When is it time to switch from stiff to regular shafts?

[gary goetz]

I'm about a month from my 59th birthday and I know my swing speed isn't what it was 10 years ago.I use stiff graphite shafts in my irons and hit my 8 iron around 130-140 yards,9 120-130,pw 110-120.Do you think there would be any benefit to switch to regular flex shafts?Would I gain distance and carry?Would I lose accuracy?Any help?Thanks,Gary

[ballgofarboy]

Well I am 51.  About 9 years ago I switched from Great Big Bertha irons wtih graphite shafts to Callaway X16 pros with Stiff steel shafts.  I gained about 10 yards to the club.

Now graphite has become more consistent with there flexes but I would gear my thoughts of change to my current swing speed.  If your SS is under 90 mph then you should drop a to regular flex, but do not rule out steel shafts from the mix.

Right now I am between 94 and 102 for SS and overall still achieve the heigth I want from my shots.

BTW, the only thing going from Stiff to Reg flex will do is raise the ball flight.

[geoangus]

Gary,

I'm 10 years younger than you, but I still don't understand fully why my fitting for my Ping irons (i10's) last year resulted in switching from regular flex to stiff.  I really didn't see any appreciable change in carry yardages; btw - my yardages are very similar to yours.  The one thing I do know, with these shafts, these irons feel much heavier.

But back to your question, accuracy and yardages really didn't change much for me.  And despite playing/practicing less, my index has actually gone down a few points since changing to the new clubs.