Golf shafts?

Question

I'm looking to buy a new driver, however, there is a ton of shafts to pick from. Aldila NV-65, Fujikura 64 Graphite, Graffaloy ProLaunch, Graphite Design YS-6 (and 7).

So, I know what the flex means, I know I need stiff, but what is the difference between all of these?

Answer 1

Unless you play golf as an occupation you shouldn't need to worry, it will not affect your game

Answer 2

Every company will make certain slight differences. If you're not a pro golfer, chances are it isn't going to react much differently.

I believe these are all graphite shafts...right?

Graphite certainly responds differently than steel, and it's more often used in drivers.

Basically, try out a bunch of drivers, and choose the one that feels best for you. If you're really not digging the shaft after a while, then start researching them. But for now, any of these will probably be just fine for you. This is assuming that you're not a pro golfer, of course.

Answer 3

Take a look at this book, might help you.

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Answer 4

Assuming that what you really want to know is which shaft is best for you, I will attempt to asnwer that question.

There is basically 4 components to modern shafts:

1.  flex

2.  kickpoint

3.  length

4.  weight

Flex - as you noted, you already know that you need a stiff flex, so I won't comment too much on that.

Kickpoint - this is probably the most important facor after flex.  Contrary to what another poster said, this **will** affect your game.  The kickpoint determines the trajectory of your ball flight.  Golfdigest did an experiment where they custom fitted dozens of club champions with new shafts, and increased the average drive of these champions by 17 yards.  The shaft matters.  The basic rule is:  If you tend to hit really high shots, then you want a shaft with a high kickpoint, which will launch the ball on a lower trajectory and give you more distance.  If you have trouble getting the ball up in the air, you want a shaft with a low kickpoint, which will produce a higher ball flight.

Length - this is not that important unless you are extraordinarily short or tall and need a custom length.  If you want exra distance, go for a longer shaft, but beware: it makes it much harder to control.  Also, USGA rules only allow a driver to be a maximum of 48 inches long.

Weight - this can be important if you get a shaft that is too heavy.  Pros tend to use heavier shafts because heavier shafts tend to make it harder to swing too fast.  Most amateurs need slightly lighter than average shafts to help them swing the club fast enough.  I was recently fitted, and moving to a lighter shaft weight increased my swing speed by 10mph (and I don't really have a slow swing -- 110mph on my driver).

Each of the models that you mentioned probably come in vaius weights, kick-points, flex and length.  Once you find out what you need with regard to those four items, you can start narrowin your selections based on what each manufacturer offers.  All the manufacturers make good shafts and you will find pros using all of them.

Answer 5

The specs are ALL GARBAGE. There are almost no standards in the industry. A Cobra Speed Pro Driver with a stiff VS Proto flexes to a regular in Fujikura specs. This is a very frustrating problem. I have flex tested many new un-cut shafts and find some regulars are stiff, and some stiffs are regular. I have two new Callaway FT-5's. They have the Fujikura E- 360 shafts. One is stiff, one is regular. These drivers play IDENTICAL. I have a Callaway FT-3 with a NVS stiff that plays great. I have a Srixon W506, it plays great. I have a Cleveland Launcher with a V2 regular flex, but weighs in at 76 grams, it plays great. Now, the reason I am telling you this is for every driver I have described here, I have had the same models, same shafts, lofts, etc. that stunk. All you can really do is hope you get a lot of demo days where you live. Also, shop with vendors that have a 90 day play warranty. Five of the exact SAME drivers, can, any probably will play different from each other. Use what you can feel and hit. Not what is stamped on the shaft. You don't won't to be a sucker.

Answer 6

All of these shafts are really different in terms of how they will perform. Not all "stiff" shafts will play the same,as they have different kick points & trajectory patterns.  Alot depends on how you swing the club and how you want to hit your tee shot (ie low-medium trajectory/medium/medium-high/or high). The best solution, assuming you're at a point in your golfing career where it would make sense and you have a repeatable swing is to go to a reputable golf retailer and be fitted to a new driver. It'll be one of the best investments you'll ever make in your game. Good luck.

Answer 7

To actually answer your question, (something nobody else really did) while I don't know much about the Fuji or Graphite Designs, the NV-65 has a lower launch and the Pro-Launch has a higher launch. I personally have the NV-65, but it is worse for me because I have a low trajectory. If you have a higher launch though, it should be perfect.