At Rising Sun Clubs, we regularly stock second hand clubs fitted with quality shafts from the likes of True Temper, Project X, Fujikura, KBS, Nippon and Mitsubishi Chemical — often at a fraction of what you'd pay for a new custom build. Understanding what's in your clubs helps you recognise value when you see it.
What Does a Golf Shaft Actually Do?
The shaft connects your hands to the clubhead and is responsible for transferring the energy from your swing into the ball. It controls how the clubhead loads and releases through impact, directly affecting launch angle, spin rate, accuracy and distance.
Two clubs with identical heads can perform completely differently with different shafts. This is why professional golfers obsess over shaft fitting while many amateur golfers never think about it at all — and why it represents one of the biggest performance gaps in recreational golf.
Shaft Flex: The Most Important Variable
Flex describes how much the shaft bends during the swing. The right flex depends primarily on your swing speed. Using the wrong flex is one of the most common reasons golfers struggle with consistency.
| Flex | Driver Swing Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ladies (L) | Under 65 mph | Beginners, seniors, juniors |
| Senior (A/M) | 65–75 mph | Older golfers or those with slower tempo |
| Regular (R) | 75–90 mph | Most recreational male golfers |
| Stiff (S) | 90–105 mph | Single-figure handicappers, stronger players |
| Extra Stiff (X) | 105+ mph | Elite players and long drive competitors |
Steel vs Graphite: Which Material Is Right for You?
Steel Shafts
Steel shafts are heavier, more consistent in flex, and generally more affordable. They provide excellent feedback — you can feel mishits clearly — making them the preferred choice for better players who want precise control. Steel is the standard material for irons and wedges at all levels of competitive golf.
- Weight: Typically 90–130 grams
- Best for: Irons, wedges, players with faster swing speeds
- Key benefit: Consistency, control, durability
- Popular options: True Temper Dynamic Gold, Project X, KBS Tour, Nippon N.S. Pro
Graphite Shafts
Graphite shafts are lighter, which allows for faster swing speeds and can add meaningful distance for golfers who struggle to generate power. They also absorb more vibration, making them easier on joints — an important consideration for older golfers or those with arm or wrist issues. Graphite is standard in drivers and woods, and increasingly common in irons.
- Weight: Typically 40–85 grams
- Best for: Drivers, woods, seniors, beginners, anyone seeking more distance
- Key benefit: Lighter weight, reduced vibration, increased swing speed
- Popular options: Fujikura Ventus, Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei, Graphite Design Tour AD
Shaft Weight: Often Overlooked, Always Important
The weight of a shaft significantly affects tempo and control. Lighter shafts are easier to swing fast but can feel unstable; heavier shafts promote a smoother tempo and tighter dispersion.
- Driver shafts typically range from 40–80 grams. Most recreational players benefit from shafts in the 50–65 gram range.
- Iron shafts typically range from 85–130 grams for steel, and 60–85 grams for graphite.
- Wedge shafts are usually the heaviest in the bag — 115–130 grams — to promote control on short game shots.
As a general rule: if you tend to swing too fast or lose control, try a heavier shaft. If you struggle for distance or feel like the club is working against you, try something lighter.
Kick Point (Bend Point): How It Affects Your Ball Flight
Kick point describes where the shaft bends most during the swing, and it directly affects launch angle and spin:
- Low kick point — shaft bends closer to the clubhead, promoting higher launch and more spin. Good for players who struggle to get the ball airborne.
- Mid kick point — versatile, suits a wide range of swing types. The most common profile in off-the-shelf clubs.
- High kick point — shaft bends closer to the hands, producing a lower, more penetrating ball flight with less spin. Preferred by better players and those with high swing speeds.
The Best Golf Shaft Brands Available in Australia
True Temper Dynamic Gold
The most played iron shaft on professional tours worldwide for decades. The Dynamic Gold is a benchmark steel shaft known for its consistent performance and exceptional feel. It's available in a wide range of flex and weight options. If you're buying a used set of irons with Dynamic Gold shafts, that's a strong sign of quality.
Project X
A premium steel shaft brand used extensively on tour, known for low spin and a penetrating ball flight. The HZRDUS range of graphite driver shafts is also widely respected. Project X shafts are frequently found in quality second hand clubs and represent excellent value when buying used.
Fujikura Ventus
One of the most popular driver shaft upgrades in recent years, the Fujikura Ventus series (Blue, Red, Black) offers different profiles for different swing types. A Ventus shaft fitted to a used driver head can be an outstanding performance combination at a fraction of the new price.
KBS Tour
KBS shafts have grown rapidly in popularity on professional tours and are highly regarded for their smooth feel and consistent performance. The KBS Tour and KBS Tour 90 are particularly well suited to mid-handicap players who want tour-quality shafts without the premium price.
Nippon N.S. Pro
Japanese-made steel shafts from Nippon are renowned for their smooth feel and lighter weight compared to traditional steel, making them a popular alternative to graphite for golfers who want the feel of steel with reduced weight. The N.S. Pro 950GH is one of the best-selling iron shafts in Australia.
Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei & Diamana
Premium Japanese graphite shafts used by top professionals worldwide. Mitsubishi shafts are particularly well regarded in the driver and fairway wood categories. Finding a used driver with a Mitsubishi shaft is a genuine bargain — these shafts retail for $300–$500+ new.
Where to Buy Golf Shafts in Australia
If you're looking to buy shafts separately for a custom build or reshafting project, here are three trusted Australian sources:
Australian Shaft Retailers
- Golf Shafts Australia — specialists in golf shafts with a wide range of brands and options for custom builds.
- Limitless Golf — Australian retailer with a strong shaft selection covering major brands including Fujikura, Project X and Mitsubishi.
- GolfBox — Australia's largest golf retailer stocks an extensive shaft range from brands including Fujikura, KBS, Nippon, Project X, Graphite Design, Mitsubishi Chemical and more, with custom build services available.
Buying Second Hand Clubs: What to Check on the Shaft
When buying used golf clubs, the shaft condition is just as important as the head. Here's what to look for:
- Check for dents or flat spots: Run your fingers along the entire length of a steel shaft. Any dents, kinks or flat spots are a structural concern and the club should be avoided.
- Check graphite for cracks: Look carefully along the full length of graphite shafts, particularly near the hosel and the tip. Surface scratches are fine; cracks or delamination (where the layers separate) are not.
- Identify the shaft model: Most quality shafts have the brand and model printed on them. Look up the spec — knowing you're buying a used 7-iron with a True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shaft tells you exactly what you're getting.
- Check the tip: The tip is the part that inserts into the clubhead and experiences the most stress. Make sure it's not cracked, frayed (on graphite) or bent.
- Assess the grip while you're at it: Grips are cheap and easy to replace, but a worn grip is a useful negotiating point when buying second hand.
Do I Need a Shaft Fitting?
If you're buying new clubs or commissioning a custom build, a shaft fitting from a qualified club fitter is genuinely worthwhile — especially for your driver. The cost of getting it wrong on a $500+ driver head is significant.
For second hand clubs, a full fitting isn't always practical. But knowing your swing speed and whether you tend to hit high or low, left or right, will help you identify shaft profiles that are likely to work for you from the specs alone.
If you're unsure, the staff at your local pro shop or a custom fitting centre can measure your swing speed and recommend a flex category in under five minutes — and it's usually free.
Browse Used Clubs with Quality Shafts at Rising Sun Clubs
We regularly stock second hand clubs fitted with name-brand shafts from True Temper, Project X, Fujikura, KBS, Nippon and more — all inspected before listing. Ship anywhere in Australia.
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