Best Driver Shafts For 2023 (Tested)

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When I recently tested the best golf driver shafts, I was really surprised at how much of a difference there is from one to the next.

I expect this in a clubhead, but when it comes to the shaft, it is just surprising to me to see how much these subtle changes impact my overall ball flight. 

I’m now a firm believer in the idea that sometimes all your golf game needs is a shaft replacement and not an entirely new driver. 

I tested several options for a variety of swing speeds and budgets. Even though not all of these shafts were the perfect fit for my game, these are the ones that stood out as having the best overall performance.

Best Driver Shafts In 2023

I understand as much as anybody the importance of having the right equipment to maximize your performance on the course.

The driver shaft is a crucial component of the club and can greatly affect your swing speed, ball flight, and overall accuracy. Let’s dive in and look at the best driver shafts for 2023.

Best Overall: Project X NEW HZRDUS Black 6.0 62g Driver/Fairway Shaft

The Project X HZRDUS Black is our favorite choice for a driver shaft for most golfers. If you have purchased a new golf driver for yourself in the last few years, chances are this shaft was offered as an option. 

Whether you are looking for better performance or have an issue with your current shaft that calls for replacement, the Project X HZRDUS Black is a great option to consider. It has also dropped in price quite a bit as new shafts have come to market. 

As we will see with other shafts from Project X, this model features a Dual Torsional Design. The idea behind this technology is to improve stability at impact. 

When you improve stability, the shots are straighter, and the total distance is considerably further. The Project X Hzrdus is built for the golfer that likes to go after the ball; if you are an aggressive swinger, this could be the technology you need. 

The spin coming from the Hzrdus Black is low, and the overall trajectory is also low. If you have trouble getting the correct ball flight on your shots, this may not be the one for you. 

I have found this to be a great choice for the mid to low handicappers that want to maximize performance from the tee box. 

Pros

• High levels of stability at impact 
• Impressive torque
• Low spinning shaft 
• Built for golfers that are aggressive through impact 

Cons

• Not the greatest choice for the slower swing speed golfers 

Best For High Ball Flight: Aldila NXT GEN NVS 55 Graphite Wood Shaft

So many of the latest golf drivers and driver shafts focus on the lower trajectory and lower spin profiles. Although this works for many players, it is not a complete solution. 

For players that need a bit more air time, I like the Aldila NXT GEN NVS 55. I don’t typically like higher launching shafts in the driver, but when I tested this one, the results were quite impressive. 

The Aldila NXT GEN NVS 55 features NexGen Micro Laminate Technology. There are ultra thin layers of carbon fiber material that create a high level of consistency in performance. 

When golf shafts are created, dead zones often end up creating shots that are less than ideal, even when you take a good swing. The Aldila technology works to remove those and make this performance a bit more pure. 

It’s also nice that Aldila produces golf shafts that have a variety of weights and flexes for golfers to choose from. Essentially regardless of your swing speed and strength, there is probably an Aldila that will match your skills. 

The Aldila technology has been around for a long time, but this model keeps getting the enhancements it needs to work for the modern golfer. 

Pros

• Long carry distances 
• Higher spin 
• Higher ball flight 
• Consistent performance thanks to Micro Laminate Technology 

Cons

• High spin shafts are not great for players that have inconsistencies in their swings 

Best For Straight Flight: MCA Golf Mitsubishi C6 Driver Shaft

The MCA Golf Mitsubishi is my favorite option for a straight flight. Essentially if you are a golfer that struggles with the ability to keep the ball in the fairway (especially due to a slice), this is a great option to consider. 

The C6 series works on optimizing the shaft frequently, launch, torque, and spin to help get more distance and a straighter shot. With this particular model from Mitsubishi Chemical, golfers of any handicap will benefit from a slight draw bias design. 

Even if you tend to slice, this shaft can help you straighten things out. In addition, this is a higher launching shaft that increases forgiveness and allows for a slightly longer carry distance. 

When you purchase golf shafts, one of the things to be aware of is how the shaft comes. Sometimes it will be a raw shaft, and others come with a grip and adapter attached. The adapter makes it quite a bit easier to pop this shaft into place without worrying about a club fitting professional doing it for you. 

In addition, the grip already in place saves you some money. Be smart about how you purchase the shaft, and you will end up with something that can be in play the same afternoon you get it. 

Golfers that struggle to keep the ball in the fairway should also combine this draw bias shaft with an adjustable golf driver to refine the ball flight characteristics to work for their needs. 

Pros

• Longer carry distance 
• Comes with a grip and adapter 
• Draw bias design 
• Increased forgiveness 

Cons

• Not for golfers that hook the ball 
• Priced a bit higher than some other designs 

Best For Senior: Project X Even Flow Riptide 50g 5.0 Senior Flex Driver/Fairway Shaft

Choosing the right golf shaft is important for all players. However, the player who will most benefit from the proper golf shaft is likely the senior golfer. 

Seniors start to lose a bit of strength as they age, leading to less distance and a little less control of their shots. 

Luckily, a lot of this can be made up with the right golf shaft. The Project X Even Flow Riptide 50g is our favorite choice for the senior golfer. 

The Even Flow Riptide is an improvement on the original Even Flow shaft, and it has improved stability, something that all golfers need at impact. The feel, as well as the transfer of energy in the Project X Even Flow is something that many golfers have been quite happy with. 

The Project X Even Flow is a mid spin and mid launch design. A neutral profile like this is a good thing. In addition, the shaft is designed for golfers with a moderate tempo. 

