Last Updated on March 13, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
When I was teaching golf, my most consistent students were seniors. Why? Most senior golfers have the time to work on their games and try and improve. However, as a senior player, I find it challenging to combat slower swing speeds while still making improvements in the game. One of the best ways to do that is to switch to senior flex golf shafts. If you are wondering what is senior flex in golf clubs is and whether your game is ready for it, I’ll give you all the information you need. Not all older golfers are ready for senior flex shafts.
What Is Senior Flex in Golf Clubs?
Senior flex in golf is the most flexible (and generally the lightest) golf shaft available for men. The senior shaft is designed for slower swing speed players but not necessarily just for senior golfers. Some beginner golfers with slower club head speed may find themselves with a senior flex shaft.
Are There Senior Flex Shafts For Women?
Senior flex shafts for women don’t really exist. Women golfers have a ladies’ flex shaft to choose from. Those with faster swing speeds sometimes move more toward the regular flex golf shafts and then have the length cut down to work for their needs.
Women often need, a more flexible shaft and a lighter shaft because of swing speed, but at some point these shafts just can’t get any lighter or easier to work with. If that’s the case, make sure you are playing with a clubhead that precisely fits the needs of your game. Some are heavier than others.
What is A Flex in Golf?
A golf club with an A flex is a senior shafted club. The A is used because S is the standard for a stiff shaft. To help golfers not be confused about whether the S is for seniors or stiff, the distinction of A was made. A can stand for amateur golf shaft, but it really just means it’s a senior flex club designed to help golfers with slower swing speeds.
Senior vs. Regular Flex Golf Shafts
The tricky thing about golf shafts is that there are thousands of them to choose from. The best choice for your game may not be something you can figure out by looking at a table. This chart shows the main differences between the senior shaft and other flex shafts.
However, when you incorporate factors like weight and kick point into the shaft, the launch angle, total distance, and ball flight will change. This is a good baseline for understanding the differences in senior flex clubs.
| Flex Type | Weight Range | Torque | Launch Angle | Recommended Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior | 45-55g | Higher | High | < 85 mph |
| Regular | 55-65g | Medium | Medium | 85-95 mph |
| Stiff | 65-75g | Lower | Medium-Low | 95-105 mph |
| Extra Stiff | 75-85g | Lowest | Low | > 105 mph |
| Ladies | 40-50g | Highest | Very High | < 75 mph |
Who Should Play With Senior Flex Golf Shafts
Now, the big question is who should play with these senior flex golf shafts.
Many older golfers gravitate towards senior flex golf clubs simply because they think they will help them gain distance. However, a softer flex doesn’t always equate to greater distance. In fact, if you can play with a club just a little heavier that has the right flex, you may see more yardage (especially from the tee).
Here are the most important things to consider when deciding if you are ready for senior flex golf shafts.
- Swing speed
- Where you miss it
- What club you are reshafting
- Physical strength
What Is Your Swing Speed?
The slower your swing speed, the higher the chance you will need senior golf shafts. Slow swinging golfers those with less than 80mph of swing speed often find that the senior shaft is easier to square up. You’ll hit straighter shots and be able to move the club faster than you can when playing with a regular golf shaft.
Start this process by looking at swing speed and seeing where that would put you regarding golf shaft recommendations.
Where Is Your Miss?
Do you miss the ball left or right? For most golfers who are playing with a shaft that is too stiff for them, the miss will be to the right. These players often don’t have enough clubhead speed to get these stiff flex shafts to release and square up at impact. If you are playing regular shafts and can’t hit a golf ball straight, it could be time to switch to senior.
However, if you hook the ball or you still hit it straight, shaft flex may not be the issue.
Instead, make sure that the weight of the golf shaft is a good fit for your skill level. Maybe the shaft is too light even though it has the right flex, and it’s causing you to miss.
What Club Are You Reshafting?
If you are a senior shaft golfer in your irons, you should be in your driver, too, right?
Wrong.
As golfers, we tend to swing the driver with the most speed. You may actually qualify for a senior shaft in your irons but still be able to play regular flex shafts in the woods. Again, using a launch monitor or a custom golf fitting to determine your swing speed range will be the best way to answer this question.
Most golfers need stiffer shafts in their woods than in their irons.
How Is Your Physical Strength?
This is one of the most critical yet overlooked parameters for senior golfers when choosing a golf shaft. If you are physically healthy and working out, you may not want to move to senior shafts just yet. It could actually hurt your game. Instead, choose a golf shaft flex that matches the golfer you are when you are finishing your round of golf.
On the range before, you might have been able to swing at 90 mph; by the time you get to the 18th, you are swinging at 70 mph.
This is common for senior players.
Choose something that works for you for all 18 holes. The more physical strength you have, the easier it is to maintain your stamina for all 18 holes. If the last time you saw the inside of the gym was your high school gym class, it may be best to go with more flexible, lightweight shafts. Even if you play the front nine well, you’ll lose distance and accuracy as you make the turn to the back.
Golf Swing Speed By Age
For the majority of golfers, swing speed slows down as you age.
