Best Driver Shafts 2023 – For Distance, Launch And Accuracy

Have you ever had the pleasure of trying an upgraded shaft?

Many think that investing into an after sale shaft is purely for elite golfers but I don’t think this is the case and I very much hope to convince you of this here.

The shaft can make a club a dream or a nightmare it is vital.

The correct shaft can give you significantly more speed during your swing, it can help you miss fewer fairways and most importantly it can just make you feel confident in your driver. The choice is vast with specialist shafts to help you kill spin, launch it higher and even hit it straighter.

What To Look For In A Quality Driver Shaft

Graphite Shafts

A quality shaft will be made of premium materials and should have careful quality control to ensure reliability.

When you buy a driver and take the stock shaft as offered, you may well be getting a substandard product. This is like buying a car and not caring what engine it has.

This article is here to discuss some of the best newcomers to the shaft market this year.

We will talk you through who they will help and hopefully give you some insights into what you should be looking for.

The shaft is the engine of your club, get it right and unleash new power.

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Project X Hzrdus

Best Choice For Most

 
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Mitsubishi Tensei Shafts

Premium Driver Shafts

 
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Fujikara Pro 70

Best Budget Driver Shaft Option

 
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1. Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g Driver/Fairway Shaft – 6.5 (X-Flex)

The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g driver shaft is made for hard hitters.

With some added weight and an extra-stiff flex, this club is ready for those that generate high clubhead speeds. It is designed to produce low spin and low launch conditions.

Key Features

Added stiffness across the length of the shaft is complimented by extra-stiffness in the mid-section.

This gives added stability to the golfer even during very high speed golf swings.

With a torque of 2.9 this shaft feels stout during the swing which adds to the appeal for some.

Material

This is a graphite shaft that is hand crafted to help ensure high product quality.

Flex available

6.5 is a TrueTemper designation for extra-stiff.

Weight

70g

Performance And Accuracy

If you have the correct swing for this shaft, driver clubhead speed of 110mph or more, then this shaft has incredible performance. It is specifically designed for accuracy at high speed.

Who Is It For?

This shaft is for golfers who swing the driver fast, are seeking more control, want to hit it a little lower and want to reduce the spin they produce.

Pros And Cons Of The Project X

Pros

  • This shaft feels stout, it is also very stable thanks to that reinforced mid-section.
  • Extra speed can also be generated through that slightly less stiff tip section.

Cons

  • For some, this shaft will be seen as expensive
  • could be hard to hit for those who struggle for height.

Overall Score: 96/100

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2. Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue 55 with SFW Driver Shaft

Mitsubishi make some of the finest shafts in golf and the Tensei range has been a huge success.

This shaft is lighter than previous models, it has Straight Flight Weighting (SFW) which helps you with accuracy whilst feeling super-smooth during the swing.

Key Features

Aluminium Vapour (AV) coated fibre weave helps reduce weight, increase stability and maximise energy transfer.

SFW straightens out slices some to help those who miss right.

Material

This is a graphite shaft with aluminium vapour coating.

Flex Available

Senior, (A) regular (R), stiff (S) and extra-stiff (X) flexes are available.

Weight

  • A= 55g,

  • R= 57g,

  • S=58g,

  • X=62g

Performance And Accuracy

This shaft is made to maximize accuracy especially if you slice it. It is incredibly stable across the flex profiles.

Who Is It For?

This shaft is for any swing speed, the options are great, looking for stability and accuracy especially if you struggle with a slice.

Pros And Cons Of The Tensei

Pros

  • This is another shaft that feels super-smooth during the swing.
  • It is tour-proven and sublime.

Cons

  • The cons here are that it won’t suit people who struggle with a hook and
  • Some may find it a little too light.

Overall Score: 94/100

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3. Fujikura Pro 70 Regular Shaft

Fujikura pride themselves on making some of the fastest feeling shafts you will ever play.

They combine this speed with stability and the Fujikura Pro 70 is an excellent example of this.

Now a legacy shaft, it can still be found on the market and is exceptional.

Key Features

Special carbon fibre (40 TON) reduces twisting for stability whilst the bend profile adds accuracy and feel. More flex in the tip section ensures maximum clubhead speed.

Material

This is a graphite shaft with strengthened carbon fibres.

Flex Available

Regular only

Weight

70g

Performance And Accuracy

At 44 inches, this is a shorter shaft than many modern products which adds great accuracy on top of the existing performance. This is an exceptional regular shaft.

Who Is It For?

If you have an average speed golf swing and would like a little more control, the Fujikura is a great shaft for you.

Pros And Cons Of The Fujikara

Pros

  • This shaft feels great, it is smooth and with it being shorter it gives you great control.
  • It has a subtle design which many will love.

