A medical probe, consisting of a flexible insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity of a patient, and a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the flexible insertion tube is configured to be brought into contact with tissue in the body cavity. The probe also includes a coupling member, which couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube and which consists of a tubular piece of an elastic material having a plurality of intertwined helical cuts therethrough along a portion of a length of the piece.