Will a regular shaft go further than a stiff shaft all other specs being equal ?
JimHarrington Answered question August 3, 2022
Will a regular shaft go further than a stiff shaft all other specs being equal ?
I posted on this yesterday but the bullet formatting did not work. When I edited the post apparently I deleted it, or perhaps someone deleted it for me. I will try again …
Years ago, before the large springy drivers and strong lofts in irons, a robot study was done for a swing speed that was marginally between regular and stiff flexes. They studied a 5 iron distance of about 160 yards and a driver distance of about 240 yards, comparing stiff versus regular flex shafts.
The distance and dispersion increased going to an R-flex in the driver, but the 5 iron distance was actually slightly less in the 5-iron. Still negligible, in my opinion, but it seemed obvious that the impact of the dynamic loft increase with flex exceeded the extra kick associated with flex at that loft angle. With the driver the dynamic loft was not enough to counter the extra shaft kick, or perhaps that dynamic loft helped produce more carry. I don’t remember anything on the actual lofts being studied.
I thought at the time that the difference in dispersion with both clubs was not enough to be significant for all but players at the highest level. The conclusion, for me, was that anyone near this distance range would not be hurt playing stiff shafts in the irons, but should consider the softer flex in the driver/metals. (Today, if your 6-iron distance is 160 you are probably right in the range of this study.)
There are, of course, many variables in this question and I think it best to test specific equipment for your particular swing in a controlled setting, such as on an indoor simulator where you can see the numbers. (I’ve hit stock “stiff” shafts that felt like a senior flex. I’ve hit stiff shafts that felt like an X-flex.) Generally you may find that the shaft flex question comes down to your tempo. Quick transitions at the top of the back swing and/or swings with exceptional shaft-loading typically demand a firmer flex for control.