Why shaft flex requires a careful decision (and likely not just one)

Question: Is it a good idea to keep the same shaft flex throughout my set?

Answer: As much as I despise answering a question with “It depends,” it really does depend on the player and what you’re trying to accomplish. I like to think of the golf shaft as a timing mechanism that plays an important role in synching up the clubhead with your swing.

The flex, weight and length of the shaft all influence how a golfer times the release of the clubhead at impact, which is critical for consistent contact. Further complicating things is the fact that there’s no universal flex spectrum across the industry. And we haven’t even discussed EI profiles—the measurement analyzing the stiffness along the entire shaft.

More than any other piece of gear in your bag, it’s imperative that you seek out a certified clubfitter or, at the very least, use a launch monitor to establish launch, spin and carry baselines for each club. It’s impossible to know if playing the same flex could benefit your game if you don’t have a data baseline.

How you deliver the club at impact—known as angle of attack (AoA)—will determine if you’re better off with something that has a reinforced tip to keep launch and spin down or if you need something more lively to induce a higher launch.

In some cases, you could benefit from having both in the bag.

For example, a descending impact with the driver will impart excess spin on the ball, which might require you to play a shaft that's stiff from end to end to shed unwanted spin. On the flip side, the same descending blow with an iron or wedge is ideal for optimizing launch and spin, so it's possible you might not need a robust stiff shaft through the rest of your set.

This is where a fitter who knows the ins and outs of different shaft designs can help you navigate potential options and whittle down the field to a select group for further testing.

From there, you can determine if it’s necessary to maintain the same launch and spin profile through the bag, or if you need to make some adjustments along the way. Playing a beefy shaft in the irons might not benefit the wedges on touch shots inside 75 yards, so don’t be surprised if you wind up in something softer in your scoring clubs.

If you prefer to get on a launch monitor and do some shaft testing on your own before looping in a fitter, consider printing out a copy of Ping’s launch and spin chart. It’s easy to use and explains the optimal numbers for every swing speed and launch angle. Yes, that includes the biggest bombers on the planet.