I Put a $850 AUTOFLEX Shaft In The CALLAWAY AI SMOKE DRIVER VS SENIOR SHAFT...HOLY MOLY!

Oh my!!! I did NOT expect this.... I put the brand the new Callaway Ai Smoke tripple diamond driver with a $850 autoflex shaft against a senior shaft.. and well, it is safe to say I DID not expect to see the results I did, and I think you will be very surprised by the results, the club head speed, the spin rates and most of all the yardage! In this video we settle the argument of is an UPGRADED expensive rare $850 shaft any better than a senior shaft that you just take off the shelf? I put this to the test! Not only testing these shafts in a normal 2024 driver head but I place this $850 shaft in a Taylormade Qi10 MAX driver one of the most forgiving drivers of 2024! We often think that just spending more money is the way to get more consistent and hit the golf ball longer and straighter but compared to a senior driver shaft in the Callaway Ai Smoke driver tripple diamond does this rare expensive shaft go and long and is it any more consistent?
We put to the test a VRTX project x senior graphite shaft against a AUTO FLEX golf shaft a very rare version of this! What would you do would you go for the expensive shaft? Lets hit 5 golf balls with each and see on a fair test using the exact same Callaway Ai smoke triiple diamond, which golf ball goes the longest and the most consistent. I Put a $850 AUTOFLEX Shaft In The CALLAWAY AI SMOKE DRIVER VS SENIOR SHAFT...HOLY MOLY!
. I TESTED this $850 shaft VS STOCK & these are the RESULTS This $850 DRIVER SHAFT is NOT what you think...VS SENIOR SHAFT
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[@HowGoodGolf]

*This is the real test!! Senior flex VS $850 shaft 😳 which will come out on top!!*

[@oliverwex3246]

My son is 12y, hdc 3.9, 90mph… we had the chance to stay more than one our with his coach in the fitting area and play with clubs an shafts… we found the perfect fit for him… smoke tripple diamond wirh the 45g Lady big bertha shaft. He hit constantly about 200y carry. We just by accident found this combonation. It showed me the sometimes the unexpected is good. It is really a problem to find the right clubs for young junior golfer with low hdc and almost no test available… thanks for this test.

[@stuartriddell3906]

Hi Alex.... You should try the Autoflex with a focus on the Swingweight, if you have have the stock 12gram weight in the Callaway Driver + the 2 gram weight in the back it will mess with the Autoflex performance... If it measures D4 or D3 the head is too heavy. The shaft performs better in C8 or D/0 Give it a try.... The lighter the head makes a Big Difference...

[@jacobmccain8082]

I play mine at D3 and it plays great. I tried it at D0 like suggested but my dispersion was awful. Didn't bring it to D5 like my irons but D3 added 10 yds of carry and my dispersion went back to normal.

[@samuelknott5586]

100%, the autoflex needs to be dialled in, from experience the Taylormade work best off the bat, most other heads need some tinkering

[@claeshull7962]

I have a AISmoke Max with my Autoflex 505, SW D0, headweight 192 gram. Don’t know the weight of the Triple Diamond, but I’m guessing more heavy, so SW might be to high, depending also on the length of the shaft ofcourse…

[@JonathanSpann]

You are correct!

[@CHRISBROGAN-ce2wn]

playing mine at d1 and its distance and dispersion perfection.....ai smoke max head turned down to 8 and playing d1 perfect 505x

[@casinogeno1]

Hey Alex, I started using a Smoke AI Max with a $50 NVS senior 45 gram shaft and have been hitting past the longest guys in my group the last few weeks. Don't sleep on the Senior shafts.

[@danielcohen3159]

I have this exact combo, and for my 95 mph speed (and, crucially, my fairly smooth transition/delivery) it's been fantastic. I think for folks who swing over 100 mph the fitting of the right shaft and head in Autoflex may get more tricky. I had already picked up about 5-10 yards with the Triple Diamond head with the lower spin, and picked up another 5-10 adding the Autoflex. Whether or not that's worth $700 is up to the individual. For me it is, because both the head and the shaft have done what the manufacturers said they would do, which is rare in golf - and rare anywhere else!

[@kent3874]

You might want to try the Accra F3.0 140 M0, like they did on TXG, as another Autoflex alternative. Maybe one thing that Autoflex has done is get people to rethink the shaft stiffness that will work for them and consider softer shafts to get more kick and clubhead speed, instead of the old thinking of needing it stiffer, especially with higher SS's over 100. Even the naming of calling a soft flex a "senior" flex highlights the old thinking that softer shafts are for old folks with slow SS's. I guess the question is if you are going to game that "senior" shaft now in your bag?

