Even the subtlest changes in a golf shaft’s stiffness or flex can produce a noticeable shift in the ball’s arc, speed, or height. This is why it’s strongly recommended that players who are serious about their game order a custom-fit golf shaft. Custom shafts from a reputable store like Fairway Jockey ensures consistent performance, heightened playability, and peace of mind.
To fully understand how a shaft affects performance, the following is what happens with a golf shaft is too stiff. (The stiffness of a shaft simply refers to how resistant the shaft is to the force of impact when the club head comes into contact with the ball.)
Of course, both of these bullet points are a part of a larger narrative. Each player’s strengths, weaknesses, and experience levels intersect with a shaft’s flex or stiffness to produce results, which is why club fitting and a custom-made club is so imperative.
Two Main Effects of a Too-Stiff Golf Shaft
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The distance will be shorter. Stiff shafts tend to impact distance, resulting in shorter distance. This is because the typical swing speed and the stiffness of the shaft have a contradictory effect on one another. A shaft that is too stiff will absorb the force of the swing, which affects the timing of the transference of energy from the club to the ball at impact. The ball tends to fly lower, which impacts distance.
As a note, the dynamic nature of a shaft’s stiffness and a player’s swing speed matter. If a player has a faster swing speed, they can actually benefit from a golf shaft that is a bit stiffer. However, a shaft that is too stiff will have a detrimental effect.
- A fade in the ball’s arc. A shaft that is too shift has been shown to cause a fade, which is a term describing a ball’s movement from left to right (for a right-handed player). This has an impact on accuracy, which can be quite frustrating for players who are trying to squarely make contact with the ball.
Fairway Jockey: Custom-Made Shaft Superstore
To determine which shaft is right for you and your swing, peruse our thousands of custom shaft options online. On the left hand navigation bar, filter by type of shaft (wood, hybrid, iron, or putter) and other preferences such as launch and spin rate.
Each shaft has several flex options to choose from in the online customization process. If you run into questions about which shaft or shaft’s flex is right for you and your performance goals, the Fairway Jockey team is available by live chat or 30 minute 1:1 phone call on weekdays. Our experienced fitters can ensure that your shaft choice and its flex are right for you, so you aren’t hindered by a shaft that’s too stiff.
