We have reviewed countless driver shafts and found the AccuFLEX Assassin II is the best shaft for most golfers.
Finding the right shaft is hard. There are many options available and your choice depends highly on your ability as a golfer and the problems you’re currently facing with your driver.
The AccuFLEX Assasin II has impressed us with its versatility, and the fact that it will fit most golfers, regardless of their swing speed. There are various options available, and you’ll be able to perfectly fit them to your individual needs.
We also reviewed the best choices for seniors, slower swing speeds, and more.
Continue reading and let’s get started!
Best Driver Shafts – Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: AccuFLEX Assassin II World Champion Long Drive Golf Wood Shaft
- Best for high swing speeds: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana
- Best for slower Swing Speeds: Aldila NVS 55 Shaft
- Best for mid handicappers: Project X Hzrdus Smoke Black
- Best Premium Pick: Graphite Shaft Design Tour AD VR 5
- Best Value for Money: Fujikura Vista Pro 60 Shaft
- Most Customizable: Accra New Tour Z 85 Counter Balanced CB Driver Shaft
How to choose the best shaft?
If you’re in the market for a new driver shaft, you need to understand the different features and materials available. the right shaft for you will increase your swing speed, distance, and accuracy of the tee.
Here what you should be looking for.
Weight
It is important to consider the total weight of your driver when shopping for a new driver shaft.
With your driver, distance and accuracy are the priorities. You want to ensure that the weight is optimized for your swing speed.
Generally, a lighter clubhead and shaft will be the best option for slower swing speeds since it won’t weigh you down.
However, you still want your shaft to be heavy enough that you have control over it as you swing.
For seniors, lighter shafts tend to be better. Try out several weights of shafts before purchasing to see which is the most comfortable for you.
Length
Driver shafts come in many different lengths, and it is crucial to pick a length that works well for you.
Generally, longer shafts allow for more speed, but shorter shafts are easier to control and will give you more consistent drives.
The average length for men’s drivers is around 45 inches, and the average for women’s drivers is about 44 inches. However, you can find shafts in all lengths or can even get yours customized.
Flex
A shaft’s flex level refers to how stiff or flexible your golf shaft is. Since your shaft will flex during a swing, it can change the position of your clubhead at impact and affects the accuracy of your drives.
You want the head of your golf club to be square to the ball when you hit it, so choosing the proper flex for your swing speed is key to hitting longer drives.
Generally speaking, the faster the club speed, the stiffer your club shaft should be, and vice versa. The variety of shaft flex levels ranges from senior to extra stiff.
You’ll want to determine the speed of your swings before purchasing a shaft with a specific flex level over another.
Senior golf shafts have the most flex to them and are good for swing speeds under 75 mph. Regular golf shafts are best for hitters who swing anywhere between 75 to 95 mph, and stiff golf shafts are ideal for swings at 95 to 110 mph.
Extra stiff shafts are the least common to find but are available and are suited for hitters who consistently swing above 110 mph.
Here a table you can use to make the right pick:
| Swing Speed | Shaft Flex |
| Under 75 mph | Senior |
| 75-95 mph | Regular |
| 95-110 mph | Stiff |
| Over 110 mph | Stiff or Extra Stiff |
Kick Point
Your golf shaft’s kick point is another key factor to consider when deciding which driver shaft to purchase. The kick point is the area of the shaft with the most flex when your club hits the ball.
Similar to the flex level of your shaft, the kick point you choose for your shaft should depend on your swing speed.
Shafts with low kick points flex near the head of the club and result in a higher ball flight. This means low kick points are best for slow swing speeds to get the most distance.
Mid kick points flex in the middle of the shaft and are good for average speed swingers and produce mid-launch ball conditions.
High kick points flex near the grip of your club and result in a lower trajectory. Because your ball won’t be getting very much height, you’ll only want a high kick point if you have a fast swing.
Torque
Torque measures the amount your shaft twists during the golf swing. It’s measured in degrees and shown as a rating.
For example, a low ball flight is the result of low torque. Your ball flight gets higher, as the shaft torque increases.
