Product Review: Driver Shaft Comparison

Posted by Rob Rigg
May 2009

The Walking Golfer would like to thank Aldila for their support in conducting the driver shaft reviews discussed below.

Last year, I had been fit for a driver and fairway wood, but neither felt optimal after several months of play. I knew that I had hit the ball farther in the past with more control so I decided to gather up several shafts that suited my swing characteristics in order to discover the best shaft for my game.

I am not suggesting that launch monitor club fitting is not the way to go, although I would recommend the following:

- Make sure the club fitter is experienced
- Make sure the golf shop has a lot of different head and shaft combinations

- Make sure you play your head and shaft combination on the course before purchasing
- Make sure you are in “mid-season” form before getting fit

For context, because every shaft works differently for every golfer, my driver swing speed is between 105 mph and 110 mph. I hit a very high ball with a lot of spin which means my ideal shaft is low to mid launch/low spin. I have hit an 8.5* head and although it helps me keep the ball down a bit, I feel like I lose control with little gain in distance. The only shafts I tested were mid to low launch because I hit the ball fairly high already.

Beyond optimizing launch angle and control, the type of swing you have also inluences the type of shaft you need. I have a “tempo” swing that has a tendency to get “too quick”, which results in mis-hits. I am not a “hitter” but a “swinger”, who does not load the shaft excessively at the top but fluidly on the way down, at least on a good day. While testing the driver shafts, I applied both “tempo” and “hitter” swings to gauge the outcome.

The Driver shaft review involved hitting on the range before playing a few rounds with each shaft. A 9.5* Nike 460 Tour Driver was the head used for this exercise. The shafts tested were:

1) Aldila VS Proto 65-S

Photo courtesy of Aldila.

2) Aldila NV 65-S

Photo courtesy of Aldila.

3) Aldila VooDoo SVS7

Photo courtesy of Aldila.

4) Diamana White Board 83 x5ct Stiff

Aldila VS Proto 65-S

Torque: 3.2
Ball Flight: Low-Mid
Weight Tested: 65 grams
Retail: $179.99

From the Aldila website: “The Aldila VS Proto shaft incorporates Aldila’s innovative new next generation Micro Laminate Technology featuring carbon nanotubes, combined with Aldila’s proprietary A65 Performance Resin System, utilizing advanced high modulus graphite fibers, all synthesized into Micro Laminate Technology. The VS Proto offers unparalleled performance, consistency and feel – the straightest, longest shaft that Aldila has ever offered.”

Photo courtesy of Aldila.

The statement above is a little complicated, but I certainly agree with the final sentence. Based on the driver shaft test, I thought the VS Proto was a very stable shaft with a stiff tip that enhanced control, but would cost the golfer a bit of feel versus softer tipped shafts

The torque rating on the VS Proto is 3.2 which is lower than the NV-65’s 3.5. Torque adds stability because the shaft twists less on the downswing which keeps the club face from opening at impact. Usually, this results in a lower spin rate and more control, while feel at impact is compromised.

For me, the VS Proto provided the least distance and the second tightest dispersion of the Aldila shafts that I tested. A solid hit carried the ball 255 yards while my average carry was around 245 yards. The VS Proto is a low spin shaft that produces a “boring” low to mid ball flight.

The 65 gram shaft works best with a smooth swing since any excessive loading will often result in a push or hook. A heavier shaft will provide the golfer with the opportunity to “load” the swing more at the top so if you have a super stable shaft like the VS Proto and feel like you really have to slow down your swing for an optimal strike then you may consider looking at the 75 gram or 85 gram version (85 gram shafts are usually for pros with 115+ mph swing speeds).

Aldila NV 65-S

Torque: 3.5
Launch: Low-Mid
Weight: 69 grams
Retail: $67.99

From the Aldila Website: “The Aldila NV features exclusive aerospace materials and incorporates Aldila’s exclusive Micro Laminate Technology that provides the players enhanced power, consistent flex and precise feel. The dampening advantages of the Micro Laminate Technology have eliminated distracting and destructive “shock”. The result is a slim, stable design that maximizes distance, improves accuracy and offers the “perfect feel” the NV is famous for.”

Photo courtesy of Aldila.

Of the three Aldila shafts, I thought the NV had the best feel and on a nice smooth swing you can really get it to kick at impact. Distance was excellent, although shot dispersion was wider than the VS Proto. The NV has the lowest ball flight of the three Aldila shafts tested, but a solid hit carried 265 yards and my average carry was around 255 yards.

I thought the NV was the easiest to “mis-hit”, whether that was a snap hook or a big push. I really had to focus on tempo while swinging the NV, as excessive loading resulted in sporadic results. A nice smooth swing led to a long ball, that dropped out of the sky faster than the VS Proto, ie) not as boring in flight, likely due to higher spin rate.

