Do you feel as though your driver should be producing longer drives than it is?
As a PGA Professional, I can tell you that many golfers are using driver shafts that are not built especially for their game or their skills.
Finding the proper driver shaft can take a bit of investigation and research, but there is no question that the perfect shaft for your game exists.
Let’s take a look at some of the best driver shafts for distance; adding one of these could have you using the course from an entirely different place.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Driver Shafts For Distance On The Market In 2024
- Best Driver Shafts For Distance: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 6 Driver Shaft
- Runner Up 2: New Aldila NVS 65 Graphite Driver Shaft
- Best Value Driver Shaft For Distance: UST Proforce V2 HL Golf Shaft
- Best Premium Driver Shaft For Distance: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
---|---|---|
Best Driver Shafts For Distance | Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 6 Driver Shaft
| CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON → |
Runner Up 2 | New Aldila NVS 65 Graphite Driver Shaft
| CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON → |
Best Value Driver Shaft For Distance | UST Proforce V2 HL Golf Shaft
| CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON → |
Best Premium Driver Shaft For Distance | Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6
| CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON → |
Best Driver Shafts For Distance: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 6 Shaft
PROS
- One of the lighter shafts yet still produces tremendous distance
- Helps to control ball flight
- Very low spin
- Top quality graphite shafts used in brand name golf clubs
CONS
- It tends to be priced a little higher than others
When I first got involved as a teaching professional, I was unaware of the impact that a quality shaft can have on the game.
I often thought that if the golfer had the proper shaft flex and an excellent driver head that they would have no issues making great contact.
However, there is a significant difference between the best driver shafts on the market and the cheap ones.
The Project X HZRDUS has continually stood out among the other shafts on the market for its ability to give players a great feel, controlled ball flight, and incredible long distance.
If you are tired of being all over the golf course with your drives, the Project X could help to get things straightened out.
Overall this is a shaft that is used in some of the top drivers on the market, and you may want to look into it as an option for your fairway woods and hybrids as well.
This versatile shaft will work as you improve your game from mid handicapper to low handicapper. Just be sure to order the one with the proper adapter for your driver head.
Runner Up 1: MCA Golf Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 60 Graphite Driver Shaft
PROS
- One of the best driver shafts for feel
- Will for a variety of swing speed players
- High quality design can help up against faster swing speeds
CONS
- Some players may want a heavier shaft option in their driver
If you have tried the Project X and found that it wasn’t the best driver shaft for your game, then the Mitsubishi Tensei is undoubtedly worth a shot.
This is a shaft that is designed for the best feel on the market; however, this tremendous feel leads to an incredible distance.
One of the reasons that golfers like steel shafts so much is that they are able to give them much more feedback about the shots that they are hitting. Graphite shafts are known for having more distance but not as much feel and control.
Mitsubishi is able to add shafts to the market that have the same feedback and feel of a steel shaft while getting the distance of the premium graphite shafts.
The CK Organe is a relatively lightweight shaft. This is a low spin shaft designed to keep the ball straighter and to have it run for a long time when it does hit the ground.
Overall if you want a graphite shaft built for incredible performance and long distances, the CK Orange is the way to go.
Runner Up 2: New Aldila NVS 65 Graphite Driver Shaft
PROS
- Slight stiffer shafts in the tip section
- High performing graphite shafts
- It comes in standard shaft length
- Grip already in place
CONS
- Not the best driver shafts for the new players seeking maximum height and speed
The Aldila NVS 65 Graphite Shaft is an option that I have played with in several clubs. The best thing about this driver is the fact that you get a pure but low launch.
If you find that you need a bit of help keeping the ball from getting too high off the tee, this is the shaft to go with.
The stiff tip section ensures that the golf shaft is more responsive and it gives players better control. Essentially if you want to make sure that you can control the ball, you will need to feel the end of the shaft in your hands.
This is what allows golfers to control the golf ball and get the distances they need.
The great thing about the NVS is that it still gives you that same penetrating golf ball flight, but it is more forgiving than the NV original, so you can be a mid handicapper and still benefit from these driver shafts.
UST Proforce V2 HL Golf Shaft
Best Value Driver Shafts For Distance
PROS
- Fair price
- High launch angle
- Lighter shaft
- More distance because of low spin and lightweight feel
CONS
- You Will need to ensure you have the proper tip to fit in your driver’s head
Golf driver shafts can be more expensive than some of the full drivers that are sold on the market.
If you are looking for something that is affordable yet great for distance and developing swing speed, the UST Proforce is a great choice.
This is considered to be a high launch shaft, so those that have slower swing speeds and need the extra loft are going to enjoy the benefits of this club. The UST comes in three different shaft flex options the stiff, regular, and senior.
As we now know, keeping the golf ball in the air for a long period of time is what helps to ensure that your ball travels as far as possible. The UST Proforce comes in two different weights as well.
Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6
Best Premium Driver Shaft For Distance
PROS
- Mid kick point drive
- More penetrating ball flight
- Several flex and weight options
- Mid launching shaft
- Used by professional golfers
CONS
- Not the best choice for the slower swing speed player
Golfers that want only the best of the best in their golf drivers are going to enjoy the performance of the Graphite Design Tour AD DI golf shaft.
