Shaft Stiffness question

[anthony]

I'm in the market for a new 3 wood and not sure which shaft to get. My irons are true temper dynalite gold stiff ( i think that's the name). Also, my nike 4 and 5 sq2 hybrids are Diamana stiff flex. My driver is stiff too, but I don't hit it well, so it doesn't count. My irons and hybrids fit me just right right and I'm happy with ball flight, distance, etc.

I have these dunlop 3w and 5w that have regular flex from my old set. However, they say "stiff tip" whatever that means. I forget the shaft name. I'm pretty happy with the way I hit the 3 wood, but it's over 10 years old and need replaced. My first thought is to go stiff, but since I hit the 3 wood okay I wonder if I should stay with regular. Also, I should note that I picked up yardage when I switched to stiff shafts on my irons, but that is probably due to new club heads also.

Is there a way to test and compare stiffness with a meter or something a golf pro might have?

I hit my 7 iron from 160 on average if that makes a difference.

[deronsizemore]

I like steel shafts in all of my fairway woods. Gives them a little heavier feel which I like.

Just go try some at your local golf course, driving range or golf store and buy what you like.

[Steve Keeler]

Find out your swing speed, most courses that have demo days have the equipment to monitor it, if not an upscale club or big box store should have a monitor. This will give you an idea where your swing fits with shaft flex.

[zeg]

Measuring and characterizing the flex is tricky. There are devices and methods, but I think it's beyond the normal capacity for a golf shop and not a worthwhile method for picking a club. Get a fitting, or at least get your swing speed measured and use that to help you pick after you test a bunch of options. The one that feels best, and performs best on the range (or a monitor) is the one you want.