Choosing the right set of clubs that can help you improve your game can be challenging and time-consuming, as it requires you to take several factors into account, with one of the most important ones being the shaft’s flexibility level. When faced with this decision, you’re sometimes given a choice between a tour flex and a stiff flex, but how do you know which one is best suited to your preferences and playing style?
A tour flex speaks to a type of shaft that is rigid, stiff, and offers a great deal of control, which makes it ideal for pros and low-handicappers. A stiff flex, although more rigid than the regular variety, is still more flexible than the tour flex, meaning it’s better suited for mid-handicappers.
If you want to learn more about the differences between a tour and stiff flex, as well as which one would be better suited to your swing speed and overall playing style, stay tuned until the end of this article.
Tour Flex vs. Stiff Flex: A Comparison
For a quick, comprehensive comparison of a tour and stiff flex, refer to the table below.
| Tour Flex | Stiff Flex | |
| Flexibility Level | Very Low | Low |
| Durability | High | Moderate |
| Handicap Level | Low | Medium |
| Swing Speed | 169 kph (105 mph) | 154 kph (95 mph) |
| Expected Distance | 251 meters (0.16 miles) | 230-251 meters (0.14-0.16 miles) |
| Feel | Heavy | Lighter |
| Launch Angle | Very Low | Low |
| Control Level | High | Moderate |
| Forgiveness | Low | Moderate |
Your takeaway from this table is this – a tour flex speaks to a stiffer, heavier shaft that offers a great deal of control but it’s also notably less forgiving than its stiff counterpart. That’s why this type of flex is best suited to more experienced, lower-handicap players who boast impressive swing speeds of 169 kph (105 mph) or more. On the other hand, if your swing speed falls somewhere between 154 kph (95 mph) and 169 kph (105 mph), a stiff flex might be better suited to you.
What Shaft Flex Should You Use?
Picking up where I left off, you can determine the type of shaft flex you should use by analyzing your swing speed, experience level, playing style, goals, and personal preferences.
The swing speed cutoff point of 169 kph (105 mph) I mentioned above can serve as a great starting point for your analysis, but it is by no means the be-all and end-all consideration (though if you do exceed this benchmark, a stiff flex is more likely to hold you back then improve your performance).
If you’re striving for distance and control instead of forgiveness, you can still benefit from a tour shaft even if you’re under the 169 kph benchmark. So always take your golfing style and experience into account.
If you want to learn more about how to find the right shaft flex for you (even if your swing speed is lower than 154 kph (95 mph), refer to the table in this article.
Conclusion
Whether you ultimately decide to go for a tour or stiff flex club, your research isn’t done here. You should still exercise caution when choosing a brand that can fit both your needs and budget. No matter the flexibility of the shaft, you want the overall equipment to be made with care and attention to detail.