Cons

  • The biggest issue with this shaft is that it is out phased but you can look at the Motore X F1 instead.

Overall Score: 92/100

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4. Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage Silver 70

Mitsubishi are back with another the Kuro Kage Silver. It is designed to maximize carbon fiber content which adds stability and reduces spin for the golfer.

This is a revolutionary design and has been played by the like of Rory McIlroy on tour.

Key Features

Titanium nickel fibers in the tip increase accuracy whilst low resin content adds strength and feel to the shaft. Variable torque helps fine tuning of feel and stability

Material

Low resin content, high carbon content and titanium nickel wires in the tip section.

Flex available

Extra-stiff

Weight

76g

Performance and Accuracy

This shaft is built for extreme stability and delivers.

The variable torque and low spin creates one of the highest performing shafts on the market that maximizes accuracy.

Who Is It For?

This shaft is for golfers with high speed swings of 110mph or more who want to reduce and maximize accuracy.

It is for golfers who want tip stability whilst retaining a smooth feel.

Pros And Cons Of The Kuro Shaft

Pros

  • This shaft looks great, feels great and has outstanding performance.
  • If you fit the profile of the shaft then you will love it.

Cons

  • The only potential con here is that many golfers will find it difficult to hit.

Overall Score: 95/100

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5. True Temper Uncut Project X HZRDUS Yellow 65g 6.0

Given how good the Project X HZRDUS range is, it is no surprise to see another here.

Like the Black Smoke, the Kuro Kage Silver is a low spin and a low launch model but is for a moderate swing tempo.

It is a counterbalanced shaft which can add speed and stability.

Key Features

Being a counterbalanced shaft, there is extra weight in the butt section to enhance stability.

It may results in a higher launch angle than the Black Smoke.

Other than that, these shafts have very much the same features.

Material

Handcrafted carbon fiber graphite with counterbalancing weight.

Flex Available

Stiff

Weight

65g

Performance and Accuracy

The counterbalanced weighting in this shaft is designed to enhance stability and increase accuracy.

Golfers with a more deliberate swing will find great performance with this shaft. If you prefer a heavier feel in your driver then this may not be for you.

Who is it for?

This shaft is for those with swings of 105mph or so who want to feel a reduced swing weight in their driver but equally want to feel that stout shaft feel of stability.

Pros And Cons Of The Project X

Pros

Counterbalanced shafts can take a while to get used to, the club feels normal when you hold it but lighter when you swing it.

This can lead to increased swing speed but can also cause a higher launch.

Cons

The stoutness of the shaft paired with the counterbalance can feel a bit odd.

Overall Score: 94/100

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6. Dynamic Gold True Temper Shaft 0.355 Taper Tip

Tiger Woods once caused a stir when he came on tour with a steel driver shaft.

You too can do this with the Dynamic Gold True Temper shaft, one of the most used steel shafts on tour.

This produces low spin from a low launch and is perfect for moderate speed swings.

Key Features

Sensicore technology helps dampen out extraneous vibrations leaving the golfer with great feedback through the shaft.

Material

Unlike the others on this list, this is a steel shaft.

Flex Available

Regular, stiff and extra-stiff

Weight

This shaft has three different weights when it comes to stiff shafts.

The S200, S300 and S400 shafts increase in weight as listed below.

  • R = 127g,

  • S: S220 =127g,

  • S330 = 130g,

  • S400 = 134g,

  • X=130g

Performance and Accuracy

When it comes to consistency and stability, it is really difficult to beat steel.

Using steel in your driver will probably increase your accuracy but it may very well cost you distance due to reduced clubhead speed.

Who Is It For?

Steel driver shafts will work best for those with a higher swing speed that really struggle to find the fairway. It is not for everyone but can really benefit certain golfers.

Pros And Cons Of The Dynamic Gold

Pros

  • The best thing about this shaft is the feel you get through the ball.
  • Steel is also incredibly stable and consistent which can be of huge benefit.

Cons

  • The main con with a steel driver shaft is the potential loss in distance.

Overall Score: 92/100

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7. Accra Tour Z 85 Counter Balanced CB Shaft

Accra is among the finest shaft manufacturers in golf and a dream to play.

They make some of the smoothest and most stable graphite shafts you could ever play.

This counter balanced shaft feels really quick whilst providing market-leading accuracy.

Key Features

Whilst not really counterbalanced, the center of gravity in this shaft is higher than normal to aid stability.

This shaft also has Constant Flex Technology which adds to stability and feel. There are few shafts packed with as much technology as this Accra.

Material

Graphite shaft made with super-thin walls for extra feel.

