Why a properly fit shaft can help your game more than you might realize

When I’m fitting golfers, one of the first questions I’ll ask them is, “What type of shaft do you play?” 

A common response: “60 Stiff.”

That’s a perfectly acceptable answer. But here’s the thing: not all shafts are created equal. Because there is no industry standard for shaft flex, one player’s 60 stiff might be slightly more or less flexible than another player’s.  

Getting the right shaft fit is essential. Behind selecting the correct clubhead, getting a player into the right shaft is the second biggest lever a fitter can pull to influence the performance of a club. Still, the importance of shafts often is overlooked or under-appreciated by many recreational players.

Here’s what you need to know:  

Shafts essentially have three separate parts: the handle or butt section, the mid section and the tip section. These sections collectively comprise the shaft’s bend profile,whichis where and how a shaft bends and flexes when force is applied to it. Shafts are designed with these sections to assist fitters in matching the bend profile to how players move their shafts when swinging.  

Because there isn’t an industry flex standard, one company might classify a shaft as a “Stiff” flex while another manufacturer might consider the same shaft a “Regular” flex by their own measurement methods. That same “Regular” flex could even be stamped “X-Stiff” by a third manufacturer.  

That’s where certified fitting professionals like me come in!

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Fitting pros will lead you through a shaft fitting to determine the proper shaft weight, length, bend profile and flex to complement your individual feel and swing. Each part of your swing is unique: how you move off the ball; how you get the club to the top of the backswing; how you start your transition down toward impact; and how you release the shaft to find the center of the face at impact.  

Stumbling into a properly shaft for your needs without consulting a fitter would be the equivalent of hitting the lottery. That’s how long the odds are of walking into a golf retail store and selecting the correct head, model and loft — and then pairing it with the correct shaft. But you drastically improve those odds by entrusting your game to a trained fitting professional.

So, book a fitting to see if that “60-S” is really the right shaft for you, or if you’re leaving precious distance and control on the table.

Looking for a new shaft for 2025? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.