With July drawing to a close its time to update the Golf to Impress/Tourspecgolf Shaft rankings. These rankings are based on a number of criteria including sales, user reviews and feedback, media hype, and overall buzz and demand. This list is a part of our regular Golf Club Rankings Page here.
Golf to Impress and TSG Top 11 Shaft Rankings for July 2009. Previous Months Ranking in (-).
1. (1.) Diamana Kai’li – The Kai’li does not look like it will be removed from the top spot any time soon. Since its release early this year, popularity has continued to surge as pros and recreational golfers alike flock to this smooth feeling, lower launch and spin, performance control shaft.
2. (6.) Bassara Griffin – The Griffin climbs the rankings big time. Ultralight shafts have long had a reputation as being great for distance but lacking control. The Griffin changes all that. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and the Griffin is living up to its reputation as a stable lightweight shaft with great feel and yes true to flex (if there is such a thing!)
3. (2.) Graphite Design Tour AD EV Series – Graphite Design’s top shaft slips another notch. Could the focus on high launch max carry be a thing of the past? Still the EV Series holds its own with featuring a great kick with tight dispersion and low spin. Mitsubishi Rayon is really putting the heat on Graphite Design this year and competition is great for the consumer!
4. (4.) Fujikura Motore Speeder – Fujikura does it again with a Japan only launch packed with technology. Golfers are embracing the world’s first 7 ply design and the Motore Speeder is staying near the top. More feed back is available on this shaft now and the Motore Speeder is giving golfers what they want, feel and a nice mid boring trajectory.
5. (3.) Fujikura Rombax F Series – The F Series continues to hold its own and take care of business quietly. This all around performance control shaft has been replaced however by the Motore Speeder as the focus for Fujikura’s top performers.
6. (5.) Diamana Whiteboard – The Whiteboard is the veteran of this list and it is amazing how it has held its own for nearly two years? Its great feel, lower launch and lower spin have long made it a fan favorite but the competition is heating up and it could be time for others to take its place.
7. (NR) Diamana Stinger Prototype – This shaft is hot. People are buzzing in Japan about this jet black beauty with a stiff profile and all boron composition. The new Stinger equals low spin, low launch and ultra tight control in a premium tour level shaft. The following weeks will tell us if it lives up to the hype!
8. (7.) Bassara Hawk – The Hawk has long been underrated and has never made it higher than 6 on our rankings which is too bad because it is a great shaft and truly under appreciated for its stout feel and performance. Hey see above…. this is an ultralight too, didn’t people notice?
9. (8) Graphite Design Tour AD MD Series – What was pretty much the shaft of 2008 has begun its downward descent. Still one of the best at eliminating those nasty hooks. Some have decided that the MD spins more than they might like. I guess that obsession with low spin is really the big craze.
10. (9) Quadra Fire Express – 80T for under $500.00. That alone warrants a top 10 position as no other premium 80t carbon shaft comes within 50% of this price point. Price aside, this shaft looks to be very tight and have very very good distance. The Quadra slips a spot in the rankings, probably not due to performance but rather a lack of marketing and recognition from relatively unknow Composite Techno.
11. (NR) Ozik HD Series – Things have been quieter for Ozik lately, has the hype died down? Frankly they still make some of the best shafts in the golfing world and we expect the HD to climb. Matrix is still trying to make a dent in the ultra high end market in Japan. If they could do it expect sales to shoot on upwards.
Outside the Top 11 but still considered rocking!: Ozik X-Con Series, NGS Mach Line Proto, Mamiya Axiv X, Bassara Falcon, Graphite Design P9003, Crazy Black 80LS, Diamana Blueboard, Roddio Tri-Cross
