The Best 2021 Driver and shaft combinations is based upon our fitting results so far in 2021. The Best of the Best are Highlighted in Red!
Best Driver and Shafts 2021
There were a few surprises on the 2021 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 2021, even though it is 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 have four distinct categories based upon swing speed and distance.
Swing Speed 106+, Distance > 250 yards
Swing Speed 95-105, Distance 211 – 250 yards
Swing Speed 80 – 94, Distance 175 – 210 yards
Swing Speed Under 80, Distance < 175 yards
We think there are more shafts and heads in the mix for slower swing speeds. We have also thrown 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 65 to 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 SIM2 8 degree is adjustable down to 6 degrees!
Best Heads: Callaway EPIC Speed and EPIC Max LS, TaylorMade SIM2 and SIM2 MAX, Ping G425 LST, Titleist TSi3, Cobra RAD Speed, PXG 0811X Gen 4 and 0811X Proto, Mizuno ST-Z
Best Shafts – Low Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60 and 70, Mitsubishi TENSEI Pro White 1K, ACCRA TZ 5 65, OBAN Kiyoshi Black, Devotion 6 and 7, Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Blue and Smoke Black RDX 60 and 70, Fujikura Ventus Black 6 and 7, LA Golf TRONO 7, TPT Red Range 14 and 15 LO
Best Shafts – Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana BF and ZF 60, X-Series 50, 60 and 70, ACCRA TZ 6 65, Project X EvenFlow Riptide 65 and 75, Graphite Design Tour AD HD and XC, KBS TD Graphite 60 and 70, OBAN Isawa Red, TPT Red Range 14 and 15 HI
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS Pro, Srixon ZX7
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Swing Speed 95-105, Distance 211 – 250 yards
Fitting Tips: Typical shaft weights in 55 to 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 EPIC MAX and EPIC Speed, TaylorMade SIM2 MAX, Ping G425 LST and Max, Titleist TSi2 and TSi3, Cobra RAD Speed and RAD Speed PXG 0811X Proto, Mizuno ST-Z, Tour Edge C721
Best Shafts – Low-Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60 and 70, FujikuraVentus Black 6 and 7, MitsubishiTENSEI AV Raw White and Orange, ACCRATZ 5 65, OBAN Kiyoshi White and Devotion 6, 7, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 60 and Smoke Blue RDX 60, Project X EvenFlow Riptide 60 and 70, TPT Red Range 16 and 17 LO
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, Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 and 6, Graphite Design Tour AD DI, TP , VR and XC, KBS TD Graphite 60 and 70, TPT Red Range 16 and 17 HI
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS Pro, Srixon ZX5 and ZX7,
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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 EPIC MAX , TaylorMade SIM2 MAX and SIM2 MAX D, Ping G425 Max, Titleist TSi2, Cobra RAD Speed and Rad Speed XB, PXG 0811X Proto and Gen4, Srixon ZX5, Tour Edge C721 Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo, Mizuno ST-X,
Best Shafts – Low to Mid Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 60, Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 and 6, Mitsubishi TENSEI AV Raw Orange and Blue , ACCRA TZ 5 55 and 65, FX 3.0 250 and 260 , OBAN Kiyoshi Purple 55, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black, LA Golf AXS BLU, TPT Red Range 18 LO
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 3.0 150 and 160, LA Golf AXS WHT, Project X EvenFlow Riptide CB 50 and 60, Fujikura Speeder Evolution and V 569, KBS TD Graphite 50 and 60, Graphite Design Tour AD HD, GP and VR 5 and 6, Veylix Alpina Black 573 and 673, TPT Red Range 18 HI
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS Pro, Mizuno ST-200X , Srixon ZX5
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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. Try a shorter length shaft as well.
Best Heads: Callaway EPIC MAX, XXIO X, TaylorMade SIM2 MAX and SIM2 MAX D-Type, Ping G425 Max and G Le2, PXG 0811XF Proto , Titleist TSi2, Cobra RAD Speed XB and XD, Mizuno ST-X, Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo, US Kids TS3 Launch
Best Shafts – Mid to Mid-High Launch: Mitsubishi Diamana TB 40, Grand Bassara and Bassarra TB Series , ACCRA TZ 6 55, FX 3.0 140 , Project X CYPHER 40 and 50, Graphite Design Tour AD HD4 and VR 4 and 5, KBS TD Graphite 40 and 50, TPT Red Range 18 and 19 HI
Best Shafts – Mid-High to High Launch: Mitsubishi Grand Bassara 39, ACCRA FX SRT 2.0, Project X EvenFlow Riptide CB 40 and 50, Graphite Design Tour AD GP 4 and 5, Fujikura Air Speeder, and Vista Pro 2.0 45, TPT Red Range 20 and 21 HI.
Honorable Mention Heads: Tour Edge EXS Pro, Mizuno ST-X, Srixon ZX5
Sign up for your driver fitting here!
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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