The only real difference between the best golf clubs for seniors and those for a younger golfer, is the golf shaft. Senior golfers generally have a slower swing speed, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s just another one of those things that happen when you get older. For this reason there is no point in hanging on to a club with a regular shaft if you’re not hitting it well. Time to look for clubs that will make your game easier, rather than a chore. The truth of the matter is that it’s better to hit with a shaft that’s too flexible, rather than one that’s not flexible enough. Much like dressing up for a special occasion, erring on the side of caution and being at least a little bit formal, rather than full casual, and then feeling completely out of place. The best golf clubs for senior men are those with a little more flexibility, which means a regular shaft as opposed to a stiff shaft.
What is shaft flexibility?
The shaft flex of any type of golf club refers to its ability to bend during the swing. The shaft needs to bend as force is applied to it as you make the swing. Exactly how much will depend on whether the swing is slow, fast, jerky, or smooth. The flexibility of a club’s shaft is rated: Ladies, Senior, Regular, Stiff, and Extra Stiff. Letters on the club will denote the flexibility and are usually one of the following: L, A, R, S, or X. The letter A is used for senior because originally it was called ‘amateur’.
If you don’t have a flex that matches your needs, the clubface will be misaligned when it hits the ball, and your shots will be off target. Not a very good position to find yourself in, especially when you want to win. Picking a club with the right flex means the clubhead will be square at impact, and there’s a much better chance of hitting a good shot.
General guidelines when looking for the best golf clubs for seniors
- You’ll be in far more control of your game if you buy clubs with the right shaft flex for you.
- First, start by gauging the distance of your driver shot. A Stiff driver if you can consistently hit shots of 250 yards or more; a Regular flex if you can manage 230-250 yards; a Senior flex for 200-230 yards; for anything less that 200 yards Ladies will be best.
- Only the real big hitters can get to grips with Extra Stiff.
- If your swing is smooth you might prefer a softer flex, even if it’s fast.
- A stiffer shaft will be preferred if your swing is jerky at the top of the backswing.
- If you’re driving to the left try something with a stiffer flex.
- If you drive to the right a softer flex might be better.
What happens when your flex isn’t right?
When you’re using a club with a flex that isn’t stiff enough, you might have the following problems:
- Right-handed players might find the ball veering off to the left, because the clubface is too closed when hitting the ball
- Average or badly hit shots will feel more solid than they really are
- For any given loft the ball might fly higher than you’d want it to
Using a club with too stiff a flex could affect your game in the following ways:
- Your shot will be lower and shorter than you really want it to be for any given shot
- The shot will feel less solid, even if you make good contact and hit the ball square
- For players who are right-handed, the ball may go off course, because the clubface tends to get too open, and is harder to get square on impact
As well as the flex of a shaft, it’s also important to get the length right as well.
What is the optimum shaft length?
The length of the shaft should correspond as best as possible to a player’s height. It’s just as important to have a well matched shaft as the right flex, along with other variables. You’re going to need a little help with the measuring, as you need to be standing straight up. The measurement should be taken from the wrist to the floor. Both hands should be measured so that an average can be calculated. There are plenty of professional golf shops that will help, or ask a friend.
The following can be used as a guideline:
| Average measurement from wrist to floor | Length of shaft, based on a 5-iron |
|---|---|
| 41 or more inches | 39.5 inches |
| 39-40 inches | 39 inches |
| 37-38 inches | 38.5 inches |
| 35-36 inches | 38 inches |
| 33-34 inches | 37.5 inches |
| 29-32 inches | 37 inches |
