Best Iron Shafts in 2024 – Reviewed by Pro Golfers

Golf shafts put as much impact on your control, distance, and ball trajectory as your irons do. But while most players spend hours searching for the perfect iron for themselves, you won’t find too many golfers talking about the shaft.

However, pro golfers that know their game pay proper attention while choosing their shafts. This is what makes them unique from the other players who overlook the shafts as an important component of a golf club.

Typically, most iron manufacturers follow the same path and neglect the necessity of putting quality shafts with their irons. This forces a lot of golfers to lean towards third-party shafts for getting the best out of those irons. But there are thousands of available shafts on the market; each with different features and functionalities of its own. So, choosing the best iron shafts can be difficult for an average golfer.

That’s why we’ve come up with a list of the five best shafts you can find. Here, we will elaborate on our experience with them so that you can guess how good they’ll work for you. We’ve also included a buying guide to give you insights into the things you should look for in a golf shaft before making the purchase.

5 Best Iron Shafts For Your Game

01 AccuFLEX Assassin II World Champion Long Drive Golf Wood Shaft 46″ (Editor’s Pick)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Regardless of age, gender or playing style, this shaft does the job for any golfer. The Assassin II World Champion from AccuFlex comes with an eye-catching design and world-class build quality that will impress anyone. Aside from the looks, it offers a premium feel to the hand as well. This extremely lightweight graphite shaft produces extraordinary swing speed, which can help you achieve more distance than ever. Besides, it’s very accurate, and keeping the ball straight is fairly effortless with the Assassin II. If you’re looking for all-around performance in your shaft, make sure you go for this one.

Our Experience With the Accuflex Assassin II World Champion

• The glossy red finish gave the shafts a very good appearance. The aesthetic design coupled with the top-notch build quality made the Assassin II an amazing shaft. The material seemed premium and sturdy enough to take a few hits.
• There were four options regarding flex and surprisingly all of them had the same price. This might not seem so big of a deal but manufacturers usually charge extra for more flex. Nevertheless, all four variants performed amazingly.
• In terms of weight, there were a few options. Regardless of which option you choose, the shafts are extremely lightweight and very easy to swing. Also, the shafts seemed extremely well-balanced.
• We loved the fact that the Assassin II came uncut and 46”. This allowed us to try them with a wide variety of irons. We were surprised by their adaptability with different club heads. Though we had to use the adaptor to make the perfect fitting for certain drivers, we were more than satisfied with the performance with different irons.
• From our tests, we found out that the Assassin II is perfect for players who have semi-aggressive/ smooth swings. However, they seemed versatile enough for pretty much all swing styles.
• We were getting an additional 10-20 yards of distance with the long irons and different drivers. There was a good amount of swing and the ball flight was very high. We can confirm that these are capable of handling long irons and drivers.
• Regarding accuracy and power, the Assassin II wasn’t far away as well. Keeping the ball straight seemed fairly effortless and there were rarely any miss-hits.

What We Didn’t Like

• The shafts feature a high bend point, which can be problematic for some players.
• The Assassin II is only available in one color. It could be a red flag for golfers who like a stealthy look in their equipment.

What Could Be Improved

• Accuflex could have included a senior flex option.
• Grips could be added with the shafts.

Specifications

Pros

• Lightweight
• Four flex options
• Awesome design
• Exceptional adaptability with irons
• Great performance

Cons

• No senior flex
• Needs adaptors to fit certain irons

02 Pro Taylor Fit Nano Made PGA Tour 65 Gram Graphite Golf Iron (Best for Seniors)

Why It Stands Out to Us

If game improvement is your top priority, this shaft is a no-brainer. Being incredibly light, the Pro Taylor Fit Nano Made PGA Tour offers an enhanced swing speed. Besides, they’re available in four flex levels. So, finding the perfect flex for your style of play shouldn’t be an issue. No matter if you’re a low or high handicapper,  making the ball spin on impact is very effortless with these shafts.

Overall, they offer a well-rounded performance in all aspects of the game. One of the most incredible facts about these shafts is that they don’t cost a fortune. So, if you’re looking to work on your swing speed and save a few bucks at the same time, make sure you buy the Pro Taylor Fit Nano. 

Our Experience With the Pro Taylor Fit Nano Made PGA Tour

• We loved the construction and outlook very much. The color combination made the design look more vibrant and the materials felt top-notch as well.
• The fact that we could choose from four types of flex ( stiff, regular, senior & ladies) was astonishing. We tried all four of the variants and were fairly satisfied with them all.
• Though the weight wasn’t completely accurate, they were still very lightweight. We’d say that the weight in the Pro Taylor Fit Nano shafts is just what an average player requires for optimum distance and speed.
• The increase in our swing speed was marvelous. Besides, the compatibility with different irons was totally on point.
• We tested them with a wide range of irons and drivers. We surprisingly gained a few yards on each of them. Also, the tips had an extra bit of stiffness, which enhanced the clubhead speed by a large margin.
• During our time, the shafts seemed extremely durable. They weren’t stiff by any means but they offered great strength.
• After the impact with the ball, the Nano shafts produced strong kicks, which seemed to increase the ball speed and force it to travel further.
• The accuracy was also on point. We could hit the ball straight on most occasions. These seemed like the perfect shafts to go for if the game improvement is the top priority.