However, this does not mean that when you turn 50, you are ready for senior golf shafts. Most seniors will follow the progression from steel regular to graphite regular to senior. Remember that senior flex shafts are 99% graphite shafts, so the transition from steel to graphite may happen before transitioning from regular to senior.
The average 65-year-old golfer’s swing speed with the driver was around 80mph. Here’s a chart to give you a general idea of what to expect with swing speeds as you age. As you can see, the older the golfer gets, the slower the swing gets.
| Age Bracket | Average Swing Speed (mph) | Flex Choice Influence |
|---|---|---|
| 50-59 | 85-95 | Suitable for Regular to Senior |
| 60-69 | 75-85 | Generally suited for Graphite regular or senior |
| 70+ | 65-75 | Best suited for Senior |
Senior Flex Golf Shaft Examples
To get an idea of some of the senior flex golf shafts on the market, I compiled a chart of a few popular options. These are all graphite shafts, as I said you will find that this is the best for slower swings.
When we pulled these shafts for you, it was interesting to see that many manufacturers are now making two types of regular flexes: an R1 and an R2. If you find yourself between regular and senior or between regular and stiff, make sure you consider these things.
| Senior Flex Shaft Model | Type | Weight (G) |
| Fujikura Vista Pro | Driver/Wood | 46 |
| Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue | Driver/Wood | 50 |
| UST Mamiya Helium Nanocore | Driver/Wood | 56 |
| Mitsubishi C6 Red Graphite | Driver/Wood | 40 |
| Aerotech SteelFiber i55 | Iron/Wedge | 56 |
| Project X Cypher G2 | Iron/Wedge | 56 |
| KBS TGI Graphite | Iron/Wedge | 50 |
Most senior flex golf iron shafts are in the 50-56 gram range. There are some very lightweight options available that are considerably less. In addition, most of the wood shafts are in the 45 to 50 gram range for drivers and woods. Getting a golf fitting will help you determine the exact weight and flex of the golf shaft you need.
What Are The Benefits of a Senior Golf Shaft?
If your golf game is ready for the senior shaft, these are the benefits you will get from it. Remember, if your driver swing speed is still 85 or higher, you probably want to wait before making this switch.
- Lighter Weight: many senior golf shafts are available in lighter weights that you can’t find in stiff or regular shafts for higher swing speeds
- Higher Torque: a higher torque shaft will flex more to help increase the total distance
- High Launch Angle: more flexibility and lighter weights will help senior golfers get the ball airborne regardless of their speeds
- Optimized for Swing Speed: senior shafts for golfers are made for those with swing speeds under 85 mph
Senior vs. Regular Flex Golf Shafts
The tricky thing about golf shafts is that there are thousands of them to choose from. The best choice for your game may not be something you can figure out by looking at a table. This chart shows the main differences between the senior shaft and other flex shafts. However, when you incorporate factors like weight and kick point into the shaft, the launch angle, total distance, and ball flight will change. This is a good baseline for understanding the differences in senior flex clubs.
| Flex Type | Weight Range | Torque | Launch Angle | Recommended Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior | 45-55g | Higher | High | < 85 mph |
| Regular | 55-65g | Medium | Medium | 85-95 mph |
| Stiff | 65-75g | Lower | Medium-Low | 95-105 mph |
| Extra Stiff | 75-85g | Lowest | Low | > 105 mph |
| Ladies | 40-50g | Highest | Very High | < 75 mph |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the senior golf shafts and who they are best suited for.
What type of shaft is best for seniors?
Most seniors with swing speeds less than 75 mph do best with a senior flex golf shaft. They will get high launch angle and maximum distance with this flex.
How do I know what flex I need for golf clubs?
The best way to know what flex you need for golf clubs it to get a golf fitting with a custom fitting specialist. The launch monitor data and the knowledge of the specialist will make it easy to find your perfect golf shaft.
Can anyone use senior clubs?
Any golfer can use senior clubs, but those with slow swing speeds will see the most benefit. A fast swing speed player could lose both distance and control when not playing with the correct shaft flex.
How far should a 76 year old man hit a golf ball?
A 76 year old man with an average swing speed should hit a driver in the 200 yard range. The 7 iron will be about a 130 yard shot.
How do I know if I need a senior flex shaft?
If you have a slower swing speed or if your accuracy is beginning to decline, it may be time to switch to a senior flex shaft. Test your speeds on a monitor and try to see how dispersion and distance change when hitting with the right shaft flex.
How do I know if my shaft is senior flex?
Your shaft will say A (for amateur or senior), or it may actually say senior if it is a senior flex. If the shaft has a letter S there is a chance it is a stiff flex golf shaft.
Final Thoughts
I’ve helped hundreds, maybe thousands, of senior golfers find the right clubs for their game. If you have questions about your carry distance, accuracy, and swing speeds and whether they would be a good fit for a senior shaft, please let me know. Even experienced players can get overwhelmed with all of the options out there. As you age, equipment may play an even bigger role in your ability to score. Don’t be afraid to go for a golf fitting from time to time and check up on the equipment you are using.
