Equipment
The 8 hottest driver shafts of 2018 on the PGA Tour
Driver shafts, especially in professional golf, are very similar to putters. As with changing putters to make more putts, golfers change out driver shafts semi-regularly looking for more distance or more fairways, but preferably both. And much like with putters, when another player switches to a new driver shaft and finds success, other golfers take notice. Every year it seems there is a “hot” driver shaft that players gravitate toward; in recent years, the Aldila Rogue comes to mind.
We wanted to figure out what the “hot” driver shaft is of 2018. To do so, we investigated the top-50 golfers in the Official World Golf Rankings as of July 25 to figure out what driver shaft they were using. Below are the results.
Note: To qualify for the “hottest shafts” of 2018, the exact shaft model must have been used by more than one golfer in the top-50 of the OWGR. Order was determined by number of top-50 players using the shaft, and ties were broken by combined ranking of players using that shaft.
8) Fujikura Atmos Black Tour Spec
Shaft is used by: Matt Kuchar (No. 26 in the OWGR) and Daniel Berger (No. 40)
Fujikura says: “The Atmos Tour Spec line is geared towards the performance golfer looking to keep the ball flighted down with low spin… Atmos is a true tour flighted line of shafts with a simple color coding – red as the higher launching, blue as mid launch, black as the lowest launch – similarities include keeping the handle flexes the same for feel, but adjusting mid and tip sections for launch and spin to achieve your desired ball flight.”
Read GolfWRX member reviews of the Atmos Tour Spec shafts here
7) Graphite Design Tour AD-BB
Shaft is used by: Xander Schauffele (No. 18) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (No. 39)
Graphite Design says: “The Tour AD BB ‘Blue Bullet’ wood shaft model is designed to promote a low/mid launch angle and lower ball spin. The Tour AD BB design features an increase in stiffness from the tip to the mid-section resulting in a higher kick point for lower launch angles.”
Learn more about the Graphite Design Tour AD-BB shaft here
6) Aldila NV 2KXV Green
Shaft is used by: Rickie Fowler (No. 9) and Kevin Kisner (No. 25)
Aldila says: “Aldila has created NexGen Micro Laminate Technology – new, even thinner high performance carbon fibers combined with today’s advanced fiber resin technology…. The 2KNV provides for even better feel and performance. Available in the Green design for those seeking a lower ball flight, the Blue design for those seeking a mid ball flight, and the Orange design for those seeking a higher ball flight.”
See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the Aldila NV 2KXV Green shaft
5) Project X HZRDUS Black
Shaft is used by: Dustin Johnson (No. 1) — although he’s been switching off and on between a Project X HZRDUS Black and a Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution 2.0 Tour Spec — and Rafael Cabrera Bello (No. 29)
Project X says: “The shaft features increased stiffness along the full length of the golf shaft, which allows golfers to put more power behind the ball. HZRDUS Black is a low spinning and low launching shaft that is available in models for both woods and hybrids.”
Read more about DJ’s Project X HZRDUS here
4) Graphite Design Tour AD-IZ
Shaft is used by: Jordan Spieth (No. 8) and Webb Simpson (No. 21)
Graphite Design says: “The new Tour AD IZ shaft has a firm stiffness starting at the handle, and medium center section and a firm+ tip profile to promote a high launch angle and low ball spin rates. The new Tour AD IZ also utilizes Torayca T1100G carbon-fiber pre-preg with Nanoalloy technology in the tip section of the shaft for additional shaft stability, exceptional feel and precise ball control.”
Read more about the Graphite Design Tour AD-IZ shaft here
3) Mitsubishi Kuro Kage
Shaft is used by: Rory McIlroy (No. 7) and Tommy Fleetwood (No. 11)
Mitsubishi says: “This series of shafts feature two key technologies: Low Resin Content pre-preg and Titanium Nickel (TiNi) Wire. After first using TiNi Wire in our ultra-light products, we wanted to see how it would perform in heavier, tour-weighted shafts. Kuro Kage fiber plus wire equals power.”
