Shafts What’s your Flex

BY ED TRAVIS I t has been often said the shaft is the engine of the golf club, but undoubtedly it is also the least understood club component. We often talk about the latest clubhead of carbon fiber and titanium, but rarely do we hear about the shaft which enables the clubhead to be delivered to the ball with speed and precision.

Today’s makers take advantage of the latest computer software for their designs tempered by years of experience to create shafts that are every bit as sophisticated as other parts of the club. Manufacturing standards are equally sophisticated so every player can find just the proper shaft to help them hit the ball to the maximum of his or her ability.

Here are brief descriptions of some of the top tier shaft companies California Golf + Travel can recommend to our readers. THE RIGHT

SHAFT

PENLEY GOLF SHAFTS For 35 years Carter Penley has been designing and engineering the manufacture of each of the company’s shafts to strict standards starting with the best grade of properly cured aerospace grade carbon fiber. The design process is one of constant progression within tight parameters and each flex range (A, R, S, X, etc.) shaft is targeted with one of nine specific flex zones. Penley quality is assured with small lot production runs for precise control of output and tolerances. Exclusively made in the USA in San Diego, California. PenleySports.com

ACCRA GOLF SHAFTS Primarily an after-market shaft maker used by professional clubfitters to fill the needs of a wide spectrum of golfers. Accra’s Constant Flex Technology ensures all shafts within a given family have the exact same frequency allowing shafts to be fit for flex (A, R, S, X, etc.) without becoming stiffer as they get heavier within that particular flex. Using their DyMatch Technology shafts to be used in better players’ drivers, fairway woods and hybrid are designed for identical feel and performance. AccraGolf.com

FUJIKURA GOLF SHAFTS Fujikura makes two of the best-known high-performance driver and wood shafts, the Motore X and the Ventus. The Motore X F3 is made for smooth and moderate swing types with firm top and mid sections which produce a mid to high trajectory and mid spin to maximize carry. The Motore X F2 is targeted for players with faster more aggressive swings. Ventus shafts are made with a multimaterial bias core and offer a choice of three launch profiles all with their new VeloCore Technology. FujukiraGolf.com

MITSUBISHI GOLF SHAFTS This division of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group manufacturers shafts from scratch beginning with the raw materials including the monomers, resin, acrylic and carbon fibers. Two of their lines, the Diamana and TENSEI, are favorites on the PGA Tour year after year. Last fall Mitsubishi introduced the fourth generation Diamana ZF which received rave reviews from better players. It features a “smooth” bend profile with stronger tip and butt sections with more active middle section. MCA-Golf.com

KBS GOLF SHAFTS One of the premier after-market companies, KBS has announced the TD Graphite Driver/Wood shaft which completes their line of wedge, iron, hybrid and putter shafts. R&D and Tour Operations Director Kim Braly says the new shaft will play both lighter and stiffer than comparable shafts. For maximum performance it is designed to produce mid launch and low spin that optimizes distance and control with KBS’ well known equal reduction in stiffness over the entire length of the shaft. KBSGolfShafts.com