Senior players need all the stability they can get to ensure that when they get to impact, the clubhead stays square and transfers all the energy it can into the golf ball; the Even Flow Riptide will do that for you. 

Pros

• Impressive feel 
• Torsional Stability Optimization for stability 
• Great feel 
• Impressive transfer from backswing into the ball 

Cons

• Although 50g is light, there are some other premium options even lighter 

Best For Slow Swing Speeds/Precision Players: Project X Cypher 

Some golfers stand on the tee box and want to rip it, while others are interested in getting the ball in the fairway. Sometimes trying to kill it with the driver is not the best choice. 

If you find yourself to be more of a precision player as opposed to a distance player, the Project X Cypher is a great choice to consider. 

This is, without a doubt, more of a premium option from Project X, and unlike other lines, there is just this one shaft option in the Cypher design. The ultralightweight does make the Cypher a bit more appealing to the slowest swing speed players. 

One of the biggest benefits of the Cypher is the way that it helps players transition from the woods to the irons with ease. A consistent shaft allows you to feel like you can keep one golf swing throughout the game. 

This is a high spin shaft, which will help with overall ball flight and launch. Cypher features a very thin graphite weave that is extremely efficient and provides the stability you need in a lightweight shaft. 

Overall, if you have the money to spend and want to experiment with lightweight, high launching shaft technology, the Cypher is a great option to consider. I was impressed with the feel and overall performance. 

Pros

• Very lightweight 
• High launch and maximum distance 
• Transitions nicely from wood to irons 
• Stable at impact 

Cons

• Premium pricing 

Best Feel: Aldila NXT GEN NV

I originally tried the Aldila NXT Gen NV shaft in a hybrid and was impressed with the overall feel and workability. After giving that a try, I figured I would see what it could do in a driver. 

When switching to the driver, I noticed the feeling was really impressive. If you are a golfer that likes to work the ball a bit or even just control the ball flight slightly, the Alidal NXT Gen NV allows you that possibility. 

Similar to other Aldila shafts, you will get that same MLT or Micro Laminate Technology. These ultra-thin carbon fibers are layered in the shaft to improve consistency. 

However, with this particular model, the extra MLT technology is installed in the tip section. That extra technology near the clubhead improves overall player ability and control and makes the feel even more stable. 

The Aldila NXT Gen NV has you covered if you are looking for a lower launch and lower spin. I usually end up recommending this shaft for the lower-handicap player. 

With the launch profile, overall performance attributes, and impressive technology, it’s a good golf shaft for those looking to max out on performance on the golf course. 

Pros

• Very responsive feel 
• Ultra-thin carbon fibers
• Lower launch with low spin 
• Consistency at impact 

Cons

• Not the most forgiving of golf shafts on the market 

Buyers Guide: What To Look For In A Golf Driver Shaft 

Purchasing a golf driver shaft feels really outside the box for some golfers. If you are new to this side of golf equipment, here are some things you should keep in mind as you shop. 

Purchasing golf shafts is just like purchasing golf clubs; when you have little knowledge about what your golf game needs, your chance of success is considerably higher. 

Tempo

I like to look at tempo as opposed to swing speed. Golfers can have very high swing speeds, but their tempo is incredibly smooth. Other golfers have slow swing speeds but have quick or inconsistent tempo. 

Golf shafts have to help you handle that transition from building up power in the swing to transferring that power to the golf ball. 

If you have a transition that is a bit more aggressive, make sure you are purchasing a golf shaft that can handle that. The faster-tempo players need that extra bit of help from a driver as they jump at the ball a little. 

Trajectory 

The big thing in the last few years has been a low trajectory. However, we do know that the longer a golf ball stays in the air, the further it is going to travel. 

Low-trajectory golf driver shafts are a great choice for players with high swing speeds and a steeper angle of attack. These players have been struggling for years to get the ball down and get maximum distance. 

However, when it comes to the trajectory for the slower-swinging player, it is important to stick with something that will still launch the ball high enough to achieve that maximum distance. 

Spin 

Low-spin driver shafts help golfers get those few extra yards of carry when the ball lands in the fairway. However, low spin driver shafts are not always perfect. In fact, most of the time, the low spin shafts are less forgiving. 

Higher spin shafts increase total launch and make it easier for golfers to get a longer carry distance, especially if they don’t have high swing speeds. 

The bottom line here is that low spin is not always good; always ensure you get something that will spin to match your needs as a player. 

Pricing 

Golf driver shafts range in price from around $50 to closer to $400. The higher-priced golf shafts are usually the newer releases and are often geared toward the lowest handicap golfers. If you think you will notice and appreciate the impressive technology in the premium golf shafts, go for it. 

However, I think plenty of these options in the $50 to $150 range were impressive. 

Adapter 

If you can find a golf driver shaft with the adapter already installed, this makes the process of changing out the shaft much easier. However, you can purchase an adapter after the fact and use that on the shaft. 

If you plan on taking your driver to a local club fitter to have to work done, the adapter is not as important. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are a few most commonly asked questions about the best driver shafts on the market.

If you are still on the fence about this process, I encourage you to consider the benefits of a driver shaft replacement.

Final Thoughts 

Purchasing a new golf driver shaft feels a little techy for some golfers. They feel like this is something only better players do and that it takes too much equipment knowledge to change shafts. However, with modern technology, this is not the case. 

At this point, it’s so easy to get a fitting or use your launch monitor and see that your current golf shaft is no longer a fit for your game. 

With shaft adapters and adjustable golf driver heads, it’s never been easier to change your shaft. Start with something like the Project X HZRDUS, as it is a versatile shaft that will work for a wide range of players; you may find that you keep your driver head for years to come!