Low Launch Driver Shaft

**upah** · May 12, 2010

I'm looking to put a new shaft in my Tour Burner and want something that promotes a way-low ball flight. Any suggestions on where to start? I've never played a shaft that I couldn't sky; will moving to a low launch shaft mean boardy feel? Is there a way to demo shafts or are they an all-in sort of thing? I'd like to stay below $100 if possible.

**misty_mountainhop** · May 12, 2010

When you say "I've never played a shaft that I couldn't sky", I assume you mean balloon rather than sky? You normally get a high ball flight? Is that high launch continuing upwards or lower launch which then screams upwards?

Decent value low launch shafts I've tried are:

UST Proforce (the bright yellow "V1" version) is still a great shaft and very cheap these days. Have the 75 in both my fairway woods and like them a lot.
UST Proforce V2 (quite a lot of shaft so watch that one).
EnZo 70 shaft is meant to be very low spin/launch; I have the EnZo 60 in my current driver setup, which is a nice low-mid launch with quite low spin numbers. Feels lovely and smooth too; no boardyness here at all.
Grafalloy ProLite 35 is a pretty low launching shaft but I'm not sure it's the easiest to get the best out of; certainly didn't work that well for me!

There are far too many variables here really. Best is probably to get to a decent fitting centre, tell them what sort of thing you're after and hit a load of different options.

**davbrucas** · May 12, 2010

Any shaft with a higher kick point will get you the results you want.

Speeder 757
Grafalloy Blue (not prolaunch)
Grafalloy Prolaunch Red
Fujikura Vista Tour
Diamana White Board

**delav** · May 12, 2010

Decent value low launch shafts I've tried are:

Can you comment on the V1 and V2 proforce shafts? My old (long ago) driver was a Titleist 975D with a 75g Proforce Gold shaft. I really loved the feel of that club when all cylinders were firing.

I'm currently looking to change out the shaft in my hybrid (or perhaps the hybrid all together) for a heavier, stiffer and lower launching shaft. I was leaning towards the V2. Could you tell me how you like the V1 in comparison in your hybrids/fairways? Thanks!

**davbrucas** · May 12, 2010

The UST V2 is not a high kick/low launch shaft.

**upah** · May 12, 2010

To clarify, my typical ball flight has a high launch. Occasionally, I'll balloon one pretty bad, but generally, they just launch high. This isn't always a problem, as I get pretty good distance in mild conditions, but I'm in trouble in the wind. Considering the 10-20 mph winds we get in Kansas, I'd like to bring the ball down for more control.

**delav** · May 12, 2010

To clarify, my typical ball flight has a high launch. Occasionally, I'll balloon one pretty bad, but generally, they just launch high. This isn't always a problem, as I get pretty good distance in mild conditions, but I'm in trouble in the wind. Considering the 10-20 mph winds we get in Kansas, I'd like to bring the ball down for more control.

Have you hit into a launch monitor to examine RPM and launch angle?

**kennay92** · May 12, 2010

1. Aldila Prototype
2. Aldila NV Voodoo
3. Aldila NV

all quite low launching shafts.. the prototype> http://www.golfworks.com/product.asp...cd2=1273688045

**upah** · May 12, 2010

Have you hit into a launch monitor to examine RPM and launch angle?

Its been awhile, but if I recall my launch angle was around 12-13 and my spin rate was about 3500. I'm playing a 9.5 Tour Burner with the stock RE*AX 60 in an X-flex.

**delav** · May 12, 2010

Just for kicks, see if you can get your numbers again. 12-13 degrees for a launch angle is close to ideal, although your spin numbers are a bit high.

If you feel like you are hitting it too high, chances are it could be greater than 12-13. If you are playing a 60g X stiff shaft, perhaps kick around the idea of a heavier shaft.

