It’s crucial to know what types of flexes there are in golf shafts. Using the correct flex that matches your game can help lead to more circles on the scorecard.
Uniflex golf shafts aren’t always mentioned by golf stores but are more common than most people think.
In this article, we will explain what uniflex shafts are and describe the differences between a regular flex shaft and a uniflex shaft.
So what is a Uniflex Shaft?
A uniflex shaft is a shaft that is considered to be between a regular and stiff flex.
Clubmakers may alter the uniflex shaft a little, although it often combines a stiff and standard shaft.
📢 Need To Know: Uniflex shafts are made to be more similar to a regular flex shaft. Uniflex shafts work well for people who have medium swing speeds.
Uniflex steel shaft vs graphite: Differences
Uniflex shafts are created with steel.
Since steel shafts weigh slightly more than graphite shafts, it is slightly harder to swing them quickly.
In terms of guiding the ball accurately, a steel shaft works great. Steel shafts provide forgiveness and even mishits can still be favorable when using a steel shaft.
Graphite shafts can give you a little more distance, but at the end of the day, it’s more important to be closer to the target.
Steel Uniflex shafts are available in many different weights depending on the clubmaker but are less common than standard regular or stiff flexes.
📋 Keep in mind: Players who boast higher swing speeds will perform better in most scenarios with steel shafts. For golfers with slow swings, a graphite shaft is a good option.
Uniflex Shaft Relationship with Kick Point, Weight, and Torque
Uniflex shafts will have similar relationships with kick point, weight and golf shaft torque as any normal steel shaft would.
Kick point
The shaft’s flexing point is known as the kick point. There are low, mid and high kick point shafts.
The shaft will bend toward the lower portion of the shaft if the kick point is high.
The center of the shaft will flex if it contains a mid-kick point. It will bend toward the lower portion of the shaft, which is nearer the club’s head if the kick point is low.
Weight
Different shafts have varying weights which are supposed to help a certain club do its job. For example, a steel iron shaft is going to weigh more than a graphite driver shaft since it has a different purpose.
Shaft weight refers to the weight of the shaft itself. The other parts of the club that are attached to the shaft are not included.
📢 Need To Know: The total weight of the shaft includes everything on the club such as the grip, head, epoxy, screws, tape, and the shaft itself.
Torque
The amount of shaft resistance to twisting while swinging is referred to as torque.
A shaft with a low degree of torque (about 2-3 degrees) will barely twist, but a shaft with a high degree of torque (at least 5 degrees), will rotate much more.
Players with quick swing speeds benefit from lower torque shafts, whereas players with slower swing speeds benefit more from higher torque shafts.
How To Find Out If A Uniflex Shaft Is Right For Your Swing
If you are interested in purchasing a uniflex shaft, it’s essential to find out if it suits your game.
To do this, head to a golf store or course and have a professional provide you with different shafts.
Be sure to listen to the feedback from the club fitter or instructor.
💡 Golfible Tip: You can test them out on the range with a Trackman to see your stats and if it will be beneficial for your swing. Testing can also be done with a launch monitor inside a bay at a golf store.
Ways to check swing speed
- Use a launch monitor to measure how fast you are swinging.
- Try different weighted shafts and see how the speeds compare.
- Make sure to use your normal swing speed for most of the swings. You can try slightly faster or slower swings but you want to try and be consistent.
What Type of Golfer Is a Uniflex Shaft Usually Suited To?
- Uniflex golf shafts are great for golfers with medium to fast swing speeds.
- Since steel shafts are heavier, they aren’t good for seniors or golfers with slow swing speeds.
- High and mid-handicappers will benefit most from Uniflex shafts but should still try them out before buying if they’re using graphite shafts.
- Low handicappers will usually use ultra-stiff shafts. If the golfer is older, they’ll probably use a stiff graphite shaft.
Alternatives to Uniflex Golf Shaft (Other Shaft Types)
The two alternative shaft types other than uniflex are primarily stiff and regular. Ladies and senior flexes are also available but more difficult to find.
Stiff: If you have a fast swing speed, a stiff flex shaft can give you more control and help you navigate ball flight easier.
Regular: If you have a slower or average swing speed, a regular flex might be a better option since it will usually be lighter and more forgiving.
The chart below shows what speeds to pair with certain flexes.
Swing Speed | Flex |
---|---|
70 mph or less | Ladies |
70-80 mph | Senior |
75-95 mph | Uniflex |
80-90 mph | Regular |
100 mph or more | Stiff |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Uniflex Golf Shafts
Advantages
- Uniflex golf shafts can be used by golfers with many different skill levels.
- Since they are made of steel, it’s easier to maintain control and hit more precise shots compared to graphite shafts. They are also very forgiving.
- Prices are usually not extraordinarily expensive for uniflex shafts.
- If a golfer feels like a stiff shaft is too hard to hit, but a regular doesn’t provide enough control, they can meet in the middle with a uniflex.
Disadvantages
- Since they are between regular and stiff, this can provide issues for golfers who want specific types of shafts.
- There aren’t as many options to customize uniflex shafts or weight availabilities compared to standard shafts.
Our Best Uniflex Shafts
The Callaway MP 10 uniflex iron shafts are our pick for the best uniflex shafts.
The shafts are made by True Temper to put on Callaway’s irons. The “Memphis” 10s contain a .370 parallel tip.
All of the shafts are the same weight and promote a stable moment of inertia. This allows golfers to remain consistent with their swings and make solid contact.
These shafts were created to help provide a high launch. This helps golfers attain more carry as well as higher spin.
The two factors help increase distance as well as less rollout when the ball lands on the green.
Many users of the MP10s said they enjoyed forgiveness when using the shafts and believed it helped their game.
The shafts can easily be found on eBay for those interested in purchasing.
FAQ
Who should use Uniflex shafts?
Any level of golfer can employ a uniflex shaft. Since they aren’t super stiff and are forgiving, high and mid-handicappers will benefit the most from them.
What is the typical shaft swing speed suited to uniflex shafts
Golfers who have swings ranging from 75-90 miles per hour will likely enjoy using uniflex shafts. If their swing speed is slightly lower or higher, the uniflex might still work for them.