What We Didn’t Like

• We noticed that these weren’t suitable for all types of hybrids.
• Though the manufacturers stated the weight to be 65 grams, we found out that these weigh a bit over 70 grams.

What Could Be Improved

• The compatibility with different irons needs to be improved.

Our Recommendations

• If you’re a senior golfer looking to improve your swing speed, make sure you go for the senior flex variant.

Specifications

Pros

• Great design
• Lightweight
• Durable
• Affordable price
• Amazing performance

Cons

• Doesn’t come with a pre-cut
• Not suitable for all irons

03 dynamic gold True Temper Shaft (Best for Low Ball Flight)

Why It Stands Out to Us

In some aspects of the game, accuracy plays a more important role than speed and distance.  The True Temper shafts are made for this kind of situation. These steel shafts offer a great design and build quality. They come in four different flexes, which you don’t see often in steel shafts. You can also choose the weight on these shafts. With amazing low-ball flight, these shafts will surely improve your short game. Another astonishing fact about the True Temper is that they won’t fall too heavy on your wallet. So, go for these shafts and your wallet will thank you.

Our Experience With the Dynamic Gold True Temper

• The shafts looked very premium and well-thought. The material felt sturdy enough to survive a few seasons without a doubt. Besides, the design was top-notch. Dynamic Gold did a great job in keeping things simple and straightforward.
• The True Temper comes in four flex levels, which you don’t see often in steel shafts. We tried all of the variants and the performance was satisfactory.
• In terms of weight, the shafts were extremely well-balanced. We didn’t notice any extra weight on the tips, the midsection or the lower part. This helped massively in the swing.
• We tried a wide range of irons and they all performed very well with this shaft. Though it wasn’t built for ultimate speed and distance, we noticed that the construction helps massively during the swing.
• Despite being steel shafts, they didn’t feel too heavy on the hand. Besides, we could choose the weight as well. This seemed like a very handy feature of the True Temper shafts.
• Once the irons made contact with the ball, we noticed a good amount of spin on it. This made the low shots to be perfect.
• The main concentration of the True Temper shafts seemed to be accuracy and power. We would say that we gained at least 20% of accuracy on our shots compared to other steel shafts.

What We Didn’t Like

• Players with a slower swing speed might struggle with these shafts.
• These may be too heavy for most senior golfers.

What Could Be Improved

• Dynamic Gold could include a senior flex option with the shafts.
• It would have been a way better product only if the weight was minimized a bit.

Our Recommendations

• If you’re looking for the maximum flex on a steel shaft, make sure you buy the regular flex variant of the True Temper shafts.

Specifications

Pros

• Extremely durable
• Amazing accuracy
• Four flex levels
• Affordable price

Cons

• A bit heavy for some golfers
• No senior flex

04 Fujikura New Pro 70 Regular Flex Shaft Only (Fairway/Driver) 44″

Why It Stands Out to Us

The Fujikura Pro 70 is one of those shafts that you purchase because of the looks and get hooked for years due to its performance. Being extremely lightweight and well-balanced, these shafts produce an incredible swing speed. That speed coupled with a powerful kick on impact makes the ball travel a long way.

So, it’s suitable for most long irons, drivers, and fairway woods out there. Besides, despite having all the premium features you can expect from a graphite shaft, they don’t cost a fortune. If you’re looking to replace your driver or long iron shaft, look no further and go for the Pro 70.

Our Experience With the Fujikura Pro 70

• We were very pleased with the design and the build quality. The color combination was top-notch and the material felt very premium as well. For those who love to play with unique-looking shafts, this is the perfect option.
• Though we’d love to get a few more options in terms of flex levels, the regular flex seemed to do the job perfectly for us. There was a good amount of bend and also, we noticed an increase in our swing speeds.
• We measured the weight and found out that the manufacturers were accurate with the specs. Each shaft had 70 grams of weight. They felt extremely light in the hand and produced amazing shots.
• We loved the fact that the shafts came with a height of 44 inches. For this, we could use a wide range of irons with them. We could easily attach the long irons with the Pro 70, which is often not the case for all third-party shafts.
• There was a noticeable low spin in each shot. We also noticed a kick on impact with the ball. The low spin coupled with the kick produced a flat ball flight most of the time. Though the performance changed with different irons, we’d say that we were satisfied with it.
• After testing them with a multitude of different irons, we figured that the Pro 70 shafts handle drivers and fairway woods perfectly. We achieved an additional 10 yards on average with each driver.  The result was almost identical with the fairway woods.
• Fujikura made the Pro 70 shafts to be extremely well-balanced. The weight was almost similar in all parts of the shaft, which played a crucial role in producing an excellent swing.

