The usual suspects were on the 2025 Golf Digest Equipment Hot List , but a the biggest news is the Maximum MOI - 10K drivers from almost every manufacturer and DS-Adapt Fitting Tips from Cobra.  Various forums, and ourselves as well publish a list of the best drivers.  Some are very independent and some are not.  Doesn't matter.  What our customers are looking for is what are the best driver and shaft combinations that we have fit so far in 2025.  In addition, we believe that the shaft is the part of the club that has the most impact on distance, consistency and accuracy, so that is why we are including our shaft recommendations in this list.

This list will be updated throughout the year as new shaft offerings are released. 

We have four distinct categories based upon swing speed and distance. 

Swing Speed 106+, Distance > 250 yards

Swing Speed 95-105, Distance 211 - 250 yards

Swing Speed 80 - 94, Distance 175 - 210 yards

Swing Speed Under 80, Distance < 175 yards

We think there are more shafts and heads in the mix for slower swing speeds.  We have also thrown in our Honorable Mentions in both heads and shafts.  So here goes:

Take our FREE Fit Quiz for Driver Specs

Swing Speed 106+, Distance > 250 yards

Fitting Tips:  Typically 65 to 75 gram shafts but smoother tempos can play lighter weights.  We are seeing a lot of longer hitters trying new sub 50 gram shafts from TPT, FreeFlex, Autoflex, Graphite Design, Fujikura and more!  Firm mid section and low launch, low spin is the norm for more control.  Driver lofts 8 to 10.5 degrees depending upon angle of attack.  The new Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond is adjustable down to 7 degrees! 

Best Heads:  Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond, especially the new Triple Diamond Max and Draw, TaylorMade Qi 35 LS and Max, Ping G440 LST,  Titleist GT 3 and GT 4, Cobra Dark Speed X and LS,  and Srixon ZXi and ZXi LS 

Best Shafts - Low Launch:   NEW Aretera EC1 Gray or AO2 Gray 65 or 75,   NEW Diamana WB 53, 63 and 73,  Mitsubishi TENSEI Pro White 1K and Orange 1K 50, 60, 70, Mitsubishi Kai'Li Dark Waves White 60 and 70, ACCRA TZ Five Gen 2 60, OBAN  Tour LTD Blue, Devotion 6 and 7, Project X Denali Black 60 or 70, ,  Fujikura Ventus with Velocore+ Black 6 and 7, Ventus TR Black 6 and 7, TPT Red Range 14 and 15 LO.  NEW Graphite Design Tour AD VF 6 and 7.

Best Shafts - Mid Launch:  NEW Aretera EC1 or AO2 Blue 55, 65 or 75, Mitsubishi Diamana BB 53, 63, 73 , ACCRA TZ Six Gen 2 60 and TZ Six Gen 2 ST 60, Project X Denali Blue 60 or 70,   Graphite Design Tour AD HD and XC 6 and 7, KBS PGW Graphite 60 and 70, Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 and 7 with Velocore+, Blue TR 6 and 7,  OBAN  Airburst and Isawa Red, TPT Red Range 19 and 20 HI, AUTOFLEX SF505XX, BRAVA 95

Honorable Mention Heads:  Tour Edge C723

Take our FREE Fit Quiz for Driver Specs

Swing Speed 95-105, Distance 211 - 250 yards

Fitting Tips:  Typical shaft weights in 55 to 65 grams but some players with fast transitions may like a heavier 70+ gram shaft.  If you think you are losing distance, try a lighter, 55 gram shaft or a counter balanced shaft.    Typically 9 to 10.5 degree lofted drivers with face bias dependent upon swing characteristics and what appeals to the golfer.

Best Heads:  Callaway Elyte and Elyte Triple Diamond Max and Draw, TaylorMade Qi 35 LS and Max, Ping G440 LST and G440 Max,  Titleist GT 3 and GT 2, Cobra Dark Speed X and LS, Tour Edge Exotics Max and LS, and  Srixon ZXi and LS.

