Defending champion and world No. 2 Lilia Vu withdrew from the Chevron Championship before the first round because of a back injury.
Best driver shafts of 2023: The ultimate buyer’s guide for everything you need to know
Find the right specs to match your skills off the tee with the best driver shafts of 2022.
The post Best driver shafts of 2023: The ultimate buyer’s guide for everything you need to know appeared first on Golf.
Find the right specs to match your skills off the tee with the best driver shafts of 2022.
The post Best driver shafts of 2023: The ultimate buyer’s guide for everything you need to know appeared first on Golf.
Getting fit for your next set of clubs is more significant now than ever. Whether it be for the loft you want on your driver head or the type of shaft needed that best suits your swing, there are a lot of factors that go into these custom club fittings. By figuring out what shaft best fits you you can reduce the amount of time you spend in the rough or even opposite fairways after your tee shot.
When shopping for new golf clubs, we tend to look at the club head to see if it catches our eye. It’s the same with the grip, as we put the club in our hands to see how it feels in our fingers. But the shaft is the true key to finding the perfect club. We’ve researched a variety of driver shafts for you to give you our take on the good and the bad. Along with the information in this article, consulting with your local PGA pro will help you find the best driver shaft to match your game.
Top 10 best driver shafts
- Staff favorite: Fujikura Ventus Black
- Best on a budget: Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue
- Best for beginners: UST Proforce V2 HL
- Best lightweight driver shaft: Kim Braly Signature (KBS) TD
- Best for swing speeds under 80 mph: Accra TZ Series
- Best for swing speeds 80-94 mph: Veylix Alpina Black 573
- Best for swing speeds 95-105 mph: True Temper Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 60
- Best for swing speeds 106 mph and above: Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Pro White
- Best for creating buzz: Autoflex
- Best for forgiveness: Fujikura Ventus TR
Best driver shafts compared
| Driver Shaft | Cost | Weight (grams) | Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujikura Ventus Black | $350 | 58-85 | 46 |
| Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue | $59.99 | 65 | 46 |
| UST Proforce V2 HL | $72.90 | 51-64 | 46 |
| KBS (Kim Braly Signature) TD | $350 | 46 | 46 |
| Accra TZ Series | $297.50 | 50-105 | 46 |
| Veylix Alpina Black 573 | $200 | 60-65 | 46 |
| True Temper Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 60 | $225 | 58-62 | 46 |
| Mitsubishi TENSEI Pro White 1K | $349 | 61-82 | 46 |
| Autoflex | $790 | 41-57 | 45 |
| Fujikura Ventus TR | $350 | 56-88.5 | 46 |
Staff favorite: Fujikura Ventus Black
Benefits
- Reduces shot dispersion
- Maximizes ball speed
- Very forgiving with mishits
Drawbacks
- Firm butt section is rigid and not ideal for slower swing speeds
- Must seek an authorized dealer to purchase
The Fujikura Ventus Black is a high-quality golf shaft that minimizes your misses by reducing shot dispersion and maximizing ball speed off the clubface. It’s very forgiving on mishits, with an ultra-stiff tip that makes it stable at impact. This $350 golf shaft, our choice for best overall, is versatile and meets the needs of various swing types.
Swing speeds, however, do play a role in the effectiveness of the Fujikura Ventus Black driver shaft, as it may not be the ideal selection for slower swing speeds. If you think this may be the shaft that meets your specifications, seek out an authorized dealer to test it out.
Best driver shaft on a budget: Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue
Benefits
- Speed Coat Technology — roughened exterior texture helps deliver maximum club head speed and greater distance
- Micro-Mesh Tip Technology improves shaft stability at impact, reduces club twisting
- Lightweight shaft helps increase swing speed
Drawbacks
- Lower price point will deter better players who equate price tag with quality
The Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue is our choice for the best driver shaft if you’re on a budget. It’s not just the $59.99 price tag that makes this golf shaft appealing; it has a variety of benefits, including Speed Coat Technology which creates maximum clubhead speed and greater distance off the tee, and Micro-Mesh Tip Technology that improves shaft stability at impact. Its lightweight design also boosts your clubhead speed, further enhancing distance off the tee.
The Grafalloy name is highly recognizable in the industry, but the sub-$60 cost might make golfers think its performance isn’t up to par. But try it with your local club fitter. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with both its performance and price.
