Shafts
Stiff vs regular flex: which do you need?
Use a stiff driver shaft at 92 mph driver speed or more and regular from 78 to 91.9 mph; for irons, stiff starts at 82 mph 7-iron speed. In ELDRICK fittings the line is sharp: 6-10% of golfers at 86-91 mph got Stiff or firmer, against 98-100% at 92-97 mph.
| Club | Regular | Stiff | Next flex up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver (driver speed) | 78-91.9 mph | 92-103.9 mph | Stiff+ from 104 mph |
| Irons (7-iron speed) | 70-81.9 mph | 82-88.9 mph | Extra Stiff from 89 mph |
Driver: a fast tempo with a quick transition moves you one flex up anywhere in the band. Irons: the same pair only moves you up in the last 1 mph before the next band (81 to 81.9 mph, or 88 to 88.9 mph).
Share fitted Stiff or firmer, by driver speed
The jump at 92 mph is the rule working. The few Stiff fits below it come from the fast-tempo, quick-transition rule or from older fittings.
Your speed decides it
Measure your driver speed on a launch monitor or radar, average a handful of good swings, and read it against the table. Use your real number. Rounding 90 mph up to "about 95" is an easy way to end up in a stiff shaft you can't load.
If you only know your 7-iron speed, ELDRICK estimates driver speed as 7-iron speed × 1.20. See average swing speed for the conversions.
Signs your flex is wrong
ELDRICK fits from numbers, but fitters commonly read ball flight this way. A shaft that's too soft for you tends to launch high, spin more and miss left for a right-hander. One that's too stiff tends to fly low and right and feel harsh at impact. These are tendencies, not rules: loft, face angle and strike move the ball more than flex does.
If your speed says Regular and you're playing Stiff, try a fitting before blaming your swing. It's free on ELDRICK.
Frequently asked questions
Is 95 mph stiff or regular?
Stiff. ELDRICK fits Stiff from 92 mph driver speed. Every ELDRICK driver fitting at 95 mph in the snapshot got Stiff or firmer.
Is 90 mph stiff or regular?
Regular. 90 mph is inside ELDRICK's 78-91.9 mph Regular band. Only a fast tempo with a quick transition moves it to Stiff.
What 7-iron speed needs a stiff shaft?
82 mph. ELDRICK fits Regular iron shafts from 70 to 81.9 mph 7-iron speed and Stiff from 82 to 88.9 mph.
Can I play stiff if I swing smoothly at 93 mph?
Yes. 93 mph is Stiff, and a smooth tempo can't take you below your speed band. It lightens other parts of the build instead, like shaft weight.