Going from Stiff to Regular

[HighTopFade]

Just browsing through eBay wanting to try out a different set of irons. I am using a stiff right now. What performance advantages or disadvantages should I expect? Thanks in advance.

[ezra76]

Not exactly sure with irons as I've always played stiff. I hit the set I gave to my dad a few times, they were regular and I hit them a lot higher than my irons. With drivers, I actually hit it further with an S than an X but I get the most accuracay with an X. I am way too inconsistent with an R to play one. I'd hit at least one tee-shot OB or lost per round.

[Rockford35]

It depends.

If you transition from the top hard into the ball, you'll probably overpower a regular shaft. That being said, if you're more of a sweeper, or pick the ball, then the shafts you have might be giving you a disadvantage.

I personally think that A LOT of guys out there are playing irons shafts that are too stiff. I was in that boat for about 4 years. I played stiff+ for the longest time before hitting a R+ shaft and improved my accuracy and distance control considerably.

While each person is obviously built differently when it comes to their swing, in my opinion, going softer won't hurt you for the most part.

If you can, get out and hit some. You'll see the difference right away.

R35

[MCDavis]

What are you looking at getting?

Be sure to compare specs on the reg shafts compared to what you're currently hitting so you don't make more of a change than you realize.

[LyleG]

I find that about 75% of the guys who come into my shop play shafts that are far to stiff for them. When I ask guys if they know their swing speed most figure they swing the driver at about 100 mph and their 5 iron at about 85. Most are way off. Most middle age weekend warriors fall between 80 and 95, most being around the 85 mark with the driver, and about 72 with the 5 iron. They always ask me if the machine is accurate, and yes it is.

In short, play the softest shaft you can control. One you can load and unload without having to loosen your belt. I personally swing my driver at an average speed of 108 mph and my 5 iron at 88 ave. and play reg flex shafts. I find they feel better and I know I dont have to lean into them to get them to perform. This keeps my hands softer and my swing looser which leads to both more distance and accuracy.

[Rockford35]

Great points, Lyle.

I play Rifle 5.5's, and I hit my 5 iron around 185. My 7 iron is good up to about 165 if I tag it. 4 iron, 200 yards (my par 3 club ).

My driver SS is around 112 (measured).

R35

[ezra76]

My NS 1050's play softer than an S300 stiff from what I've read. I can move the ball easier R to L than any other irons I've hit and attribute this mostly to the shafts. I also hit them further than other irons I've had. They are 1" long to boot though. I've thought about going with an X-stiff in an NS 1150 but I'm probably where I should be with these. I seem to have better accuracy with a stiffer driver shaft and wonder if the same would hold with irons.

[demon]

Best bet is to try a R flex shaft, I would play them if I could, hell i wish i could play S flex.

[Jules150]

Originally Posted by demon

Best bet is to try a R flex shaft, I would play them if I could, hell i wish i could play S flex.

why?... more distance?

[Fourputt]

I've always played "R" shafts, because going to stiff tended to turn my fade into a slice, especially with the driver. But when I bought my new irons last summer, the stiff graphites that come in the King Cobra 3400 turned out to be right for me. However, I also now have a TM r7 driver, and for that I still needed the R flex.

My driver swing speed measured on the monitor at Golfsmith is 93-95 mph.

[HighTopFade]

I always had a hard steep swing. It's getting better in terms of tempo and angle of attack. I am considering a used set of Titleist 981s in regular flex. Maybe it might make the game a whole lot easier.

[REFLOG]

If both golfers were equal in terms of swing quality/index/etc.......

Is it possible for a person to hit 7i 165 in stiff flex which matches his swing speed (85-95) and....

Another person to hit a 7i 165 in regular flex which matches his swing speed (75-85)??????

Or is distance dictated by swing speed (considering all other things equal-swing quality)?????

Any pros on tour that play R flex??

[ManchesterGolfer]

I've recently switched from Titleist 690.cb's with S300's to Callaway X14 PS with 5.0 (reg) project X's. The main reason I changed was that my right wrist would hurt when I hit 3,4,5, or 6 iron with the S300's. Since switching I've had no problem with the wrist & my distances are a little further but the main been difference has been a dramatic improvement in accuracy. Moving to reg's has allowed me to swing a little more relaxed and I'm hitting my irons better than I have for a couple of seasons.