Back in June, I was contacted by the marketing staff of Breakthrough Golf Technology, they had what they said was a great review opportunity, the Stability putter shaft. As a golf writer, companies reach out all the time willing to provide products in exchange for a review. A lot of times a product either isn’t a fit for Golf Aficionado readers or doesn’t live up to the hype. However, every now and then we come across a product that actually makes the cut and after months of field testing garners a write-up. So here we go!
The Problem (Why you need a Stability Putter Shaft)
For more than 50 years, the putter shaft hasn’t changed — it essentially has remained a steel pipe. Yet putter head designs have evolved and gotten dramatically heavier. The result; Shafts that are neither stable nor strong enough to keep these advanced putter heads from oscillating, twisting and turning during the stroke. In fact, the strongest part of the putter shaft is right underneath the hands, where it does the least good; the weakest part is near the head. So why would any golfer having a better option, trust their putter to a cheap steel shaft? After all, you use a putter nearly twice as much as any other club.
The Solution (What They’ve Done to Make You a Better Putter)
Industry veteran Barney Adams (The Creator of Adams Golf) has returned to golf with Breakthrough Golf Technology’s Stability putter shaft. Bearing a scientifically advanced multi‐material design and new geometries never before used in putter shaft design, this product has a great look, solid feel and a traditional steel putter shaft’s weight. It is way better!
The Science (What the Heck is the Stability Putter Shaft)
At 37 inches long, 125 grams and bearing an ultra-stiff flex, the Stability putter shaft is designed to improve any golfer’s game. The Stability putter shaft delivers the face more square at impact, for improved accuracy and solid feel. It also has a lower launch for a predictable roll and better distance control. The secret to the Stability design is that they found the weakest point of a steel putter shaft and then used computer analysis to place a flex-resistant insert at this weak point. The Stability shaft not only greatly increases stiffness but also adds the benefit of improved feel.
The Specs (What’s This Thing Is Made Of)
Four components of the Stability shaft work in concert to greatly improve putting performance. The Advanced Materials Integration consists of:
- A 7075 aluminum connector that helps to reinforce. This versatility allows attachment to any tip diameter of any putter, regardless of the bend profile.
- Stainless steel tips with extremely consistent wall thicknesses are coated with a smoke PVD finish to add further protection from corrosion and rusting.
- Eight layers of high modulus carbon fiber that are specifically layered, wrapped and widened, with a no‐taper design to greatly reduce torque.
- A lightweight, 22‐gram aluminum insert that was developed and precisely located to reinforce flexural rigidity.
The Price: $199
For $199 you’ll be able to ship your existing putter off and have it come back in about a week retrofitted with a Stability putter shaft. Due to the thousands of putters sold over the last 20 years and the complexities of accurately measuring the shaft, Stability is only accommodating orders where they do the install. This allows them to guarantee your new golf Stability Shaft will be installed perfectly.
My Byron Morgan Putter posing for a photo after being re-shafted with the Stability Putter Shaft
The Results: Astonishing!
OK, so at first I was skeptical, I’m currently using a custom Byron Morgan putter which retails for $1300. I love the look of my putter and while I’m always interested in being a better putter, I was worried about the aesthetics. However, after one particular bad round where I had more 3-putts than I can remember I finally decided what the hell, let’s try this shaft out. I mean worst case, I would just have it re-shafted back to the original.
I’m so thankful I decided to bite the bullet and give the Stability putter shaft a go. My putter arrived back to me via FedEx on 8/25, just in time for this year’s Golf Aficionado ultimate golf trip. I immediately put the new putter shaft into play starting on 8/26. As far as impact to my handicap, on 8/15/2018 my GHIN handicap index was 17.2 on 11/1/2018 my index is 14.1. 3 full strokes better in a matter of 2 months!
Can all the improvement be accredited to the Stability putter shaft? Not all, but most. If I had been playing my normal amount of rounds of golf, which on average is 1 a week I would have said 100% the Stability putter shaft is the only change and produced tremendous results. With the ultimate golf trip we ended up playing 6 rounds in 5 days and my average rounds played during the past 2 months is up to over 2 per week.
Because I’m a golf writer and I’m completely analytical about everything I do when it comes to playing golf, I track all my golf statistics (GIR, Penalties, Putts, etc.). Prior to making the shaft change, my average putts per round on the year was 33.9. Following the change in putter shaft on 8/25 (20 rounds) my average putts per round is down to 31.2, an improvement of 2.7 strokes. That tells me the improvement in my game has a lot more to do with the new putter shaft than I originally thought.
The Unmeasurable: Confidence
More than anything, my confidence is through the roof. Every putt I’ve made over the past 20 rounds has contributed towards building my confidence as a good putter. I sent my putter off and it came back with a better look and feel that’s translated into fewer putts during my rounds. As I’ve seen my performance improve, it’s only been a snowball effect, and now I look forward to every putt with the thought I can drain anything.
Bottom-Line: BUY IT!
Numbers don’t lie, and my current trend is 14.1 which will post in 3 days.
The Stability putter shaft from Breakthrough Golf Technology has had the biggest impact on my game since I received my first set of custom fit golf clubs. The Stability shaft has been a game changer on the greens helping me reduce my handicap by 3 full strokes in only 2 months’ time. If you’re looking to improve your results with the flat stick, I highly recommend you give the Stability putter shaft a go! Click here to order your Stability Putter Shaft.
Rob Spellman, is an avid golfer and publisher of Golf Aficionado Magazine, he is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and the Golf Travel Writers of America.