Hot Shafts And Grips

Looking to recharge your golf clubs this off-season? Two of the quickest ways to add more horsepower to your clubs is to start fresh with some new grips and shafts.

Regripping your clubs is not only one of the easiest means to breathe new life into your existing set, but also one of the most affordable. For around $50, you can have new grips installed on all your clubs, or for a little less, you can do it yourself using double-sided tape and grip solution. In a matter of a few hours, your clubs will feel brand new in your hands.

Just remember, when deciding on new grips, don't forget that there are characteristics pertaining to grips that can do more than affect how well your hands stick to the club. First, assess the firmness level you want from your grips. Typically, faster swingers or golfers who have a slightly firmer grip than normal will prefer firmer grips, whereas slower swingers and golfers with weaker grip pressure may prefer a softer, cushioned grip. Second, determine the texture that you like best. This might be your toughest challenge, since there are so many to choose from, ranging from velvet styles to corded, wrap or even multimaterial. And while there's no right or wrong answer here, choose the grip that you like best, not because it's popular with Tour players or other players in your foursome. Lastly, and probably most importantly, pay careful attention to the grip diameter and weight. Thicker grips tend to benefit golfers who have overactive hands and who want some added control. As for weight, a lighter grip can change the way a club feels, meaning if it's a lightweight grip, the clubhead may feel heavier. On the other hand, a heavier grip might make the clubhead feel lighter. In either case, again, there's no wrong answer for whether you want a thicker, heavier or lighter grip. The key is to remember all the variables pertaining to grips and find the right grip for your shot tendencies and personal likes.

If you have a little extra dough and want to take your club upgrade a step further, consider a new shaft upgrade.

Changing your shafts, whether it be in your woods and irons or both can make a huge impact in your ballflight characteristics and shot patterns. This is especially true if you get fitted for a new shaft, and learn that the correct type of shaft for your swing is nothing like the shaft you have had up to this point. As always, the key to getting new shafts is to get fitted first by a reputable, nonbiased clubfitter who can analyze both your swing and shot tendencies to determine the proper shaft flex, weight and length for your game.

Here's a look at a hot handful of new shafts and grips that will surely make a difference in how your favorite clubs perform.

ALDILA RIP PHENOM AND NV MAGNUN The two hot new shafts from Aldila promise big power and control. First the RIP Phenom's Hyperbolic Flex Zone provides a stiff tip section for optimal launch and spin control, with a very firm butt section for an incredibly stable feel, while the center section of the shaft is softer to provide outstanding kick through impact to maximize ball speed. The ultralight, 44-gram NV Magnum offers optimum flex and torque characteristics for the better player while still maintaining the incredible feel that made the original NV the best-selling shaft in history.

FUJIKURA MOTORE SPEEDER AND BLUR The new Motore Speeder VC.2 Tour Spec still features Fujikura's proprietary and proven Triax Woven material along with Quadra Axis Composite creating 7-Axis Technology. This uniformity throughout the shaft assists with eliminating deformation yet provides the maximum amount of feel through the entire swing, increasing overall performance and stability. The Blur shafts take full advantage of unique and innovative design elements in every aspect of the shaft: It features Fujikura proprietary CAGE Technology, which is a new and innovative design methodology that allows us to create thinner, lighter walls with exceptional stability.

GRAPHITE DESIGN G SERIES The G series performance characteristics favor a low- to mid-launch trajectory and mid-ball-spin. The new X Directional Technology–XDT–incorporates the use of the already proven Graphite Design MSI (Material Stiffness Integration) design method as well as this new and unique application of graphite-fiber alignment throughout the shaft structure. The result is a high-performance shaft with remarkable control, feel and distance.

GRAFFALLOY PROLAUNCH AMP Grafalloy has cranked up the volume on its most popular shaft series of all time to develop the next-generation ProLaunch AMP. At the heart of ProLaunch AMP (Advanced Material Performance) beats the finest carbon-fiber materials available in a unique layup pattern to power long, straight drives. By incorporating Grafalloy's exclusive Axis technology, Grafalloy engineers were able to reduce torque while providing increased hoop integrity in the grip and mid sections for maximum energy transfer.

MIYAZAKI KUSALA WHITE AND INDIGO Miyazaki's graphite shafts have already seen multiple successes on the PGA Tour, and with two new shafts offered in the Kusala line, one can expect that number to increase even more. The new Kusala White produces a soft yet stable feel in the hands with a very active tip section for increased speed and trajectory. Though active in the tip, the unique flex code works well even with high-speed players. The indigo is a constant flex-code shaft that balances flex across the shaft. Its extremely stable feel and low to mid-trajectory is best for aggressive swings.