Best Shafts - Low-Mid Launch:  NEW Aretera EC1 or AO2 Gray 55, 65 or 75, Mitsubishi Diamana BB 53, 63, 73 ,  Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K PRO White,  Mitsubishi Kai'Li Dark Waves White,  ACCRATZ Five Gen 2 60, Graphite Design Tour AD HD and XC 6 or 7,  OBAN  Kiyoshi White and Devotion 6, 7, Project X Denali Black 60 or 70,  Fujikura Ventus Blue with Velocore+ 6 and 7, Blue TR 6 and 7, TPT Red Range 16 and 17 LO

Best Shafts - Mid Launch:  NEW Aretera EC1 or AO2 Blue 55 or 65, Mitsubishi Diamana BB 53, 63, 73 and Vanquish 5,  ACCRA TZ Six Gen 2 60, OBAN  Revenge, Isawa Red, Project X Denali Blue 60 or 70,  Fujikura Ventus Blue with Velocore+ 5 and 6, Graphite Design  Tour AD DI and XC,  KBS TD Graphite 60 and 70, TPT Red Range 16 and 17 HI, AUTOFLEX SF505XX, BRAVA 95 or 85

Honorable Mention Heads:   Tour Edge E723

Take our FREE Fit Quiz for Driver Specs

Swing Speed 80 - 94, Distance 175 - 210 yards

Fitting Tips:  Lighter shafts (55 to 65 grams) but launch and spin depend on swing characteristics and attack angle.  Slightly higher lofted drivers but not necessarily draw biased as there are a lot of better golfers with low handicaps in this category.

Best Heads:  Callaway Elyte, Elyte X and Max Fast , TaylorMadeQi 35, 35 Max and Lite , Ping G430 Max 10K, G440 Max and SFT, Titleist GT2, GT 3 and GT 1, Cobra Dark Speed X and Max D and Max K,  Srixon  Zxi and ZXi Max ,  Tour Edge Exotics Max and LS,

Best Shafts - Low to Mid Launch:  NEW Aretera EC1 or AO2 45, 55 or 65,   Mitsubishi Diamana BB 53, 63 , Fujikura Ventus Blue with Velocore+ 5 and 6,  Mitsubishi Vanquish 4 or 5 , ACCRA TZ Five Gen 2 50 and 60, FX 3.0 250 and 260 , Graphite Design  Tour AD DI and XC, OBAN  Kiyoshi Purple 55, Project X Denali Blue or Red 50 or 60, Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 and 6, Blue TR 6,  TPT Power or Nitro 18 LO

Best Shafts - Mid to Mid-High Launch:  NEW Aretera EC1 or AO2 45, 55 or 65, Mitsubishi Diamana BB 53, 63 , Vanquish 4 or 5,  Project X Denali Red 50 or 60, ACCRA TZ Six Gen 2 50 and 60, ACCRA FX 3.0 150 and 160,  Fujikura Ventus Red 5, KBS TD Graphite 50 and 60, Graphite Design UB and GC, Tour AD DI and , Veylix Alpina Black 573 and 673, TPT Power or Nitro 18 HI, AUTOFLEX SF505XX, BRAVA 85 or 75, FreeFlex 38 or 45

Honorable Mention Heads:   Tour Edge E723

Take our FREE Fit Quiz for Driver Specs

Swing Speed Under 80, Distance < 175 yards

Fitting Tips:  Typically lighter weight shafts, 39 to 50 grams with higher launch and spin.  Head lofts at least 11 degrees and up to 17 for juniors.  Try a shorter length shaft as well.  For junior golfers, do NOT go to heavy standard heads too early as the swing may be harmed!

Best Heads:  Callaway Elyte X or Max Fast,  XXIO 13 and Prime, TaylorMade Qi 35 Max or Max Lite ,  Ping G430 Max 10K, G440 Max or SFT and G Le3,   Titleist GT 1, Cobra Dark Speed Max D or Max K,  Srixon ZXi and ZXi Max,   US Kids TS5. 

