It’s a big decision to move from regular flex to senior flex, and many golfers are unsure when the time has come. Understanding the difference between regular flex vs. senior flex can certainly help improve your chances of finding the correct product.
As a professional golfer, I think golfers tend to underestimate the importance of the proper shaft in their golf clubs. Here’s how you can choose between regular flex vs. senior flex and ensure you are getting the most out of your clubs.
Regular Flex vs. Senior Flex (What’s the Difference?)
A regular flex golf shaft is made for golfers with more than 90 mph of swing speed but less than 100 mph. Senior flex golf shafts are for golfers that swing their driver between 75 and 90 mph.
Regular flex golf shafts come in both steel and graphite; the senior flex shafts are almost always graphite. Golfers that play with regular shafted golf clubs tend to hit their driver more than 200 yards. The senior flex shaft golfers tend to struggle to get to the 200-yard mark.
What is Regular Flex Golf Shaft
A regular flex golf shaft can be steel or graphite, comes in various lengths, and has characteristics that help mid-swing speed golfers get the most out of their shots. With a regular flex golf shaft, expect to be able to launch the ball relatively high, get plenty of distance, and have a bit of forgiveness built in.
How to know if you need regular flex golf shafts?
The key to finding the perfect golf clubs is to choose a golf shaft that matches who you are as a golfer. Every golfer is different and has unique swing characteristics; however, it is crucial to narrow down if you are an ideal fit for regular shafts.
Many golf clubs are sold right off the shelf as regular flex, but this does not always mean it’s the right fit for your game.
Swing Speed
The swing speed of a golfer should be measured with the driver. When you see these numbers of 90 or 100 mph, you can almost always assume that this is the swing speed with the driver in the hands.
Golfers with 90-100 mph swings should consider the regular flex shafts.
Faster swing speed golfers may want to consider the steel regular, whereas slower swing speed (within this range) should look at the graphite shafted regular flex shafts.
If you really have to push it to get to the 90 mph range, don’t be afraid to go with a senior flex golf shaft. In addition, it is possible to have faster swing speeds in the driver and slower in the irons.
If you are consistently swinging in the 88-92mph range, a regular flex driver may need to be paired with a senior flex iron.
Age
A golfer of any age can play with a regular flex golf shaft. Many players make the switch over to senior shafts by the age of 70. Some golfers in their 30s and 40s are quite strong and will play with stiff flex golf shafts for some time before switching back to regular.
Distance
Regular flex golf shafts help players get distance because they are typically easy to release and lighter in weight than stiff flex shafts.
If you are hitting your driver between 200 and 240 yards, chances are you need a regular flex driver. You will notice that with a regular flex, you can be more accurate than with stiff or senior flex in your hands.
Launch
The regular flex shafts have a mid-launch profile on almost all of the shafts that are on the market. The mid-launch profile improves overall distance and helps players with control.
If you have a very hard time getting the ball up off the ground, you may need to switch to a senior shaft which will have easier launch capabilities than a regular shaft.
Shot Shape
Regular flex golf shafts will allow you to hit fades, draws, hooks and slices just like any other golf shaft in the game. However, things like kick point and tip stiffness can impact the overall accuracy of the shot you hit.
If you are a lower-handicap player looking for more control, a higher-end steel shaft with a better feel may be a good choice.
Graphite regular shafts will have a higher launch, making it a bit easier for golfers struggling with an occasional slice or hook.
What is Senior Flex Golf Shaft
A senior flex golf shaft is the most flexible golf shaft option on the market for men. The shaft is designed to be easy to release, high launching, and incredibly forgiving. Golfers that play with senior flex golf shafts tend to have lower swing speeds and less strength than golfers that play with stiff flex golf shafts.
The great thing about a senior flex golf shaft is that it does not have to be specifically for seniors. There are plenty of golfers with a variety of handicaps that can benefit from this senior flex shaft.
How to know if you need senior flex golf shafts
Making the switch from regular to senior golf shafts is a big one for many golfers to make. For some, it feels like a complete change, but the equipment is there to help your game, and you should take full advantage of this opportunity.