MITSUBISHI RAYON FUBUKI K-SERIES The K-Series profile utilizes the same Modulus Differential Technology (M.D.T.) found in the Fubuki Tour and Fubuki profiles in addition to Mitsubishi Rayon's latest innovation: the Power "Ninja" Core. This new technology allows Mitsubishi Rayon to incorporate a thin layer of metal into the butt section of the shaft to increase stability and maximize the power stored during the loading of a shaft, unleashing maximum potential energy to the ball at impact.

UST MAMIYA PROFORCE VTS The new Proforce VTS line from UST Mamiya is the only shaft collection to include torque as a variable in the fitting process, beyond the standard weight and flex variations. Each model's weight/flex profile includes three torque options, allowing players to match the setup that best suits their unique swing DNA. Shafts are color-coded to indicate torque rating, with Black featuring the lowest torque, Silver in the middle and Red offering the highest. The benefits of dialing in on the proper torque include improved feel, higher ball speed, tighter dispersion and consistency.

NVENTIX NUNCHUCK The Nunchuk_¨ Precision shaft by nVentix Golf is a one-size-fits-all graphite shaft that features Tri-Zonal Stability_ã_ technology. According to the company, the shaft is designed to eliminate flexing, twisting and, consequently, drooping, resulting in tighter shot patterns, lower spin and a launch angle consistent with the club's actual loft. Golfers can expect to impact the ball with the "sweet spot" of the clubface every time, giving them the confidence to swing freely. Even at 103 grams, the counterbalanced Nunchuk shaft performs for all players regardless of varying swing speeds and attack angles.

KBS TOUR C-TAPER The new KBS C-Taper Shaft has a Stiff Tip design for a lower ballflight, all while retaining a smoother feel through impact. This shaft also incorporates much of the same design tech as the popular KBS Tour, combining the Advanced MOI Constant Taper and Firm Shaft Design through the tip section. This means maximum energy transfer into the clubhead, outstanding feel and improved control–albeit this time, with a lower trajectory.

GOLF PRIDE NDMC WHITEOUT Designed for Tour players and avid golfers alike, the Whiteout adds a new white material to the upper hand area while maintaining the performance characteristics that make the MultiCompound golf's hottest grip. This high-performance hybrid grip provides comfort and responsiveness to the lower hand while the black BCT_¨ cord provides moisture management and improved traction to the upper hand, giving the player the confidence to make a solid shot, swing after swing.

LAMKIN R.E.L. 3GEN Available in 11 new, nonfading colors and a complete assortment of size options, the R.E.L. 3GEN provides golfers with an unrivaled selection of grip choices. The grips' distinctly minimal surface pattern helps maximize surface area contact with a golfer's hands, providing extra comfort and reducing the amount of grip pressure needed to maintain control throughout the swing.

TACKI-MACITOMIC IT2 Itomic it2 incorporates negative ions with a velvet surface, combined with a new proprietary, ultra-tacki, ultra-lightweight compound for a unique look and feel for golfers. Like the original Itomic grip, it's made from a revolutionary blend of thermoforming materials that are both durable and high performing in all weather conditions._Ê

WINN GRIP WINNPRO AND DRI-TAC The new WinnPro Wrap's polycord material is firm and textured while retaining excellent performance in damp conditions. The wrap design caters to players who like the classic feel of a wrap design. The new Dri-Tac (and Dri-Tac Wrap) grip is the tackiest grip Winn has made to date, with exceptional nonslip performance in all weather conditions.

FEELTEC The new Feeltec grips have a multilayer design and a seamless structure than promise a comfortable feel, added durability and weather resistance. The seamless design also improves the grip's shock absorp-tion for a better feel on both solid and off-center shots.

PURE GRIPS Made from the same proprietary rubber used to make the PURE black grips, every colored grip from PURE provides the identical combination of tackiness, durability, weather performance and feel that has made these grips so popular. Plus, the colored grips even go on with the same tapeless installation. PURE grips are available in red, blue, green, white, pink and black.

BLACK WIDOW WIDOW MAKER The new Widow Maker grips feature Softspikes' traction-inspired interlocking "S" pattern, Web Traction Technology and an aggressive, anti-slip traction design that creates more friction for faster swing speeds and more distance. The Widow Maker features a hybrid best-of-both-worlds design, a corded top for all-weather traction and a smooth consistently textured bottom for feel and performance. This new grip will be available in both standard and midsize models.

GRIP SOLID Although not a grip or a shaft, the Grip Solid is a our top pick for helping you make sure you take full advantage of a new grip/shaft combo. The FLEX BAR tech is placed in the palm of your grip to help ensure you place the club properly in the hands, and with the optimal grip pressure. Easy, convenient and a great tool for improving your grip.