Advanced / Myth-Busting

Does Shaft Flex Really Just Come Down to Swing Speed?

You've probably heard it for years, slower players need a softer profile, faster swing speed players need something stiffer. It's not quite that simple.

📅 September 2026

⏱ 6 min read

🏌️ Intermediate / Advanced

The common belief, and what's been assumed for years, is that a slower player needs a softer shaft profile and a faster swing speed player needs something stiffer. Fitting company True Fit Clubs, who test using tools like the True Temper Shaft Lab and Mizuno Shaft Optimizer, found the real answer comes down to three elements, tempo, transition, and release, not swing speed alone.

Where this comes from: True Fit Clubs' own testing found a strong correlation between tempo and transition. A smooth, slower transition generally suits a lighter shaft that's softer through the middle, while a fast, aggressive transition often suits something a little heavier with more stiffness through the mid-section. Their stated conclusion is worth repeating plainly, stronger players with higher swing speeds do not necessarily need stiffer, heavier shafts.

Why shaft weight matters more than people think

These three elements, tempo, transition, and release, contribute to which shaft is genuinely best for you, similar to something we touched on in an earlier article, shaft weight is often more important than shaft flex. This can have a real effect on your delivery through impact, and on your overall shaft dynamics, changing depending on how you swing the club with a different weight in your hands.

"Stronger players don't automatically need stiffer, heavier shafts. Some of the game's biggest hitters play lighter than you'd expect."

What this actually means for you

Practically, it depends on what you need and how the club feels in your hands when you swing it. That feeling can genuinely affect which shaft is right for you, and how that shaft behaves as you swing. If you like the feel of a heavier clubhead, you may need something heavier and stiffer, to make sure the club doesn't get left behind when you release it.

Likewise, if you prefer a lighter feeling clubhead, a lighter shaft profile could be the better way forward. A lot of this comes down to your own tempo and transition, not a number on a swing speed chart.

What this means when you go for a fitting

Don't be afraid to try different shaft profiles, a red variant, a blue variant, or a black variant, with different clubhead weights and shaft weights. You might find something fits and feels better than what you initially assumed you needed.

Don't be afraid to experiment with what feels right in your hands, and what helps you make the most consistent swing you can. If you can repeat the same swing over and over, you naturally increase your consistency, and that matters more than matching a colour to a number.

Quick Summary

Shaft colour and flex aren't purely about swing speed. Tempo, transition, and release timing matter just as much, sometimes more. A faster swing doesn't automatically mean you need something stiffer or heavier. The only real way to know is to try different profiles and pay attention to what feels consistent in your hands.

Want to explore what suits your swing?

Take our free fitting quiz as a starting point, then have a look at our eBay shop, and take your results to your fitter.

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