Help With A Good Budget Graphite Shaft

[Collegefbfan]

First off, I want to say that this forum has been, by far, the most helpful when helping this almost 50 year old beginner (even though some of you helped me decide on equipment when I was almost 49.  Had to take a break in lessons and learning golf in general due to a host of unexpected things).  Currently looking at a new to me fairway wood for the bag.  Golf instructor said a 4, 7, or if I had to, go for a 5 wood.  Stay away from a 3 wood at the moment.  I have been searching online and many woods are in such awful condition.  Hey seller:  beat the cart path often or hit out of a rock quarry?  Anyway, looking at wood heads only, they are in much better condition.  Just curious, what is a good reputable graphite shaft on the budget friendly side?  Regular flex if that matters.  Many thanks.   

[GL3]

I always recommend Xcaliber.   You can reach out to them and they will direct you to what they think would best suits you.   
 

https://xcalibershafts.com/

 

 

[Fellaheen51]

Your thread title says you're looking for a shaft, but the post mentions shopping for a head.  WTS, a consideration for if you can overcome OEM bias.  Brand new fairway club, adjustable hosel with a solid shaft for a reasonable $116 expense.  Maltby KE4 TC Pro 5 wood (17^o).  I play an earlier version (KC4 TC) with the KK shaft and it's a solid fairway implement.  I long ago stopped playing a ~15^o fairway wood, achieving nearly equal distance with a 5 wood do to improved consistency in launching the ball.  Plus the shorter "standard" shaft length offers better control of the club.  Reads as though you're a perfect candidate for an implement such as this.  

 

https://www.golfworks.com/maltby-ke4-tc-pro-ist-fairway-pak-kuro-kage-black-hbp/p/pma0346hbp/

 

For supplemental information/recommendations/validation, place an inquiry in the long running Maltby thread here:

 

https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/1520476-maltby-ts2/page/272/

 

Edited April 15 by Fellaheen51

[rgk5]

Grafalloy Blue Pro Launch 55 

[Stuart_G]

 

Here are some of my recommendations.   Of course w/o knowing more there is no way to know how good a fit any of these profiles might be for you and your swing.

 

https://www.golfworks.com/aldila-nxt-gen-nvs-5565-graphite-wood-shaft/p/al0079/

https://www.golfworks.com/mitsubishi-rayon-kuro-kage-black-hbp-2nd-gen-wood-shafts/p/mr0044/

https://www.golfworks.com/project-x-evenflow-blue-55-graphite-wood-shafts/p/tt0142/

https://www.golfworks.com/aldila-next-gen-nv-556575-graphite-wood-shafts/p/al0077/

[Collegefbfan]

Yeah, sorry about the misleading post.  I found a few heads that I am interested in.  I am totally new to buying the club head, and then what kind of shaft would best suit me.  And I know some need an adapter and some don't.  I am about 5 feet 8 inches tall with a 70-75 mph swing speed at the moment (but just started out).  Being almost 50 years old, I don't think I will ever hit 90+ mph swing speed.  Many thanks.

[ShortGolfer]

You may want to consider a head with a ladies flex shaft.  I've found that ladies clubs are in better condition. A combination of low use, slower swing speeds, and soft low compression balls.

Your current swing speed is in the range of ladies and senior shafts.  But, the speeds are only a guide.  I was fitted at Club Champion for ladies flex iron and senior flex wood shafts.

 

I'm only 5' 2" and older, but I do a lot of gardening so I still have enough flexibility to take a long back swing and effectively use that to drive the ball straight with good distance.

Flexibility may be a bigger factor than your age.  I find it takes months to incorporate new swing changes.  My wife said I was unusual in that I'm constantly learning new things!

 

Adapters make it easy to swap shafts.  

 

The epoxy used for golf clubs has a low transition temperature, typically below the boiling point of water, to ease disassembly.

A shaft puller is recommended to avoid twisting and damaging graphite shafts used with woods.

Edited April 15 by ShortGolfer

[James the Hogan Fan]

1 hour ago, rgk5 said:

Grafalloy Blue Pro Launch 55 

The ultimate weapon. (Albeit the 65 for me). Stiff, tipped ½", playing 44½". But I recall it being tossed around in the "budget autoflex" thread as well.