Flex available

Stiff (M4) and extra-stiff (M5)

Weight

89g

Performance And Accuracy

The performance of this shaft is outstanding.

It is made within incredibly tight quality control standards and so you can expect great consistency in using it.

Accuracy is one of the key strengths of this product.

Who Is It For?

Golfers who want a shaft that feels super-smooth yet requires stability.

Pros And Cons Of The Acra Tour Shaft

Pros

  • The feel of this shaft is the main pro, nothing else out there really feels like this.

Cons

  • Some won’t like the lighter head feel that a counterbalanced-type shaft brings.

Overall Score: 96/100

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8. Aldila NXT Gen NV

Driver shafts used to be fairly drab affairs until Aldila and a couple other companies came along.

The new Aldila NXT Gen NV hits on the nostalgia factor but has the performance to match.

This is a low launch and low spin shaft to help you control ball flight.

Key Features

NexGen Micro Laminate Technology is in the tip which consists of 20 layers of ultra-thin prepreg (graphite with adhesive and resin) which creates a feeling of great stability in the swing.

Material

Graphite shaft with reinforced tip section.

Flex Available

Senior (A), regular (R), stiff (S) and extra-stiff (X)

Weight

  • A=54g

  • R= 56g (55 NXT)

  • 67g (65 NXT)

  • 78g (75 NXT)

  • S= 57g (55 NXT)

  • 67g (65 NXT)

  • 78g (75 NXT)

  • 88g (85 NXT)

  • X= 68g (65 NXT)

  • 78g (75 NXT)

  • 88g (85 NXT)

Performance And Accuracy

This shaft oozes nostalgia and had to deliver in performance to live up to expectations.

It has done that and has a unique feeling thanks to the tip reinforcement.

The accuracy of this shaft is nothing short of astounding.

Who Is It For?

This is for golfers who want an upgraded shaft without spending too much money and who want that nostalgia.

This shaft line-up has something for every golfer who wants to hit it a little lower and reduce spin.

Pros And Cons Of The Aldila

Pros

  • The price of this shaft is incredible and one of the most attractive factors.
  • it is great value as the performance exceeds the price point.

Cons

  • The cons would be that it maybe doesn’t have the technology of other shafts
  • Isn’t great for those looking for more height.

Overall Score: 93/100

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9. Graphite Design Tour AD VR 6 Shaft

Graphite Design shafts are among the most technologically advanced products on the market and they have a huge menu of shafts available.

The Tour AD VR 6 is a high-launch, mid-spin shaft designed to maximize speed and control.

Key Features

Fast Taper Technology,

TORAYCA® T1100G prepreg carbon-fire with Material Stiffness Integration design.

Material

This shaft is made of exquisite graphite, for premium performance.

Flex Available

Stiff/regular (SR), stiff (S) and extra-stiff (X)

Weight

  • SR= 63g,

  • S= 65g,

  • X=66g

Performance And Accuracy

It is hard to find shafts that perform better than Graphite Design, their attention to detail is scary.

This club is specifically designed to maximize control of the club.

Who Is It For?

This is for golfers willing to spend a bit more money for the best performance.

It is for golfers looking for extra-control and a high-launch and mid-spin flight.

Pros And Cons Of Graphite Design

Pros

The outstanding performance of this shaft is the clear benefit, it is an incredible all-rounder.

Cons

The cost of this shaft will put some people off, it is not cheap but you get what you pay for sometimes.

Overall Score: 97/100

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10. Matrix OZIK White Tie MFS X5 55 Shaft

Matrix products are in the process of being revamped under the new ownership of LA Shafts.

This shaft is built for high-launch and mid-spin.

It feels wonderfully smooth thanks to a soft butt section coupled with medium mid and tip sections.

Key Features

Low-resin, high-modulus graphite has created enhanced launch conditions.

Material

Premium graphite with reduced resin content.

Flex available

Regular

Weight

55g

Performance and Accuracy

This shaft has the power to revolutionize the flight characteristics of medium speed swing golfers.

It can help you hit more fairways with greater efficiency.

Who Is It For?

This is for golfers with a swing speed of around 95mph who want a little help getting the ball into the air.

Pros And Cons Of The Matrix Ozik

Pros

  • The feel of this shaft is the most impressive feature and you can get a bargain now that they are discontinued.

Cost

  • The discontinuation is also a con though as they can be difficult to get a hold of.

Overall Score: 92/100

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Conclusion

We haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to what driver shafts are on the market these days.

The ten presented above provide a broad choice that should suit almost every golfer in terms of skill, budget and swing-type.

Speak to your local pro or get a custom fitting session to find out which of the above would suit your game best.

Fitting your driver with one of these could give you the best season ever as you hit more fairways than ever before and launch it further than ever.