Would you believe it if we told you that choosing the right driver shaft is likely more important than choosing the right driver club head?
The driver club head most golfers can make work regardless of their ability; however, if you are playing with the wrong shaft, you are going to have a very difficult time being consistent with the driver.
As a PGA Professional, I saw so many golfers playing with driver shafts that were not a good fit for their game.
If you are curious as to what is the best driver shaft for you, we have all the information you need.
Best Driver Shafts in 2024
- Project X New HZRDUS Driver Shaft (Best Driver Shaft)
- Aldila NXT GEN NV .335 Graphite Wood Driver Shaft (Runner Up 1)
- Fujikura Speeder PRO 66 Tour Spec Stiff Shaft (Runner Up 2)
- Matrix OZIK X5 White Tie 50 Driver Shaft (Best Premium Driver Shaft)
- New Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue 65 Driver Shaft (Best Value Driver Shaft)
- Alpha Platinum Unbreakable Graphite Golf Shaft (Best Driver Shaft for Longevity)
- NEW Mitsubishi TENSEI CK Blue 50 Driver Shaft Senior Flex (Best Senior Driver Shaft)
- Project X Green Even Flow 45g 3.5 Ladies Flex Driver Shaft (Best for Woman Golfer)
Best Driver Shaft: Project X New HZRDUS
PROS
- Very long distances
- Available in a few different shaft flex options
- Does a great job with energy transfer for a graphite shaft
- Good combination of stability, power, and feel
CONS
- Depending on the exact specifications of the shaft, it can be rather expensive
The Project X HZRDUS Black golf driver shaft has been one of the most popular graphite shafts for a driver for several years.
Truly this is one of the best driver shafts that the golf world has seen. With the HZRDUS Black, you will get some very high distance statistics.
One of the best things about the HZRDUS Black is that it does not make it, so golfers are sacrificing control on their drives. Sometimes distance comes at the cost of control, but that is not the case.
The Project X HZRDUS works for a wide range of swing speed golfers. However, this particular stiff flex model is best suited for the golfers with slightly higher speeds.
Project X Shaft options are continually improving and becoming more impressive; however, the Project X HZRDUS is likely here to stay.
Runner Up 1: Aldila NXT GEN NV .335 Graphite Wood Driver Shaft
PROS
- Great feel
- Lower launch
- Low spinning driver shaft
CONS
- Some say the speed is not as good as other best driver shaft options
Aldila NXT Gen NV graphite shafts are great for the mid swing speed player looking to replace their driver shaft. Aldila has always been known for creating some of the best driver shafts on the market.
The new NXT GEN Micro Laminate Technology uses very thin aerospace carbon fibers for more stability while not taking away the lightweight feel of the club.
The regular flex in the Aldila NXT Gen weighs in at about 58grams which is considered to be a lighter shaft.
Overall the updates made to this driver shaft make it a low spin shaft with plenty of launch and incredible feel.
Runner Up 2: Fujikura Speeder PRO 66 Tour Spec Stiff Shaft
PROS
- Cut to manufacturers length
- Custom assembled
- It comes with grip in place
- Does a great job of transferring energy from shaft to golf ball
CONS
- Will have to get additional adapters if not using a Ping driver currently
Project X and Fujikura are really two of the top names when it comes to graphite shafts for your driver. With the Fujikura Speeder Pro, you can expect to get plenty of ball speed and load each time you swing.
Essentially when you play, you will want the shaft to hold as much potential energy and swing speed as it possibly can. When you get to the ball, that energy must be transferred over into your golf ball.
The better the job a shaft can do with this transfer, the further you can hit the golf ball.
This particular Speeder comes with a tip that will work for Ping drivers; however, you can always put a universal tip on the shaft to get it to work with any pre existing club head that you have.
Matrix OZIK X5 White Tie 50 Driver Shaft
Best Premium Driver Shaft
PROS
- Higher launching graphite shaft
- It comes with a grip installed
- Works even for slower swing speeds in the right shaft flex
- It offers a more penetrating ball flight
- One of the best shafts for more distance
CONS
- Kick point changes with the flex; pay attention when you purchase
Premium driver shafts tend to cost quite a bit more money but give golfers a slightly better feel and responsiveness. That is certainly the case with the Matrix OZIK X5.
The entire line of the White Tie products by Matrix is known for being premium, lightweight and stable. The shaft is built to give players plenty of feel and control at impact while still providing plenty of launch.
Even the slower swing speed golfers can benefit from this shaft as long as they get the proper flex. You can put any adapter that you need on the Matrix Shaft and simply get it to fit inside the club head of your driver.
In addition, you get a Tour Velvet 360 already installed on the shaft.
If you are new to club fitting, you will want something like this that allows you to simply pop a new shaft in and head out to the golf course again. Overall, players notice that their drives are more consistent and higher launching with a Matrix shaft in.
New Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue 65 Driver Shaft
Best Value Driver Shaft
PROS
- Plenty of power
- Good trajectory
- Lightweight technology
- Increased tip stiffness for the average golfer to get better ball flight
CONS
- It does not have the same distance capabilities as you will see in a higher quality shaft
When you start looking for a consistent shaft with a long distance and high launch, you will notice that the best golf shafts on the market are expensive. Finding options that are not going to break the bank can take quite a bit of effort.
Luckily the Grafalloy ProLaunch Blue Driver Shaft gives golfers a great option for a low price yet high performing golf club shaft for their driver. The ProLaunch Technology helps make this lightweight shaft even more high performing.
In addition, a Micro Mesh material was used in the tip to make the shaft a bit stiffer in the tip. This helps let players know what they are doing with their shots and allows for a slightly lower kick point.
That low kick point translates into a high launch and increased impressive performance.
