If it's a little too whippy for you, then your miss is going be left and right,” Foy said. “Basically, it's going to be really hard to time it at impact.”

Meanwhile, using a shaft that’s too stiff can result in a lower ball flight, loss of distance, and a tendency to push the ball.

In addition to your swing speed, your tempo can impact which shaft flex is best for you. If you have a slower tempo, then you’re not putting as much load into the shaft, and therefore you could play a weaker flex. If you have a quicker tempo that puts more load on the shaft, a stiffer shaft could be a better option. 

That’s one reason why there is some overlap in the golf shaft flex chart above. Don’t overthink this, but if your swing speed could fit two different flexes, consider your tempo and Foy’s advice about favoring the weaker flex. 

Another reason for that overlap is that there is no industry standard in shaft flex. Instead, every manufacturer uses its own scale to determine which shafts are regular or stiff.

“There's no set scale to how you profile a regular, a stiff, or an X, or a ladies, or a senior,” Foy told GolfLink. “The main thing is understanding the feel of the shaft and how it can work for you in your swing, specifically in your down and through swing.”

That means that a Stiff flex from one shaft-maker might be labeled Regular by another, even if both shafts have the same flexion. That’s why it’s important to evaluate both how a shaft feels when you swing it, and what the ball does. 

The shaft is considered the engine of the golf club, and your shaft has a huge influence on trajectory, shot shape, distance, and consistency.

Using a shaft that fits your swing produces the best distance and accuracy possible. When you use a shaft that’s ill-fit for your swing, your game can suffer. 

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Flex/Stiffness

The right shaft flex produces the longest, straightest shots.

More Stiff: 

  • Using a shaft that’s too stiff leads to lower shots with a push tendency

Less Stiff:

  • A shaft with too much flex becomes whippy, hindering timing and reducing your ability to square the face through impact resulting in a two-way miss

Tempo & Shaft Flex

In addition to your swing speed, your tempo can impact which shaft flex is best for you. If you have a slower tempo, then you’re not putting as much load into the shaft, and therefore you could play a weaker flex. If you have a quicker tempo that puts more load on the shaft, a stiffer shaft could be a better option. 

That’s one reason why there is some overlap in the golf shaft flex chart above. Don’t overthink this, but if your swing speed could fit two different flexes, consider your tempo and Foy’s advice about favoring the weaker flex. 

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There Are No Shaft Flex Standards

Another reason for that overlap is that there is no industry standard in shaft flex. Instead, every manufacturer uses its own scale to determine which shafts are regular or stiff.

“There's no set scale to how you profile a regular, a stiff, or an X, or a ladies, or a senior,” Foy told GolfLink. “The main thing is understanding the feel of the shaft and how it can work for you in your swing, specifically in your down and through swing.”

That means that a Stiff flex from one shaft-maker might be labeled Regular by another, even if both shafts have the same flexion. That’s why it’s important to evaluate both how a shaft feels when you swing it, and what the ball does. 

The shaft is considered the engine of the golf club, and your shaft has a huge influence on trajectory, shot shape, distance, and consistency.

Using a shaft that fits your swing produces the best distance and accuracy possible. When you use a shaft that’s ill-fit for your swing, your game can suffer. 

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Shaft Fitting Chart

There are several other variables in each shaft that impact performance. If you want to go beyond marrying your swing speed to the appropriate shaft flex for you, you can be selective of the weight, kick point, and length of your shaft.

This golf shaft chart shows how shaft flex, weight, kick point (also known as bend point), and length all affect ball flight and performance.

Shaft Weight

In addition to choosing your shaft flex, you may also have the option of different shaft weights.

Here's the impact of using a heavier shaft:

  • Using a heavier shaft reduces club head speed and potential distance
  • The heavier a shaft is, the more awareness you have of your club, which can create better and more consistent strikes
  • As shaft weight increases, trajectory lowers
  • Heavier shafts can lead to fatigue

Here's what to expect from a lighter shaft:

  • A lighter shaft creates more speed and greater distance potential
  • A lighter shaft makes it more difficult to feel and control the club head during the swing, which can hinder accuracy
  • As shaft weight decreases, launch increases
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Kick Point (or Bend Point)

The kick point of a shaft is the point where the shaft bends, and the area where a shaft may bend is relatively small. Within that area, the bend point can be higher or lower on the shaft, which influences trajectory.

Kick Point Influence:

  • A higher kick point produces a lower trajectory
  • A lower kick point produces a higher trajectory

Shaft Length

The length of your shaft influences swing speed and control. Here's how.

Longer Shafts:

  • A longer shaft creates more club head speed and greater distance potential
  • A longer shaft is more difficult to control, which can hinder consistency

Shorter Shafts:

  • A shorter shaft creates less club head speed
  • With a shorter shaft it is easier to hit the sweet spot, increasing accuracy and consistency
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Finding Your Shaft

There’s nothing wrong with selecting a shaft based solely on your swing speed. However, you can make it infinitely more complex than that if you choose.

As with most things in golf, there is plenty of give and take when selecting a shaft. If you want maximum distance, you might need to sacrifice some control and accuracy to get it, or vice-versa. 

It’s up to you to pinpoint your preferences. From there, you can pinpoint the shaft with the right profile for you. 

Of course, it’s always a good idea to see a professional fitter who is well-versed in the impact of every variable and can find the best setup for your swing.