DST Golf Shaft Selection Guide
Selecting the shaft option best suited to your game in DST irons typically involves three key factors:
- Swing Speed
- Swing Tempo
- Preferred Ball Flight trajectory in KBS Tour/Tour Lite shafts
1. Swing Speed
The first factor to consider is swing speed. In general, Regular Flex shafts tend to suit players with slower swing speeds, while Stiff and X-Stiff Flex shafts are better suited to players with faster swing speeds.
One simple way to help determine a suitable shaft flex is to visit a driving range equipped with TopTracer or similar launch monitor technology. This technology can measure your 7-iron club head speed.
Alternatively, if you do not have access to launch monitor data, you can estimate shaft flex based on your average 7-iron carry distance.
As a guide, refer to the table below with suggested shaft flexes:
| 7 iron Swing Speed | Carry Distance (Yards) | Carry Distance (Metres) | Suggested Shaft Flex |
| Under 80mph | Less than 155 yards | Less than 140m | Regular |
| 81-90mph | 156-175 yards | 140-160m | Stiff |
| Over 90mph | More than 176 yards | More than 160m | X-Stiff |
2. Swing Tempo
The second factor to consider is swing tempo (smooth, moderate, or quick).
Players with a smoother rhythm or tempo to their swing generally place less load on the shaft during transition and impact. As a result, they may benefit from a Regular Flex shaft. Players with a more aggressive or quicker tempo typically benefit from a Stiff or X-Stiff Flex shaft, even if their swing speed is similar.
3. Preferred Ball Flight in KBS Tour or Tour Lite (Standard Weight vs Lightweight Shafts)
Many golfers tend to launch the ball too high due to inefficient impact conditions. DST irons are designed to promote a more penetrating ball flight. However, shaft weight and kick point also influence launch angle and trajectory.
For example:
The KBS TOUR LITE range generally produces a higher launch and additional spin. The KBS TOUR range is designed for a more mid-trajectory ball flight with excellent stability and control.
This is largely a personal preference, but strength and stamina throughout the round can play an important role. During the closing holes, lighter shafts can help reduce fatigue and maintain swing consistency. So lighter weight shafts with higher kick points that are featured in the KBS TOUR LITE range of shafts may help golfers with slower swing speeds. The KBS TOUR range will benefit golfers wanting increased shot control and a mid- trajectory
KBS Tour and KBS Tour Lite Shaft Specs
Below we have set out the shaft specifications we use in our iron builds. Please note that the recommended swing speeds are just that—recommendations.
We use KBS parallel tip shafts in all of our iron sets.
KBS Tour
| Flex | Raw Weight |
Recommended Club Head Speed (7 iron) |
Tip Diameter | Launch & Spin |
| Regular | 120g | 70-80 MPH | .370” | Mid/Mid |
| Stiff | 130g | 80-90 MPH | .370” | Mid/Mid |
| X-Stiff | 133g | >90 MPH | .370” | Mid/Mid |
KBS Tour Lite
| Flex | Raw Weight |
Recommended Club Head Speed (7 iron) |
Tip Diameter | Launch & Spin |
| Regular | 105g | 65-75 MPH | .370” | High/High |
| Stiff | 105g | 75-85 MPH | .370” | High/High |
| X-Stiff | 110g | >85 MPH | .370” | High/High |