Will the Graphite Putter Shaft be the next revolution in technological advancement to help your golf game? Why should you be interested? Putting itself accounts for 40% of strokes taken regardless of handicap. The putter is arguably the most important piece of equipment in your bag. Beyond your OEM steel shaft, there are multiple carbon fibre options, hybrid steel and carbon fibre options and advanced steel shafts. All promise fewer putts and lower scores – but which ones deliver?
GRAPHITE PUTTER SHAFTS
Graphite is in and steel is out. Whilst not universally accepted on major tours yet, the tide has begun to turn. It all began with BGT (Breakthrough Golf Technology) and the Stability Shaft. Since then, most other OEM’s have jumped on board with variations on the theme. The general consensus is ultra-stiff with virtually no torque is the gold standard to which all seem to be aspiring. At least that’s the secret sauce we are being enticed to pay out for…
BGT BREAKTHROUGH GOLF TECHNOLOGY
Do BGT Stability Putter Shafts work? Yes and No – see what MyGolfSpy discovered. In a nutshell, it worked for some, not for all, and not from all distances. Across the board, the Stability Shaft averaged fewer putts per hole but was beaten by traditional steel from 20 ft. It did, however, outperform the stock shaft from 5 ft and 10 ft respectively. In terms of pure data, the BGT shaft produced a straighter starting direction, at a shallower angle and closer to the center of the putter face. BGT would point to this data as proof in the proverbial pudding. The Stability Shaft retails for $299 stateside and about £275 in the UK.
The Stability Shaft features a carbon fibre no-taper design. Internally, the is an aluminum insert to increase rigidity. An aluminum connector increases rigidity further whilst allowing the shaft to be fitted to any putter.
The original shaft was the Stability. It was followed by the Stability Tour which featured red lettering. That shaft reduced the diameter of the shaft by 13% and added 30% more carbon. The current offering appears to be purely cosmetic – the current lineup features a murdered-out paint job which can now be had in reverse with the Polar.
BGT STABILITY TOUR BLACK PUTTER SHAFT
Read MyGolfSpy’s Review of the BGT Stability Tour Black Putter Shaft here. Not much appears to have changed from the Stability Tour to the Stability Tour Black with the exception of the paint job.
BGT STABILITY TOUR BLACK PUTTER SHAFT
Tip Diameter: .355″ .370″ .390″
Butt Diameter: .600″
Torque: 1*
Weight: 102 grams
Length: 37″
Flex: Ultra Tour Stiff
Hosel Compatibility: All
BGT STABILITY TOUR 2 POLAR PUTTER SHAFT
Read MyGolfSpy’s Review of the BGT Stability Tour 2 Polar Putter Shaft. What’s the difference between the Tour Black and the Tour 2 Polar? The obvious answer is it’s white. Just like the Tour Black, it balances like steel.
BGT STABILITY TOUR 2 POLAR PUTTER SHAFT SPECS
Tip Diameter: .355″ .370″ .390″
Butt Diameter: .600″
Torque: 1*
Weight: 102 grams
Length: 37″
Flex: Ultra Tour Stiff
Hosel Compatibility: All
BGT STABILITY CARBON PUTTER SHAFT
What’s the difference between the Carbon and Tour with the exception of the price? It is softer than the Tour model but promises less than 1 degree of Torque. The other obvious performance consideration is it has a lower balance point than steel or the Tour Black or Tour Polar 2. The BGT Stability Carbon Putter Shaft retails for $179.99 direct from the manufacturer’s website or about £185 in the UK.
BGT STABILITY CARBON PUTTER SHAFT SPECS
Tip Diameter: .355″ .370″ .390″
Butt Diameter: .600″
Torque: 1*
Weight: 125 grams
Length: 37″
Flex: Ultra Stiff
Hosel Compatibility: All
MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL DIAMANA PUTTER SHAFT
There are claims by Mitsubishi Chemical that the putter gives you a purer roll off the face with improved feedback and enhanced distance control. How this is achieved specifically is not explained. The retail price is circa $200.
MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL DIAMANA PUTTER SHAFT P135 1.0
The softer of the two shafts on offer. It claims to be the same stiffness as steel and weighs 135 grams. I am struggling to see the difference between this and steel as no torque values have been provided. In fact, the spec sheet simply says N/A. Of note, the spec sheet classifies the putter shaft as being High Launch and Mid Spin – not sure why?
MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL DIAMANA PUTTER SHAFT P135 2.0
The firmer of the two shafts on offer. It claims to be the same stiffness as steel and weighs 135 grams. I am struggling to see the difference between this and steel as no torque values have been provided. In fact, the spec sheet simply says N/A. Of note, the spec sheet classifies the putter shaft as being High Launch and Mid Spin – not sure why?
