Golf Accessories

The Lowest Spinning Driver Shafts

BY Tony Covey
Dec 14th 2016
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What’s the lowest spinning shaft?

Phrased any number of ways, I’d wager it’s one of the most asked questions in the history of golf equipment forums. Many of you have asked the question yourselves. Many more have likely chimed in to offer suggestions.

But is there really a single shaft that spins less for absolutely everyone?

We approached this testing hoping we’d find a definitive answer, but aware of the reality that we might not.

11 Companies, 12 Shafts

Allowing for the fact that universal truths in the golf equipment world are few and far between we reached out to 12 shaft manufacturers and asked them to send us the model from their current lineup that they believe would generally produce the lowest spin. 11 of them agreed to participate, and one company sent two models.

* Auditor Shaft Testing Machine – via: Golf Mechanix

12 shafts, all designated as low(ish) spinning, but what does that mean? How would they perform on a relative basis? More importantly, what would we learn that would be of value to you?

All of that’s coming next week.

As a preview of sorts, we wanted to share with you the list of shafts we received. If you’re looking for a low spinning shaft for your driver or fairway wood, this is where you should start, not because we say so, but because 11 manufacturers have told us that these are their lowest spinning.

Similar, But Different

While we received a variety of weights and flexes, we did the official testing with shafts designated at +/- 65g and stiff flex. Even within that narrow definition, there are as many differences as there are similarities. The measured weights of the shafts range from 64.3g to 73.3g. Assembled swing weights run the gamut as several of the models we tested are counter-balanced. For those who enjoy sorting through EI Profiles, we took our own measurements using an Auditor Shaft Testing Machine from Golf Mechanix.

Here’s what that looks like:

I know…it lacks details. There’s more to come.

As we work to prepare our report, here are the lowest spinning driver shafts as identified by the manufacturers that produced them. Note: shaft weight is based on the model closest to 65g.

Accra TourZx

Shaft Weight: 73.3g
MAP: $300
Website: AccraGolf.com

Aldila NV 2KXV White

Shaft Weight: 65.2g
MAP/MSRP: TBD
Website: Aldila.com

Fujikura Pro Tour Spec

Shaft Weight: 66.9g
MSRP: $200
Website: FujikuraGolf.com

Graphite Design Tour M9003

Shaft Weight: 69.1g
MSRP: $550 / MAP: $420
Website: ProsChoiceGolfShafts.com

Graphite Design Tour AD-TP

Shaft Weight: 64.3g
MSRP: $500 / MAP: $380
Website: ProsChoiceGolfShafts.com

Matrix M4 Black Tie

Shaft Weight: 65.3g
MSRP: $375 / MAP: $320
Website: MatrixShafts.com

MRC Tensei CK Pro White

Shaft Weight: 64.3g
MSRP: $400 / MAP: 325
Website: MRC-Golf.com

Oban Kiyoshi Black

Shaft Weight: 69.9g
MSRP: $360
Website: ObanShafts.com

Paderson KINETIXX

Shaft Weight: 72.5g
MSRP/MAP: $199.99
Website: PadersonShafts.com

Project X HZRDUS T1100

Shaft Weight: 66.3g
MAP/MSRP: TBD
Website: PXShafts.com

UST Mamiya Elements Platinum

Shaft Weight: 68.6g
MAP: $325
Website: USTMamiya.com

XPHLEXXX AGERA

Shaft Weight: 71g
MSRP: $250
Website: XPHLEXXX.com

Results Coming Soon

We’re in the process of pulling the data together and sorting through it. We should have a full report ready for you in the next week or so.

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Tony Covey

Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

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Tony Covey

Driver Titleist TSi3	3-Wood Titleist TSi2 13.5°
5-Wood Titleist TSi2 18°	7-Wood Titleist TSi2 21°
Irons (5-9) PXG 0311 GEN5 T	Wedges Vokey SM9 (46° F, 50° F, 54° D, 60° T)
Putter PXG Blackbird	Ball Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash

Tony Covey

comments

Join The Discussion

Max F

7 years ago

It’s been more than a week since the original post which promised results this week. Really hoping you post today since I doubt you’ll do it on Christmas Eve or Christmas. I need to know how to spend gift cards. Seriously, though, thanks for the test. Been hoping you would do something like this.

As another poster eluded to, it would be a good follow up to present the readers with a table categorizing shafts by their bend profile and then sorting within each similar profile based on price point.

Tony Covey

7 years ago

Max – Sorry for the delay! Sifting through the data, pulling it all together, and then creating charts has taken a bit longer than I expected (and unfortunately I had other things that needed my attention). I’m finishing up everything now and we’re absolutely, 100% positively, going to publish the results on Monday.