What We Didn’t Like

• There were no other flex options except for regular. This might be a huge red flag for some players.
• Fujikura didn’t include any grip or adaptor with the shafts.

What Could Be Improved

• Fujikura could have added a few flex options.

Specifications

Pros

• Eye-catching design
• Amazing build quality
• Lightweight
• Excellent performance
• Affordable price

Cons

• Limited to just regular flex

05 Project X New HZRDUS Smoke Black 6.5 60g Driver/Fairway Shaft X-Stiff Flex

Why It Stands Out to Us

The HZRDUS Smoke Black shafts from Project X offer great distance and accuracy at the same time. First of all, it comes with a stealthy appearance that suits perfectly with any iron you couple it with. You can’t simply compete with the build quality of these amazing shafts. Also, it makes the swing smoother and satisfying. Besides, the flex is just what you’d expect from a Project X shaft. If you’re looking to replace your driver shaft, look no further and go for the Smoke Black shafts. 

Our Experience With the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black

• In terms of looks and feel, we were very satisfied with the shaft. The use of charcoal grey made it even visually attractive. The material seemed premium to the touch.
• We found out that the torque in the Smoke Black is higher than that of its predecessor, the HZRDUs Black. So, it’s easy to say that the Smoke Black feels smoother on the hand compared to the original model.
• We used the 60gram variants and noticed that they’re slightly lighter than 60 grams. The weight seemed perfect for modern drivers.
• They performed incredibly well with a fast swing speed. We achieved an extra 5-10 yards with the Smoke black compared to other similar shafts.
• We tried different drivers and the result was the same with each one of them. They produced a lower spin and optimum range every time. The lower spin made the ball roll for a long time after making contact with the ground.
• We also tested different fairway finders with the Smoke Black and within the first 50 shots, noticed that we gained a lot of confidence in maneuvering them.
• There was a very small kick in each swing. With that amount of push or pull, we can confirm that the Smoke Black shafts give back the exact same power that you produce with the swing.

What We Didn’t Like

• Players with a slower swing spin will struggle with it.
• Not a great option if you’re looking for height in your shots.

What Could Be Improved

• Project X could have added more flex options to the shaft.

Specifications

Pros

• Lower trajectory
• Lower spin
• More ball flight
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not suitable for slower swing speed

Best Iron Shafts – Buyer’s Guide

1. Material

a) Steel

Steel is the heaviest material used in shafts. Steel shafts are stronger, heavier, more long-lasting, and generally cheaper than shafts made of other materials. Typically, steel shafts are made from either carbon steel or stainless steel.

Unlike graphite, steel shafts don’t have as much torque. Therefore, they offer more accuracy and control. However, they aren’t famous for increasing speed and distance. That’s why good players who already have their swing speed sorted tend to lean towards the steel shafts.

b) Graphite

Graphite shafts are lighter, more expensive, and less durable than steel shafts. They weigh about 50% less than their steel counterparts. This allows the graphite shafts to offer a faster swing speed and greater distance. That’s why they’re preferred by senior and lady golfers, who often need that extra bit of speed.

There are a few drawbacks to the graphite shafts as well. As speed and power increase, it becomes a bit harder to maintain accuracy. However, having the ability to possess a wide variety of flexes and with a multitude of color options, graphite is hands down the most popular material for shafts.

c) Hybrid

Though the multi-material shafts haven’t found their popularity on the market yet, they are surely one for the future of the game. The idea is to get the benefits of both steel and graphite shafts into one. Typically, these shafts are mostly made of steel except for the tips, where graphite is used to add some flex.

With the presence of both steel and graphite, these shafts offer a well-rounded performance in speed, distance, and accuracy. However, due to lacking the original feel, most golfers still prefer steel or graphite over them.

2. Shaft Profile

Shaft profile indicates whether different areas of a shaft are soft or stiff. Typically, stiffness resembles the inflexibility of the whole shaft and not whether different parts of it are stiff. However, shaft profiles elaborate on how stiff or soft the shaft is at each point. This helps to further understand the shaft you’re going to buy and to know the areas that’ll have the most flex while swinging. Before going for a certain model, make sure you get a clear idea of its shaft profile.