 

They've only been making it 20 years, so it's gotta work for someone...

[Collegefbfan]

Has anyone found that a "shorter" shaft allows more "control".  How much shorter, not sure.  But I have read that in quite a few places.

[Collegefbfan]

34 minutes ago, ShortGolfer said:

You may want to consider a head with a ladies flex shaft.  I've found that ladies clubs are in better condition. A combination of low use, slower swing speeds, and soft low compression balls.

Your current swing speed is in the range of ladies and senior shafts.  But, the speeds are only a guide.  I was fitted at Club Champion for ladies flex iron and senior flex wood shafts.

 

I'm only 5' 2" and older, but I do a lot of gardening so I still have enough flexibility to take a long back swing and effectively use that to drive the ball straight with good distance.

Flexibility may be a bigger factor than your age.  I find it takes months to incorporate new swing changes.  My wife said I was unusual in that I'm constantly learning new things!

 

Adapters make it easy to swap shafts.  

 

The epoxy used for golf clubs has a low transition temperature, typically below the boiling point of water, to ease disassembly.

A shaft puller is recommended to avoid twisting and damaging graphite shafts used with woods.

Is there a huge difference in ladies and senior shaft flex?  I will say that no instructor has said anything about changing flexes.  Thanks again.

[ShortGolfer]

It is a lot like sizing clothing.  One manufacturer's large may be another's XL.

 

It can be a touchy topic that instructors may want to stay away from. There are stories about guys refusing to play ladies shafts despite fitting data that shows they should!

A lot of golfers at a beginners course I play have stiff shafts they shouldn't be using, according to the old guy who has been there a long time.

[Fellaheen51]

23 minutes ago, Collegefbfan said:

Has anyone found that a "shorter" shaft allows more "control".  How much shorter, not sure.  But I have read that in quite a few places.

 

A generalization, but a shorter shaft does offer enhanced control.  Many D's are to long for the average recreational golfer.  Peeps would be better served by playing D's at 44.5".  Mine is at 45".  I play my fairways .5" shorter than 'standard' lengths.  Control of where the ball is headed is more important than any perceived loss of distance that MAY occur.  And if a "relatively" shorter shaft allows for improved repeatability in making solid contact, one may actually realize better distance.  You can get a sense of a shorter length club by gripping down on the handle further the customary (piece of tape to mark the spot).  With irons though, a preferred length is determined by several factors.  Which for me is having a comfortable posture and setup at address.   I don't like feeling as though I'm reaching for the ball.   FWIW, I'm 6'2", with a 38" WTF.   

Edited April 15 by Fellaheen51

[Stuart_G]

47 minutes ago, Collegefbfan said:

Is there a huge difference in ladies and senior shaft flex?  I will say that no instructor has said anything about changing flexes.  Thanks again.

 

Flex really isn't that important EXCEPT when getting a certain feel from the shaft is important to the player.   Some people need for the shaft to feel a certain stiffness - many people don't.

 

Simply put - for now - until you're swing gets a bit more developed or your sense of what works well for you in terms of shaft feels becomes a bit more clear - stick to this simple decision making process:

 

1) If the shaft feels too soft - like it's giving too much or too "loose" - then it probably is so go up in flex for that particular model.

 

2) If the shaft feels too stiff or too harsh - then it's probably too stiff so go down in flex for that model.

 

3) If you're not sure if it feels too soft or too stiff - then don't worry about it - it's not all that important.   Many people are really not that sensitive to the stiffness feel - and that's perfectly fine.   It's not going to hurt you at all to play a stiffness that may not match what's typical for your swing speed.

 

Keep in mind there is no standard for flex - so you can have different shafts all with the same flex rating that feel completely different from each other.  So any time I say go up in flex or down in flex - that's really only valid for that particular model you're testing.   Switching to a different model of the same flex could also achieve the same change in feel.

Edited April 15 by Stuart_G

[Trouble_shooter]

Aldila makes great graphite. Its been a while since I checked but they make budget friendly I believe. 

[Colej]

Lots of good recommendations above. I’ll also add this website for you all to look at. The owner is a member over at another golf forum I belong to. 
 

Bunch of promo codes listed for heads and shafts. 
 

https://logicalonegolf.com