See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the Kuro Kage here
2) Project X HZRDUS T1100
Shaft is used by: Henrik Stenson (No. 17), Phil Mickelson (No. 22) and Charl Schwartzel (No. 48)
Project X says: “The new HZRDUS T1100 is the lowest spinning and lowest launching shaft in the HZRDUS family. HZRDUS T1100 uses T1100G fiber, the strongest fiber available, to build a shaft with an extra stiff tip section that is also counter-balanced. With a bend profile that is stiff throughout, HZRDUS T1100 is the ultimate spin killer for the game’s most aggressive tempo players.”
GolfWRX Members review the Project X T1100 here
1) Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange
Shaft is used by: Justin Rose (No. 2), Alex Noren (No. 12), Sergio Garcia (No. 20), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (No. 31), Ian Poulter (No. 32), Charley Hoffman (No. 34), Haotong Li (No. 42) and Tiger Woods (No. 50)
Mitsubishi says: “Tensei CK Pro Orange expands the Tensei CK Series – which features a multi-material design that incorporates more performance-oriented materials than we’ve ever used in a shaft. This first of its kind bend profile for MCA Golf uses a counter-balanced design along with an extreme tip-stiff design to provided added versatility for the stronger player. The Tensei CK Pro Orange incorporates the same Carbon Fiber/DuPont Kevlar (CK) weave found in the butt-section of all Tensei CK shafts – providing enhanced stability and maximum feel in this highly versatile design. This series also incorporates High Modulus, premium 40-Ton hybrid pre-preg infused with tungsten powder in targeted positions throughout the shaft. A tip-section reinforced with MR70 – Mitsubishi Chemical’s strongest carbon fiber to date, delivers lower torque, and delivers tour preferred control and stability.”
See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the Tensei Orange shaft in our forums
Other driver shafts used by the top-50 golfers in the OWGR
- Accra Concept Series (Brian Harman)
- Accra Tour Zx 465 M5 (Tony Finau)
- Accra Proto (Pat Perez)
- Accra Tour-Z RPG (Gary Woodland)
- Aldila Rogue Silver 130 (Kevin Chappell)
- Aldila Rogue (Patrick Reed)
- Alidila Tour Green (Jon Rahm)
- Fujikura SIX (Branden Grace)
- Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution (Kyle Stanley)
- Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution IV (Marc Leishman)
- Grafalloy Bi-Matrix (Bubba Watson)
- Graphite Design Tour AD-DI 8TX (Hideki Matsuyama)
- Graphite Design Tour AD Quattro Tech (Satoshi Kodaira)
- Graphite Design Tour AD-GP (Kevin Na)
- Mitsubishi Diamana D+ (Brooks Koepka
- Mitsubishi Diamana White D+ (Luke List)
- Mitsubishi Diamana BF (Justin Thomas)
- Mitsubishi Diamana Blue (Zach Johnson)
- Mitsubishi Diamana White LEX D+ (Paul Casey)
- Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana S-Series (Patrick Cantlay)
- Mitsubishi Fubuki K (Tyrrell Hatton)
- Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue (Ross Fisher)
- Project X Even Flow (Louis Oosthuizen)
- Project X HZRDUS Smoke (Bryson DeChambeau)
- TPT (Jason Day)
- UST Mamiya Elements Chrome Prototype (Cameron Smith)
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Whats in the Bag
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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Equipment
Welcome to the family: TaylorMade launches PUDI and PDHY utility irons
TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Paul
Aug 19, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Doesn’t seem to matter what shaft Woods uses. He still can’t hit a fairway.
ogo
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:01 am
I predict he will soon be playing a Seven Dreamer autoclave cured graphite shaft because all oven cured shafts are too soggy and floppy in the tip section causing Tiger driving problems.