Best Shafts - Mid to Mid-High Launch:  Mitsubishi Diamana TB 40, Vanquish 4, Grand Bassara , True Temper Cypher 2.0 40 or 50, ACCRA TZ Six Gen 2 50, FX 3.0 140 ,  Graphite Design Tour AD IZ and aG33-3,  KBS TD Graphite 40 and 50, Project X Denali Red 40, 50 or 60, TPT Nitro  19 and 20 HI, AutoFlex 405 or 505X, FreeFlex 38 or 45

Best Shafts - Mid-High to High Launch:  Mitsubishi Grand Bassara 39,  ACCRA FX SRT 2.0, True Temper Cypher 2.0 40 or 50,  Graphite Design aG33-3, Fujikura  Air Speeder or Ventus White,   TPT Red Range 20 and 21 HI, BRAVA 75

Honorable Mention Heads:   Tour Edge E723,

Take our FREE Fit Quiz for Driver Specs

Once again, we feel that the shaft is of critical importance to getting optimum performance out of any club, but especially the driver.  Proper length (shorter is better) weight and flex can give you more distance, accuracy and consistency!

How to Select YOUR New Clubs 

Aesthetics - Look, Sound and Feel

In our experience in clubfitting over the years, you have to select a club head that looks good to your eye, sounds good when you hit it in the fitting and has the feel you desire.  It is pretty strange but sometimes a golfer will not be able to make solid contact with a club that supposedly matches them perfectly from a fitting perspective but the aesthetics are not right.  Be sure you take a look at 3 to 5 heads to make sure that at least 3 will give you good results.  It could be as simple as top line on an iron, color of a driver, finish (glossy paint or matte finish).  All of these can make a difference.

Performance - Distance, Accuracy and Consistency

Now we start getting into the meat of a fitting for new clubs.  The majority of the golfers we fit are looking for consistency, but whatever you do, make sure you add a little distance as well!  That is not difficult in a new fitting, however, sometimes getting added distance for a customer that has been fit within the last year or so.  Our goal in a fitting is to cut shot dispersion by 50% and add 5-10% more distance.  The factors we look at are club length, shaft weight, shaft flex, trajectory, spin, swing weight and loft and lie.  Our BGF and Fit Quiz systems make predictions based upon your swing characteristics for each of those parameters.  We then test our golfers in a fitting with clubs that are assembled to those specifications.  The results of the fitting do not lie...only when the aesthetics do not match do we have to change up the testing configuration.

So pick your initial choices based on aesthetics, but the final decision based on the improved performance you get!

Dan Sueltz

The question of "should you play forged or cast irons" is becoming quite a bit less controversial these days due to modern technology.  Let's take a look at what forging and casting processes mean and why they used to be very distinctly different:

Forged Irons

A typical forged iron is made from a single piece of soft steel called a billet that is heated until it becomes maleable.  The billet is then pressed into a shape that can then be ground to a precise shape for that model of iron.  This process is time consuming and typically more expensive but can produce irons that have a better feel and performance.  The most well-known forged irons are from Mizuno and Miura, both manufactured in Japan.  Others that are really strong in the forged iron space are Srixon and Epon, both manufactured in the Endo plant in Japan.  New models of irons may have multiple parts that are "forged" but not from the same material.  For example, a Callaway APEX iron may have a forged soft steel body for feel, but a forged thin cup-face maraging steel face for more distance.

See The Mizuno Forging Process Here

Cast Irons

The casting process requires a mold for a club head that is filled with molten steel.  The mold is allowed to cool and then broken off so that the club can be ground into shape for each iron.  This process is fairly fast and economical so these clubs are usually less expensive.  Most boxed sets of irons are cast.  While these clubs are usually very forgiving, they can have a little harsher feel.  Performance can also be less consistent if there is a big tolerance between each iron in terms of loft and lie.

Use Our FREE Fit Quiz Recommendations

Get Our 2025 Iron Shaft Recommendations

How to Decide in an Iron Fitting

In all of our fittings, we look at the golfers level of play, where they want to go with their game and what time commitment they have for their game.  Let's use the Golf Digest 2025 Hot List definitions of clubs to separate our recommendations:

Super Game Improvement Irons - mostly cast models with a very few forged.  Larger, more forgiving irons.

If you are scoring in the 90's or low 100's and just looking for more consistency and accuracy,  we would start with Game Improvement or Super Game Improvement irons like the Callaway Elyte, TaylorMade Qi 10 or Titleist T350.  These are cast irons, less expensive, yet can take a golfer to shooting much lower scores with a proper fitting.  The most important aspect for the golfer is look sound and feel.

