Passionate golfers don’t just play golf; they live golf. They want to enjoy every instant of the sport and perform well on the golf course. And when it comes to performing well, even the most amateur golfers know how strongly golfing equipment influences your performance.
One significant piece of golfing equipment that impacts your performance is the golf iron you use. It is the long, tapered stick that links the golfer’s hands to the clubhead. While it may appear to be a simple tube, everything from its flex, length, kick-point, alignment, torque, and weight have a critical impact on the distance, trajectory, and accuracy of your shot. Therefore, selecting the right type of golf iron is the best way to make the most out of your club.
When selecting a golf shaft, the most important thing to consider is the flex. While other flex options are available, most golfers choose between a stiff and a regular flex iron. Whether you choose to buy online or from a retail store, you should know exactly which type is the right fit for you. We’ll now take you through the stiff vs regular flex iron comparison:
Comparing Stiff vs Regular Flex Irons
Flex is measured using cycles per minute of the CPMS. For the average golfer, the challenge lies in the fact that measurements can vary between different golf brands.
The major distinguishing factor between the two types of irons is that regular shafted iron clubs will flex more during the swing than stiff shafted iron clubs. A stiff flex iron is harder to bend and firmer than a regular flex iron, and thus, stiff flex irons are typically heavier than their regular flex counterparts.
Choosing the right flex iron is essential if you want to optimize your accuracy and potential shot distance. The distance will decrease if you proceed with an iron flex that’s too stiff for your needs. Because of the improper flex, you’ll not only lose yards off the tee, but you may also experience low ball flight. Likewise, using a regular flex iron when you need a stiff one may increase your hang time as well as distance, but will result in inconsistencies in ball flight and an occasional high right shot.
To choose the right type of flex for your golfing needs, you should base your decision solely on the functional aspects of the flex iron. Many golfers opt for stiff flex irons as they’re heavier and regarded as superior to the regular ones. This only hampers their golfing performance. If it offers improved performance, you shouldn’t be afraid to get a lightweight regular flex iron. After all, what ultimately matters is the performance.
There are three main ways to determine the type of flex iron needed. These include the driver carry distance, your swing speed, and the club you hit from around 150 yards.
Swing Speed
Your swing speed is among the most accurate depictions of your golfing performance. Therefore, it also determines the type of flex you need to play shots.
However, even though it’s such a crucial aspect of their individual performance, golfers still struggle to find irons that have the right flex to suit their game. It’s even possible for golfers to have swings that are smooth and mechanically correct but lose out due to flex discrepancies.
Hence, instead of playing mental games with yourself, you should evaluate your game, especially your swing speed, to choose the right golf iron for your swing. There are smartphone applications that can assist you when it comes to evaluating your swing speed.
If you’re one of those golfers whose swing speed is relatively slow, you need an iron club that offers some additional flex to improve the power and accuracy of your shot slightly. Thus, a regular flex iron is an ideal option for you. Typically, a regular flex iron is suitable for swing speeds between 80 and 95 miles per hour.
One the other hand, if you have a faster swing speed, a stiff flex iron is more suitable for you. Using this iron, you will get the required punch to be able to hit better shots. A stiff flex iron is suitable for golfers with swing speeds between 90 and 105 miles per hour.
Although it’s clear that the higher your swing speed, the stiffer your shaft should be, your swing speed doesn’t necessarily relate to how quickly you swing. This is what makes the evaluation complex. Often, a person with a slowly accelerating arc can generate more power and speed on the shot than someone with a quicker tempo.
Besides the old fashioned way of testing your swing speed on a driving range or out on the course, you now have the option to use a launch monitor and have a professional examine your swing and give some advice on what you should be using to improve your performance. However, the best way to find out your ideal flex is to consider going for a custom fitting session. There, you will be able to try different flex iron options. You will also have launch monitor data to help you with measurement visibility.
Driver Carry Distance
When playing a round of golf, the distance between the tee from where you hit the ball and the spot the ball lands is referred to as the driver carry distance. There are two approaches to this method. You can either do this by going to the driving range or by seeking the help of a partner to measure this distance. For instance, you can ask them to mark the landing spots for you and measure the distance from the tee.
If your driver carry distance normally lies between 210 and 240 yards, a regular flex iron is recommended, while a stiff flex iron is more suitable if the distance lies between 240 and 260 yards.
What Club Goes 150 Yards for You?
Knowing what club you’ll use to hit a shot from 150 yards is another way of figuring out the right flex for your irons. Make sure you make a typical, rhythmical swing. Like the driver carry distance, this measurement is best taken out on the driving range. While a stiff flex iron is suitable for a 6 or 7-iron, a regular flex iron is the right choice for a 5 or 6-iron.
Our Final Thoughts
Finding the right flex for your iron club is extremely important for any golfer. Your aim should be to match your swing with the right flex iron to optimize your control and distance. As a result, when buying a golf club, the stiff vs regular flex iron comparison must be taken into consideration.
The flex in iron clubs is, however, determined by various aspects of your golfing style. So your ultimate choice about flex depends on the evaluation of your game. Take some time out to assess the various aspects of your game (swing speed, driver carry distance, etc.), and choose the level of flex that suits your playing style.
