Regular or Stiff Shafts in My Golf Clubs?

Why Choosing the Right Flex Matters and Why AI Fitting Is the Best Way to Get It Right

One of the most common questions golfers ask is simple:Should I use regular or stiff shafts in my golf clubs? If you’ve ever stood in a golf shop hearing different opinions about shaft flex—some saying “stiff is for better players,” others insisting “regular is for everyone else”—you’re not alone. It’s one of those topics that feels like it should have a simple answer, but in reality, it doesn’t. And here’s why:

Shaft flex isn’t just about strength or swing speed.It’s about how your body, your swing mechanics, and your natural timing work together to deliver consistent contact and predictable ball flight. In other words: shaft flex is personal.And that’s exactly why AI fitting, like golfgaim’s is such a game changer.

What People Usually Mean by “Regular vs Stiff”

Traditionally, golfers categorize shaft flex based on broad labels:

• Regular for moderate swing speeds

• Stiff for faster swing speeds

• X-Stiff for very fast swingers

On paper, this seems useful. But in reality, these labels hide a lot of nuance. Two golfers can swing at 90 mph and still perform very differently. Why? Because flex isn’t just about speed. It’s about how that speed is generated. Tempo. Transition. Release timing. Strike consistency. Transition force. Attack angle. All of these influence how a shaft should respond.

A golfer with smooth, late release characteristics will feel and perform very differently from someone who has a more aggressive transition, even if their peak speed is identical.

That’s where simple labels fail.

Why Getting Shaft Flex Wrong Hurts Your Game

When your flex is not matched to your swing dynamics, you might see the following:

• Inconsistent Launch

You might hit some drivers high and soft and others low and hot, all from the same swing.

• Erratic Spin

Too much spin kills distance; too little spin leads to weak carry.

• Poor Timing

A shaft that’s too soft for your delivery can feel sluggish; one that’s too stiff can feel harsh and unforgiving.

• Misreads on Distance

Your dispersion patterns widen and distance becomes unpredictable. In short: you start fighting the club instead of playing with it.

The Real Problem with Traditional Shaft Matching

Traditional fitting often boils down to one or two numbers:

• “What’s your swing speed?”

• “How does it feel (soft or stiff)?”

But this approach ignores the dynamic nature of your swing. Golf is not static. It is movement. And the shaft is the conduit for that movement. Tests and instruction content on this topic show that many golfers end up with shafts that are “close enough.” They may work okay, but they rarely help you perform at your best. And this is exactly why AI makes a difference.

Why AI Fitting Is Better Than Traditional Flex Guessing

AI doesn’t reduce your swing to one or two data points. It analyzes patterns.

Here’s how golfgaim’s AI approach works differently:

1. It Captures the Full Swing Profile

AI evaluates:

• how speed builds through the swing

• tempo and transition timing

• release characteristics

• strike location

• angle of attack

• dynamic loft at impact

Rather than assuming one number (like peak clubhead speed) determines everything, AI looks at how you swing across many swings.

2. It Predicts Outcomes, Not Just Recommendations

Instead of saying “this shaft is likely fine,” AI tests thousands of virtual combinations and predicts:

• launch angle

• spin rate

• dispersion patterns

• carry and total distance outcomes

for your exact mechanics.

3. It Removes Human Bias

A fitter might prefer a shaft brand they know. They might assume “rewrite the swing” rather than adjust equipment. AI only cares about performance.

4. It Evolves With You

As you improve, your optimal shaft flex can change. AI reanalyzes over time and can adjust recommendations if your swing patterns shift.

So Should You Use Regular or Stiff?

The honest answer is: It depends on your unique swing profile, not just your speed.

There are golfers with 95 mph swing speeds who perform better with what’s technically labelled a “regular” shaft because of how their release patterns and tempo work. There are others with similar speeds who benefit from “stiff” shafts because their transition is aggressive and release early.

And this is precisely why AI is more accurate than the old speed-based rules of thumb.

With AI fitting:

• You stop guessing based on numbers that “might” fit

• You start using shafts that are proven to perform with your swing

• You eliminate one of the largest pieces of performance uncertainty

What Happens When Your Shaft Flex Is Optimized

When you find the right flex:

More consistent launches

Your launch angle becomes predictable, not variable.

Tighter dispersion

Your shots stay closer to target more often.

Better distance control

When spin and launch match your mechanics, you get reliable ranges.

More confidence

You know your equipment is working with your swing, not against it.

Shaft Flex Is Personal. AI Makes It Personally Precise

Golf shaft flex isn’t a one-size-fits-all label. That is why many golfers who stick to broad categories end up frustrated by inconsistent tee shots. AI fitting does not guess.It models.It predicts.It personalizes. And that is what gives golfers a real performance edge.

Whether you are trying to squeeze more carry, tighten your dispersion, or simply swing with confidence, getting the right shaft flex matters. But doing it based on speed charts and generalizations is outdated. The future of shaft fitting is based on your data, your swing and your results.That’s why golfgaim uses AI fitting to match you with the shafts that truly optimize your game. Visit golfgaim.com to start your AI-driven fitting and discover what shaft flex your swing has been waiting for.