Regular vs Stiff Shaft: How to Know Which Flex You Actually Need

Most golfers understand that the decision of a regular vs stiff shaft is an important part of any club purchase. But I’d bet a dozen Pro V1s that more than half the golf population wound up with their shaft either because it was the one that happened to be in their hands the moment they were ready to buy; or based on the fastest swing speed they can remember measuring in the last few years.

As a southpaw who’s always had limited equipment options, I understand the temptation to get what’s convenient rather than what’s ideal. But the moment you notice a two-way miss, a ball flight you don’t like, or a dispersion pattern that won’t seem to tighten, you’ll second-guess whether you’re using the right shaft flex.

Here's how to actually figure out if you should play a regular vs stiff shaft, so you can stop second-guessing and play with confidence.

Regular vs Stiff Shaft: The Key Difference to Expect

Shaft flex describes how much force is required to make the shaft flex during the golf swing.

Your golf shaft might look like a perfectly straight stick, but it actually bends during your swing. It loads in the backswing, then kicks (releasing that load) during the downswing.

The stiffness of the shaft determines when the shaft loads and kicks, and using the wrong stiffness for your swing means the shaft will kick at the wrong time. The timing of that kick influences your launch angle and club face angle, which influence distance, spin, and dispersion. 

That’s why your swing speed is important. But choosing your shaft flex based on one, often outdated, swing speed measurement is dangerous. Once you’re past your mid-20s, swing speed naturally declines with age. Of course, speed training is more accessible and prominent than ever, and if you do it, you’ve probably seen serious swing speed gains. Not to mention your swing speed is always a range, never a number. Expect your speed on the first tee in the brisk 7:30 AM air to be slower than it is on the 18th tee close to noon.

Speed is important, but it’s not the only factor to consider. Tempo is important, too. A player with a quick transition applies more force than someone with the same swing speed but a slower transition.

Regular and stiff flex are the two most common flexes among recreational golfers, but there are other options as well, including ladies (L-Flex), senior (A-Flex), and extra stiff (X-Flex).

Playing too stiff of a shaft can lead to a lower ball flight (which contributes to a loss of distance) and shots that miss in the push/slice direction.

On the other hand, playing a shaft that’s too soft can lead to a higher ball flight and either a two-way miss or a predominantly pull/hook ball flight.

Who Should Play Regular Flex Shafts

Using generalizations about your swing speed, tempo, and ball flight characteristics can provide a good starting point for who should play a regular flex shaft, but ultimately, the only way to find out if a shaft works for your game is to try it out.

If your swing speed (your current speed, not the fastest one you measured three years ago) is in the 85-95 MPH range, you’re a good candidate for an R-Flex shaft.

An R-Flex shaft can also be a good fit for players on the bottom end or just below that swing speed range who have a quicker transition, because that transition will put more force into the shaft.

Players looking to improve their ball flight or accuracy can also look to an R-Flex shaft for help.

If you fit into R-Flex shafts, here are a few options that could work for your game, depending on your needs.

Mitsubishi C6 Black: If your swing speed puts you firmly in the R-Flex category but you’re looking for a more penetrating ball flight, the Mitsubishi C6 Black hybrid shaft is ideal for the hybrid or driving iron you use for finding the fairway on less-than-driver holes.

Mitsubishi MMT: For players who prefer the ease of hybrids, the Mitsubishi MMT R-Flex hybrid shaft delivers a mid-launch and mid-spin profile for a seamless transition out of those hard-to-hit long irons.

VA Composites Drago: If you want a fairway wood option off the tee that takes one side of the hole out of play, the VA Composites Drago R-Flex fairway wood shaft can help. Its tip-stiff profile helps cut down on misses in the hook/pull direction, and the heavier weight profile gives players better feel and control of the club head during the downswing.

Who Should Play Stiff Shafts

Players with a driver swing speed of around 95 to 105 MPH are a better fit for stiff shafts. Stiff (S-Flex) shafts can also work for players with swing speeds in the lower 90s who have an aggressive transition, or players on the top end of that range who have a smooth transition.

If you currently use an R-Flex shaft and notice your ball ballooning, feel too much shaft whip, or see inconsistent dispersion, moving up to a stiffer shaft could help tighten things up and reduce misses in the pull/hook direction.

