We are intrigued every year by the Golf Digest Equipment Hot List and which drivers win the Gold Medals. Then, 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 2019. 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.
We like the categories as used by GolfWRX in their recent article but we think there are more in the mix for slower swing speeds. We will also throw in our Honorable Mentions in both heads and shafts. So here goes:
Use our Fitting Wizard to Find the Right Driver Shaft for YOU!
Swing Speed 106+, Distance > 250 yards
Fitting Tips: Typically 75 gram shafts but smoother tempos can play lighter weights. 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.
Best Heads: Callaway EPIC Flash SubZero, TaylorMade M5 and M5 Tour, Ping G410 LST, Titleist TS3, Cobra F9 Speedback, PXG 0811X Gen 2
Best Shafts - Low Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60 and 70, Mitsubishi TENSEI White, ACCRA TZ 5 65, OBAN Kiyoshi Black, Project X HZRDUS EvenFLow White T1100, HZRDUS Smoke Green, Fujikura Ventus 6 and 7, LA Golf Black Tie 7
Best Shafts - Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana BF 60, ACCRA TZ 6 65, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black, Project X EvenFlow Black 65 and 75, Graphite Design Tour AD TP and IZ
Honorable Mention Heads: Mizuno ST-190 9.5, Srixon 785, Krank Golf Formula X Extreme
Use our Fitting Wizard to Find the Right Driver Shaft for YOU!
Swing Speed 95-105, Distance 211 - 250 yards
Fitting Tips: Typical shaft weights in 65 grams but some players with fast transitions may like a heavier shaft. If you think you are losing distance try a lighter, 55 gram shaft but make sure it plays stiff enough. Typically 9 to 10.5 degree lofted drivers with face bias dependent upon swing characteristics and what appeals to the golfer.
Best Heads: Callaway EPIC Flash and SubZero, TaylorMade M6, Ping G410 LST and Plus, Titleist TS2 and TS3, Cobra F9 Speedback, PXG 0811X 2nd Gen
Best Shafts - Low-Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60 and 70, Fujikura Ventus 6 and 7, Mitsubishi TENSEI White and Orange, ACCRA TZ 5 65, OBAN Kiyoshi White and Devotion 6, 7, Project X HZRDUS EvenFLow White T1100
Best Shafts - Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana BF 60, ACCRA TZ 6 65, OBAN Revenge, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black, Project X EvenFlow Black 65 and 75, Graphite Design Tour AD DI, TP and VR
Honorable Mention Heads: Mizuno ST-190 9.5, Srixon 785, Krank Golf Formula X Extreme
Use our Fitting Wizard to Find the Right Driver Shaft for YOU!
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 EPIC Flash, TaylorMade M6, Ping G410 LST and Plus, Titleist TS2, Cobra F9 Speedback, PXG 0811XF Gen 2
Best Shafts - Low to Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60, Fujikura Ventus 5 and 6, Mitsubishi TENSEI Orange and Blue , ACCRA TZ 5 55 and 65, OBAN Kiyoshi Purple 55, Project X HZRDUS EvenFLow Black 65, LA Golf Red Tie 50
Best Shafts - Mid to Mid-High Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana BF 50, ACCRA TZ 6 55 and 65, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow, Project X EvenFlow Blue 55 and 65 , Fujikura Speeder Evolution and V 474 and 569, Graphite Design Tour AD DI, GP and VR 5 and 6, Veylix Alpina Black 573 and 673.
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS, Mizuno ST-190 10.5, Srixon 585
Use our Fitting Wizard to Find the Right Driver Shaft for YOU!
Swing Speed Under 80, Distance < 175 yards
Fitting Tips: Typically lighter weight shafts with higher launch and spin. Head lofts at least 11 degrees and up to 17 for juniors.
Best Heads: Callaway EPIC Flash and EPIC Flash Star, XXIO X, TaylorMade M6 and M6 D-Type, Ping G410 Plus and G Le, PXG 0811XF , Titleist TS1, US Kids TS3 Launch
Best Shafts - Mid to Mid-High Launch: Mitsubishi Fubuki V 40, ACCRA TZ 6 55 , Project X EvenFlow Blue 55 , Graphite Design Tour AD DI and VR 4 and 5.
Best Shafts - Mid-High to High Launch: Mitsubishi Grand Bassara 39, ACCRA FX SRT, Project X EvenFlow Blue 55 , Graphite Design Tour AD GP 4 and 5, Fujikura Speeder Evolution III 474 and Vista Pro 45.
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS, Mizuno ST-190 10.5, Srixon 585
Use our Fitting Wizard to Find the Right Driver Shaft for YOU!
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!
Dan Sueltz
