Stiff vs. regular shaft

[keb]

Other than what feels best, what should I be looking at in determining whether to get a regular or stiff shaft for a new hybrid I am considering.

[Titleist_ProV1x]

Other than what feels best, what should I be looking at in determining whether to get a regular or stiff shaft for a new hybrid I am considering.

It's all about your club head speed, that will indicate the correct shaft flex for you, go and get fitted

[zeg]

From what I understand it's not quite ALL about the head speed, as tempo can affect it somewhat. If you make a quick turn at the top of your backswing, you may need a stiffer shaft, or vice versa. But in general, yeah, just go find your club head speed to decide.

[sean_miller]

Other than what feels best, what should I be looking at in determining whether to get a regular or stiff shaft for a new hybrid I am considering.

Get whatever shaft allows you to hit the ball at the target with a full swing.

[BrianSharpe]

I was under the impression that a stiff shaft would create more consistancy due to less movement in the head.
But I have been told this is WRONG! :(

This from my local golf pro:
A shaft that is too stiff can cause a fade.
This because the head does not have time to flex back to square by the time the ball is struck, leaving it open and causing a fade.
Likewise, if a staff is too flexible, the club will flex back too quickly and will be closed at strike causing a draw.

So I am currently replacing all my stiffs with regular due to my slow swing speed! :(
question: I'm doing this on my driver and woods, but am not going to bother with my irons, leaving them as stiff graphite. sound alright to everyone?

[B Keller]

It's all about your club head speed, that will indicate the correct shaft flex for you, go and get fitted

Umm....not so much.

From what I understand it's not quite ALL about the head speed, as tempo can affect it somewhat. If you make a quick turn at the top of your backswing, you may need a stiffer shaft, or vice versa. But in general, yeah, just go find your club head speed to decide.

Right. Club head speed is one of the last things you look at. The most important thing is how you swing a club.

If you have a slow tempo with smooth transition, then depending on what you want the ball to do and club head speed, you will probably want either a regular or soft stiff shaft. If you have quick tempo and fast transition then you will probably want a stiffer shaft. Then you have to factor in there is not a standard for shaft flex. And even if there was, you will have to factor in where on the shaft the kick point is, what the torque is, etc. That will have massive effects on what the shaft does. I have a set of Adams a7 clubs with a regular shaft. CPM count on the 6 iron is 314. I have a set of KZG Forged III with a Nippon 1050 stiff shaft. CPM count on the 6 iron is 298. Makes sense, doesn't it? I hit the KZG way better. The only way to know what shaft you need is to either be a qualified fitter or go see one.