2020 Wood Shafts
There were a few surprises on the 2020 Golf Digest Equipment Hot List and which drivers won the Gold Medals. Various forums, and ourselves as well publish a list of the best drivers. Some are very independent and some are not. Doesn’t matter. What our customers are looking for is what are the best driver and shaft combinations that we have fit so far in 2020, even though it is VERY early in the season. We believe that the shaft is the part of the club that has the most impact on distance, consistency and accuracy, so that is why we are including our shaft recommendations in this list.
We like the categories as used by GolfWRX in their 2019 article but we think there are more in the mix for slower swing speeds. We will also throw in our Honorable Mentions in both heads and shafts. So here goes:
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Swing Speed 106+, Distance > 250 yards
Fitting Tips: Typically 75 gram shafts but smoother tempos can play lighter weights. Firm mid section and low launch, low spin is the norm for more control. Driver lofts 8 to 10.5 degrees depending upon angle of attack. The new TaylorMade SIM 8 degree is adjustable down to 6 degrees!
Best Heads: Callaway MAVRIK and MAVRIK Sub Zero, TaylorMade SIM and SIM MAX, Ping G410 LST, Titleist TS3 and TS4, Cobra SpeedZone, PXG 0811X Gen 2, Mizuno ST200 and ST 200G
Best Shafts – Low Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60 and 70, Mitsubishi TENSEI White, ACCRA TZ 5 65, OBAN Kiyoshi Black, Devotion 6 and 7, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green, Fujikura Ventus Black 6 and 7, LA Golf Black Tie 7, TPT 15 MKP-MT-ST
Best Shafts – Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana BF and ZF 60, ACCRA TZ 6 65, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black and Smoke Yellow, Project X EvenFlow Riptide 65 and 75, Graphite Design Tour AD TP and XC, KBS TD Graphite 60 and 70, OBAN Isawa Red, TPT 15 MKP-LT-ST
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS 220, Srixon 785
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Swing Speed 95-105, Distance 211 – 250 yards
Fitting Tips: Typical shaft weights in 65 grams but some players with fast transitions may like a heavier 70+ gram shaft. If you think you are losing distance, try a lighter, 55 gram shaft or a counter balanced shaft, but make sure it plays stiff enough. Typically 9 to 10.5 degree lofted drivers with face bias dependent upon swing characteristics and what appeals to the golfer.
Best Heads: Callaway MAVRIK and MAVRIK SubZero, TaylorMade SIM MAX, Ping G410 LST and Plus, Titleist TS2 and TS3, Cobra Speedzone, PXG 0811X 2nd Gen, Mizuno ST200 and ST 200G
Best Shafts – Low-Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60 and 70, Fujikura Ventus Black 6 and 7, Mitsubishi TENSEI White and Orange, ACCRA TZ 5 65, OBAN Kiyoshi White and Devotion 6, 7, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black and Smoke Yellow, Project X EvenFlow Riptide 60 and 70
Best Shafts – Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana BF and XF 60, ACCRA TZ 6 65, OBAN Revenge, Isawa Red, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black and Smoke Yellow, Project X EvenFlow Riptide 60, Graphite Design Tour AD DI, TP , VR and XC, KBS TD Graphite 60 and 70, TPT 16 MKP-LT-SW
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS 220, Srixon 785,
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Swing Speed 80 – 94, Distance 175 – 210 yards
Fitting Tips: Lighter shafts (55 to 65 grams) but launch and spin depend on swing characteristics and attack angle. Slightly higher lofted drivers but not necessarily draw biased as there are a lot of better golfers with low handicaps in this category.
Best Heads: Callaway MAVRIK and MAVRIK MAX, TaylorMade SIM MAX and SIM MAX D, Ping G410 Plus, Titleist TS1 and TS2, Cobra Speedzone and Speedsone Extreme, PXG 0811XF Gen 2, Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo
Best Shafts – Low to Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60, Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 and 6, Mitsubishi TENSEI Orange and Blue , ACCRA TZ 5 55 and 65, FX 2.0 250 and 260 , OBAN Kiyoshi Purple 55, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black, LA Golf Red Tie 50, TPT 17 MKP-LT-SW
Best Shafts – Mid to Mid-High Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana BF 50, RF 50, C6 Red and Blue, ACCRA TZ 6 55 and 65, ACCRA FX 2.0 150 and 160, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow, Project X EvenFlow Riptide CB 50 and 60, Fujikura Speeder Evolution and V 474 and 569, Graphite Design Tour AD DI, GP and VR 5 and 6, Veylix Alpina Black 573 and 673, TPT 16 LKP-MT-SW
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS 220, Mizuno ST-200X , Srixon 585
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Swing Speed Under 80, Distance < 175 yards
Fitting Tips: Typically lighter weight shafts, 39 to 50 grams with higher launch and spin. Head lofts at least 11 degrees and up to 17 for juniors.
Best Heads: Callaway MAVRIK MAX and EPIC Flash Star, XXIO X, TaylorMade SIM MAX and SIM MAX D-Type, Ping G410 Plus and G Le, PXG 0811XF , Titleist TS1, Cobra Speedzone and Speedsone Extreme, Mizuno ST-200X 12, Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo, US Kids TS3 Launch
Best Shafts – Mid to Mid-High Launch: Mitsubishi Fubuki V 40, Bassara TB Series , ACCRA TZ 6 55, FX 2.0 140 , Project X EvenFlow Riptide CB 40 and 50 , Graphite Design Tour AD DI and VR 4 and 5, TPT 18 MKP-MT-SW.
Best Shafts – Mid-High to High Launch: Mitsubishi Grand Bassara 39, ACCRA FX SRT, Project X EvenFlow Riptide CB 40 and 50, Graphite Design Tour AD GP 4 and 5, Fujikura Speeder Evolution III 474 and Vista Pro 45, TPT 18 LKP-MT-SW.
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS 220, Mizuno ST-200X, Srixon 585
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Once again, we feel that the shaft is of critical importance to getting optimum performance out of any club, but especially the driver. Proper length (shorter is better) weight and flex can give you more distance, accuracy and consistency!
Dan Sueltz
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