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In spite of its importance, golfers often forget to consider the composition of the shafts on their golf clubs.
While grips and clubheads get the most attention, shafts are often just accepted as standard.
But the reality is that there are lots of different shafts for you to consider, and Uniflex is one of them.
But what is this special type of shaft? Who are they best suited to? And why might you benefit from attaching them to your golf clubs?
We answer all these questions and more in this article as we introduce you to everything you need to know about Uniflex golf shafts.
What is a Uniflex Shaft Used for?
The main purpose of a Uniflex golf shaft is to improve the control and accuracy of your golf shots if you have a medium-fast swing speed. Uniflex is the most popular steel shaft today and is best suited to golfers who have a swing speed of between 75 to 95 mph.
Perhaps the main reason that these shafts are so popular is that they cater to a broad range of golfers.
They’re popular with beginner and intermediate players, but they are also suited to players who consistently hit reasonably long (225-250 yards) and fast (up to 95mph) off the tee.
As far as generic golf shafts go, Uniflex is a good option for many golfers, thanks to its availability, low cost, and the fact that it’s reasonably forgiving.
To help you decide if these beginner-friendly shafts are right for you, we introduce them in more detail below.
Are Uniflex Shafts Any Good?
Uniflex shafts are regarded as ideal for golfers with a medium-high swing speed and are a great option for most recreational golfers to consider. They are made of steel and are considered to be a mix of stiff and regular shafts.
Because they are made of steel, these shafts are heavier than graphite shafts, which is perfect for golfers looking to gain more control over their ball striking.
Many beginner golf sets have steel Uniflex shafts, but they’re also ideal for intermediate golfers too.
But at the same time, these shafts won’t be suitable for all golfers and aren’t typically included on high-end clubs that require a premium shaft.
This is predominantly because Uni flex shafts are a generic option and are included on many cheaper golf clubs because of their versatility and suitability for a broad range of players.
4 main benefits of Uniflex shafts include:
- They’re suitable for a broad spectrum of golfers and are fixed to many different clubs.
- These types of shafts are reasonably forgiving and can aid with accuracy and consistency.
- They are made of steel, which typically helps golfers with more control.
- When compared to custom shafts, Uniflex shafts are reasonably priced.
So, while these shafts are a good option for lots of golfers, they’re not suitable for everyone. We take a look at some of the disadvantages of the shafts below.
Disadvantages of Uniflex Golf Shafts
The main disadvantage of a Uniflex shaft is that they are made from steel, which is heavier than its graphite equivalent. Heavier shafts are not advised for golfers who have slower swing speeds of less than 80MPH.
Like with all golf equipment, there are pros and cons to using these steel-based golf shafts.
While we think that Uniflex is a good option for many golfers, it’s important to be balanced and to provide you with both viewpoints.
Here are some of the potential drawbacks to using Uniflex shafts:
- Uniflex shafts are available in steel and not graphite. This means that they’re not suitable for golfers with a particularly low swing speed, as steel shafts are heavier and more difficult to hit.
- If you’re at the level of the game where you’re looking to customize your golf clubs, these types of shafts probably aren’t the best option for you, as they’re fairly generic.
- Because they can’t be easily customized, Uni flex golf shafts aren’t ideal for golfers looking to add or reduce the weight of their shafts. If you’re looking to carry bespoke clubs in your bag, you probably want to avoid Uniflex shafts.
Essentially, Uniflex shafts aren’t the best option for low handicappers as they don’t offer a great deal of variety or flexibility and can’t be easily customized.
Equally, some younger and older players may struggle to hit these shafts consistently, as the steel shafts are heavier and more difficult to use than graphite shafts.
If you’re unsure about whether these shafts are suitable for your game, we’d recommend heading out onto the range and trying them out before committing to a purchase.
Alternatively, you can speak to a pro and go for a custom fitting, as they will help you assemble the perfect shafts for your clubs, depending on your ability and swing speed.
Uniflex Shaft Swing Speed Information
Uniflex shafts are most suitable for golfers with a swing speed of between 75 – 95 mph. Sometimes, Uniflex shafts are categorized as regular shafts, but it will depend on the brand that you’re buying the shaft from, as every club manufacturer is different.
But to help you choose the right shaft for your swing speed and carry distance, you can use this helpful table below:
Carry Distance | Swing Speed | Flex Rating |
---|---|---|
Less than 200 yards | Less than 75 MPH | Ladies or Senior |
200 to 240 yards | 75 to 95MPH | Regular / Uniflex |
240 to 275 yards | 95 to 110 MPH | Stiff |
275 yards plus + | 110 MPH plus + | Stiff or Extra Stiff |
As you can see from the guide above, Uniflex shafts are best suited to beginner and intermediate golfers who can carry the ball up to 240 yards, on average.
If you find yourself hitting longer than this consistently, you will be much better suited to a stiff or extra stiff shaft to match the additional speed you generate with your swing.
One of the main reasons that these shafts are commonly fitted to beginner clubs is the fact that they are affordable and suitable for various swing types.
What’s more, most beginners aren’t overly concerned with their swing speed, it’s more about consistency and accuracy when you’re starting out, and these newbie-rated shafts help you get the job done.
To find out your swing speed, you can book a lesson with your local PGA pro, as they tend to use technology to ascertain how fast you’re executing your shots.
What is a Callaway Uniflex?
Simply, a Callaway Uniflex shaft is one that is made and attached to Callaway golf clubs. Various Callaway iron sets and drivers come equipped with Uniflex steel shafts, which is where the terminology comes from.
On Callaway’s scale, Uniflex shafts fall somewhere between regular and stiff shafts, and they’re therefore suitable for many beginners and intermediate golf clubs.
Callaway is just one manufacturer that produces clubs with Uniflex shafts, and other popular options include Wilson and Tour Edge.
One of the reasons why Callaway Uniflex is popular is because they’re high launching, which means they help you achieve your desired ball flight and trajectory.
As one of the most trusted golf club manufacturers in the sport, you can purchase a set of irons comprised of Callaway Uniflex shafts safe in the knowledge that they will be of excellent quality.
As beginner-intermediate clubs go, you won’t go wrong with a set of Callaway Uniflex irons.
Is Uniflex Stiffer than Regular?
It’s fair to say that Uniflex is slightly stiffer than regular shafts, but some manufacturers consider them to be appropriate for players who achieve similar carry and swing speed to those who typically use regular shafts.
However, these shafts have the added advantage of being slightly stiffer, which offers additional control over the shot.
But it’s so important to pick the correct shaft for your game. If you pick a shaft that is too stiff, you will struggle to release the golf ball as desired.
Players who use a stiff shaft when their game isn’t suited to it will find that their shots typically fly right and may be shorter than you expect.
Alternatively, if you use a shaft that is too flexible, you might find that you hook the ball more often than you would like.
Although there’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to how you will execute your shots with different shafts, selecting the perfect shaft type for your game is super important.
If you’ve been struggling with your irons, in particular, you might want to consider the type of shaft that you’ve been using.
You can always ask a club-fitter to change your shafts for you, and it could really make a world of difference to your scores.
This is particularly pertinent advice for golfers who are improving their game, as you may be out swinging your current clubs that you’ve had for a long time.
Good Steel Shafts for Beginners and Mid Handicappers
We’ve explained what is a Uniflex shaft and they are best are suited for golfers who have a swing speed of between 75 and 95 mph.
And because of this, they’re often attached to golf clubs that are marketed to beginners and intermediate players.
So, if you’re looking for a generic shaft that is affordable, forgiving, and of good quality, Uniflex is undoubtedly worthy of your consideration.