I am not surprised that the NV has been successful on Tour and at retail because it is a great shaft, especially for the money, and I think it will work for a wide range of golfers. If the NV 65-S seems a bit whippy, try the 75-S and you can probably retain a lot of the feel despite a heavier weight and lower torque.

Aldila VooDoo SVS7

Torque: 3.2
Launch: Mid
Weight: 75 grams
Retail: $299.99

From an Aldila press release: “Players who choose the VooDoo experience the stability, accuracy and increased distance of its stabilized core. The VooDoo’s internal carbon fiber rib system runs the length of the shaft and dramatically stabilizes its cross-section. The innovative rib structure increases hoop strength/stiffness so much that it is 80 percent greater than conventional graphite, and up to 60 percent greater than competitors’ attempts at cross-sectional stabilization.”

Photo courtesy of Aldila.

The VooDoo is Aldila’s newest driver shaft and it was my favorite of the three, not because it seems to win on Tour every week, but because I was able to test the 75 gram version which is probably a better fit for my swing than a 65 gram shaft. The Voodoo is built on a VS platform, hence the code “S VS 7” – Stiff, VS, 75 gram. The torque on the 75 gram VooDoo shaft, however, is the same as the 60 gram VS Proto, which provided me with an optimal spin rate around 2700 rpms.

I thought the Voodoo felt like a great balance between the NV and the VS. It provided me with the best average distance and the tightest dispersion. I was able to hit carry a solid hit about 270 if I really nailed it, while average carry came in around 255 to 260 yards. The 75 gram Voodoo still required a nice tempo and a bad swing was penalized as much as the VS or NV. The Voodoo provided a higher boring ball flight than the other two Aldila shafts, and I could really feel the kick at impact on a good swing which was rewarded with exceptional distance.

When I took the Voodoo on to the course it really impressed. Beyond the performance characteristics, the shaft provided me with a lot of confidence on the tee and allowed me to nicely transition from a tempo driver swing to a tempo iron swing, unlike the Diamana Whiteboard discussed below.

The technology in the Aldila VooDoo is supposed to provide the golfer with increased distance because the S-Core stores more energy that is released at impact. I would have to agree with Aldila’s claim based on my experience. A heavier shaft is supposed to cost a golfer distance, by my 75 gram VooDoo out drove the 65 gram VS and NV with superior control.

Diamana White Board 83 x5ct Stiff

Torque: 2.8
Launch: Low
Weight: 83 grams
Retail: $300

From the Mitsubishi Rayon website: “Diamana White Board combines a softer butt section with a stiffer tip and mid-section than other profiles in the Diamana Series. The stiff areas deliver extreme stability through impact and reduced spin, while the softer butt section provides optimum feel. White Board players are looking to maximize the low torque, low spin features of this profile.”

The Diamana Whiteboard is famous for being “Tiger’s driver shaft.” I wanted to try one out to really get a feel for what a low torque, stiff tip, 80 gram shaft would play like. Tiger obviously hits the extra stiff, but since he has about 20 mph of swing speed on me I opted for the stiff . . .

The White Board is a real “hitters” shaft as opposed to the Aldilas which I thought were designed more for a tempo player. Geoff Ogilvy plays an 80 gram VooDoo and Tiger plays an 80 gram Whiteboard, you just have to look at their swings to understand the difference between these shafts.

Of the four shafts I hit, the White Board definitely had the tightest dispersion, even though you really have to load it. I enjoyed smashing balls with the White Board and watching them sail 260 yards dead straight. To get the shaft to kick, I probably had to add another 5+ mph to my normal swing speed. A solid hit accelerated like a rocket on a low boring trajectory towards the back fence of the range. For me, this shaft was about 5 tot 10 yards shorter than the Voodoo, and about 10 times more effort. My average distance with the White Board was probably only 245 yards.

The spin rate on the White Board 83 was very low and if I hit the ball with a tempo swing it would knuckle noticeably in the air on its final descent. A big miss resulted in a high push to the right side. When I tried to hook the ball it just went straight with a little draw, about 240 yards.

It is possible that the White Board 73 would be a decent fit for my high spin, high launch swing, but I am planning on sticking with the VooDoo.

The difficult thing about the White Board 83 for many amateurs, will be trying to integrate your driver swing with your iron swing. If you can force yourself to load this shaft, which will result in long and straight drives, you may have trouble hitting a short or mid-iron to the green unless you swing aggressively with all the clubs in your bag.

As with any shaft, the White Board 83 will be perfect for some and not a great fit for others. If you are considering a Whiteboard, I would start with the 63 and work up to the 73 and 83 if necessary. If you are a more “tempo” player looking for a Mitsubishi Rayon shaft then the mid launch Blue Board might be a better fit.

For more information on on the Diamana White Board click here.

For more information on any of the Aldila shafts discussed click here

Review by Rob Rigg

Please contact The Walking Golfer if you have any product review suggestions or requests.