Kanko
Jul 29, 2018 at 9:24 am
Notice ZERO Seven Dreamers shafts lol where’s that Seven Dreamers idiot? Hopefully got BANNED
walterg
Aug 5, 2018 at 5:30 pm
WRX moderators doing their utmost to delete any comments that disturb the gearheaded neanerthals that love their WITB gonadal symbols of manliness.
Diamondback Billiards
Jul 28, 2018 at 11:01 am
These golf equipment is the best but it is still up to the player who knows his talent in being top golfer.
Jack House
Jul 28, 2018 at 1:15 am
Whats the best shaft for an regular player… 80 MPH swing speed…. tough to fit between Regular and Senior flex//
joro
Jul 28, 2018 at 11:23 am
Give the Mitsubishi Tensei Blue in reg. That is what I use at 79, it is a soft R and a very good accurate shaft.
Leftshot
Jul 28, 2018 at 12:12 am
What a disappointment. The subject line of the email I got from Golf WRX was: ” The 8 Hottest Driver Shafts of 2018″. To then find out this was just an incident count of the top 50 pro golfers was a real letdown. Most of us couldn’t find a golfer more dissimilar to us than the top pro golfers. Thus the obvious reaction: Who cares? Maybe 1% of us have a swing similar enough to the top 50 professionals.
Donald
Jul 27, 2018 at 8:54 pm
I only buy and play tour proven equipment because I can afford the best. Stiff shafts are the best. I bag PXGs too.
Matt
Aug 7, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Congratulations.
Doug lamb
Jul 27, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Exactly!!
Shaft Shack
Jul 27, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Demo these great shafts and more at ShaftShack.com!
Funkaholic
Jul 27, 2018 at 11:06 am
I am still gaming my Diamana ‘Ahina 70 x5ct x in my driver 3w and 19* rescue, I have yet to find a reason to change.
Travis
Jul 27, 2018 at 7:03 am
The Tour AD-IZ has more usage that what was listed above. Last I checked Keegan Bradley was using it and he’s been at the top of ballstriking and total driving categories for a good while.
Eric
Jul 26, 2018 at 9:18 pm
I would love to see this with fairway woods. I am not sure you could narrow it down but it may be even more diverse.
phil
Jul 27, 2018 at 1:17 am
I would love to see that too. I love my fairway woods. I love my hybrids too.
Harv
Jul 26, 2018 at 7:31 pm
These are super expensive shafts… to pay off the pros to use them….
~j~
Jul 26, 2018 at 10:37 pm
eBay. Get’m for less than $100
jgpl001
Jul 27, 2018 at 6:11 pm
A T1100 for $100 you wish…..
millennial82
Jul 26, 2018 at 5:58 pm
saw Tiger using the tensei white.. got it.. love it.. now he changed to orange and whites not even on the this list… kind of hurts my heart…
millennial82
Jul 26, 2018 at 5:59 pm
great post by the way GOLFWRX. Thank you!
Aaron
Jul 27, 2018 at 11:50 pm
Lamest reason to ever buy any shaft. Use what fits you.
PushFade
Jul 26, 2018 at 5:50 pm
Not bigger money than they’d earn from winning a tournament. Winning tournaments = bigger endorsements deals. Your statement is not only untrue, your premise is flawed.
Francis
Jul 26, 2018 at 5:15 pm
Doesn’t Rory use the Tensei Orange as well?
Curt
Jul 26, 2018 at 6:11 pm
Yes he was and I thought I saw he switched for the British.
Francis
Jul 26, 2018 at 5:14 pm
…Okay, Donald
jc
Jul 26, 2018 at 4:33 pm
I sure don’t know a shaft that starts out even lower than my standard ping shaft…I want something that takes off like a patriot missle going after a scud.
Michael Baker
Jul 26, 2018 at 4:26 pm
GREAT article – SUPER comprehensive and interesting….
Not sure about DJ in the HZRDUS black though. He used it recently but I believe he’s back in Fujikura Speeder DJ this week?