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

Graphite Design YS-6+ www.gdintl.com (888) 707-6132 The mainstay of the Graphite Design shaft line, the YS-6+ is a premium quality composite shaft that works extremely well with today’s oversized titanium drivers. Features: A low-torque mid-kick design that’s built from high-quality composite materials using Graphite Design’s top-notch manufacturing processes. Advantages: Expensive materials and advanced processes lead to increased accuracy and a more efficient transfer of energy through impact for improved ball speeds. Benefits: A wide range of players who desire a solid blend of distance, accuracy and feel. What We Like: Graphite Design’s great products without a lot of hype. Material: High modulus graphite Weight: 65g-67g Torque: 3.5˚ Flex Point: Mid Flexes: X, S, R	Graphite Design Pershing www.gdintl.com (888) 707-6132 Graphite Design’s latest flagship model was developed with versatility in mind. It’s a premium composite shaft that’s aimed at all players. Features: The Pershing provides the “full monty” when it comes to features, including four weight categories, multiple tip diameters and a high balance point engineered for modern mega-sized driver heads. Advantages: Multiple weights and slightly higher torque ratings make the Pershing extremely versatile. The high balance point enhances feel while providing improved stability for oversized drivers. Benefits: There’s a Pershing for almost any golfer, but this shaft will best fit low- and mid-handicappers. What We Like: Great fitting options. Material: High modulus graphite Weight: 47g-62g Torque: 5.8˚, 4.4˚ Flex Point: High Flexes: X, S, R, RR
Graphite Design Tour AD Quattro Tech www.gdintl.com (888) 707-6132 Possibly the most technologically advanced GD shaft, the Quattro Tech is specially designed to maximize stability for oversize drivers. Features: A construction that incorporates a revolutionary 4-axis material made exclusively for Graphite Design. Slightly higher torque ratings for enhanced playability. Advantages: The 4-axis material used to build the Tour AD Quattro Tech provides superior stability for oversize clubheads. The more force placed on the shaft, the more feel and control it delivers. Benefits: All players, but the Quattro Tech is better suited to mid- and high-handicappers. What We Like: A premium shaft that’s easy to swing. Material: 4-Axis composite Weight: 54g, 56g, 58g, 65g Torque: 5.5˚ Flex Point: Low Flexes: S, SR, R, RR	Harrison Mugen www.harrison.com (800) 347-4646 Harrison’s first ultra-premium model promises to be the company’s best. Features: Innovative construction that features the fusion of Ultra Thin Ply (UTP) prepreg resin and satellite-grade graphite fiber, as well as the addition of single-walled carbon nanotubes that are embedded in the tip section of the shaft. Advantages: The extreme strength of the fusion material as well as the carbon nanotubes combine to produce the highly desired high-launch, low-spin characteristic that all golfers looking for distance want. Benefits: Any serious player who wants a very high-quality shaft with an extremely strong tip section for increased durability and feel. What We Like: The combination of fusion materials and nanotubes. Material: Graphite, Nano carbon Weight: 62g, 72g, 82g Torque: 2.8˚ Flex Point: N/A Flexes: X, S, R, A
Mitsubishi Bassara www.mitsubishirayongolf.com (760) 929-0001 An easier-to-hit model from MRC that can be played by both Tour pros and weekend golfers. Features: A softer bend profile and more moderate torque ratings than the Tour-intended Diamana Series, as well as three different weights to fit a wide range of players. Advantages: Higher trajectory, higher ball speed and more distance are the goals that the softer overall bend profile and more torque accomplish. Benefits: Recreational to better players with moderate swing speeds who want the feel and performance of a Tour-quality shaft but don’t want the extreme stiffness that normally accompanies such products. What We Like: MRC quality in a variety of models. Material: Graphite Weight: 63g, 73g, 83g Torque: 3.6˚-3.9˚ Flex Point: Mid Flexes: X, S, R (L 63g only)	Mitsubishi Diamana Red Board www.mitsubishirayongolf.com (760) 929-0001 A Tour-level model that features a slightly softer tip section for players who want a higher shot trajectory. Features: A more flexible tip than the closely related Blue Board model, as well as a construction that utilizes more than 20 different types of materials. Advantages: The softer tip section is aimed at making it easier for players to get the ball airborne and on a higher trajectory. It also makes it easier to produce a right-to-left shot shape. Accompanying low-spin rates complement the high-trajectory characteristics for max distance. Benefits: Anyone who wants to hit the ball higher and longer. What We Like: Mitsubishi getting serious in U.S. shaft market. Material: Graphite Weight: 63g, 73g Torque: 2.8˚ (73g), 3.2˚ (63g) Flex Point: Mid Flexes: X, S, R (L 63g only)