Magic wands: the new graphite shafts are lighter, stronger, better. Should you make the same switch tour players are making?

Golf Digest, Feb, 2003 by Andy Brumer

"If a guy's looking for the ball to go 50 yards farther because he put in a $250 shaft instead of a $70 shaft, well, it's not going to happen," Cook says. "Sometimes there's not going to be more distance. It may just feel better, and that's the way it should be."

It doesn't always work that way. One of Kuo's customers reshafted with eight models in as many days. The man finally settled on the very first shaft he tried, before leaving the shop, Kuo says, "as happy as Tiger Woods." Of course, Tiger has gone back to steel. About $8 a shaft. Go figure.

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GETTING SHAFTED: Understanding shafts is simple, says Golf Digest Chief Technical Advisor Frank Thomas, who invented the graphite shaft: "Its only purpose is to transfer energy from the golfer to the clubhead and into the ball. People need to find a shaft that has sufficient flex and is not too long. That will allow them to best control the clubhead."

But getting the right shaft isn't so simple. It means finding a respected clubfitter and letting him do his work. That's why driver reshafting at Tom Cook's Minnesota shop comes with a minimum of a one-hour fitting. "You don't tell a mechanic to replace the engine right away because you're hearing a clicking sound," he says. "You want him to find out what the problem is. And that really needs to be the case in reshafting, too." Note: In many cases installation may cost extra. Some candidates to consider (from top):

ALDILA One, 65-85 grams, $49, (858-513-1801). Varying tip profiles allow for three different launch angles within the same flex. UST Harmon Tour Design, 66-79g, $40 (800-277-0534). Three models with varying flex profiles designed for stability. GRAFALLOY ProLite Elite, 64-68g, $42 (800-355-8783). Softer tip for higher launch. MCC MFS 65P, 73-77g, $62 (800-275-3401). More stable at tip to optimize energy transfer at impact. AJTECH Metal Z 43, 60-62g, $135 (800-683-8254). Metal woven fiber cover protects super-high modulus graphite. PENLEY ETA, 67-68g, $80 (800-543-2396). High kick point with eight-inch boron tip section for trajectory control. GRAPHITE DESIGN Purple Ice, 81-83g, $125 (888-707-6132). Low resin but "active tip" design for easier launch. ACCUFLEX Icon, 80g, $298 (800-721-3342). Uses the company's A2 composite, low torque, high bend point. TRUE TEMPER BiMatrx Rocket, 75-78g, $54 (800-355-8783). Graphite with steel tip section for stability, higher launch. FUJIKURA Vista Tour Series 70, 73-75g, $150 (800-728-6420). Low torque, high bend point for players with quicker tempo. HARRISON Pro 2.5 Titanium, 75g, $75 (800-347-4646). Titanium filament is designed to combat shaft lag and twisting to reduce slice or hook.

Andy Brumer is a freelance writer based in California.