Titleist has some pretty good stock shaft options.  I have tried the Aldila RIP and the Diamana Ahina made for and they both are good shafts, I liked the Ahina better.  I am getting ready to try the Project X before I make my final decision.  I would suggest that you see if your local club would let you demo the club with the stock shaft in it and see how it feels to you.  I would do that before spending the extra $200 on an upgraded shaft.

I upgraded my shaft to the NV.  I think it was well worth the extra 50 or so bucks.  When you get fit, try the stock shaft and then try the upgraded shaft.  Maybe you won't notice enough difference to merit spending the extra cheese, but if you do notice the difference you wont feel bad about dropping a little (or a lot) extra money.

i am trying the stock shaft this coming friday before i buy anything...and i feel a titleist shaft will be plenty good but will find out for sure this week. tnx!

This is why you should do a club fitting. This is what can help you decide what shaft is for you. You may find out that they have a stock shaft that will performe as good or better for you. I my self on the other hand have allways had that extra upgraded shaft charge.  Get a good fitting and go with whats best for you. If you find out that the best shaft for you comes with and up charge my recomendation is pay it. Whats the point in buying a good new driver if the shaft isnt the right one for you.

this  is being done at a master fitting place...tyring the stock stiff shaft this weekend before i decide on which to buy...thanks

David,

I can promise you that you will be just as good a golfer with a stock shaft as you will be if you pay an extra $200 for a non-stock shaft. I would bet dollar to donuts that you would not be able to tell the difference in your ball flight or feel from one week to the next if you are only playing once a week. Titilest has an assortment of very good stock shafts. As you imply, you are already paying a significant amount. Put the extra money into new wedges or a putter you have been wanting. You will be glad you did in the short and long run. The main thing for you, at your handicap, is loft ( I recommend no less that 9 1/2 degree) and shaft stiffness. If you swing speed measures over 90, then a stiff shaft should be okay. Also, I would recommend a 60 gram weighted shaft option  at you handicap unless you just like swinging slow for some reason such as you want less distance and more control.

Rick C

Rick - glad i took time to post this question...this was a great answer Rick! Trying the stock Diahana ahila stiff (think that  is the name) shaft this week...I will post how it goes.

Thanks,

David

David,

I ended up buying the RIP 60 Stiff shaft,  D3, 9.5 degrees. I also have a 9 handicap although I have been as low as a 3. I liked mine so much that I ordered the same one for my older son as I had not bought him a club present in years and he trust my judgement. He has a very stong swing. I do see a lot of post from people just like you who get all hung up on reading about kick point and torque. Again, I would say if you are not close to an expert, that stuff doesn't matter near as much as the loft and shaft stiffness. However, if you have a demo area or club fitter near by, then by all means, try out the different stock shafts available for testing. But don't sweat over buying a stock shaft  vs a custom shaft. You will just drive yourself crazy. You have done good just narrowing it down to a Titilest 910 D3 vs the D2 head. I firmly believe that with this adjustable designed 910 from Titelist, we as consumers, won't have to worry about having the best technology for years to come. By the way, you mentioned you demoed in cold weather. I know a little about how materials react in cold vs warm conditions from my job. Unless you will mostly be playing in the cold (not likely), you will not be able to tell much when demoing in the cold just as your golf ball doesn't start performing as designed until about 70 plus degees. So I would suggest disregarding what you felt as a difference when it was cold.  I would also bet you did not try any different shaft settings since you were in the middle of playing a round. How you set the shaft option is going to make a very big difference in what your ball does as well as how it feels coming off the club. When your club comes in, don't be afraid to take it to the range and try several different shaft settings, even settings that you might not have considered. If you do that, I am sure you will narrow down what works and feels best for you. For instance, it comes set at A1 from the factory. That produced a slight draw for me. So I tried B2 for more draw thinking I could swing harder and it would go straighter. Felt terrible. Then I tried B1- more fade- worked and felt great because I have a strong release. Now I can work the ball both ways. Point is that you will find the proper shaft setting is every bit as important to you as the loft or shaft kick point. I apologize for getting carried away.

Rick C

didn't get carried away, more info the better...thanks

david

after trying out the stock Diamana A'hina  shaft last weekend i put in my order for the D3 w/ the stock shaft.  I liked my drives better w/ this shaft and felt no need to spend any additional $ on a non-stock shaft.   Worth noting that i hit both shafts w/ the same head set to same specs that my golf shop set up for me.  And both were hit on the golf course playing not at range. Computers and studios that fit your for clubs are great and serve a major role in helping golfers get better there is still no better tool for how you hit something then actually playing on a course w/ it.  Thanks for all the replies- its been a fun few weeks finding the right Titleist driver for me.

david

I used to chase the "Holy Grail" of shafts, but it wasn't until a Titleist Fitting Seminar that I stopped chasing the after-market shafts. It was pointed out that with all the money spent on R & D for the heads, "Do you really think that Titleist would put in a "bad" shaft?"  That was five or six years ago and I haven't reshafted my driver since.

BTW...My driving stats rose back to Pre-chase stats.

great info. I am just now starting to look into premium shafts but i think i'll just be wasting money. I'll just stick to my 910d3 with the RIP alpha 60. 

Glad you found your stick.  Game her well