Swing Speed
Golfers that use a senior shaft should have a swing speed in the 70-90 mph range. This can be both for men and women. However, senior women almost always need a women’s golf shaft, not a senior one.
The swing speed in this range is considered to be slower than average but certainly, enough to still be a great golfer.
Age
The age of a senior golfer is typically those that are 65 and over. However, with the lightweight capabilities of the most recent releases of regular shafts to the market, most golfers are switching to senior shafts when they get close to age 70.
There is no perfect age to switch to senior golf shafts, most players will feel the difference in their ability to swing the club as fast as they once did, and this becomes time to make the switch.
Typically around the same time, golfers will be moving up a set of tees to play the course from slightly closer to the green.
Distance
If your driver does not travel at least 200 yards, switching to a senior golf shaft is best.
Senior shafts are a little more flexible and can encourage players to get more distance from their golf shots. Sometimes switching from the regular shaft to the senior shaft can help golfers get the ball over that 200-yard mark.
Launch
Senior shafted golf clubs are best for those that struggle to keep the ball up high enough in the air. Sometimes when golfers’ swings slow down, the ball flight also lowers. Unfortunately, the launch must be high enough to allow a golf ball to stop on the green.
Senior golfers should be aware that senior shafted golf clubs can help them keep the ball in the air a little longer, and this will increase total distance.
If you need even more support with a senior shafted club that launches high, consider a low kick point on the golf shaft.
Shot Shape
Most golfers with slow swing speeds struggle to get the ball straight each time. Often these players hit a bit of a slice or a fade, and it’s important to work on straightening things out.
The senior shaft offers a tremendous amount of forgiveness.
It encourages players to get more speed out of a bad lie, increases total launch, and allows for the club to release or rotate through impact.
For those that want accuracy and seem to have lost it with a slower swing speed, the senior flex golf shaft is the way to go.
Senior Vs. Regular Flex in Wedges: Which Do I Need?
Wedge shots are more about feel than they are about distance. In addition, golf wedges are typically a bit heavier than irons or hybrids. If you are a slower swing speed player that struggles with accuracy in the wedge shots, the senior flex could be the best solution.
Regular flex wedges will be the better choice for golfers with slightly faster swing speeds. With regular flex wedges, expect the club to offer a little more weight and potentially some extra spin.
One thing that we recommend for all golfers is keeping the shaft consistent through all the wedges. In other words, have the same flex golf shaft in your pitching wedge that you have in your lob wedge.
Senior Vs. Regular Flex in Driver: Which Do I Need?
The driver in the golf bag is the club where players will swing the fastest. If you are borderline between regular and senior flex golf shafts, chances are the regular flex will be the best fit for you in the driver.
The driver may be longer, but it is also very lightweight, and players swing it faster. If you want a lot of distance and control, go with the regular flex driver.
However, if you are using regular flex currently and can’t get it to go straight or struggle with getting enough ball flight, the senior flex is a much better choice to consider. Both the senior and regular flex drivers come in various weight offerings to help players fine-tune the right fit for their game.
In addition, many golf drivers have adjustable lofts and weight options, making it even easier to set the driver to the exact performance you need.
Also Read: Best Driver Shafts
Senior Vs. Regular Flex in Irons: Which Do I Need?
Golf irons are the hardest clubs for players to choose a shaft. Since these irons will make up such a large portion of your golf bag, it’s really important to find something that is a specific match for your game.
To start, you must ensure that you are playing with a club that you can swing well on the first hole and the 18th hole. When you get to the 18th hole, if you are too tired to carry out a full golf swing with speed, launch, and control, that shaft is not the right fit for you.
With the irons, always choose a shaft that allows for effortless ball flight and distance. If you barely make it into the swing speed range for regular shafts, don’t feel bad about going with the senior shafted golf clubs.
FAQ
Here are a few most commonly asked questions about the regular and senior flex golf shafts. It’s important to understand this equipment fully before you invest.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you now understand the difference between regular flex and senior flex. For those that are not interested in getting a custom club fitting, it’s a good idea to at least have an idea as to how fast you swing the club.
Use those swing speeds to determine which golf shaft is the best for your needs. Once you have that in place, you should be able to make an educated decision as to whether senior or regular flex is best for your game.