Ping G440 - Cast Iron

Game Improvement Irons - a few forged combination models (forged body, harder steel face inserts.  Large, forgiving irons.

For golfers that are scoring the the low 90's or 80's, we would look at Game Improvement or Players Distance irons.  These can be either cast like the Callaway Elyte, Mizuno JPX-925 HotMetal, Ping G440 or combination forged body and face like the Callaway Ai 300, TaylorMade P790, Ping i240, or Srixon ZXi 4 or 5.  Again, look sound and feel are what the golfer needs to decide.

Mizuno JPX-925 Hotmetal - Cast Iron

Players Distance Irons - mostly forged bodies, forged faces, and hollow body designs.  Smaller but still forgiving.

Almost all of the Players Distance irons have forged bodies but many different face plates or inserts.  Most popular are the Callaway APEX Ai 150,  Ai 200, TaylorMade P790, Ttileist T150, T250 and Srixon ZXi 5.  New entrants include the Miura IC-602.

TaylorMade P790 - Forged Hollow Body

Players Irons - almost all forged models.  Smaller design with less forgiveness.  Typical to blend models for player preferences.

Here is where you start getting players that are definitely looking at a combination of feel and performance.  Feel comes from the very soft steel used in the Mizuno S-1 and S-3, the Srixon ZXi 7 and ZXi 5 or Ping Blueprint S and T.  It is easy to blend these models so the "cavity back", more forgiving model is used in the longer irons while the scoring clubs us the muscle-back design.  Miura and Epon are known for their soft feel and performance in Players Irons.

Mizuno S3 - 2025 - Pure Forged

Get Our FREE Fit Quiz Recommendations

Get Our 2025 Iron Shaft Recommendations

Dan Sueltz

Thank you again, I'm really enjoying my driver and woods and I know my brother is super excited about his.

You've been awesome to work with so thank you again for making everything so easy.

Heath

When you are looking for a "custom" club or set of clubs, we will answer any questions you may have about our fitting and building process.  Our FitQuiz will help dial you in to the proper length, shaft weight, shaft flex, trajectory, spin and swing weight based upon your information.  And, if you have questions, we can answer your chats or reply quickly with an in-depth email.  We are here to help you get equipment that improves your game!

Take our FREE Fit Quiz !

Dan Sueltz

The Cobra DS-ADAPT drivers are bringing a new dimension in performance and fitting technology.  The four drivers  offer something for every golfer in terms of performance and forgiveness.  And the FF33 shaft adapter allows us as fitters to fit for both loft and lie independently.  That is actually pretty cool!

DS-ADAPT LS

The LS (low spin) driver is designed for golfers that need less spin for a variety of reasons.  We typically fit golfers with this driver if their club path is significantly outside-to-inside or if their attack angle is negative.  These two swing factors create more spin.  The ability to change both loft and lie with the new adapter will be a great help for these swing profiles.  Available in 9.0 and 10.5 degree lofts, Right and Left Handed.

DS-ADAPT X

The most adaptable driver in the DS-ADAPT line is designed for mid handicap players seeking lower spin but higher launch.  Additional flexibility in fitting with adjustable weights for launch and spin control.  Available in 9.0 and 10.5 degree lofts, Right and Left Handed.

DS-ADAPT MAX-K

The most forgiving driver in the DS-ADAPT line, this driver has the highest MOI.  This feature creates a much tighter shot dispersion on miss-hits versus any other DS-ADAPT driver.  The spin and launch will increase but the accuracy will out-weigh any potential loss in distance.  A true fairway finder!  Available in 9.0, 10.5 and 12.0 degree lofts, Right and Left Handed.

DS-ADAPT MAX-D 

This driver has heel weighting to promote a draw bias for those golfers that fight a fade or slice.  Again, the combination of the FF33 shaft adapter will also allow us to minimize the fade/slice effect of the golf swing with a more upright lie.  This is the lightest weight head in the DS-ADAPT line.  Available in 10.5 and 12 degree lofts, Right and Left Handed.

Here is a great video to check out the actual shot results of each driver:

Shop Now!

Dan Sueltz

These are the Best Hybrid Golf Shafts - 2024 that we have tested and built. Our recommendations are based on swing categories for the Strongest, Strong, Average and Slow swing speeds.

