Extra Stiff

Golf â Do Not Flex Excessively

Golf is an incredibly addicting game because it has so many aspects that men really love. One is the ability to grip it and rip it. Of course, most of us will crush the ball with absolutely no idea of where it is going. This mentality also carries through to choosing the club flex for your swing and why it is often done incorrectly.

Chicks love the long ball. This statement formed a successful marketing campaign for Major League Baseball, which is rather ironic considering it was used during the steroid period and steroids can have a certain side effect! Regardless, men do love to grip it and rip it. It is just what we do. With golf, this can result in a host of problems because we tend to buy clubs with flex that don't fit our game.

As the name suggests, the flex of a club is how much the club bends when the force of a swing is applied to it. If you see slow motion replays of Tiger Woods or some pro drive the ball, you can see the club not only bends, but bends a lot. How much bend you have in your swing is a huge factor in the power and accuracy of the resulting shot. Get it right and your drives will be magic. Get it wrong and the opposite is true.

The flex of a club is rated either extra stiff, stiff, regular, senior or ladies. Many men will immediately reach for extra stiff or stiff. The problem is both these flexibilities may not be tailored to your game. Driving the ball far is great and all, but not if you have no idea where it is going. Here is where things get tough for most male golfers. It is far better to have a softer flex than a harder one. Why? Softer flex will still get the ball going where you want it, but with a bit less distance. In contrast, using to stiff a flex will have the ball flying hard and low like a line drive off a baseball bat but with little control as to where it goes.

So, what flex is best for your particular game? Well, there are general guidelines based on how far you drive the ball consistently. I've found these are pretty iffy at best. A better approach these days is to sign up for a consultation with a club fitting professional. These pros will analyze your swing and give you an objective answer. The key is to stick with it. If regular flex is best for your game, go with it. The correct flex will make a world of difference in how well you play.

About the Author

Mark P. Warner is with HitAGolfBallStraight.com - where you can learn how to hit a golf ball straight and get your score below 80 consistently.

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