Alpha Platinum Unbreakable Graphite Golf Shaft
Best Driver Shaft for Longevity
PROS
- Provides a consistent ball flight
- Unbreakable material
- Plenty of flex options
- WIll work regardless of clubhead speed
CONS
- Shaft technology and construction is not as advanced as the Project X golf shafts
Are you a golfer with a higher swing speed, worried that you could potentially break a cheaper or non brand name shaft. This is a legitimate concern.
Although through the years, I have only seen a select few golfers capable of breaking a shaft when they swing, it certainly is possible.
The Alpha Platinum Unbreakable comes in a few different flex and weight options, and it also has a lifetime warranty on the shaft.
We love that Alpha also offers this high performing shaft in a model that will work for a woman’s golf game.
If you are looking for something that has plenty of different combinations and can be a very versatile shaft, the Alpha Platinum is a good choice.
NEW Mitsubishi TENSEI CK Blue 50 Driver Shaft Senior Flex
Best Senior Driver Shaft
PROS
- Mid kick point
- Very versatile central launching shaft
- Has great feel
- Major upgrade from a stock shaft in your driv
CONS
- This is more of a premium option that can be a bit expensive
Many senior golfers are finding that the golf club they play with is not the issue in their game; it is instead the golf shaft in their club. If that describes you than you may be able to get away with just replacing the shaft and not the golf drivers club head.
This, of course, can be a wonderful way to save money as long as you choose the proper replacement. The Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 50 is a great choice for golfers looking for lighter yet higher performing shafts.
One of the things that makes this golf shaft really stand out is the multi material construction. The Carbon Fiber/DuPont Kevlar weave is a much different technology than other golf shafts on the market, and it can show in the performance of this club. Refer to our detailed guide on Drivers for Senior Golfers.
Project X Green Even Flow 45g 3.5 Ladies Flex Driver Shaft
Best for Women Golfers
PROS
- Great uncut shaft for fairway woods or driver for women
- One of the lighter shafts on the market
- Low kick point
CONS
- It does not come with any kind of adapter
There are two critical considerations that women golfers need to make when choosing a golf shaft. The first is the length, and the other is the flex. If you are a female golfer that needs a bit more length in your club, this uncut Project X Green Even Flow is a perfect choice.
Women golfers can get this club cut to the exact length they need to increase the performance in their golf games. The flex is a ladies flex option, and the overall weight of these shafts is 45grams.
Overall this is a low spinning shaft with a mid to high launch that many golfers are going to benefit from. The only negative to this particular model is that you will need to purchase an adapter to go along with it.
Driver Shafts Buying Guide
Now that you have a better idea which driver shafts are the best on the market, now you will need to learn to narrow down which is the best choice for your game.
Luckily there are a few key considerations that you can make that will help narrow down the best graphite shafts for your driver.
Whether you are new to club repair and tinkering or have been doing it for a long time, here are the things you need to know.
Should I Replace My Driver Or The Shaft?
Even golf clubs with the best driver shafts on the market may not seem like the best fit for your game at times. Some golfers, however, know that their golf swing needs a change; however, they enjoy the feel of the club head.
This could be a perfect time to look into a golf shaft replacement. The cost of driver shaft replacements are a bit lower in price, yet they can provide a real difference in performance.
If you feel as though your club head speed has slowed down or your find that you are swinging faster than in the past, it may be time to replace a shaft.
In addition, if you have had an injury of some sort, chances are you will be swinging with slower swing speeds driver. This is a good time to look for the best driver shafts to suit your new golf swing.
Some golfers like the technology offered in older and smaller club heads. Instead of upgrading to a new club, it may make sense to simply replace the shaft.
The decision to replace your driver shaft can be a tough one, try and test out a few different driver shafts before you make the final switch. This will help to ensure that the choice you make is a good one.
What Swing Speed Needs A Stiff Shaft?
Golfers that swing between 95 and 100 miles per hour are going to need a stiff shaft in their golf shaft. The driver shaft should never be a steel shaft. There are plenty of graphite shafts on the market that can accommodate those with a very fast swing speed.
Slower swing speeds have the option to choose a regular shaft or a senior golf shaft that will be even more flexible and easy to swing. In addition to the flex of the shaft, the shaft length is also a smart choice.
Read Also: Best Driver Shafts for 105 MPH Swing Speed
What Is The Best Length For A Driver Shaft?
Most golf driver shafts are sold at 45 inches. Some of the drivers on the market could be 44.5 inches, but this is generally the range of the golf shafts that you will see.
If you are a player that is shorter than 5’5” or taller than 6’1”, you may want to look into a custom shaft length.
The problem with the custom shaft lengths for the drivers is that it can have an impact on the amount of distance and control that you get with your golf clubs.
If you use a longer golf shaft, it is much harder to control the driver. In addition, you can sometimes find that the drives start to have a low launch. Golf shafts that are shortened sometimes become stiffer. A stiffer shaft is hard to swing through and release for many players.
The ideal choice is to find a mid launch golf shaft that is built specifically for your height. This sometimes will have to come directly from the manufacturer.
Personally, I can tell you that I am right around 5’2” and play with a full 45 inch golf shaft in my driver. This has always felt the most comfortable to me and allowed me to get the most distance.
It took a bit of time to learn to release this club properly and with the proper swing speed; however, it was well worth it. The results are much more impressive than they would be with a shorter golf driver.
Conclusion
Choosing the best golf driver shaft on the market can be a difficult task. There are just so many options out there, and the specifications can sound like a foreign language when you really look into them.
If you are having a hard time making the choice, the Project X HZRDUS is the best overall option on the market.
You can’t go wrong with the ball speed, energy transfer, and consistency that this shaft will give your game. For the price, the performance is almost unbelievable; give the Project X a try this year.