Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Shafts Buyer's Guide 2007

The engine of every club is the shaft, and now is the time to get your engine running at top speed. Today?s shafts are, without question, better than ever.

By Staff

Accra SE www.accragolf.com (613) 634-4036 Though lesser known than some, Accra makes top-quality shafts that are worth a serious look by anyone who wants to juice up their driver. Features: Construction featuring ultra-high modulus materials fuses three ingredients to create extremely low-torque values, very high hoop strength and an active tip section. Advantages: Increased ball speeds with the advantage of tighter dispersion and outstanding stability. The Accra SE also boasts a pleasing feel that’s less “boardy” than other high-performance, low-torque models. Benefits: Demanding players who want a blend of distance and precision in a low-torque shaft, without a harsh feel. What We Like: Very low torque! Material: High modulus composite Weight: 74g, 79g, 81g, 82g Torque: 1.5˚, 1.6˚, 2.1˚ Flex Point: Mid Flexes: M5 (X), M4 (S)	Accuflex Creation www.accuflexgolf.com (800) 721-3342 Billed as an ultra-premium shaft, the new Creation from Accuflex has the makings of not only an excellent long drivers’ shaft, but also one worthy of play on any professional tour. Features: The Creation is constructed with Accuflex’s proprietary Nanomet technology to produce a shaft that has awesome stability, weight distribution, distance and feel. Advantages: The long butt section of the shaft adds power, especially for faster swingers. Also, the Creation is designed to promote a high launch and a mid-to-low spin rate, which is ideal with today's big drivers. Benefits: Better players with faster swing speeds. What We Like: It’s expensive, but the paint job and the performance make the Creation worth it. Material: Nano composite Weight: 65g, 80g Torque: 3.2˚ Flex Point: High Flexes: X, S
Accuflex Evolution www.accuflexgolf.com (800) 721-3342 A high energy-transfer shaft. Features: The Evolution features Nano Composite technology, which increases the surface area of the shaft. This effectively creates a tighter molecular structure by eradicating voids in the material. Advantages: What this means for the golfer is a shaft with a lighter overall weight that has greater fiber density, making it stronger and more able to efficiently transfer energy than models with less-dense materials. In addition, the superior quality provided through Nano Composite technology creates more feedback and a better feel. Benefits: Low torque, mid-flex point designed for fast swingers. What We Like: The high-quality materials and lighter weight. Material: Nano composite Weight: 70g-74g (X-R) Torque: 2.8˚ Flex Point: Mid Flexes: X, S, R	Aerotech SteelFiber www.aerotechgolfshafts.com (888) 733-8988 An uncommon construction and blending of materials makes the SteelFiber unlike any other shaft. Features: A unique combination of steel and graphite fiber, extreme uniformity of shape and relatively low torque ratings. Advantages: Typically, golfers associate steel shafts with control and consistency and graphite with light weight and increased swing speed. The combination of materials in the SteelFiber shafts are aimed at producing both the control of steel and the power of graphite. Benefits: Golfers who desire the ultimate control and consistency of a steel shaft, with the added torsional properties and feel of graphite. What We Like: Best steel/graphite hybrid we’ve seen yet. Material: Graphite, Steel Weight: 65g, 75g Torque: 65g—4.3˚-4.6˚; 75g—3.8˚-4.0˚ Flex Point: Mid Flexes: S, R
Aldila NVS www.aldila.com (858) 513-1801 Same technology as the original NV, but with a more responsive tip. Features: High-quality Micro Laminate construction that provides increased consistency. A flexier, more responsive tip section gives players with slightly lower swing speeds more optimal performance. Advantages: Micro Laminate construction makes the NVS more consistent and more capable of efficiently transferring energy throughout the swing and into impact. Benefits: Players who want a Tour-quality shaft but with a more flexible tip section that will allow them to optimize trajectory and distance. Players who swing more than 100 mph should opt for the NV. What We Like: The performance. Material: Nano carbon Weight: 55g, 65g, 75g, 85g, 95g, 105g Torque: 2.1˚, 4.4˚ (55g) Flex Point: Mid Flexes: X, S, R (A, L 55g only)	Aldila VS Proto www.aldila.com (858) 513-1801 Aldila’s next-generation Micro Laminate Technology featuring carbon nanotubes produces the company’s ultimate performance model. Features: Micro Laminate Technology makes a jump to the future with the addition of carbon nanotubes. Aldila’s proprietary A65 Performance Resin System also contributes to the overall performance of this advanced player’s shaft. Advantages: The extreme strength of carbon nanotubes in combination with Aldila’s other impressive technologies makes the VS Proto extremely resilient and consistent, producing longer, straighter shots for those who can handle it. Benefits: Stronger, more accomplished players who generate plenty of clubhead speed. What We Like: Nanotechnology. Material: Nano carbon Weight: 63g, 71g, 81g Torque: 2.2˚-3.2˚ Flex Point: Mid Flexes: X, S, R