**misty_mountainhop** · May 13, 2010

To clarify, my typical ball flight has a high launch. Occasionally, I'll balloon one pretty bad, but generally, they just launch high. This isn't always a problem, as I get pretty good distance in mild conditions, but I'm in trouble in the wind. Considering the 10-20 mph winds we get in Kansas, I'd like to bring the ball down for more control.

Sounds like you need a shaft with a stiffer tip section and/or a higher kick point. The Proforce shafts would fit this bill in all likelihood and I imagine the others I mentioned might as well. You might also look at the Graphite Design YSQst. Has a very stiff tip section which launches pretty low. I have one (75S version) in an alternative driver and although I quite like it, if I'm not on my game (like now actually!), it's a bit much for me.

The UST V2 is not a high kick/low launch shaft.

Ok. Maybe not according to UST's web site where they say it's mid-launch. However, everyone I've ever spoken to about it says it's low launch with a flat flight. The 75g version is a

lot of shaft with very low torque.

Can you comment on the V1 and V2 proforce shafts? My old (long ago) driver was a Titleist 975D with a 75g Proforce Gold shaft. I really loved the feel of that club when all cylinders were firing.

To be honest, I didn't get on all that well with the V2. It did what it said on the tin but I never really got on with it for some reason. The bright yellow(!) original Proforce though I like a lot, particularly in the fairway woods where I have it now. I had an old TaylorMade 200 3-wood with a Proforce Gold 65S in it which I really loved but occasionally I'd get a bit quick on it. Hence I've recently been trying the 75S which, so far, is going very well. Feels solid, lowish launch with no ballooning that I've encountered up to now. Occasionally feels a bit stiff for me (I'm not that quick tempo'd or have a fast transition) but that's probably just me swinging bad! Price wasn't bad either; paid about $60 for a pair. On the downside, I heard a rumour that UST are stopping production of the 75g version (and the 65g?) which would be a shame.

**max power** · May 13, 2010

Good advice here-the Proforce V2, while listed as mid-launch, is available in heavier weights with extremely low torque, and the ball will launch low. I like the shaft a lot-it may feel a little heavier than other shafts, but it's doing its job. I actually had a 907D1 9.5 for a while with a 96 gram XStiff V2 with a ridiculously low torque rating (1.7 I think). Found it used, the Xstiff 96g was a little too much for my swing, but I can't say I didn't hit it well. Lower trajectory, and extremely accurate. My friend, a beginner with a slower swing speed, loved it so much he bought from me, it doesn't maximize distance with his swing speed, but it's extremely consistent, boring trajectory, and allows you to swing through with the driver as hard as you are comfortable with.

I've also got the Grafalloy Prolite 35 Xstiff in a 907D2, and it was the perfect solution to my sky high tee shots. High kick point, and stiff tip section, not a heavy shaft, and available ridiculously cheap.

**upah** · May 13, 2010

Is there any way to demo these shafts to figure out what I really want or do I just have to start buying and trying them?

**enis750** · May 13, 2010

here is a link that Titleist uses
its pretty good

to save some cash, try to find a one time pull
lots of guys will try shafts and not like them and will sell them for a song
I picked up my diamana Kai'li for $150 shipped and they retail over $350 new
it was a one time pull, used for 3 range sessions and is in MINT shape

from my experiences, Diamana shafts play slighty weaker than the average shaft, so i went w an X flex in mine
it was this or a White Board
both are low/mid launch and low spinning shafts

combined w my J33r head, I hit perfect bombs that start low, rise and roll out a bit
I have increased my drives about 10-15 yds becasue i dont balloon anymore, my ball actually rolls when it hits
i also decreased my launch angles from 14-16 to 11-12º

anotgher cheap alternative is the Graphite Designs Aura Series
these shafts are truely amazing and CHEAP!!!
I used to hit the GD Aura Red in my 907 D2 - great shaft for the money!!!

the V2 felt very boardy to me, but the torque #'s on it were like 1.8 or 1.9 or something crazy like like
you need to load that shaft to hit it well

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Low Launch Driver Shaft

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