Is a stiff graphite shaft equivalent to a regular steel shaft re flex?

Question

Is a stiff graphite shaft equivalent to a regular steel shaft re flex?

Answer 1

No stiff is stiff regular is regular. The standards of flex are equivalent no matter what material is used. They are defined by when a seconday force is placed on them and they fall within certain standards. The ther two guys are right about the kickpoint but two shafts of different material with similar kickpoints and the same flex rating will have the same affects on feel, ball flight, and flex lag.

Answer 2

Stiff graphite is equivalent to stiff steel, but graphite is usually lighter so you may be able to swing faster. However, every manufacturer has a different standard and shafts, in general, have terrible quality control. Furthermore, kickpoint, tipping, spining and many other variables effect the performance of a shaft. A high kick point will keep the ball lower and vice versa.

Answer 3

"Thefistofdoom" is correct here: maybe yes maybe no.

It's pretty complicated but the kick point in steel shafts is difficult to alter while the kick point in graphite shafts can be moved up and down the shaft easily (that's why you see "tip stiff" on graphite shafts but not on steel shafts).

As you move the kick point up the shaft it "acts" stiffer and if you move the kick point down it "acts" softer.

So......a regular graphite shaft with a high kick point will "act" stiff while a stiff graphite shaft with a low kick point will "act" soft.

Answer 4

Maybe yes, maybe no...Every manufacturer uses a different standard for their flex. Kind of odd for them to treat it that way, but they do.

Just the difference between steel and graphite does not change the flex. It will change the feel though, graphite will always feel a little softer.