[@nellynelson9387]

Could be completely wrong but I'm sure the autoflex is supposed to be setup in a lighter swing weight around low C range. But that that the results was brilliant. I had an autoflex for a while but I snapped the tip was good fun but never really got a good run at gaming it. Would love to see the g430 lst ve the 10k g430 please.

[@canyonaro]

Dumina recommends C79-D0 for SF405, D0-D1 for SF505, D1.0-1.5 for SF505X and D1.5-D2.0 for SF505x. I play mine at 47" and around D2.0.

[@jamesbigga8843]

I have the sf505 AF and a project x 5.0 hzrdus red. My swing speed is just under 100mph. I have yet to compare the shafts for distance and spin. But I have hit them side by side and what I notice are these.. 1. AF has tighter dispersion 2. I can get aggressive and the AF still felt smoother and found the center more often than with the hzrdus red. But on a side note. My TM mini burner is 20-30 yards Further in total. And that has a stiff RDX hzrdus shaft

[@shawncooley5194]

Excellent review. I had great results with Autoflex when I swung very easy at the start of down swing. Did same with a XXIO driver. But when I swung hard, like with my Ventus Black gamer it/they spun way too much.

[@VonTwinzig]

Let’s see that senior shaft in the Qi10, Max 10k and the Dynapower Carbon back-to back please, Alex.

[@HowGoodGolf]

Ooooo yes!! This is a great idea!!!

[@MichaelSmittySmithScottsdaleAz]

I have tried 3 of these shafts. I am sr now 12 handicap. They fit me for the 405. Pxg weights reduced. It was a fishing pole for my quick tempo. Then we tried the 505 regular and then stiff. On the couse my consistency was not worth a few yards on a perfect swing. Glad i got it out of my system

[@rudog427]

Interesting thing i noticed between the two shafts is the autoflex shots seemed to be more down the middle of your target vs the senior that had more fade to the right and just hanging on to the "fairway".

[@08turboSS]

Bevause its 1" shorter.

[@kingtosin]

I am 65 yrs old, club head speed around 88 mph. Recently I bought an Autoflex SF 405. With my other shafts which are usually 55 gm my total distance is at max 220 yds. With the Autoflex my average is around 220 yds but when I hit a good one, I am able to bring it up to 240 yds. Point to note, I lower my loft of my driver, My driver is 10.5 degree but with the Autoflex, I dial the loft to the lowest which should be 9 degree. I read on many forums golfers using Autoflex shaft need to lower the loft and put on lighter weights on the head.

[@susancrowther9998]

Often a shorter shaft can give better results as you get more centre hits. As you showed in the video the auto flex was so wippy at the club head it must have been difficult to find the centre of the club head when swinging. What shaft do you normally play - perhaps it would be a good test to play your current driver shaft against the senior flex shaft with the same club head.

[@redgreen01]

Solid review. I remember Golf Digest doing an article with Raymond Floyd with light clubs for the time (D 0 I believe). Raymond commented he had trouble feeling where the club head was and wasn't as confident in finding the center of the club which showed in inconsistent results as did the autoflex. I am considering adding weight to my driver in an attempt to "feel" and better confidence. Again, good review and look for the your next vid.

[@PZXZP]

Thanks for challenging the convention on "light shafts" when others are adamant to keep playing stiff, stout shafts.

[@markpoppe8681]

Would you test a senior shaft vs a stiff shaft, your shorter length shafts with a club head speed between 90-95 mph?? Also trying with 9° vs 10.5°? I know its a big ask, but I think it could help many golfers with slower swing speeds decide on what next to consider. Does the softer flex result in more shot dispersion can also be answered.

[@kevinberry845]

love the videos alex, but question for you pal, did you test autoflex with a swing weight of d1.5 to d2 pal, i have autoflex and love fast club speed and ball speeds, but shaft has to be used with that swing weight. it is even recommended by autoflex to have the swing weight only between 1.5 and 2.....

[@drbopperthp]

None of these so-called experts ever follow the manufacturers recommendation.

[@duanemcallister9619]

Alex as a senior who enjoys your coaching, I can no longer buy the shafts for my regular shaft [non-senior]. if your can see your way to send me the one you just tested it will be shown to all my golf mates and probably will improve my fading distance.

[@johnwood2381]

Great review. I am alwaus interested in shafts and how they react to the swing. Like you I always go stiff shaft. I am rethinking that for this season. Keep up the good work.

[@TheGeordieGolfer]

Great test Alex. I’ve been thinking about buying a softer shaft & doing the same test myself. Great video. 👍🏻👌🏻

[@renmay3171]

The Aldila Ascent 50g in R2/senior flex has an extremely whippy low end like the AutoFlex and is in the $60 price range. Couple of seniors that I play with went to this shaft over their previous senior flex and picked up significant carry yards.

