Updated base upon our experience in fittings in 2020. The Best of the Best are Highlighted in Red!
We are starting to see some of the new drivers, i.e. Callaway B-21, Titleist TSi2 and TSi3 so have included them in the list.
There were a few surprises on the 2020 Golf Digest Equipment Hot List and which drivers won the Gold Medals. 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 2020, even though it is VERY early in the season. 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 2019 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. The new TaylorMade SIM 8 degree is adjustable down to 6 degrees!
Best Heads: Callaway MAVRIK and MAVRIK Sub Zero, TaylorMade SIM and SIM MAX, Ping G410 LST, Titleist TSi3, Cobra SpeedZone, PXG 0811X Gen 2, Mizuno ST200 and ST 200G
Best Shafts - Low Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60 and 70, Mitsubishi TENSEI White, ACCRA TZ 5 65, OBAN Kiyoshi Black, Devotion 6 and 7, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green and Smoke Black RDX 60 and 70, Fujikura Ventus Black 6 and 7, LA Golf TRONO 7, TPT Red Range 14 and 15 LO
Best Shafts - Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana BF and ZF 60, ACCRA TZ 6 65, Project X Smoke Black and Smoke Yellow, Project X EvenFlow Riptide 65 and 75, Graphite Design Tour AD TP and XC, KBS TD Graphite 60 and 70, OBAN Isawa Red, TPT Red Range 14 and 15 HI
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS 220 Pro, Srixon 785
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 70+ gram shaft. If you think you are losing distance, try a lighter, 55 gram shaft or a counter balanced 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 MAVRIK and B-21, TaylorMade SIM MAX, Ping G410 LST and Plus, Titleist TSi2 and TSi3, Cobra Speedzone, PXG 0811X 2nd Gen, Mizuno ST200 and ST 200G
Best Shafts - Low-Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60 and 70, FujikuraVentus Black 6 and 7, MitsubishiTENSEI White and Orange, ACCRATZ 5 65, OBAN Kiyoshi White and Devotion 6, 7, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 60 and Smoke Blue RDX 60, Project X EvenFlow Riptide 60 and 70, TPT Red Range 16 and 17 LO
Best Shafts - Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana BF and XF 60, ACCRA TZ 6 65, OBAN Revenge, Isawa Red, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black and Smoke Yellow, Project X EvenFlow Riptide 60, Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 and 6, Graphite Design Tour AD DI, TP , VR and XC, KBS TD Graphite 60 and 70, TPT Red Range 16 and 17 HI
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS 220, Srixon 785,
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 MAVRIK MAX and B-21, TaylorMade SIM MAX and SIM MAX D, Ping G410 Plus, Titleist TSi3, Cobra Speedzone and Speedsone Extreme, PXG 0811XF Gen 2, Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo
Best Shafts - Low to Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60, Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 and 6, Mitsubishi TENSEI Orange and Blue , ACCRA TZ 5 55 and 65, FX 2.0 250 and 260 , OBAN Kiyoshi Purple 55, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black, LA Golf AXS, TPT Red Range 18 LO
Best Shafts - Mid to Mid-High Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana BF 50, RF 50, C6 Red and Blue, ACCRA TZ 6 55 and 65, ACCRA FX 2.0 150 and 160, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow, Project X EvenFlow Riptide CB 50 and 60, Fujikura Speeder Evolution and V 474 and 569, KBS TD Graphite 50 and 60, Graphite Design Tour AD DI, GP and VR 5 and 6, Veylix Alpina Black 573 and 673, TPT Red Range 18 HI
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS 220, Mizuno ST-200X , 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, 39 to 50 grams with higher launch and spin. Head lofts at least 11 degrees and up to 17 for juniors.
Best Heads: Callaway MAVRIK MAX and EPIC Flash Star, XXIO X, TaylorMade SIM MAX and SIM MAX D-Type, Ping G410 Plus and G Le, PXG 0811XF , Titleist TSi3, Cobra Speedzone and Speedzone Extreme, Mizuno ST-200X 12, Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo, US Kids TS3 Launch
Best Shafts - Mid to Mid-High Launch: Mitsubishi Fubuki V 40, Bassara TB Series , ACCRA TZ 6 55, FX 2.0 140 , Project X EvenFlow Riptide CB 40 and 50 , Graphite Design Tour AD DI and VR 4 and 5, KBS TD Graphite 40 and 50, TPT Red Range 18 and 19 HI
Best Shafts - Mid-High to High Launch: Mitsubishi Grand Bassara 39, ACCRA FX SRT, Project X EvenFlow Riptide CB 40 and 50, Graphite Design Tour AD GP 4 and 5, Fujikura Speeder Evolution III 474 and Vista Pro 45, TPT Red Range 20 and 21 HI.
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS 220, Mizuno ST-200X, 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
