Am I ok with regular flex steel shafts with 88mph swing speed 6 iron?

[cjc0504]

Hey guys,

I just bought some new Taylormade RocketBladez irons and got regular flex as I figured I don't need stiff since I've been playing < 3 years.  However, I got my swing analyzed and my average speed with a 6 iron was tested at 88 mph.  I've read varying points of view on whether shaft flex really makes that much of a difference, but I have had pretty good results with my irons thus far (i.e. no "spraying it all over the place".  I watched a video of a guy on youtube hitting 5 balls with x stiff shafts and 5 with ladies graphite and there was no measurable difference.  However, I've read the opposite end of the spectrum of views on shaft stiffness too.

So my question is,  do I need to exchange my clubs for stiff shafts or will I be OK with regular flex?

Thanks in advance

[Jeremie Boop]

Hey guys,

I just bought some new Taylormade RocketBladez irons and got regular flex as I figured I don't need stiff since I've been playing < 3 years.  However, I got my swing analyzed and my average speed with a 6 iron was tested at 88 mph.  I've read varying points of view on whether shaft flex really makes that much of a difference, but I have had pretty good results with my irons thus far (i.e. no "spraying it all over the place".  I watched a video of a guy on youtube hitting 5 balls with x stiff shafts and 5 with ladies graphite and there was no measurable difference.  However, I've read the opposite end of the spectrum of views on shaft stiffness too.

So my question is,  do I need to exchange my clubs for stiff shafts or will I be OK with regular flex?

Thanks in advance

I would say if you are not having issues with your irons then don't worry about it. I was fitted to a stiff at 90 but that's not to say that I wouldn't be able to play with a regular flex shaft. The issue is, also, that shaft flexes aren't really standardized. So on complany's stiff may be more like another company's regular etc.

[Mark Schulz]

The idea that swing speed and shaft stiffness are that closely related is long gone. There are so many more factors with a shaft - and so much varies from shaft to shaft - that we would have no way of knowing if your present shaft is the right one for you no matter what your swing speed. The best thing to do is go to a decent fitter and have them check things like launch angle and spin generated with your present shafts. They can also look at shot dispersion patterns.

For example - I have always used a stiff shaft on my irons and have a swing speed with the 6 iron of 98 on average. But my latest fitting for my present irons found the regular shaft option for that particular brand of shaft got me the launch angle and shot dispersion pattern I wanted.

[WUTiger]

The idea that swing speed and shaft stiffness are that closely related is long gone. There are so many more factors with a shaft - and so much varies from shaft to shaft - that we would have no way of knowing if your present shaft is the right one for you no matter what your swing speed. The best thing to do is go to a decent fitter and have them check things like launch angle and spin generated with your present shafts. ...

The best way is to work with a fitter. The six-factor Mizuno shaft optimizer can give you a short list of three shafts which fit your swing characteristics.

For example, your transition at top has a lot to say about what shaft flex you need. For a person on the line on the line between R and S in terms of swing speed: you would go stiff if you have a quick/fast transition at the top, but regular if you have a smoother transition.

A skilled fitter can give you better information on this than us fellow TST sages.

[Lihu]

If your swing originates from the core, the flex doesn't make too much difference. The ball flight and distances are not all that much different as you can adapt to the shaft.

[mvmac]

So my question is,  do I need to exchange my clubs for stiff shafts or will I be OK with regular flex?

If you can get a set with stiff shafts I think you'll be happier long term.

If your swing originates from the core, the flex doesn't make too much difference. The ball flight and distances are not all that much different as you can adapt to the shaft.

Everyone's swing or swing speed basically "originates" from the same places. Some players just turn faster and swing their arms faster than others.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

If your swing originates from the core, the flex doesn't make too much difference. The ball flight and distances are not all that much different as you can adapt to the shaft.

Everyone's swing or swing speed basically "originates" from the same places. Some players just turn faster and swing their arms faster than others.

Prior to a year ago my swing originated from the arms. It's slowly moving to my core. The more I move to my core, the less effect shaft seems to have. True that I made a generalization based upon my own experience, but it was a pretty dramatic change. Now, you just need to help me get rid of my OTT move. . .

[iacas]

If your swing originates from the core, the flex doesn't make too much difference. The ball flight and distances are not all that much different as you can adapt to the shaft.

This makes no sense. The shaft flex makes a fairly significant difference to ball speed, launch angle, spin, quality of contact… delivered loft, "feel" of the shaft during the swing, etc.

[Kenny Lee]

Personally, I think far too many people play stiff shafts. My swing speed is 95-100mph, and I use regular shafts.

They feel much better to me. Stiff shafts feel like swinging a tree trunk.

[onthehunt526]

You could get regular shafts and get them hard stepped or stiff and soft stepped... Personally its all about feel...