A superb clubface alone doesn’t make an excellent driver. Driver shafts also play a vital role in the forgiveness and swing speed of your club. More often than not, driver shafts come in either steel or graphite materials, but some also have a composite construction.
Graphite driver shafts are more lightweight and can generate longer drives but are pricy and less accurate. Meanwhile, steel ones are durable, accurate, and cheap, but maybe too heavy for beginners. Here are the best driver shafts for 2023 we’ve been able to examine so far.
1. Graphite Design Tour AD VR 5
It offers the highest quality among all the driver shafts on our list but is also pricy. Tour AD-VR-5 works ideally with Mavrick’s Epic drivers, although it can work with others. The driver shaft integrates multiple technologies to enhance its feel and performance, and they mostly work.
Features
- Regular-stiff flex
- European-tour and PGA certified
- Velvet 360 grip
- Graphite material
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight
- Massive improvements to swing speed
- Feels incredible
Cons
- Luxury price
Price: View on Amazon
2. Project X New HZRDUS Smoke
The driver shaft has a more reasonable price-tag despite providing some of the best spin control available. Its material is high-quality graphite, which gives it a durability that’s competitive with steel shafts. HZRDUS Smoke is also cross-compatible across many drivers with its .335tip and offers an extra-stiff flex.
Features
- 60g in weight
- 46” shaft length
- Fairway/driver compatible
Pros
- Smooth feel
- Long-lasting durability
- Excellent spin control
- Affordable
- Superb style and design
Cons
- No grip and adapter included
Price: View on Amazon
3. Fujikura Speeder Evolution V 474
It offers ideal forgiveness and swing speed improvement for amateurs and mid-handicappers. Although the design is specifically for combination with Callaway’s Big Bertha, you can still combine it with other club faces. The graphite construction is durable and hollow with internal stabilizing ribs for better accuracy.
Features
- Graphite build
- Regular-stiff flex
- Callaway Epic tip
Pros
- High accuracy and forgiveness
- Quality grip included
- Best for Callaway club faces
- Firm grip and nice feels
- High left-handed performance
Cons
- Expensive
- Doesn’t come with a wrench
Price: View on Amazon
4. Fujikura Vista Pro 60
Much like Fujikura’s Evolution V-474, Vista-Pro-60 is specifically designed for a clubface brand. There’s no better driver shaft to pair with your TaylorMade M-series fairway than this one. Its hollow body ensures the best performance on the greens and the internal ribs improve your accuracy significantly.
Features
- Graphite material
- Regular flex
- Includes a driver adapter
- Tour Velvet 360 grip
- Customizable length
Pros
- Best for TaylorMade M1-4 tips
- Incredible grip
- Extensive instruction in manual
- Game-improvement shaft
- Surprising durability
- Feels right
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a wrench
- No stiff flex
Price: View on Amazon
5. For Callaway New Aldila Tour Blue ATX-65-S
Despite its relatively high price-tag, the driver shaft is worth its weight in gold. It’s another Callaway dedicated shaft with a pre-installed adapter and compatibility with Big Bertha, Epic, and X-series. The stick also offers a wide variety that ranges from regular to extra-stiff flex.
Features
- Playing length is 45.5”
- Tour Velvet or Wrap 2G grip
- Graphite construction
Pros
- Specialized for Callaway
- Quality design
- Custom shafts pre-order
- Impressive performance
Cons
- Expensive
- Only slightly better improvement than stock
Price: View on Amazon