Golf Digest Article
Your Golf Club’s Flex Rating
If you want your golfing style to be perfect, there are a number of things that you need to consider. It can be overwhelming at times as to how many these could be. You have to look at the weight of the head, the length of the shaft, the grip and a whole lot of other details that all add up to that perfect shot for you. One of the most important things that you will need to pay attention to is the flex of the club. Each golf club has a different flex rating and choosing right could well be the difference between a good game and a great game for you. In the beginning, it might be a bit tough to figure out the different flex ratings and what would suit you best but once you get the hang of it, you can pick out a golf club that has the perfect flex for you. First though, you need to get familiar with a few basic things about shaft flex.
Though you probably will find that the amount the shaft bends is almost impossible to perceive, it makes such a great difference to the swing. The movement of the shaft causes a flex in the shaft thanks to the force of the swing. Now the flex in a club can be very flexible or it can be very stiff. This flex is dependent on what material is used to make the club and how it is made. Maybe you don’t quite know what the flex of the club you are using is. Then it would be a good thing to ask a golfing expert if he could take a look and be able to tell you. If you know the flex rating of the club you are using, it makes it so much easier when you decide to buy a new one.
Here are the main flex ratings: R, S, L and XS, standing for Regular, Senior, Ladies and Extra Stiff. The first three are the ones that most players use and all you need to do is to try these out, depending what category you are in, and choose. More often than not, this way works well for most. When you need to change is when you are not too comfortable with the clubs you are using. You then need to think about analyzing the way you swing and then go through a more technical process of choosing just what flex rating will be good for you.
When you start getting more technical, one of the main things you need to look at is the speed of your swing and this depends to a great extent on how you swing the club. If you swing fast, you’ll need a stiff shaft, with a very fast swing being ideally suited to the XS shaft. A more controlled slower swing however, will be better with an R or an L. These letters are based on data that has been compiled and are quite arbitrary so you don’t need to feel embarrassed if you are a man and are comfortable with an L as men too can play with a Ladies style shaft.
Most shafts are made of steel or graphite and the material also has a great deal of impact on the way you swing. Each of these materials has its own special properties and they are different when it comes to the flex rating. If steel is used, then it has a lower torque rating. Each one is the material of choice for a particular kind of golfer. When you go to pick up a golf club, first make sure what kind you are accustomed to and comfortable with before you make a choice.
If you are new to the game of golf, this choosing of the flex rating can be tough. However, as you get used to the game and get more confortable, you will automatically be able to tell what flex rating will suit you best. Once you get that right, buying a new club and specifying the flex rating will be so easy. This will help you in keeping your game constant as well as being comfortable with your clubs.
