shaft stiffness

[bobby]

The other night, I was practicing on my local course. I met another "practicer" who indicated he was a good golfer and after watching my swings, offered a few tips. He told me that he has worked at various golf shops and has always specialised in providing correct shafts and heads to golfers. (I'm age 54, 25 handicap, with crook/weak shoulders) - I only use a standard semi beginners set, off the rack and he said that the shafts on my irons are too stiff. He then proceeded to show me his set with much whippier and softer shafts (he is aged in the early 40's). He then said that with my slower swing, I could also benefit from the use of more flexible shafts. He also said that my ball flight on 5 and 4 irons is too low and the new flex could assist with more carry and less roll.
NB I currently hit the following distances:
9I 105-110 metres (115-120 yards approx)
7I 125-130 metres
5I 145-150 metres
3W 180-190 metres
What do you think?

[TeachingPro]

Re: shaft stiffness

The distances you're hitting are in the lower half of regular flex and certainly not out of place. I don't necessarily think you need to change. According to the GCA (Golf Clubmakers Association) flex chart, when your 9-iron carry's less than 100m you need to drop 1 flex.

The benefit you will gain from dropping to action/senior flex will be more noticible in the ball flight than distance. Distance comes from both club head speed and timing of the impact, not really from shaft flex. If you don't increase club head speed and increase the accuracy of your strike you won't gain distance. It is a myth that shafts with more flex automatically increases club head speed.

Straight off, without even talking about shaft flex, a 25-handicapper with or without a physical limitation shouldn't be hitting 4 and 5 irons. Get yourself hybrid 3, 4 and 5-irons. They are so much easier to hit than the equivalent irons for a number of reasons but for you the added loft will get the ball in the air with greater ease and consistency.