Equipment

The 8 hottest driver shafts of 2018 on the PGA Tour

Published

8 years ago

Jul 26, 2018

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

: Kuchar’s Fuji Atmos Tour Spec shaft

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.”

4) Graphite Design Tour AD-IZ

: Jordan Spieth’s driver shaft

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.”

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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31 Comments

Paul

Aug 19, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Doesn’t seem to matter what shaft Woods uses. He still can’t hit a fairway.

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
Kanko

Jul 29, 2018 at 9:24 am

Notice ZERO Seven Dreamers shafts lol where’s that Seven Dreamers idiot? Hopefully got BANNED

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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//

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- Matt
  
  Aug 7, 2018 at 12:31 pm
  
  Congratulations.
  
  Reply Report comment
Doug lamb

Jul 27, 2018 at 1:19 pm

Exactly!!

Reply Report comment
Shaft Shack

Jul 27, 2018 at 12:02 pm

Demo these great shafts and more at ShaftShack.com!

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
Harv

Jul 26, 2018 at 7:31 pm

These are super expensive shafts… to pay off the pros to use them….

Reply Report comment
- ~j~
  
  Jul 26, 2018 at 10:37 pm
  
  eBay. Get’m for less than $100
  
  Reply Report comment
  - jgpl001
    
    Jul 27, 2018 at 6:11 pm
    
    A T1100 for $100 you wish…..
    
    Reply Report comment
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…

Reply Report comment
- millennial82
  
  Jul 26, 2018 at 5:59 pm
  
  great post by the way GOLFWRX. Thank you!
  
  Reply Report comment
- Aaron
  
  Jul 27, 2018 at 11:50 pm
  
  Lamest reason to ever buy any shaft. Use what fits you.
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
Francis

Jul 26, 2018 at 5:15 pm

Doesn’t Rory use the Tensei Orange as well?

Reply Report comment
- Curt
  
  Jul 26, 2018 at 6:11 pm
  
  Yes he was and I thought I saw he switched for the British.
  
  Reply Report comment
Francis

Jul 26, 2018 at 5:14 pm

…Okay, Donald

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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?

Reply Report comment

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Equipment

Putters that never made it: Check out some of the best tour builds that didn’t make the cut

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

Alistair Cameron

Arguably, the best perk of being a professional golfer on the PGA Tour is the ability to request or even just be handed pretty much any club you could think of. It happens more often than you think, usually with putters around the practice green from one event to the next. Come Wednesday, the Tour bags lining the edge of the putting surface become resting places for fallen flatsticks that never made the cut.

So let’s take a look at some of the best we’ve seen out on Tour this year that never made it to the competition. (You may notice none of Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Scotty Cameron putters made this list. There are too many.)

Let’s start with this custom Damascus Milled Odyssey Rossie made for Ryo Hisatsune. Featuring a single line and the short-slant hossel, we’ve seen plenty of Number 7 and jailbird heads featuring the Damascus Milled insert, but this is the first and only one we’ve spotted in a Rossie. Hisatsune primarily putts with an Odyssey Black Series iX #9, but we have seen him recently with a TaylorMade TP Collection SOTO, so there could be potential that the Damascus Milled Rossie could end up in the bag.

Everyone wants to be Cameron Young right now. We’ve had Justin Thomas and Tom Hoge both game the Scotty Cameron 9.5R prototype. Well, for the PGA Championship, Brooks Koepka nearly joined that list after requesting the same style of putter, with the full-length alignment line. But the Scotty Cameron reps took the request a step further and made one specially for Koepka with a Teryllium insert, similar to one in his previous Newport 2 gamers. The reason why this one didn’t go into play, though? Because it was too heavy.

Harry Hall was the third-best putter on Tour last year, so when Bettinardi made him a custom proto, you know it was going to be good. The custom BB28 blade features VDF face milling, a custom-welded single-bend shaft, and the owner’s initials – HH – on the sole of the putter. Hall, who usually games an Odyssey O-Works #7 W, has dabbled with a TaylorMade Spider Tour X already this year. Maybe there’s a chance this Bettinardi might make his bag.

Honestly, this one doesn’t need a description. It’s Kieth Mitchell’s custom Scotty Cameron Napa. One Scotty Cameron face stamp, two Scotty Dogs, two Scotty Cameron 7-Point Crowns and one Circle T. That is all. Oh, except for the Cashmere Cameron headcover.

Finally, and just for fun, how about we pour one out for this TaylorMade Spider Tour X made for Scottie Scheffler in its new torched finish. It’s unlikely we’ll see a putter change anytime soon from the best golfer in the world. In fact, he hit just two putts with it on the Harbour Town practice before going back to his trusty gamer.

Whats in the Bag

Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X

7-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X

Irons: Grindworks PR-202 (4), Grindworks PR-101A (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 Tour Rack (52-10 Mid), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-08M), SM11 (60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Rat 1.5 Tour Prototype

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

See more photos of Patrick Reed’s clubs here.

Equipment

Which of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

In our forums, our members have been discussing their favorite major winning irons used by Tiger Woods. WRXer ‘golferdude54’ kicks off the thread saying:

“Mizuno MP 14/29. Titleist 681T. Nike Forged Blades. TaylorMade P7TW.

Among these irons that helped Tiger win 15 majors, which is your favorite in terms of looks?”

And our members have been naming their favorites and why in response.

Here are a couple of posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

SwingBlade: “I prefer the early blades he played and the more recent TM TW’s especially because after Tiger had his major behavioral setbacks, part of Nikes support payback was making Tiger play a Nike putter and cease using his beloved uniquely customized Scotty putter.”
ProjectX: “This (Nike Forged Blades) and there’s not even a close second.”

Entire Thread: “Which of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss”