Shaft Flex ‘Standard Identification’
Since there is no single true common standard for shaft flexs, let’s look at the existing one in the market today.

Common US/EU
A - Senior
L - ladies
R - Regular
S - Stiff
X - X
XX – XX

Common Japanese
A - Senior
L - Ladies
R - Regular
SR – Stiff Regular
S - Stiff
X - X

**It is generally accepted that Japanese shafts are ½ flex softer than US/EU ones.
*** Not all flexs are the same eg. A 'R' flex from ABC may be slightly softer or harder than XYZ.
**** Even within the batch of 'R' flex from ABC (or XYZ) there will be a few shafts that are softer or stiffer.


Then, the guys at Precision (also referred to as Rifles) with their own standard.

Rifles
3.5 – Regular
4 - Firm
4.5 – Stiff
5 – Stiff X
5.5 - X
6 - XX

Here, I have done wrong by labeling their categories, but I am merely indicating them in comparison to the ‘common’ flex standard.
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CPM
There is also a big group, namely professional clubfitters and pros who uses the CPM.
I won’t go into it in this thread because it WILL confuse most noobs and we’ll leave it for another thread. For 'operational knowledge', i think the above suffices.


Kick point @ Bend point = Trajectory @ Launch

OEMs label their shaft with either one of these four attributes to denote the ball flight effect.

High bend =Low trajectory
Mid bend= Mid Trajectory
Low bend= High trajectory

High kickpoint = Low trajectory/Launch
Mid kickpoint = Mid Trajectory/Launch
Low kickpoint = High trajectory/Launch

As you can see, ‘Kick’ and ‘Bend’ points are the same. Coincidentally, so is 'Trajectory' and 'Launch'.
Basically, they are all the same.

Any questions?

TORQUE and TIP STIFFNESS are also two other very intriguing attributes of shafts. Maybe later ya'll ...

read somewhere that some Rifle is 7.0, so that's XXX shaft lah

btw, what about shaft weight? I just discovered a driver with 65gm regular producer straighter ball then a 55gm regular. any explanation to that?

cheers!

ashibr wrote:

read somewhere that some Rifle is 7.0, so that's XXX shaft lah

Yes, an approximate match of 3.5 is also R flex. The writer of the 'read somewhere' is just guestimating just like me. I am pretty sure a Rifle representative will not confirm it is the exact equivalent. The above is just a guide so that we don't 'grope in the dark' when it comes to choosing equipment.

Quote:

btw, what about shaft weight? I just discovered a driver with 65gm regular producer straighter ball then a 55gm regular. any explanation to that?

Not to dissect and give a conclusive answer ( well, they are never easy LOL!)
FEEL or/and TEMPO may be a/the major cause/s.
I have read from different sources and postings stating that a shaft that is too light does not give feel or momentum. You cannot feel the swing path. You cannot create momentum. You then do not have tempo also.
In your case, I think, the weight has introduced a more 'solid' swingpath which you can follow.

good info!

Magic wrote:

good info!

Xie xie !

a heavier shaft generally has a lower torque, therefore less twisting at impact. that could be the reason why it's straighter. also the shaft flex is not known. im assuming the heavier shaft also plays stiffer and likely more suited to your swing speed. general rule: the stiffer the shaft flex, the straighter the ball.. but may not be longer

RodneyC wrote:

a heavier shaft generally has a lower torque, therefore less twisting at impact. that could be the reason why it's straighter. also the shaft flex is not known. im assuming the heavier shaft also plays stiffer and likely more suited to your swing speed. general rule: the stiffer the shaft flex, the straighter the ball.. but may not be longer

That's one rule that I've learned today. Thanks!
After all this comes from an experienced person in the industry.

Good to see you again. How ya been, Rod?

Doing ok though lacking in birdies n eagles:)

LOL! Here also lebih-kurang season.