Best driver shaft for beginners: UST Proforce V2 HL
Benefits
- Great price
- Serves golfers of varied abilities
- High launch for greater carry distance
Drawbacks
- With a confluence of options, choosing the right one could be cumbersome if not fully researched
- Though marketed as high launch, this launch angle may be too high for some golfers
Beginner golfers are usually a price-conscious group, and this $72.90 golf shaft will satisfy their demand. It will also serve their needs on the course with a higher launch for greater distance, and proven results across several beginner-level abilities, aggressive swingers, and smoother tempo.
Options vary, which is usually a good thing, but beginner golfers can get confused when trying to choose a club or shaft that fits them. And for that, it can be helpful to visit your local club fitter who has the expertise and technology to determine your needs based on your skill level, body type, and swing speed.
The UST Proforce V2 HL shaft is marketed as a high-launch model, and it delivers on that promise. Some golfers, however, may consider the initial launch angle too high, increasing carry but reducing roll upon landing. See your pro — the launch monitor won’t lie.
Best lightweight driver shaft: Kim Braly Signature (KBS) TD
Benefits
- Promotes tighter ball flight and more controlled shot dispersion
- Provides optimized spin and launch for greater distance
- Suitable for various swing speeds
Drawbacks
- First driver shaft produced in the KBS line
- Lack of name recognition may deter consumers
- On the pricier side
The pick for the best lightweight driver shaft is from a little-known company called Kim Braly Signature (KBS). This newcomer in driver shafts promotes a tighter ball flight and more controlled shot dispersion. It also provides optimized spin and launch angle for a greater distance off the tee than you’re probably getting from your current shaft. Tests show that it meets the needs of various swing speeds.
The fact that it’s the first driver shaft put out by KBS and costs $350 may deter some consumers from this shaft to a name they already know. As is customary, we say, try it and see for yourself. The lighter shaft should mean greater distance — isn’t that the goal?
Best for swing speeds under 80 mph: Accra TZ Series
Benefits
- Proven consistent performance
- Produces low spin off the tee
- Two options in the TZ5 and TZ6
Drawbacks
- Lack of brand recognition
- Hefty price tag
Different driver shafts serve the specific needs of the diverse swing speeds that golfers bring to the tee box. The Accra TZ Series demonstrates great effectiveness for slower swing speeds under 80 mph by providing consistent performance and a low spin off the tee. The TZ5 offers low launch angles, while the TZ6 encourages a higher launch angle. There’s an array of shaft weights to appeal to a variety of golfers.
Of course, the $300 cost isn’t terrible, but the lack of name recognition might cause some golfers to seek other, more familiar options.
Best for swing speeds 80-94 mph: Veylix Alpina Black 573
Benefits
- Lightweight for increased swing speed
- Prime launch angle to meet your moderate swing speed
Drawbacks
- Excessively high launch angles reported
The Veylix Alpina Black 573 driver shaft is lightweight for increased swing speed in golfers just under 95 mph. With improved stability through impact, this $200 driver shaft will keep your errant drives in check and help you find the fairway more.
With launch angle being a vital component in increased driver distance, the Veylix Alpina Black 573 will aid in greater distance and a better overall golf game.
Some say the high launch angle that we’re touting is, in fact, too high, increasing carry but reducing roll and overall distance. All swings are different, and anyone in the 80-94 mph swing speed range should test this shaft to see for themselves.
Best for swing speeds 95-105 mph: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 60
Benefits
- Greater launch and spin
- Ideal for the aggressive golf swing
- Increased trajectory
Drawbacks
- Not ideal for slower swing speeds
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 60 is the ideal driver shaft for golfers with swing speeds at or around 100 mph. With increased trajectory and spin, more distance, better stability, and reduced golf shot dispersion, this shaft is made for the aggressive golf swing.
At $225, the price and Project X name will attract some consumers, mainly because those with higher swing speeds are accustomed to higher prices for their driver shafts. This shaft is optimal for 95-105 mph swing speeds but won’t perform up to standard for those who swing the driver slower.
