Stupid Golf Question
Stiff flex vs regular flex: what is the difference?
A club listing asks for shaft flex like you already know the answer
Plain answer first
The plain answer
Regular flex generally suits moderate swing speeds or smoother transitions, while stiff flex may suit faster swings or firmer transitions. Flex labels are not standardized across manufacturers, so one brand's regular can feel like another brand's stiff.
The NPG answer
It is not a difficulty setting. It is how much the shaft wants to bend while you swing it.
When it matters
It matters when buying or testing clubs because the bend profile and feel can affect timing, contact, launch, and dispersion.
What to do next
Compare both with the same clubhead and similar shaft weight, then judge contact and dispersion instead of only the longest shot.
Do this next
Steel vs graphite shafts: what is the difference?
Steel and graphite shafts can differ in weight, vibration, feel, and bend profile, with overlap between both materials.
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