The faster your swing speed, the less torque you’ll need. For slower swing speeds more torque is recommended as it helps with achieving higher ball flights,
Graphite or Steel
Most shafts designed for drivers and woods will be graphite shafts. They are generally lighter than steel shafts.
Steel shafts are used more frequently in irons and are best suited for mid to high swing speeds.
Graphite shafts will actually be suitable for slow and fast swing speeds. They come in different flexes and weights, allowing you to optimize it to your swing speed.
Best driver shafts on the market – Top Picks
We have reviewed the best driver shafts on the market. Here our top picks.
AccuFLEX Assassin II World Champion Long Drive Golf Shaft
The AccuFLEX Assassin II is a contender for the best driver shaft overall.
This graphite shaft comes in flex levels from amateur/senior to extra stiff, making it a great choice for golfers of all levels.
Each flex level has a mid kick point, except for the extra stiff shaft, which has a mid-high kick point.
The shaft is a standard weight, between 65 to 69 grams depending on your flex level, and is 46.5 inches long.
The Assassin II is highly accredited as being a versatile option, ideal for the majority of golfers. With such high regards, good reviews, and an option for everyone, no matter the speed of your swing, it’s hard to go wrong with the AccuFlex Assassin II.
Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana
Yes, the brand you might know best for manufacturing cars, also produces some of the best electronics & sporting equipment!
Mitsubishi Diamana won’t be for everyone! But if you’re a low handicapper that has been struggling with ball flights that are too high, this might be your pick!
It’s a stiff shaft, with features to guarantee a low-spin mid-launch ball flight. You’ll need to have the appropriate swing speed to launch the ball as you want it. It’s one of the most used shafts on the PGA tour for a reason!
The problems come if you don’t have the swing speed for this shaft. Chances are you won’t be able to launch the ball high enough, and you’d be better served with other options from this list.
It’s also one of the most expensive shafts in our review. If you have the speed and find that other shafts produce balls flights that are too high for you, it might be worth the money. Otherwise, other shafts might be better suited for you.
Project X Hzrdus Smoke
Project X is a staple of the industry and has produced some of the best graphite shafts on the market. Pros like Rory Mcilroy and Phil Mickelson swear by their shafts!
The Project X Hzrdus (a clever way of spelling hazardous), makes a good fit for a wide range of golfers. Whether you are a high handicapper or someone with more experience, you should be able to find an option that fits your game in the project x series.
It’s weighted at 60 grams which will suit most golfers, with any swing speed. The design looks attractive and it inspires confidence when looking down at it at address.
There isn’t much to say against the project x shaft, other than it’s one of the more expensive options on our list. If you want a proven low-spin shaft, try the project x and test it for yourself.
Fujikura Vista Pro 60 Shaft
The Fujikura Vista Pro 60 Shaft is a great value option for a driver shaft that is bound to improve your distance.
The shaft is made from graphite in a patented “cage” structure that allows for the shaft to feel weightier without actually being too heavy or compromising speed.
The shaft is lightweight, ranging between 65 to 67 grams, and is 46 inches long. Which allows you to tailor it to your swing style and height.
The club comes in regular and senior flex and low and medium kick points, which makes it a good option for most hitters with average or lower speeds.
This is a great pick at a solid price point for your first driver shaft upgrade.
Graphite Shaft Design Tour AD VR 5
The Graphite Design Tour AD VR 5 is a top-tier driver shaft if you’re looking to upgrade to see the most distance on your swings.
This is a more expensive option, but if you’ve already cycled through other driver shaft options, are a skilled and frequent player, this is the best driver shaft for distance on the higher end of the spectrum.
The AD VR 5 is a graphite shaft that comes in all flex levels, all with mid kick points. The shaft is 46 inches long and weighs anywhere between 54 to 60 grams, making it one of the lighter driver shafts around, which is great for hitting top swing speeds.
This lightweight, high-quality driver shaft is one of the best options out there for anyone willing to splurge, and you’ll be seeing improvement in your distance after making the upgrade.