We know that with hybrid golf clubs, many golfers have a love-hate relationship.  In our opinion, the reason is that most off-the-rack hybrid shafts are too long, too light and too soft of flex for the average golfer.  See our related blog on Finding the Right Hybrid Shaft below.

Should  YOU Play Long Irons or Hybrids?

Finding the Right Hybrid Shaft

Get the right shaft for your hybrid golf club. Use our FREE Fit Quiz to See our Recommendations for Length, Shaft Weight, Flex, Trajectory, Spin and Swing Weight for Every Club in your Bag!

Start a FREE Online Club Fitting

And, remember, we can re-shaft your current hybrid(s) to make them perform so much better! So, let's find the best shaft for you based upon your strength (distance), desired trajectory and fit to your current irons:

• Strongest Players - 3 Hybrid carries 240+ yards
• Strong Players - 3 Hybrid carries 210 - 240 yards
• Average Players - 3 Hybrid carries 175 - 205 yards
• Shorter Distance Players

Shop For Hybrids NOW!

The best hybrid golf shafts - 2024 and our recommendations in each category

Strongest Players: 3 Hybrid - 240+ yards

See Which Hybrid Shaft Works Best for YOUR Swing!

The strongest players typically play a driver, 3 or 4 wood and a 17 to 19 degree hybrid.  We have had great experience fitting these low lofted hybrids in a mid-trajectory steel shaft that is slightly lighter than their iron shafts.  If that still feels too heavy, we've had great success going to a 100 - 110 gram graphite shaft based upon desired trajectory.

Strong Players: 3 Hybrid - 210 - 240 yards

See Which Hybrid Shaft Works Best for YOUR Swing! For strong players, we typically fit graphite shafts that are slightly lighter than their iron shafts.  Trajectory is important as some golfers in this range use long hybrids on longer par 3 holes.  Thus, you want a hybrid shaft that helps get the ball in the air and allows the shots to land softly on the green.  Strong players can still launch a low-mid shaft at a good trajectory.

Average Distance Players: 3 Hybrid - 175 - 205 yards

See Which Hybrid Shaft Works Best for YOUR Swing! This is where the majority of our golfers exist. Unfortunately, this group of golfers typically buy hybrids off-the-rack with 60 to 70 gram shafts that are also way too flexible.   This causes duck hooks, high fades, topped or fat shots.  With a slightly heavier 75 to 85 gram shaft and a little stiffer flex, accuracy and consistency will improve dramatically! 

Shorter Distance Players: 3 or 4 Hybrid < 175 yards

See Which Hybrid Shaft Works Best for YOUR Swing! For shorter distance players, we also use combination hybrid/iron shafts so that the weight of the hybrid shaft is very similar to the weight of the iron shafts the golfer is playing.  This is especially useful for slower swings we see from some of our junior, senior and lady golfers.

When you select a shaft using our club selector, we always verify the specifications from your fitting profile to make sure it will match your swing characteristics.  We have over 35 years of fitting experience so we are confident we can make the proper recommendation for YOUR swing!

Shop For Hybrids NOW!

Dan Sueltz

Finding the right hybrid shaft is very important, especially when replacing long irons.  According to our current poll, 35% of our golfers say the WORST club(s) in their bag are their long irons.  So, maybe new hybrids are in order.   (see our related blog on long irons here). 

The Problem With Off-the-Rack Hybrids

While buying a hybrid off-the-rack is the most common purchase, the shafts offered very likely do not fit the majority of golfers.  Most hybrid shafts that we test during a fitting are too soft (flexible) and too light of weight.  This can cause very poor ball contact, wide shot dispersion and a loss of distance. 

So how do we determine which shaft is best for your swing dynamics?  Our BGF Fitting System and Fitting Wizard has modeled thousands of golfers swings and will dynamically recommend the proper shaft length, weight, flex, swing weight and profile (trajectory and spin) to optimize your hybrid performance based upon your unique swing dynamics.

