When most golfers upgrade their driver, their attention goes straight to the club head — the shape, the sound, the brand. But according to Golf Ball Addict, that focus might be costing you distance, accuracy, and strokes. In his recent video, "The Shaft is More Important than the Head | How Your Shaft Could Be Costing You Multiple Strokes", he puts two very different shafts to the test and uncovers just how much of a difference the right shaft can make.
Why the Shaft Deserves More Attention
Many average golfers overlook the shaft when buying a driver. It’s easy to get caught up in marketing for new head designs while sticking with the stock shaft that comes in the box. Golf Ball Addict admits he used to do the same — especially after a poor shaft fitting experience in the past.
But curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to put the theory to the test. Could a different shaft really change his game that much?
The Test: Stock vs. Premium Shaft
Using the same driver head, Golf Ball Addict hit 20 shots each with:
- Stock Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX
- Upgraded Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR 6 Extra Stiff
The goal? Measure the differences in distance, dispersion, launch, and ball speed.
The Results: More Distance, More Fairways
The numbers told a clear story:
- Carry Distance: The Ventus shaft averaged 10–11 yards longer than the stock option.
- Ball & Swing Speed: Both increased with the upgraded shaft.
- Shot Dispersion: The Ventus produced a much tighter grouping, keeping more shots down the middle.
- Confidence: The upgraded shaft removed the frequent pushes and pulls that sent shots into the rough or out of bounds.
Instead of watching drives drift offline, the majority of his shots with the Ventus found the fairway — and the difference was obvious.
Why Shaft Fitting Matters for All Golfers
One of the biggest takeaways from the video is that shaft fitting isn’t just for single‑digit handicaps. Golf Ball Addict makes it clear:
“Even for average or high‑handicap golfers, the right shaft can completely change your game. It can give you more distance, more accuracy, and more confidence off the tee.”
And confidence matters — not just for pros, but for anyone who wants to keep the ball in play.
Bottom Line: What Golf Shaft Should I Use?
If you’ve been struggling with accuracy or feel like you’re leaving distance on the table, it might not be your swing or your driver head — it could be your shaft.
The lesson from Golf Ball Addict’s test is simple:
- Get fitted.
- Don’t settle for stock shafts.
- Experiment until you find the perfect match for your swing.
A properly fitted shaft can mean more fairways, more distance, and fewer strokes — no matter your handicap.
At Next Round, finding the right golf shaft doesn’t have to break the bank. We carry hundreds of quality used shafts from top brands — all inspected for performance and ready to match your swing. Whether you’re chasing more distance, better accuracy, or just a fresh feel, we make it easy (and affordable) to upgrade.
Watch the full video from Golf Ball Addict here to see the data and on‑course results in action: "The Shaft is More Important than the Head | How Your Shaft Could Be Costing You Multiple Strokes".