Shaft weights: Driver vs fairway wood

[Divot Tool]

Why is it that shafts employed in fairway woods are generally heavier (75 grams) than shafts found in drivers (65 grams). Is there a technical reason for this trend?

[geezer]

A heavier shaft will yield more accuracy and a lighter shaft, more distance. With a fairway wood you want more accuracy and the driver you want much more distance.

I'm no expert, buts that's what I know about shaft weights. Of course, it's much more subtle than just accuracy vs distance.

[supercow]

The shaft is slightly shorter which means that in order to achieve the same swingweight (makes it feels as though you're swinging the same club throughout the bag) you need to increase the weight of the shaft.

[Everardo]

A heavier shaft will yield more accuracy and a lighter shaft, more distance.

This is not always the case, in many cases a heavier shaft can create negative accuracy effects.

The shaft is slightly shorter which means that in order to achieve the same swingweight (makes it feels as though you're swinging the same club throughout the bag) you need to increase the weight of the shaft.

yup, yup

Also when transitioning to other clubs in your bag a clubmaker has to take into consideration the total weight of the clubs. Most irons have steel shafts which are typically heavier than 100g.