Hi end vs cheaper shafts ??

[TaylorR7]

Why would Lee Westwood use a V2 shaft in his 3W and not a shaft in the $400-$600 range when he could easily afford too ?

[SavvySwede]

Because he likes the feel. Pros don't look at prices and they don't have to buy equipment. The fitters just hand them stuff until they find something they like.

[WUTiger]

For the most part, there's nothing wrong with stock shafts structurally. It's just that they are designed to fit the average golfer that will use the club. Although it's an OK shaft for many golfers, it's not the ideal shaft for very many people.

A couple of years ago I stumbled onto a small custom golf shop in New Orleans. It was a slow day, and the clubfitter was kind enough to answer some questions I had about shaftology. He said that most name-brand shafts these days are good quality, except for an occasional bad batch of graphite shafts (manufacturing flaws).

And, he said that golfers end up with a bad shaft (for them) because they bought it to mimic Joe Pro of the PGA - not because they got fit and the shaft numbers were good for them.

[TaylorR7]

Feel over $ , makes sense !

[Mr. Desmond]

I think some older shafts that pros use are still giving them the numbers they want, and they like the feel of the shaft in that club. It's the same reason you see Pros using 5+ year old fairways or irons sometimes. It's a comfort thing - they remember the good shots with those clubs, and the older clubs are still performing for them. It offers them confidence, and in a game in which you play alone, confidence is key.

[WUTiger]

11 hours ago, Mr. Desmond said:

I think some older shafts that pros use are still giving them the numbers they want, and they like the feel of the shaft in that club. It's the same reason you see Pros using 5+ year old fairways or irons sometimes. ..

A local teaching pro told me that finding a good FW is one of the biggest challenges golfers face, including pros. He had a 2+ year gap without a FW he really liked.