Best for swing speeds 106 mph and above: Tensei 1K Pro White
Benefits
- 1K fiber is thinner than usual, creating a purer impact
- Great look, launch, and spin characteristics
- Innovative technology creates thicker walls at the butt end, raised balance point, lighter swing weight, and greater club head speed and distance
Drawbacks
- Ultra technical specifications may be difficult to convey to the everyday golfer
- With a hefty price tag, consumers will want to know what they’re getting
The $350 Tensei 1K Pro White takes home the best driver shaft recognition for your faster swing speeds. With a 1K fiber that’s thinner than usual, golfers can achieve a purer impact. In addition, its innovative technology creates thicker walls at the butt end, raising the balance point and creating a lighter swing weight — all promoting greater club head speed and shot distance.
The Tensei 1K Pro White has a great look and optimal launch and spin characteristics for the faster swinger.
Some drawbacks include highly technical specifications that may be difficult for some club fitters to convey to customers. Also, that hefty price tag will cause the golfer to want to fully understand what they’re getting from the driver shaft.
Best for creating buzz: Autoflex
Benefits
- Promises extra distance on your drives without swinging harder
- Delivers on that promise in multiple tests
- Incredibly light and whippy shafts add to swing speeds based on existing speed and shaft flex
Drawbacks
- A high price tag will exclude a high percentage of golfers
- Few fitters carry this shaft, so you have to order from the manufacturer, meaning demo and fitting options are limited
At $790, the Autoflex driver shaft will immediately eliminate a good percentage of potential buyers. That doesn’t mean people aren’t talking about it, though. This shaft promises extra distance without swinging harder through an incredibly light and whippy flex. The effect is faster swing speeds without altering your swing — a massive benefit to golfers who are OK with an equipment change but don’t want to change their swing necessarily.
Because of the high price, few fitters will carry the Autoflex in-house, making consumers go through the manufacturer. This will make the demo and fitting process more time-consuming and cumbersome.
Best in forgiveness: Fujikura Ventus TR
Benefits
- Very stable on mishit shots
- More carbon, less bonding material results in a stronger shaft
- Reduces twisting in transition
Drawbacks
- Expensive investment in your golf game
- Doesn’t commit to one caliber of golfer over another, but for that price, you want something geared towards your game
The $350 Fujikura Ventus TR driver shaft offers stellar forgiveness on mishit golf shots. With more carbon and less bonding material to keep it lighter, the stronger golf shaft doesn’t twist on those off-center strikes on the club face.
The Fujikura name means quality, as it boasts a reputation for reliability, and it holds two of the top 10 spots on our list.
The price may send a few frugal golfers elsewhere for a driver shaft, but a good club fitter will sing the praises of the Ventus TR. Noted as one negative, it does hedge its bets by conforming to multiple calibers of golfer, something many might call versatility.
The bottom line
Golf equipment has become a highly technical aspect of game improvement and player development. With an array of options — more than some club fitters can keep up with — it’s important to narrow your search for a driver shaft based on your personal specifications: swing speed, body type, skill level, frequency of play, and budget.
Based on these factors, going through an extensive custom club fitting with an expert eye and a state-of-the-art club fitter will result in your ideal shaft specifications: flex, weight, length, and more. Most beginner golfers will learn the game with clubs that are both affordable and available. Once the passion for the game takes over, they’ll be more inclined to pursue the club-fitting process. See your local PGA pro to help you through it — you’ll play better and enjoy the game more as a result.
FAQs
What is the best driver shaft for 2023?
We chose the high-quality Fujikura Ventus Black as our staff’s favorite driver shaft in 2023. It minimizes your misses by reducing shot dispersion and maximizes ball speed off the club face. It’s also very forgiving on mishits, with an ultra-stiff tip that makes it stable at impact. These are results that directly impact the drives you hit.
What is the best driver shaft for a mid-handicapper?
The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 60 is a great driver shaft for the mid-handicapper swinging around 100 mph off the tee. With increased trajectory and spin, more distance, better stability, and reduced golf shot dispersion, this shaft is ideal for the aggressive golf swing.
What is the best driver shaft for distance?
With every one of these shafts promoting increased distance for the proper golf swing, the Fujikura Ventus TR driver shaft offers stellar forgiveness on mishit golf shots. With more carbon and less bonding material to keep it lighter, the stronger golf shaft doesn’t twist on those off-center strikes on the club face. A good shaft for distance means it’s rated for those well-struck golf shots and for increased distance on mishits. Indeed, this forgiving driver shaft will get you farther down the fairway than you’re used to.
The post Best driver shafts of 2023: The ultimate buyer’s guide for everything you need to know appeared first on Golf.
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