3. Flex

a) Extra Stiff

Shaft flexes are measured in frequency, usually in cycles per minute (CPM). The frequency on the extra stiff shafts starts at 260 CPM. Often referred to as “X flex”, these shafts offer the least amount of flexibility in the swing. Players who have a swing speed of 110mph and above prefer the extra stiff shafts.

b) Stiff

These are the second least flexible shafts you’ll find on the market. Golfers who swing their drivers between 95-110 mph often tend to lean towards the shafts with a stiff flex. The CPM rating on these shafts measures around 250.

c) Regular

These shafts offer the mid-range of flex. They’re suitable for almost all sorts of ranges and shots. Normally, players with a swing speed of 85-95 mph use the regular flex shafts.  Having a CPM rating of around 240, drivers between 200-250 yards are the most suitable for this sort of flex.

d) Seniors

Senior flex shafts offer more flexibility than the previously mentioned flex levels. Normally, players who have a swing speed of 75-85 mph prefer these shafts. This level of flex benefits the senior golfers, who are way past their prime and need an extra bit of swing speed.

e) Ladies

Shafts with the ladies flex are mostly preferred by female golfers who struggle to get 75mph of swing speed. Some senior golfers also use this flex level for getting the most speed out of their shafts.

4. Length

Determining the length of a shaft is just as important as the flex or the materials of a shaft. Also, this is the aspect of the shaft that’s different for every player. To measure the length you need, stand straight and measure the distance between your hand and the floor. Take the measurement of both your hands and find out the average of those values.

From that value, you can find out what length of shafts you need. Here’s a table showing you the length you need in your shaft for getting the best out of a 5 iron-

Distance between the hands and the floor	Length of the shaft (5 iron)
29-32 inches	37 inches
33-34 inches	37.5 inches
35-36 inches	38 inches
37-38 inches	38.5 inches
39-40 inches	39 inches
41 and above inches	39.5 inches

5. Release

You’ll see three types of release in iron shafts: late, mid, early. Typically, early releases make the ball go higher but don’t cover much distance. On the contrary, a late release is often seen in more advanced golfers and causes the ball to travel a greater distance.

6. Trajectory

Trajectory represents the ball flight. There are three types of ball flights – low, mid and high. Usually, the trajectory depends on the flex of the shaft. As the flex increases, the ball travels a greater distance. You can also increase the ball flight by lowering the bending point of your shaft. While going for a particular shaft, determine the trajectory you’re expecting from it.

7. The Tendency of Flight Direction

You’ll see shafts with improper fitting to have inconsistent flight directions. If the flex level of the shaft doesn’t suit the golfer’s playing style, the ball will have an unpredictable flight. An extremely flexible shaft can send the ball in any direction. On the other hand, too much stiffness often leads to miss-hits. So, before making the purchase, make sure the shaft has the right amount of flex according to your playing style.

8. Distance Control

Generally, players look for three things in an iron shaft: distance, control, distance and control. You’ll get a greater distance from a lighter, longer, and more flexible shaft. On the contrary, heavier, shorter, and stiffer shafts will give you more control over the shot. The best shafts on the market ensure the combination of both. When you’re buying shafts, make sure the model you’re going for has both distance and control covered.

9. Affordability

An iron shaft set could cost you from $100-$3000 depending on the brand and its features. However, the price range doesn’t necessarily indicate the performance level. Determine your budget first and then look into the details of the shafts available in that price range. When budgeting, keep in mind that graphite shafts generally cost higher than steel shafts. Also, features like the senior flex, specific trajectory profiles, and distance control will cost you more.

FAQs

Q. 1: How to clean golf iron shafts?

Ans: Use damp cloths to wipe out your shaft. Afterward, use a dry towel or a piece of cloth to dry it. If your shaft has rust, just apply vinegar and wipe it with a soft piece of cloth. Make sure you dry your shaft when it’s clean.

Q. 2: What is the difference between long shafts and short golf shafts?

Ans: A long shaft will help you send the ball to a greater distance. On the other hand, short golf shafts will give you better accuracy.

Q. 3: What is the difference between graphite and steel golf shafts?

Ans: Graphite shafts are lighter, more flexible, and more expensive than steel shafts. While graphite shafts offer more distance, steel shafts are concentrated more on control and accuracy.

Q. 4: What can you do to hit the ball lower?

Ans: To hit the ball lower, place the ball close to your back foot and keep your hands forward. While swinging the iron, make sure you keep the backswing short. After making contact with the ball, shorten the follow-through.

Q. 5: What can you do to hit the ball higher?

Ans: Take a wide stance and make sure your base is stable. If you are right-handed, put the most of your weight on the left side. Place the ball a bit ahead of your stance. Put maximum strength on your backswing and try to hit the ball lower. Your ball should travel a good distance if you follow these steps correctly.

Q. 6: How can you hit the ball straighter?

Ans: First make sure that the ball is close enough to your stance. Align the clubface and the ball with your target. During the backswing, ensure if the swing is straight. After making contact with the ball, make sure the clubface faces left (if you’re right-handed). The ball should go straight if you follow these instructions properly.