[@jonbuikema7399]

I have the AA 50 gram regular in my STX-230. I too gained yardage and speed. It is 44.75 inches. It goes longer the easier I swing. Center face hits go!!

[@richardburger4859]

So save the $800 to play some really nice courses, #2 at Pinehurst(the only one there I havent played) and a few other courses, and get a $50 senior shaft, lol. It seems that "autoflex" is just a gimmick to get golfers money at this point. Oh, and I always feel that have have better control of the club head when I choke down a bit so the shorter shaft just probably gave you a better feel and a freer swing.

[@michaeltillett6211]

You need to have a lower swing weight for the autoflex to work correctly.

[@garydavis8213]

Really enjoying this little series. Just a fun thing to do.

[@dougiemcbriar1998]

I swapped paradym x with cypher 5.0 senior flex for a titleist tsr3 with autoflex sf505. Dispersion & distance better with autoflex. Probably depends on swingspeed, mine is slow. No issue autoflex is better for me

[@iamfodder1017]

112 mph clubhead, 20 degree launch angle, 2,000 backspin = 300yrd carry. 104 mph clubhead, 20 degree launch angle, 2,000 backspin = 280yrd carry. .......with 1.5 smash factor.

[@jonathanwalujo573]

What is josh's distance with his normal driver?

[@jasonholder117]

If you are interested in this topic, elite golf took the autoflex and found a handful of shafts with the exact same flex profile. He tested it with Mr. Short game, and the other models tested the same or better than autoflex. I picked one up myself and currently play the Evenflow CB 40gram Senior flex. My driver swing speed is 116, and I have had great success with much less physical effort.

[@HowGoodGolf]

I joe you enjoyed it!

[@stuuppidmonkey]

hey id really like to see the stix 3 pc distance set tested also the strata 12 piece starter set. if u have time the wilson d300 iron set vs a more expesive set

[@paulbown3960]

Would also love to see an AVX v’s TP5x comparison video. Thanks Alex

[@hoppman6649]

It would interesting to see that shaft in a PXG BlackOps.

[@tonysanta3497]

AJ at #MobileClubmaker did a cool experiment getting a light Motore F3 regular flex and getting similar results. The shaft helps with sequence. Strike is also king! I am also a believer is bend profile and not stiffness.

[@66BW]

You need to test the AF against the ACCRA FX 3.0 140 M0 - as it is very comparable but more stable to get your ball/swing speed. Also someone else made a comment on swing weight I cannot remember where AF excels (could be D0 to D1 at the max) - the TSR is a better fit vs the Callaway etc.

[@canyonaro]

Callaway works great - you just need to take out 4-6g of head weight. Autoflex shows up as "just OK" every time a KZbinr just does a plug & play. That's not how it works. It requires some adjustment/proper setup. I took out head weight and went down in loft with Autoflex vs my previous Ventus Blue and picked up 15 yards of carry.

[@hypent500]

Use the sf405 is a better autoflex fit for you

[@mack042]

Awesome what is length of that senior shaft

[@stuartriddell3906]

Alex....Question.. You never mentioned Which Autoflex Shaft did you use? Sf505 Stiff or Regular ? and what make model and weight was that Senior shaft / Thx Stuart.

[@HowGoodGolf]

Yeah good point i will try and cover this in another video!

[@Sleepy8]

I love it! Well done.

[@waynebgolfing]

Did you change the weights in the driver head after making it shorter? 1 inch is close to 4-6 swing weights lighter.

[@peterlarsen4809]

I'd love to see a head to head of the Callaway utility wood and the Cleaveland hywood

[@BillyDenton-nx3oy]

You can see with shot tracer that you're throwing up knuckle balls. You're gonna hit it further by imparting a little right to left spin.

[@semperfi5857]

@7:20 sums up my golf life. @9:10 sums up my love life.