Accra New Tour Z 85 Counter Balanced CB Driver Shaft
The Accra New Tour Z 85 is a lightweight driver shaft with a reputation for being the leader in low-spin, low launching shafts.
Accra is a golfing equipment brand that is well-loved by professionals. Their high-quality driver shafts come with adapters and are available in multiple flex levels, making them incredibly versatile and customizable for any golfer.
Upon request, you can customize your shaft’s flex level and its length and grip. These driver shafts are built to order, making them slightly pricier than other driver shafts, but are a worthwhile investment, considering how personalized this driver shaft can be!
Although it’s a bit more expensive than other driver shaft options, you can be sure that this one will be a consistently reliable fit that is perfect for you.
Aldila NVS 55 Shaft
The Aldila NVS 55 Shaft is an ideal driver shaft option for senior golfers with slower swing speeds, looking to build up more distance.
The NVS 55 weighs between 54 to 57 grams depending on your flex level, and the shaft comes in three different flex levels: amateur/senior, regular, and stiff.
This shaft is 46 inches long and has a mid kick point. We recommend this shaft at the amateur or senior flex level as one of the best shafts for distance, particularly if you are a senior.
Its lightweight body made of aerospace-grade materials is great for slow swingers and its sturdy body is forgiving with inconsistent shots, making it consistent and reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
We get many questions about finding the right driver shaft for your game. Here the most frequently asked questions.
Are there any tournament regulations related to driver shafts?
Yes, the maximum shaft length allowed by the rules of golf is 48 inches. In long-drive competitions, you can use shafts with a length up to 50 inches.
Are driver shafts compatible with any driver?
Pretty much, yes. You might want to visit a club-fitter to get your shaft installed. The process takes some skills and it’s important you get it right.
How long do driver shafts last?
Technically a driver shaft should last forever. But you might experience diminishing performance over the years. It’s more likely that your physical ability requires you to change your shaft before it reaches the end of its lifetime.
How to install my golf driver shaft?
We recommend visiting a golf center or a professional to fit your shaft. But to get an overview, here the steps required:
Step 1
Remove the old shaft.
You can melt the glue/epoxy that holds your current shaft to the head of the club. Use a blowtorch or heating gun, aim it at the hosel and wait for the epoxy to soften. You should be able to remove the shaft without any effort.
Step 2
Cut your shaft to the proper length.
Step 3
Roughen the tip of your new shaft. If the shaft is made of steel, use a piece of sandpaper to do so.
If you are fitting a graphite shaft, it’s better to use a belt sander because you could easily damage it using sandpaper.
Also, remove to old epoxy from the hosel, by using a wire drill bit.
Step 4
Apply epoxy to the tip of the shaft and the inside of the hosel or club head. Insert the shaft and make sure all surfaces are covered with epoxy.
Rotate the shaft inside the hosel to line it up, then tap the butt end of the shaft against a firm object to make sure it sits in firmly.
Step 5
Prepare the shaft for its new grip.
Apply double-sided tape on the shaft, at the position the new grip will be placed. Pour a small amount of grip solvent into the inside of the grip and make sure it covers the whole surface area.
Pour some more grip solvent on the tape and put on the grip. Make sure it sits firmly on the shaft. Line the grip up and wait around 15 minutes for the solvent to dry.
Will a shaft that improves my distance help my game?
Distance matters. Studies show that for high handicappers, having a longer drive translates directly to lower scores.
The rig driver shaft for you does not only increase your distance but also your accuracy! Playing your second shot from the fairway is way easier than having to perform some magic by hooking a shot from the rough 40 yards to the left. Let’s leave that to the pros.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best driver shaft for distance is the one that best suits your skills and meets you where you are as a golfer.
For most golfers, we recommend the AccuFLEX Assassin II World Champion Long Drive. It suites most swing speeds and lets you customize it for your desired launch conditions.
Finding the perfect balance between your swing speed and your shaft’s weight, shaft flex and kick point can be tricky. But luckily, there are so many options for great driver shafts on the market, and you’re bound to find the perfect one for you.