Start a FREE Online Hybrid Fitting

Shaft Weight

The longest, lightest, yet stiffest club in you bag is your driver.  The heaviest, shortest and most flexible clubs will be your wedges.  As clubs get shorter from driver to fairway woods to hybrids, the shaft weights will get progressively heavier.  This varies based upon your strength and swing profile (tempo, transition and release) but in general, hybrid shafts will be 10 to 20 grams heavier than your driver shaft weight.  In some instances, the hybrid shafts will be the same weight as your irons but never heavier.  If you have very poor ball contact on either the heel or toe, if is probably because the shaft in your hybrid is too light.   If you have difficulty getting the ball in the air your hybrid shaft could be too heavy.

Shaft Flex

Just like shaft weights get heavier from driver to wedges, shaft flexes should get softer from driver to fairway woods to hybrids.  This again is determined by your strength and swing profile.  In general, your hybrid shaft flex should be slightly stiffer than your iron shaft flex.  This is because the hybrid shafts are typically .75 inches longer than the equivalent iron and will need to play slighter stiffer than the iron in order to provide more control.  If your shot dispersion is very wide and you tend to hook your shots, your hybrid shaft is more than likely too flexible.  If you tend to push your shots or slice them, the shaft could be too stiff.  By all means, do not trust the flex stated on the shaft, i.e. R (Men's Regular) or S (Men's Stiff), as the shafts usually play much softer than stated.  In some cases a shaft marked R will play as soft as Ladies flex.

Start a FREE Online Hybrid Fitting

Shaft Length

Hybrid shaft lengths are usually .75 inches longer than the equivalent iron.  This is typical for hybrid clubs with graphite or light weight steel shafts.  So, a 22 degree 4 hybrid will typically be 39.5 inches but a lot of manufacturers are making hybrids up to 1.25 inches longer than the equivalent iron.  Be careful not to get your hybrid shafts too long as this can create more shot dispersion and poor ball contact.

Well-fit hybrids can become some of the best clubs in your bag for versatility.  Whether it is off the tee, from fairway or rough, the right shaft length, weight and flex in your hybrids will create some of your best shots!

Start a FREE Online Hybrid Fitting

Dan Sueltz

Solving the hybrid vs. long iron fitting dilemma should not be a difficult decision.  In general there are a couple of factors to consider.

Check out our Comments in the Golf Digest Article Here...

Shop for a  New Hybrid NOW!

First, how comfortable is the golfer in hitting hybrid clubs?  

I would say 20-30% of our golfers going through a fitting have trouble hitting their hybrids consistently.  Usually, it is because of the fact that the hybrids are not very well fit to them in terms of shaft flex and weight (Learn More).  Unfortunately, sometimes this becomes a mental block that is difficult to overcome.  We get past that by having the golfer hit a hybrid that is matched to their swing and compare it to their existing hybrid.  This usually gets rid of the fear factor!

Second, how well does the golfer hit their long(er) irons?

This is a little bit of a trick question as most golfers want to keep a longer iron, like a 4 or 5 iron, in their bag to get out of trouble if they are under a tree branch.  But that is a total waste of a club.  I can easily knock down a 7 iron if I have to punch out.  If the golfer only hits the longest iron in their bag consistently, 50% of the time, it is time to switch it out for a hybrid.  This is especially true when the golfer is trying to hit the long(er) iron from a poor lie, the rough, or off the tee on a long par three.  The hybrid will be much more forgiving and consistent, especially if it is properly fit!

Be careful trying to replace a fairway wood with a hybrid.

Sometimes our golfers are very comfortable with their hybrids and want to try to replace their 5 wood with a 3 hybrid (18 or 19 degree loft).  Not a bad consideration, but only if the golfer has enough club head speed to get the 3 hybrid in the air.  Normally a 3 hybrid will not go the same distance as a 5 wood because the 3 hybrid has a shorter length.  So be a little careful trying to go with too low of loft in the hybrids.

Start a FREE Online Hybrid Fitting

In general, a properly fit hybrid will provide a lot more versatility than long irons in nearly every golfers bag.  The only exception to this is that hybrid club usage on the PGA Tour is actually declining as more players are opting for driving irons when they need a more forgiving long iron.  For me, my trusty 4 and 5 hybrids may be joined soon by a 6 hybrid!

Shop for a  New Hybrid NOW!

Dan Sueltz