This study compared and evaluated the characteristics of golf driver shafts 60R products, manufactured by the most-used three companies and a domestic company adopting a new material process technology in the world. The characteristics of driver shafts were evaluated by observing the variations in golf shafts at an impact, which is known to influence driving distance and directional nature, by using a strain gage and a swing machine. Experiment results on four driver shafts showed that each shaft had different degree of deformation at an impact and formed different pattern at each position. Shafts of Autopower, Tour AD MT, and Fujikura showed an arch shape at an impact in overall. However, those of Attas revealed letter S shape. Under the test condition, Autopower shafts showed relatively higher bending stiffness and had the largest impulse on a ball. So it was expected that they would increase the ball speed after an impact.

Keywords: Strain gage, Impact, Impulse, Bending stiffness, Golf driver shaft.