One of the most common questions golfers ask when buying clubs is:

What shaft flex should I use?

And honestly, there’s no perfect one-size-fits-all answer.

Shaft flex is influenced by:

• swing speed
• tempo
• timing
• transition
• feel
• and personal preference

A golfer with a smooth rhythm may suit something completely different to a player with a quick aggressive transition, even if their swing speeds are similar.

That’s why getting fit properly can make such a difference.

You can explore our club fitting options here:
https://golf360.co.nz/pages/golf-club-fitting

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The Biggest Misconception About Shaft Flex

For years, one of the biggest misconceptions in golf was that everyone needed a stiff shaft.

A lot of golfers almost treated shaft flex like a badge of honour.

But things have changed a little in recent years.

Since COVID, we’ve definitely seen more younger players and more athletic golfers entering the game. That has increased the number of players genuinely suited to stiff and extra stiff shafts.

At the same time though, there are still plenty of golfers using shafts that are too stiff for their swing.

Especially when:

• using older equipment
• using very heavy steel shafts
• or trying to match what their mates play

The goal should always be finding the shaft that best suits your swing, not someone else’s.

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What Does Shaft Flex Actually Do?

A shaft is there to help match:

• the timing
• tempo
• and release pattern

…of your golf swing.

When the shaft suits your swing properly, the club tends to:

• feel easier to square up
• launch more consistently
• improve strike quality
• tighten dispersion
• and improve overall confidence

When the flex is wrong, things can become inconsistent quickly.

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Signs Your Shaft Might Be Too Soft

If a shaft is too soft for your swing, you’ll often notice:

• inconsistent dispersion
• hooks or overdraws
• timing issues
• the club feeling unstable through impact

For stronger or faster golfers, a shaft that’s too soft can sometimes feel like it’s “lagging behind” the swing.

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Signs Your Shaft Might Be Too Stiff

If a shaft is too stiff, golfers often struggle with:

• launching the ball high enough
• feeling the club load properly
• distance consistency
• poor strike quality
• low ball flight

This can be particularly noticeable in older equipment where shafts were often:

• heavier
• firmer
• and less forgiving than modern designs

Modern steel shafts have actually become much lighter over time.

Years ago, 130-gram iron shafts were very common.

Now we regularly see:

• 90g shafts
• 100g shafts
• lighter overall builds

That reduction in weight has helped many golfers generate better speed and launch conditions.

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General Shaft Flex Guidelines (with driver)

These are only rough guidelines, but they’re a decent starting point:

But swing speed alone doesn’t tell the full story.

Tempo matters too.

Some golfers swing very aggressively from the top and suit firmer shafts even without massive swing speed.

Others have smooth rhythm and prefer slightly softer feeling shafts.

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Driver Shaft Flex vs Iron Shaft Flex

Your driver shaft and iron shafts don’t necessarily need to match perfectly.

Some golfers might use:

• stiff in the driver
• regular in irons

Others may prefer:

• heavier iron shafts
• lighter driver shafts

There’s plenty of individual preference involved.

This is why testing clubs properly is so important.

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What About Graphite Iron Shafts?

Graphite iron shafts have definitely improved dramatically over the years.

They can work really well for golfers who:

• need help launching the ball
• have lower swing speed
• experience arthritis or joint pain
• want less vibration through impact

That said, we haven’t necessarily seen a complete shift away from steel.

Modern steel shafts are now much lighter and easier to use than they used to be, which has kept them very popular.

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Don’t Choose Shaft Flex Based on Ego

This is important.

Golfers sometimes choose shafts based on what sounds impressive rather than what actually helps them play better golf.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with:

• regular flex
• lighter shafts
• graphite shafts
• or softer profiles

The goal is:

• consistency
• strike quality
• launch
• dispersion
• and confidence

Not trying to impress someone on the driving range.

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Club Fitting Makes a Huge Difference

One of the best things about modern club fitting is that golfers can now test:

• different shaft weights
• flexes
• launch profiles
• and feels

…very quickly.

Sometimes the “correct” shaft on paper isn’t actually the one a golfer performs best with.

Feel and confidence still matter.

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Final Thoughts

Shaft flex absolutely matters, but it’s only one part of the overall picture.

The best shaft for you is the one that helps:

• your timing
• your strike quality
• your launch
• and your confidence

There’s no perfect universal answer.

And honestly, golfers are often surprised once they actually get fit properly and compare different options side-by-side.

If you’re serious about improving consistency and getting more out of your equipment, proper fitting is one of the smartest things you can invest in.

You can explore our golf club fitting services here:
https://golf360.co.nz/pages/golf-club-fitting

And browse our full golf club range here:

https://golf360.co.nz/collections/golf-clubs

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FAQs

What shaft flex should most golfers use?

Many golfers fit somewhere between regular and stiff flex, but swing speed, tempo, and timing all play important roles.

Is stiff flex better than regular flex?

Not necessarily. The best shaft is the one that suits your swing and helps improve consistency.

Can a shaft be too stiff?

Yes. A shaft that’s too stiff can reduce launch, affect strike quality, and make the club feel difficult to load properly.

Can a shaft be too soft?

Yes. A shaft that’s too soft can create timing issues and wider dispersion, especially for faster swingers.

Are graphite iron shafts good?

Absolutely. Modern graphite shafts can suit golfers wanting more launch, lighter feel, and less vibration through impact.

Happy golfing

Scott Pickett
PGA Professional
Founder - Golf 360
Mount Maunganui