As with any test we do, this has proven to be a learning exercise, to say the least, and frankly, we’re taking our best stab at providing the kind of info we think most of you will want (without reaching a point of total and complete overload). If the demand is there for more shaft tests, we’ll take our queues from you guys and tweak how we do it moving forward.

As for a follow up, I’m absolutely open to just about anything. Whether that’s more charts, a Q&A type post or whatever else. What comes next will be driven by the readers. We’ll do whatever you want us to.

Max F

7 years ago

Thanks for the feedback, Tony. No worries. I understand that analysis and packaging of data takes time and someone’s got to do it. It doesn’t just happen. Thanks for being reader-focused. Love the site.

Bradley M. Smith

7 years ago

Tom Wishon, the now retired club head designer knows, I’m sure, more about heads and shafts and how they interact than any of us (or maybe all of us put together). One of his best points, I think, was on this general topic. He says that in the final analysis, there are only two types of shafts. Not expensive or cheap. Not heavy or light. Not stiff or flexible. Not low or high torque. Not tip stiff or flexible. Not high or low balance point. Not high or low “quality”. And definitely not low or high spin.

Only two types…..”those that fit you and those that don’t”. GET FIT!!!

FTWPhil

7 years ago

1. The guys who are complaining that this is “just another article for bombers” might not understand that optimum launch conditions change by ball speed. If you swing 80-85 mph you probably don’t need a low spin shaft. Your ball needs a minimum amount of spin to stay up in the air to promote carry.

I could go on, but long story short, GET FIT! You may not hit anything better then what you are playing, but you will know what is out there and a competent fitter will talk about the pro’s and con’s of different materials or specifications.

2. You guys need to realize things cost a certain amount in materials, and R&D. Golf clubs aren’t in some magical vacuum that differs from any other manufactured product. The difference I think you are “stuck on” is the cost to benefit ratio. Yes you can go buy a $1000 driver, and suck. And yes, you can buy a $50 used driver that hits better.

3. This is information if you don’t want it read a different article.

buckical

7 years ago

As usual, more fodder for the 100 plus bombers. Guess if I want to find information relative to my swing speed of 80/85, I’ll just have to find another site. Tired of everything you guys test is always relative to 100 plus swingers. Then you “modify” for us. I’ve supported this site for years, bought about all you’ve tested, and still don’t understand why it is so difficult for you to perhaps just once enlist several testers with SS under 90 to test things. Do you always have to test “stiff” shafts??? Do you even give a @#&*%# what the age or swing speed of equipment buyers is of your average supporter? I suppose I’m barking up a dead tree, but it would be nice to get a little more representation on here…..Sorry for the rant, guess I’m beginning to get too old for my favorite game! Too old and too slow, poor
combo!

Tess

7 years ago

^^^^ What he said ^^^^
My 90 mph swing (and getting slower by the year) needs work I know, but if I could find a shaft that would help me roll out a few more yards, I’d be happy.

Cbill

7 years ago

Could not have said it better! Perhaps you should do a survey of who your average golfers are.
Or at least divide more of your articles of this type into swing speed (or player type) catagories, like you do in your club testing.

John Serres

7 years ago

Although swing has a MAJOR affect on spin, there are many shafts that can help bring the spin number down. My top three would be Speeder Tour Spec .2, Tensei Pro White, and HZRDUS Black. For those that don’t want to spend the big money, Fuji Pro Tour Spec is the one (JB Holmes uses in driver and fairway).

Steve S

7 years ago

I’ll be interested to see how much difference there actually is. Knowing how all these are made I’m still stunned at the market price for these shafts. I’ve never really seen much difference in the limited testing I’ve done on a launch monitor..but then again I’ve never tested a shaft priced at more than $100.

Jimbo

7 years ago

Normally we see a small variation in the data – a few total yards difference, small dispersion numbers, etc.
Perhaps one item included in the analysis should be the cost per yard. Divide the average total yards by the price. I’m guessing there will be a large variance in that number between 13 shafts. I’d think that would be a number people could use to make a purchase decision.

Adrian

7 years ago

My money is on Tensei CK Pro White but the Kuro Kage Dual Core XT is even lower spinning though not on the market yet. I initially wasn’t a believer in shafts having that big of an effect until I witnessed a 1200 rpm drop with my own eyes. I was probably ill fit previously but the results were still impressive. It’s not just the shaft, but the weight, bend profile, and the amount of tipping that have a huge impact on spin for me. 2800 rpms was the lowest that I had been able to produce before I hit the Tensei White but it only took me 6 swings to see the light !! Spin number dropped to 1600 rpms and carry increased 20 yards.

David W

7 years ago

Tensei has already won…the hat competition!