Tip Diameter: .355″
Butt Diameter: .595″ (1.0) .602″ (2.0)
Torque: No Specs Provided
Weight: 138 grams
Length: 36″
Flex: 1.0 & 2.0
Hosel Compatibility: Plumbers Neck Only
LA GOLF PUTTER SHAFT
LA Golf has a tour presence with Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau gaming and hawking their kit… and they should – they are also business partners. The company is headquartered in California and all production is done in the USA. They claim to make the stiffest shafts on tour. Torque values are not provided. You can buy the shafts direct from LA Golf, retailing for $419. The can be found in the UK for about £290.
LA GOLF TPZONE05 PUTTER SHAFT
The TPZOne05 comes uncut at 36″ with a .355″ or .370″ tip in white or black. This putter shaft has low torque, extreme stiffness at a lighter weight.
LA GOLF TPZONE35 PUTTER SHAFT
The TPZOne35 comes uncut at 36″ with a .355″ or .370″ tip in white or black. This putter shaft has low torque, extreme stiffness at a heavier weight.
LA GOLF TPZONE80 PUTTER SHAFT
Specifically designed for armlock putters, the TPZOne80 comes uncut at 46″ with a .370″ tip in white or black.
Tip Diameter: .355″
Butt Diameter: .595″ (1.0) .602″ (2.0)
Torque: No Specs Provided
Weight: No Specs Provided
Length: 36″ (TPZOne05 & TPZOne35) & 46″ (TPZOne80)
Flex: No Specs Given
Hosel Compatibility: Plumbers Neck Only
MACGOLF CARBON MACPUTTER SHAFT
The company is a recent start-up in the UK that claims the stiffest and lowest torque shaft against any on the market. The manufacturer’s data from SamPutt Lab and Quintic is freely available on the site. Andy Gorman, a short-game coach in the UK with a sizable following, is a fan. The shaft retails for £185 on the manufacturer’s website.
CARBON MAC PUTTER SHAFT
The Carbon Mac Putter Shaft comes in gloss or matt black. The shafts are designed and built in the UK
Tip Diameter: Any
Butt Diameter: .620″
Torque: 0.3
Weight: 85 grams
Length: 36″
Flex: Tour (Ultra Stiff)
Hosel Compatibility: Any
ACCRA GOLF FX PUTTER SHAFT
Accra Golf Shafts are known to be some of the best-engineered shafts on the market and a favorite amongst the professional club-making crowd. The shafts are all the same frequency and weight but differ with regard to tip flex. Sound and acoustics differ from shaft to shaft. The shafts are designed to provide two options with less firm tip sections than steel in the FxP100 and FxP200 and stiffer tip sections than steel in the FxP300 and FxP400. They can be found for about £75.
ACCRA GOLF FXP100 PUTTER SHAFT
Least stiff tip section for the least aggressive of putting strokes.
ACCRA GOLF FXP200 PUTTER SHAFT
The FxP200 has a slightly less stiff tip section than steel.
ACCRA GOLF FXP300 PUTTER SHAFT
The FxP300 has a slightly less stiff tip section than steel.
ACCRA GOLF FXP400 PUTTER SHAFT
Stiffest tip section for the most aggressive of putting strokes.
ACCRA GOLF FX PUTTER SHAFT SPECS
Tip Diameter: .370″
Butt Diameter: No Specs Given
Torque: 2.2
Weight: 129 grams
Length: 37″
Flex: No Specs Given
Hosel Compatibility: Plumbers Neck Only
STEEL GRAPHITE HYBRID PUTTER SHAFTS
As a halfway house, some companies are combining the best of both worlds. Fujikura and Odyssey are two companies trying to do just that.
FUJIKURA PUTTER SHAFT
Introduced in 2021, The MC Putter is the second generation putter shaft from Fujikura and retails for $250. Fujikura has taken the that low torque is good (see BGT) but bend profiles are still important. You can read MyGolfSpy’s review. Somewhat different from other manufacturers, Fujikura hasn’t completely abandoned steel. The tip section includes steel and the butt section includes copper with a rubber core throughout. Fujikura calls this MCT and RCT or Metal Composite Technology and Rubber Composite Technology. For more information, check out Fujikura’s website.
FUJIKURA MC PUTTER SHAFT SMOOTH/ FIRM/ X-FIRM
FUJIKURA MC PUTTER SHAFT SPECS
Tip Diameter: .355″ .370″
Butt Diameter: .605″ (Smooth) .610″ (Firm) .615″ (X-Firm)
Torque: 1.3* (Smooth) 1.6* (Firm) 1.6* (X-Firm)
Weight: 115 grams
Length: 35″
Flex: Soft, Firm, X-Firm
Hosel Compatibility: Plumbers Neck Only
ODYSSEY STROKE LAB PUTTERS
Odyssey has come out with the Stroke Lab series of putters. Not just a standalone putter shaft, the lighter shaft allows Odyssey to place more weight in the head and the grip. There is no real explanation as to why and who would benefit.