[@HowGoodGolf]

🤣🤣

[@nickmillar9651]

Great review. What shaft is the senior one . Weight, brand, flex ,length

[@markhuru]

My comment is on the dividers used on the range, few years ago at our range I got hit in the face while standing behind the hitting area filming a mate. Video is “ get the f**** off this range” Dangerous set up…

[@golfish8589]

When calculating swing speed decrease due to one inch shorter shaft. You need to calculate the total length including length of arm. This makes the percentage much smaller. I believe every golfer has there own natural swing frequency/ speed. 8 years ago when i was 52. I was tired of spraying the ball all over. So i cut 3 inches off the butt of my driver. And still love it 8 years later. For years i have been asking youtubers to try it. None have tried it. Mini drivers... why would manufacturers shorten the shaft for more consistent drives. Then make the head smaller. Its a contradiction. Only pros can hit a mini off the fairway. My plan is to get a Ping 10k. Cut 3 inches off and to get the swing weight back. Add 25 grams of lead tape and make it a 12.5k driver. Most pros play a standard length driver . Maybe 1/4 to 1/2 longer or shorter. What makes anyone think a weekend warrior can handle a standard length shaft? On another note. I recently switched to JumboMax grips. Love them. When gripping a standard grip now. It feels totally wrong. As a test at the range. I asked a 12 year old girl to try my 8 iron with the jumbo. Her swing instantly became shorter and less floppy. All plusses.

[@MarkTill-vt3ku]

my driver shaft is an inch shorter , I hit it further and straighter

[@gordonsteen5560]

ALEX Id love to see you try out the Krank Fire driver that De Chambeau uses and me.

[@HowGoodGolf]

Noted!

[@trevorhenderson4480]

What length shaft do you game? I have been wanting to try shortening my driver shaft. I use the one length hybrids and It's a world of difference in contact and distance with accuracy being shorter. Thanks

[@MrFrooddo]

What are the specifications of the senior shaft?

[@steveshepherdson2574]

Be interested to see the shaft perform in the pxg black ops tour head Alex. From what I've seen it's low spinning bomber

[@HowGoodGolf]

That’s a great idea

[@jacobmccain8082]

Mine didnt so much add yardage as much as it added carry. My launch went up and my spin went down slightly. Now that Im used to the timing i find it hard to use anything else.

[@Sluggo717]

Supposedly the “auto”flex adjusts to all swing speeds thus the name and why it is a high price shaft. Basically it is a senior, regular, stiff, and extra stiff all in one. So if you swing a shaft not designed for your swing speed the test is not accurate. You need four people with different swing speeds to try this same shaft and see if it does what it is supposed to do.

[@jes_40]

Test that senior shaft head setup vs your gamer!!

[@HowGoodGolf]

This is a brilliant idea!!

[@yeboha]

so are we saying try a low spin head with a senior / light shaft maybe ?

[@cliverkay]

So where did the mud come from .. Dirty ball ? if so shot is void !! Now try with an equal length Autoflex..

[@stephenfowler4115]

Stop at the top of the backswing. A slight hesitation before the downswing will reduce the flex.

[@eamonreeves4171]

Any chance of head to head of Sim2 max and Qi10 standard driver

[@kileypaet8221]

You’re playing the Autoflex in the wrong swingweight.

[@drbopperthp]

You can't talk to these boneheads.

[@ETBob51]

Face it, Alex, you're just an old soul. 😁

[@HowGoodGolf]

Haha i think so too!

[@CHRISBROGAN-ce2wn]

you have to have your swingweight at d1 d0 maybe d2 then test it and see.....if we are looking for truth and fairness

[@jasonmacdonald1892]

Have you tried those shafts in the ping 10k

[@lkgroup9126]

Good job! Thx

[@benfoust7424]

Test it with a 40 gm women's flex same length. Might really surprise you.

[@HowGoodGolf]

good point

[@paulnewman5082]

Hi Alex my club head speed has dropped to 85 should I play senior shaft or how can I increase my club head speed I played as low as 5 at moment playing. 11 thanks bud

[@daly234ify]

Would ladies flex driver shaft be even more flexible than the senior

[@paulbown3960]

Hi Alex, can we some some Miura iron testing please?

[@HowGoodGolf]

Ooooo yes I would love to try the clubs

[@PaulGruber-vr2lm]

"For GODSAKES JUST GIVE ME THE DAMM NUMBER "

[@pauldunn5712]

Interesting side note here. Shafts have little to no difference on spin. This has been proven elsewhere. Club head and loft will dictate spin, shaft will dictate launch. The spin results here, low to mid 2000s, was all to do with the triple dimond head in 9 degrees.

[@bigaapl9035]

Testing an AutoFlex shaft with a “universal shaft adapter” & then not even mentioning if you dialed in the swing weight of the club is saying a lot about your “testing”. If you’re going to test you need to do better & test within the recommended parameters the manufacturer recommends

[@yongminkim6544]

Just went and grabbed dad's senior flex shaft... lol Edit: holy wow!... got Dad's RBZ stage 2 driver 9.5 with senior shaft. Dropped loft to 8.5. With a smooth tempo swing I beat my daily gamer! Absolutely unbelievable 👏!

[@blackheart7886]

Try the senior flex set up against your own gamer.