Terry Wittek

7 years ago

Interesting considering most golfers don’t have the swing speed to use a low spin shaft.

stevegp

7 years ago

I agree with Terry Wittek. There are a lot of golfers who don’t generate sufficient swing speed to benefit from a low-spin shaft.

Allan Nousiainen

7 years ago

Is the same head going to be used?

gunmetal

7 years ago

What really would have been interesting is to see the difference between each companies highest spinning and lowest spinning. My guess is there wouldn’t be as much a difference as we think.

Ronald Kuntoro

7 years ago

play with SLDR 430 and every shaft will be lowest spinning…. FACT!

jfpga

7 years ago

Thinking the only truly way to do this scientifically is to use iron byron machine with same heads etc……

Lewis Daff

7 years ago

Gotta be HZRDUS, surely?? Looking forward to seeing this!

Ian Splisgardt

7 years ago

My Black Tie 75M4 xstiff is pretty low. Still hit it high but spins around 2100

Rob Hampton

7 years ago

This isn’t The Lord of the Rings…..there is no “one ring (shaft) to rule them all”.

jfpga

7 years ago

Hoping to see the spin loft data (and smash factor) from the launch monitors, is that planned?

Eh Jay L. Griesbach

7 years ago

Get ready for a flood of “I need this shaft” lol

Austin Kreger

7 years ago

Mike Mueller This is going to be GOOD!!

Tensei White, HZRDUS T1100, Kiyoshi Black

Mike Mueller

7 years ago

Yeah ill have to say tensei white for sure. ?✌

Austin Kreger

7 years ago

That T1100 is a bad mamma jamma from what I hear though.

Steve Almo

7 years ago

And obviously one of the stupidest questions asked!

Nick Henderson

7 years ago

Yuuki Kurisu I’m gonna get the new HZRDUS when it comes out. Custom 7.0 flex

Luke Woozi Reuter

7 years ago

To many other factors …unless there’s a new method of testing this

Corey Johnson

7 years ago

Perfect article for you Long Bomber

Glenn Forsyth

7 years ago

And only one (barely) under $200.

Jim Englebrecht

7 years ago

Not a expert, but soo many other factors come into play on spin. Swing Speed, club path, face path, attack angle, type of ball. Calling a shaft low spin doesn’t seem correct.

MyGolf Spy

7 years ago

Tell that to the shaft companies.

Tony Wright

7 years ago

Yep Jim you are on the mark. Swing more likely to help create lower spin than a shaft….at least it can have more of an affect. How many golfers really need $300 shafts also?

chris embardino

7 years ago

I’d be more interested on testing what the differences are between the $300 shaft and a more value line shaft with the same specs

jfpga

7 years ago

Johnny Chaivre

7 years ago

The lowest spinning shaft out there is apparently the fukikura 7.2 purple tinted shaft.

Jimmy Tester

7 years ago

Depends on swing too

Anthony Rhode

7 years ago

Every player will hit every shaft different than the next player. There is no such thing as a low spin shaft for everyone.

Tom Mann

7 years ago

steel…obviously

Bob Pegram

7 years ago

I would be interesting to test steel shafts as well, although there aren’t very many golfers who could use them at current driver lengths (around 45 inches). They would be heavy.

Kanoito

7 years ago

I just can’t see myself dishing out that much dough for a shaft

Chad Hershberger

7 years ago

I can’t wait to see how my Black Tie does against these other shafts. I’m hoping it holds it’s own so I don’t have to consider something new.

John Duval

7 years ago

It depends on what driver head it is installed on, and what golf ball you are hitting, and how fast the club is swung.

David Moore

7 years ago

Proforce V2 96X tipped 4 inches
In an M1 430 8.5 set to lower and weight forward

Mitch Donald

7 years ago

Seriously though, i would have thought some sort of bi-matrix shaft

Austin Getz

7 years ago

I play a VC 7.2 tour spec x and a kuro kage tini xt 80 tx both tipped an inch. Still looking for something with less spin. Hazrdus and tour ad i65 were both really low spin. Wish I remembered how much I tipped them. Played the i65 in an 815 dbd at about 43.5″ and the frequency with that head was 286. Longest and most accurate setup I’ve ever it. Hit a high cut that just didn’t spin. I snapped the shaft at some point and haven’t put the head on anything else. Fucking golf ????

Justin Davey

7 years ago

Lol. Good times. True story

Justin Davey

7 years ago

Hazrds 6.5 with r15 head. Solid combo

Josh Barrey

7 years ago

I’m hunting for Low spin A flex

Bobby Offenbaker II

7 years ago

Original flowerband whiteboard 83x tipped a half with Nike vapor flex 440 8.5 neutral setting

Paul Kielwasser

7 years ago

I can’t wait to see the results on this one! Curious if where my Agera falls!

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