Golf is a popular sport that requires a combination of physical skill, mental toughness, and strategic thinking. One of the most important aspects of golf is choosing the right equipment, including the clubs. In this article, we’ll compare two popular golf shafts – the Elevate Tour and Elevate 95 – to help you make an informed decision about which one might be right for you.
What are Golf Shafts?
Golf shafts are the long, tapered tubes that connect the clubhead to the grip of a golf club. They are usually made of graphite or steel, and come in different lengths, flexes, and weights. The shaft is a critical component of a golf club because it determines how the clubhead will move through the swing, and how the ball will be struck.
Elevate Tour
The Elevate Tour is a golf shaft designed for players who want a high launch and low spin. It is a lightweight, low torque shaft that is made of graphite, and is designed to provide maximum distance and accuracy. The Elevate Tour features a stiff tip section that promotes a stable feel at impact, and a mid-section that is more flexible to help generate maximum clubhead speed. The shaft has a high balance point, which makes it easier to swing quickly, and is available in multiple flexes to suit a wide range of golfers.
Elevate 95
The Elevate 95 is another golf shaft designed for distance and accuracy, but it has a slightly different profile than the Elevate Tour. It is also made of graphite and is lightweight, but it has a higher torque rating, which means it is more flexible throughout the shaft. The Elevate 95 has a mid-high launch and low spin, which makes it a good choice for players who want a penetrating ball flight. The shaft has a low balance point, which makes it feel heavier in the hands, but also easier to control. Like the Elevate Tour, the Elevate 95 is available in multiple flexes.
Which one is right for you?
Choosing between the Elevate Tour and Elevate 95 depends on your swing style and preferences. The Elevate Tour is a good choice for players who want a low-spin, high-launch ball flight and value distance and accuracy. It is also a good choice for players who tend to have a faster swing speed. The Elevate 95, on the other hand, is a good choice for players who want a slightly more flexible shaft that promotes a mid-high launch and low spin. It is also a good choice for players who prefer a heavier feeling shaft.
In addition to swing style and preferences, there are a few other factors to consider when choosing between the Elevate Tour and Elevate 95 shafts. One of these factors is your level of experience. The Elevate Tour may be better suited for more advanced players, as it requires a faster swing speed and a more consistent swing to fully realize its benefits. The Elevate 95, on the other hand, may be a better choice for intermediate players who want to improve their ball flight and control without sacrificing too much distance.
Another factor to consider is your ball flight. If you tend to hit the ball too high or struggle with too much spin, the Elevate Tour may be the better choice. If you tend to hit the ball too low or struggle with a lack of spin, the Elevate 95 may be a better choice. It’s important to keep in mind that shafts can’t completely fix swing issues, but they can help optimize your ball flight based on your swing tendencies.
It’s also worth noting that both the Elevate Tour and Elevate 95 are part of the True Temper Elevate line of golf shafts, which includes several other models with different profiles and characteristics. If neither of these shafts seems like the perfect fit for your game, it may be worth exploring some of the other options in the Elevate line.
Shaft Materials and Construction
Both the Elevate Tour and Elevate 95 shafts are made of graphite, which is a popular material for golf shafts due to its lightweight and vibration-dampening properties. The Elevate Tour features a high-strength, high-modulus carbon fiber material in the tip section, which helps to reduce twisting and increase stability at impact. The mid-section of the Elevate Tour is made of a lower modulus material to help generate more clubhead speed. The Elevate 95, on the other hand, features a high-quality carbon fiber material throughout the shaft, which helps to provide a consistent feel and performance.
Shaft Flex and Weight
Both the Elevate Tour and Elevate 95 shafts are available in a range of flexes to suit different swing speeds and styles. The Elevate Tour is available in Regular, Stiff, and X-Stiff flexes, while the Elevate 95 is available in Regular, Stiff, and Extra-Stiff flexes. The Elevate Tour has a slightly heavier weight range, with options ranging from 45 grams to 85 grams, while the Elevate 95 has a narrower weight range, with options ranging from 94 grams to 96 grams.
Shaft Profile and Ball Flight
The Elevate Tour and Elevate 95 shafts have slightly different profiles, which can impact ball flight. The Elevate Tour has a low-torque, stiff-tip profile, which helps to promote a high-launch, low-spin ball flight. This makes it a good choice for players who want maximum distance and accuracy. The Elevate 95, on the other hand, has a slightly more flexible profile with a higher torque rating, which helps to promote a mid-high launch, low-spin ball flight. This makes it a good choice for players who want a penetrating ball flight with improved control.
Price and Availability
The Elevate Tour and Elevate 95 shafts are both available from True Temper and a range of golf retailers. Prices may vary depending on the retailer and the specific shaft specifications, but generally, the Elevate Tour is priced slightly higher than the Elevate 95 due to its more advanced construction and performance characteristics.
Elevate Tour Shaft Comparison
| Shaft Model | Weight (grams) | Launch | Spin | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevate Tour | 95 | Mid | Low | 2.1 |
| KBS Tour | 110 | Mid | Mid | 2.0 |
| Project X LZ | 120 | Low | Low | 1.9 |
| Dynamic Gold | 120 | Low | Low | 1.6 |
| Nippon Modus | 120 | Mid | Low | 1.8 |
| True Temper | 115 | Mid | Low | 1.8 |
| Fujikura | 95 | Mid | Low | 2.1 |
| Aldila Rogue | 110 | Mid | Low | 2.2 |
| Mitsubishi | 110 | Mid | Low | 2.0 |
| UST Mamiya | 100 | Mid | Low | 2.0 |
Elevate 95 Shaft Comparison
| Shaft Model | Weight (grams) | Launch | Spin | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevate 95 | 95 | Mid | Low | 1.5 |
| KBS Tour 90 | 90 | Mid | Low | 1.8 |
| Project X PX | 95 | Low | Low | 1.6 |
| Dynamic Gold | 95 | Low | Low | 1.8 |
| Nippon NS Pro | 95 | Mid | Low | 1.8 |
| True Temper | 95 | Mid | Low | 1.5 |
| Fujikura | 95 | Mid | Low | 1.5 |
| Aldila Rogue | 95 | Mid | Low | 1.6 |
| Mitsubishi | 95 | Mid | Low | 1.8 |
| UST Mamiya | 95 | Mid | Low | 1.8 |
Performance Comparison of Elevate Tour vs Elevate 95
| Shaft Model | Launch | Spin | Distance | Accuracy | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevate Tour | Mid | Low | Long | Accurate | Firm |
| Elevate 95 | Mid | Low | Long | Accurate | Soft |
Conclusion
Finally, it’s important to get properly fitted for your golf shafts by a professional club fitter. A good club fitter can help you determine the optimal shaft flex, weight, and profile based on your swing data and preferences, which can help you get the most out of your clubs on the course.
In summary, the Elevate Tour and Elevate 95 are both high-quality golf shafts that offer distance, accuracy, and stability. Choosing between them comes down to personal preference, swing style, and other factors like ball flight and experience level. Make sure to get properly fitted for your golf shafts by a professional club fitter to ensure the best possible performance on the course.
