Golf Shaft Rankings October

It’s time for an update to our golf shaft rankings which are base on not only sales but tour usage, and market hype in Japan. So here is the Golf to Impress and TSG Top 11 Shaft Rankings for October 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. (2.) Bassara Griffin – The Griffin climbed the charts rapidly and now holds steady at number 2. 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. (3.) Graphite Design Tour AD EV Series – GD’s EV holds at number 3 but Mitsubishi could very well take the top 3 spots very soon with ‘ilima now released and debuting number 5 below. Could the focus on high launch max carry be a thing of the past? Maybe not as the ‘ilima has similar characteristics to the EV. The EV Series holds its own with featuring a great kick with tight dispersion and low spin.

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. (NR) Diamana ‘ilima – This very hot looking new dark orange, reddish, black looking ion plated stick looks to be a winner following its predecessor the kai’li with a higher launch and similar low spin and control. Several pros on the Japanese tour are already using it.

6. (5.) 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.

7. (6.) 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.

8. (10) 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 after slipping  a spot in the rankings, probably not due to performance but rather a lack of marketing and recognition from relatively unknown Composite Techno, gains two spots this month with the news that Shigeki Maruyama is now gaming the Fire Express.

9. (7) Diamana Stinger Prototype – Is the buzz on this  jet black beauty with a stiff profile and all boron composition over? The new Stinger equals low spin, low launch and ultra tight control in a premium tour level shaft. Sounds like an awesome shaft but the price could really be hurting sales.

10. (11) Ozik HD Series – The HD gains a spot this month as it quietly gains a presence in Japan. As availability grows, so does demand in Japan as people like to buy what people are buying… if that makes sense. (^_^)

11. (8) 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? I guess not cause it dropped from 8 to 11 this month!

12. (NR) Crazy Black 50 – It’s about time a Crazy Shaft made the rankings. Expect their shafts to begin making a presence on the charts here as they no longer just have a cult following of golfers looking for a premium carbon shaft with amazing stability and low spin. In the past month, more inquiries than ever came in for Crazy as well as customers picking up quite a few Black 50’s.

Outside the Top 11 but still considered rocking!: Graphite Design MD, Ozik X-Con Series, NGS Mach Line Proto, Mamiya Axiv X, Bassara Falcon, Graphite Design P9003, Crazy Black 80LS, Diamana Blueboard, Roddio Tri-Cross