Redistributing 40 grams from the weight from the shaft by adding 10 grams to the head and 30 grams to the grip doesn’t seem to accomplish much in the way of overall weight but will affect the balance point of the putter. Broadly speaking, adding 2 grams to the putter head will increase the swing weight by 1 point. So 10 grams in the head equals 5 points. You need to add 5 grams of weight to the butt end of the club to reduce the swing weight by 1 point. So 30 grams equals 6 points. All in all, the putter will feel 1 swing point less with the new weighting. One swing weight seems to be a ‘Radical Redistribution of Weight’ to Odyssey – but the video is very cool!
In and of itself, this will create the perfect putter for a very select few and no make any difference or be detrimental to the rest.
STEEL PUTTER SHAFTS
Not to be outdone, steel has not remained static nor are the steel manufacturers ready to give up sales to their more expensive competitors. KBS is leading the charge with regards to advanced steel shaft putter technology with Nippon following behind.
KBS PUTTER SHAFT
Kim Braly Signature was formed in 2008 and is now a household name. TrueTempers biggest rival, KBS is the fastest-growing steel shaft brand in the game. The shaft features a constant weight, stiff structure, and stiff tip.
KBS CT TOUR STRAIGHT, SINGLE BEND, AND DOUBLE BEND PUTTER SHAFTS
All KBS steel shafts are step-less, weigh in at 124 grams, have a .370″ tip diameter, and are provided at 38″. There are 4 finish options including Chrome, Brushed Chrome, Brushed Lack PVD, and Black PVD. The straight shaft version has a tip diameter of .355″.
KBS 1 ONE STEP PUTTER SHAFT
The KBS 1 One Step weighs in at 130 grams at 38″ with a .370″ tip diameter. It comes in Chrome as well as Matte and Gloss Black. The key selling point is a reduction in vibration and amplified feel. This shaft has one step where the rest of KBS’ lineup has none… Does it work? Check out The Hackers Paradise review. Check out Driving Range Heroes review.
NIPPON PUTTER SHAFT
One of the best steel shafts you can buy, the company provides 4 main options. The company seems to equate heavyweight with a longer roll and more reliable directionality(?). Why you want longer rolls on putts I am not sure and heavy shafts combined with heavy heads and grips is not a good look for most golfers…
NIPPON N.S.PRO PUTTER SHAFT SPECS
Tip Diameter: .355″ and .370″
Butt Diameter: .600″
Torque: No Specs Given
Weight: 136 grams and 149 grams
Length: 35″ & 35.5″
Flex: No Specs Given
Hosel Compatibility: Plumbers Neck Only
OTHER STEEL PUTTER SHAFTS
TrueTemper, Apollo, FST all make traditional putter shafts. These will come in a wide assortment of single bend, double bend options along with weights, lengths, tip, and butt diameters.
SHOULD YOU UPGRADE YOUR PUTTER SHAFT?
Should you decide to upgrade it’ll probably cost you a minimum of £50 to £300. How much bang for your buck are you expecting? Is £50 worth 1 shot a round? Is £300 worth 1 shot a round. What we can be absolutely sure of is: If you’re not custom fit by a skilled putter fitter, you may end up giving away strokes and have less money. Why do we say that?
LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE
Adding or subtracting weight anywhere on the putter, whether in the head, shaft or grip can have profound effects on all parameters of your putting stroke. Overall putter weight and a balanced putter which compliments your rhythm and tempo are vitally important. Having weight in the right places is also crucially important and can especially affect the feel or distance control. When a putter has not been optimised for you, consistency will be the main factor that is missing.
Perhaps the best thing to do is visit a putter fitter who can look holistically at your putting stroke, setup, tempo, rhythm, ability to aim, ability to read greens, and ability to control distance. If your putter fitter cannot articulate how things like head shape, alignment aids, offset, lie angle, loft, length, grip size, and grip shape affect aim, walk away. If your putter fitter cannot optimize head weight, counterweight, and internal shaft weighting, walk away.
The Golf Tailor specialises in made-to-measure putters from Edel Golf. If you are not after a new putter, we can also optimise your current gamer so it can perform optimally. Why not get in touch to see what we can do for you!
PUTTER SHAFT SPEC BREAKDOWN
Most Expensive Upgrade: LA Golf
Least Expensive Graphite Upgrade: Accra
Best Steel Upgrade Option: There is only one… KBS
Most Intriguing Option: CarbonMax is the lightest and lowest torquing shaft available.
Best Option Over 35″: Hybrid – BGT/ Graphite – All / Steel – KBS
Best Option for Single & Double Bend – BGT, CarbonMac & KBS