The shaft has been called "the engine of the golf club," because of its role in driving the clubhead toward impact. Today's shafts offer something for just about every golfer, but it's important to be fit for the right shaft.
Getting the right flex is the first step. Most shafts are labeled with a letter code, where X equals Extra Stiff; S is Stiff; R is Regular; A is Senior or Amateur; and L is Ladies. No two manufacturers have identical specifications for what makes a shaft regular as opposed to stiff, so to be careful it is good idea to be fitted for a particular shaft.
A second issue is bend profile, which identifies how stiffness varies over the length of the shaft. In general, for golfers who have a smoother and more rhythmic swing, the more flexible the grip end of the shaft can be; for faster or more forceful swings, the stiffer it should be.
In most cases, trajectory is determined more by the golfer's swing and the characteristics of the clubhead than by the shaft. With a driver, which can have weight positioned much further back in the clubhead than an iron, the shaft can have a greater impact on the trajectory of the shot.
Shaft manufacturers bring new products to market to work best with new designs in clubheads or with different needs of tour players.
Nano-technology is the latest buzzword in shafts. Essentially the term refers to the ability to tinker with the materials used in the shafts on a very miniscule level, smaller than 1 micrometer. By working with the molecular structure of the materials, shaft manufacturers can develop stronger or more flexible carbon composites.
Some recent popular shafts for the driver include:
AccuFlex Creation
These composite shafts use what the company calls Nano-Met technology, which focuses on the use of nano-technology to create a tighter molecular structure that increases the surface area of the shaft. That translates to a lighter weight shaft with the same strength as well as more ability to manipulate the bend profile.
The butt of the shaft is longer than traditional shafts and tapers quickly. This tapering is designed to allow the area to flex more at impact for a higher launch angle and less back spin.
"This is the most technologically advanced shaft in the industry," said Jody Baucom, president for AccuFlex Golf. "The tour players can feel the difference immediately. That's why so many of them are putting it into play."
The Creation 65 is a light shaft with a high bend point that provides a higher launch angle and mid to low spin. The Creation 80 delivers a mid to high launch angle and low spin.
Aldila VS Proto 80
The VS Proto shaft, also called the "ByYou" shaft, builds on the work Aldila did with carbon nano-technology on its NV shaft, -- the company calls it next generation Micro Laminate Technology (MLT). Aldila also uses a proprietary A65 Performance Resin System that works with the high-strength graphite fibers to better bind them and improve strength and performance. The MLT is also noted for its shock absorption.
"The VS Proto is the straightest, longest shaft we have ever offered -- with feel other shafts can't touch," said Stewart Bahl, Aldila's marketing manager.
Graphite Design's Tour AD Quattro Tech
This new offering from Graphite Design uses high-strength graphite fibers at four different angles on the shaft's surface for high stability at high swing speeds and with larger driver heads. It's been used on the Japanese Tour throughout 2006, where it was originally introduced. The shaft has a low bend profile to promote a higher ball flight with low spin.
"The Tour AD Quattro Tech is a fine addition to our lineup of ultra-premium graphite shafts and upholds Graphite Design's tradition of technical innovation and superior craftsmanship," said Victor Afable, vice president of sales and marketing for Graphite Design. "Better golfers will appreciate the outstanding control Quattro Tech delivers at fast swing speeds, while players of all calibers can optimize the accuracy and distance of modern clubheads by using this shaft."
Proforce V2 LD
Designed by United Sports Technologies, this graphite shaft is longer than average and is promoted as being used by long drivers of the ball. It's also available not only in Stiff and Extra Stiff flexes, but in XX and XXX as well.
Pat Dempsey, a former senior long drive champion who owns Horsepower Golf, which distributes the UST product, had a hand in designing the shaft and used it in February to place second in the Long Driver Association's Desert Launch Long Drive Competition.
"The engineering that went into the new Proforce V2 LD series is quite innovative," Dempsey said. "Today, golfers are searching for the perfect ball flight and the V2 series delivers the perfect weight and performance and a feeling of total energy release at impact. Its unique release explodes like a bullwhip and it really is a long driver's dream shaft."
