Shaft designer explains why club fitting is so important

A proper club fitting is one of the best ways to make sure golfers are getting the most from their golf game, but unlike driver loft or grip size, finding the driver shaft that works best requires testing models head-to-head to learn which one delivers the best performance.

On the latest episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped podcast, GOLF’s Jonathan Wall and True Spec Golf’s Kris McCormack sat down for an exclusive, in-studio interview with Alex Dee, a veteran golf shaft designer and co-founder of Aretera Golf. Before co-founding Aretera, Dee worked on Fujikura’s Ventus line, and during the conversation, he explained the two new Aretera Alpha One profiles and what makes them unique.

“With the Alpha one, it’s a line of shafts offered in two profiles: the blue and the gray,” he said. “The difference between them is the gray has a 10 percent stiffer tip section, with everything else from weight balance to torque being the same, which is meant to help simplify fitting. (This helps) in the fitting process, because in many cases, it can be hard to tell when (going between different shafts) what is causing what when it comes to results.”

Aretera Alpha One Blue Wood Shaft

$420

Introducing the Aretera Alpha One Blue Wood Shaft: A fusion of cutting-edge technology and precision engineering, this shaft is designed to elevate your golf game. Let’s delve into its remarkable features:
Alpha One Series Key Features:

Blue and Gray Model Family: The Alpha One series simplifies the fitting process by introducing a single changing variable: tip stiffness.

Tip Stiffness Differentiation: The Alpha One Gray boasts a tip stiffness nearly 10% greater than the Alpha One Blue, while maintaining consistency across other variables.

POWERGRID Weave: The structural interlocking of the POWERGRID weave ensures forces are distributed evenly, resulting in enhanced energy storage compared to common unidirectional carbon fiber.

High Modulus Carbon Fabric: Uniquely employing high modulus, spread tow carbon fabric throughout the entire bias core, this shaft provides an unparalleled feeling of connectivity and stability.

Integrated Feel: Experience a more integrated feel that optimizes energy transfer from the clubhead to the ball.

Stability and Performance: The Alpha One Blue Wood Shaft offers optimal stability without compromising on feel or performance.

Enhanced Torsional Stiffness: The POWERGRID technology allows design flexibility, enhancing feel without sacrificing stability in the butt and middle sections of the shaft.

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“When it comes to profiles, we stay after from defining our shafts by ball flight profile because we see in our player testing that there can be such a variance based on the shaft specs and also how the golfer interacts with (the shaft).”

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

Golf.com Editor

Ryan Barath is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s senior editor for equipment. He has an extensive club-fitting and -building background with more than 20 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. Before joining the staff, he was the lead content strategist for Tour Experience Golf, in Toronto, Canada.

Shaft designer explains why club fitting is so important