[@HowGoodGolf]

This is a great shout!!!

[@ejcarey6679]

AI smoke with a Mitsubishi Vanquish! Test that one and it’s less than half the price of the AutoFlex!

[@michaelrooney2216]

Could be the weather looks cold with heavy air

[@MichaelSmittySmithScottsdaleAz]

What was the model of the Sr shaft

[@HowGoodGolf]

vrtx

[@charlestonphillip4496]

Alex compare Autoflex to Freeflex FF45.

[@link2440]

Not sure why you compare overall distance with your drives on the autoflex. Just look at carry.

[@rogermickcollison4003]

I hope you realize now, that the triple diamond isn’t as low spin as you thought. Try the Cobra LS Dark speed.

[@HowGoodGolf]

Absolutely! that’s why it’s good to test i guess!

[@AZstu324]

While the Autoflex itself is an absurdly overpriced gimmick, the concept works. It's all about tempo, tempo, tempo with these lighter whippy shafts. They really help with tempo control and put more of the actual shaft to work. Ultimately the magic formula is: 2 flex classes lower + 20g lighter weight + sub 5.5 torque + low-spin/lower loft head = Otto Phlex. There are plenty of sub $100 and even sub $50 shafts that meet these specs and work exactly like the Autoflex as shown in this video.

[@ChubbsMemory]

Hi Alex. You should try a steel iron shaft cut to Driver length! It would be very interesting to see how it performs. 😁

[@doubleohlesbo]

Why would anyone spend $790 on the Autoflex and not use the manufacturer's recommended swing weight? Stock AI Smoke will be D3/D4, and if you play a longer shaft (Autoflex) it will be even higher. It's ruining the whole balance and performance of the shaft. When properly set up, the AF blows these senior shaft comparisons away.

[@drbopperthp]

Because they think they're smarter than the guys who have done it properly.

[@ultimatejay]

Long drive guys are using senior flex. The weight is more important than flex

[@surroundedbyjaggoffs]

For $850. it should swing itself!!!!

[@shaunkelley55]

Very interesting review, I currently game a 45” shaft in my STX 230 Driver best decision I made, it’s so much more accurate for me, and just as long if not longer, what length shaft do you personally use

[@stevebigelow4184]

What senior shaft did you use

[@HowGoodGolf]

I mentioned it in the video, the vrtx

[@art333-dg8dd]

i absolutly hate hitting a paradym drivers

[@brianwatson129]

Question is are you going to use it?

[@HowGoodGolf]

Good question!

[@CHRISBROGAN-ce2wn]

you should be in the sf505xx and playing at d1 ....if you are wanting to be fair............then lets see the real numbers

[@HowGoodGolf]

Great suggestion! 🙌🏼 I will try and do this in another video

[@JeffNolen-we1sr]

You are missing the kick or better said the loading and unloading of the mechanics of the shafts

[@thomasking3359]

Tacomo driver & irons

[@edanzore]

No more Puma?

[@HowGoodGolf]

I’m open to any brand now 🙌🏼

[@JeffNolen-we1sr]

Here is your next problem the retail clubs like Callaway will experience face fatigue giving you numbers like you are seeing again contact Krank and test their heads from their Pro to Recreational heads there is no match for durability

[@adamholt6228]

Didn't mention swing weight ... again? Why not test the Autoflex the way it was designed to be used? that's twice now. As it is this is a pointless video and proves nothing other than a shaft used the way it wasn't inteded to be used won't perform great.

[@HowGoodGolf]

Why is it pointless? It’s a fun test?

[@drbopperthp]

​@@HowGoodGolfJFC!!! 🙄

[@bknoxx]

now do the senior shaft against your driver shaft

[@julianroberts698]

Would like to see you test the new Wilson balls

[@HowGoodGolf]

Great idea!!!

[@ccarlock8537]

That senior shaft break in a year tho

[@AZstu324]

Nah. I've been using the same $60 Senior flex shaft for over 2 years. 110+ SS. A bunch of us on MGS have been doing this with pretty crazy success.

[@davidleverton-ul9uh]

Its not the plane its the pilot

[@jamesbaine580]

What is the price of a decent senior flex shaft ?

[@AZstu324]

A bunch of us have been using Senior Flex shafts on my golf spy. All are sub $100. The shaft I'm using is $40 and is one of the best I've ever used.

[@HowGoodGolf]

Under £100

[@08turboSS]

Draw the ball, it'll go farther.

[@LeslieGreenwood-bu9tn]

Probably over 300 if you could hit a draw.

[@antennasbc]

None of your clubs, clothing links work

[@HowGoodGolf]

They should now