Will a new driver head or driver shaft help you more? Here’s a fitter’s take
Investing in both a new driver head and new driver shaft can pay dividends.
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The start of a new year means the start of launch season for many of the biggest players in the gear space.
Inevitably that means much attention on the driver category — and rightfully so given many manufacturers invest a significant chunk of their R&D resources into developing drivers with the latest and greatest materials and technologies.
But another, less-talked-about gear upgrade can also pay big dividends when it comes to improving your game: a new, properly fit driver shaft.
Question is, then, where to invest your golf dollars in 2025? To get the most out of your swing, are you better off chasing the tech trends with a new driver head, or upgrading your shaft?
In short, it depends. In the driver head-vs.-driver shaft debate, you have to ask yourself what you’re seeking from both options.
Why a new driver head might make more sense
The clubhead is the biggest fitting lever you can pull to influence metrics like speed, launch, spin and shot shape or shot correction. Each head is going to have a number of characteristics that differentiate it from its competitors.
Some will be great for toe strikes, producing a fade or cutting spin; though these options might be underwhelming for strikes in the heel, low on the face or for low spin players. For example, the Titleist GT family is a neutral family of heads when it comes to having a particular start line bias, whereas, say, the Ping G440 SFT has an upright static lie angle and internal weighting technology that helps correct a slice or can help players hit a draw.
With so many choices, working with a qualified fitter can help you make the right choice as to what head best accomplishes your goals as a player. The right head checks the most boxes in the performance category, although the head is only part of the equation.
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Why a new driver shaft might make more sense
The right shaft is another lever that a fitter will pull to influence performance in a fitting environment. The shaft is a timing mechanism and will influence metrics like dispersion, efficiency and control — while creating the symbiotic relationship between the player and the “feel” of the club. Feel is highly player dependent; no one can pretend to know or tell you what you feel. But a qualified fitter can help to dial in your feel by matching the appropriate shaft weight and bend profile to how you naturally load and unload the shaft.
Likewise, a qualified fitter can guide you in selecting the appropriate weight and flex for the shaft model that responds best to your swing. Given there is no standard for shaft flex among any of the shaft manufacturers — let me say that again for those in the back, THERE IS NO INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR SHAFT FLEX — finding the appropriate timing mechanism in a driver shaft is a personalized selection process. Picking the correct shaft, without proper testing with a qualified fitter, is the equivalent of hitting the golf club lottery.
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