Playing too weak of a shaft can result in hitting the ball too high, and similarly, playing too stiff of a shaft usually creates too low of a ball flight. In either case, you’re losing distance compared to hitting the ideal launch window.

Check out a few of the ways a stiff flex shaft can benefit your game below, or browse all S-Flex shafts.

Aretera EC1 Blue: If you belong in a stiff flex shaft but like your shaft to have some feel to it, check out the Aretera EC1 Blue driver shaft. It’s designed to load smoothly for higher swing speed players without the boardy feel that some stiff shafts give.

Fujikura Ventus TR Velocore Blue: Players looking to tighten their dispersion off the tee – particularly those with a more aggressive transition – should look closely at the Fujikura Ventus TR Velocore Blue driver shaft.

Graphite Design Tour AD XC: If you’re looking to get more distance out of your ball speed by reducing spin, the Graphite Design Tour AD XC fairway wood shaft could be a good option for you. It’s made to create low-spin, more carry distance and a tighter dispersion with a mid-to-low trajectory.

How To Choose When You’re In Between a Stiff vs Regular Shaft

What do you do when your swing speed doesn’t fall cleanly into a regular vs stiff flex shaft? 

Fortunately, since swing speed is only part of the bigger picture of shaft flex, you can evaluate plenty of other variables to come to the right choice.

Since shaft flex can influence your dispersion and trajectory, comparing your current dispersion and trajectory to your current shaft flex gives you plenty of information to make the right choice.

If your ball flight is too low (around a 100 foot apex with your driver is a good target window) and your misses tend to be pushes and slices, you’re probably playing too stiff of a shaft. Try moving down one flex.

If you notice your ball flight ballooning and see a wide dispersion cone with big misses on both sides, or a predominant pull/hook miss, then you’re probably playing too soft of a shaft, and it’s time to test something stiffer.

Keep in mind that shaft flex is not the only lever at your disposal for dialing in the perfect ball flight, dispersion, and optimizing distance. If you think you’re in the right flex but still want to improve your ball flight, pay attention to the shaft’s profile and weight. 

Every shaft is categorized by its intended launch and spin profile. You can adjust your launch window by moving to a different profile of shaft without changing the flex.

Shafts also come in various weights. The weight of the shaft influences how the club feels during the swing, and how fast you can swing it. Since lighter shafts naturally create more clubhead speed (and therefore more distance), it’s often recommended to play the lightest shaft that you can hit the sweet spot with consistently.

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Certified pre-owned R-flex shafts for players in the 85–95 mph swing speed range.

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Certified pre-owned S-flex shafts for players in the 95–105 mph swing speed range.

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Does It Change for Irons vs. Woods?

The stiff vs regular shaft question doesn't have one answer for your whole bag; you shouldn't choose your iron shaft flex based on your driver shaft flex, or vice-versa. You very well may end up in the same flex for both sets of clubs, but if you want to get it right, you should make those decisions independently of one another.

First of all, your swing speed might not be linear, meaning just because your speed profile puts you in one category for woods, doesn’t mean that will translate to irons.

You also may have different needs in the different parts of your bag.

I’ll use myself as an example. My driver swing speed is around 101-104 mph, and I use a stiff shaft. Meanwhile, my 6-iron swing speed is around 85 mph, and I use regular flex shafts in my irons. Based on swing speed alone, I could play stiff shafts in my irons, but I need all the launch and spin I can get in my iron game. A stiff shaft would create lower launch and spin, but moving into regular gives me a boost in those areas, which helps fight my low-ball tendency from that aspect of my game.

This is just one example of why it’s important to fit the player, and their goals, not just their swing speed, when choosing between a regular vs stiff shaft.

Stiff vs Regular Shaft: Browse The Right Shafts

Swing speed is part of the equation, but you can see how it’s just the tip of the iceberg when choosing between a regular vs stiff shaft. Whether you land on a stiff vs regular shaft for your driver, fairway woods, or irons, the right call always comes back to trajectory and dispersion, not a single speed number.

Think about these things for your woods and your irons independently of each other.

Once you evaluate the entire picture, browse regular and stiff shafts at Next Round Golf to find the best setup for your needs.