This is a shaft that is used by PGA Tour professionals to get the exact ball flight, feel and control that they need to compete.
The graphite design shafts are known as being one of the most consistent shaft options on the market. When you make solid contact, this shaft gives you exceptional distance and maximum stability.
Putting a golf driver shaft like this in your club will teach you as a golfer what the difference between high quality and low quality golf shafts are.
The best driver head on the market combined with this best driver shaft will produce shots that you’ve likely never seen before.
What To Look For When Buying Driver Shaft For Distance?
When buying a golf driver shaft for distance, you have to have a general idea as to what will tell one golf shaft apart from another. Let’s take a look at some of the things that golfers should keep in mind when purchasing a new golf driver shaft.
Shaft Lenght
The driver shaft is the longest in the bag. You must choose a golf shaft that is going to be long enough for your club. One mistake that players make is they purchase a hybrid or iron shaft only to find out it is too short to put in the driver.
Most golf drivers have a total length of 45 inches. Sometimes when you buy a golf driver shaft, it will be set to this length, but sometimes they come untrimmed, and you will have to do it yourself. The one issue that some players run into when doing golf club customizations is changing the specifications of the club unintentionally.
Make sure that you have a good idea of the specs you need in a club to make sure that the overall fit is exactly what you need in the end.
Shaft Weight
The heavier the shaft is, the faster your golf swing needs to be. A heavy golf shaft makes it difficult to get the ball up in the air. However, if you have a fast swing speed and tend to hit the ball too high, the heavy shaft weight is a great way to control your overall ball flight.
Golfers with a slower swing speed need a lightweight golf driver shaft. The lighter weight will increase forgiveness, make it easier to hit the ball straighter, and increase the total launch. The shaft weight is clearly listed on all golf club shafts to make this part of the buying process quite a bit easier.
Kickpoint
Kickpoint is the position on the club that flexes when you make contact with the golf ball. A low kickpoint golf shaft will create a high launch; a high kick point golf shaft will help to keep the ball down.
When deciding which golf driver shaft is the best for your golf game, you must take the kick point into consideration along with the other specifications of the club. If your kick point is low and the shaft is really light, you may end up hitting the ball too high.
Talk to a professional club fitter if you are concerned about your ability to choose the proper specifications for your golf clubs.
Pricing
Replacing just the driver is typically cheaper than replacing the entire driver. The driver shafts available on the market can range in price from less than $100 to more than $400. Try to consider the condition of your club head, the ability of your game, and whether or not it makes sense to invest in a golf driver shaft change.
For the most part, you can find an excellent shaft for your golf club and update it for less than half the price of a new club. The only time this may not make sense is when you have a ten year old club head, and you choose to put a brand new high-end golf shaft in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, these best driver shafts for distance have helped you decide which is going to be the best one for your swing speed and golf game.
There are lots of things to keep in mind when shopping for your next golf driver shaft; here are a few of the most important.
What Makes A Driver Shaft Better For Distance?
A golf shaft that is great for distance is going to have plenty of launch and carry. ]In addition, the shaft will probably be slightly less weight than other golf shafts on the market. If you can swing a golf club shaft faster, you will be able to transfer that into ball speed.
The purpose of a golf shaft is to load up potential energy and transfer it to the ball at impact. If you can learn to do this, you are going to have a much easier time hitting shots that fly and roll for a very long time.
Does A Longer Driver Shaft Add More Distance?
A longer driver shaft can help you hit the ball a bit further; however, this is not a guarantee. Sometimes a driver shaft can be too long, and it ends up being difficult to control.
You have to find a golf driver that is just the right length for you to be able to control yet get plenty of distance.
The 44 to 45 inch golf shafts seem to be the best choice for players. Some long driver competitors will have a golf shaft that is considerably longer, but they have tremdnously high swing speeds.
Should I Change My Driver Shaft?
If you are struggling with your golf driver shaft, you should consider changing it. Golf drivers are expensive, and if you try to replace the entire thing, you may be spending more money than necessary.
You may have a golf club head that is built for distance. Adding in one of the best driver shafts for distance could be all that your game needs to take it to the next level.
Many golfers seem to be afraid of a golf shaft replacement, don’t be. It’s a much more economical way to ensure your clubs are the best fit for your game.
Can I Change A Driver Shaft Myself?
Having the best golf driver shaft is great, but many golfers don’t really want to pay to have someone replace the golf shaft for them. Changing a golf driver yourself is not hard to do but you must have some equipment to make it more possible. You will need a vice and potentially even a heat gun to help get the club head off the shaft.
There are lots of club fitting and club repair projects that we recommend amateur golfers take on. However, golf driver shaft changes are not really one of them. It is best to leave this to the professionals. The last thing you want to do is cause damage to the golf club head when trying to change out the shaft.
Conclusion
The best driver shaft for distance is the Project X HZRDUS. This shaft is used over and over again by the top golf companies because they know it will be the best combination for their top-of-the-line driver shafts.
We are impressed with the shaft weight and flex options that you get with Project X, and it’s ability to produce a penetrating and consistent ball flight. This is a driver shaft you will likely keep in play for quite some time.
If you don’t want to change your golf driver this year, but you think the performance could be lacking, the driver shaft replacement is the perfect option.