Jimmy Walker, the 2016 PGA Championship winner, is testing regular flex graphite iron shafts to potentially ease his swing effort. The shafts have produced higher ball speeds while maintaining spin and launch. This trial highlights a shift from traditional heavy steel shafts on the PGA Tour.
Jimmy Walker has begun testing Fujikura’s Axiom 75R iron shafts, which are lighter and softer than the heavy steel options like Dynamic Gold X100s or Project X 6.5s commonly used on the PGA Tour. According to a discussion on GOLF’s Fully Equipped podcast, Walker’s trial with these regular flex graphite shafts in a 7-iron has yielded impressive results. His typical ball speed with a 7-iron ranges from 128 to 130 mph, but with the Axiom shafts, he achieved 135 to 136 mph while spinning the ball at 6,600 rpm and launching it high.
Walker reported swinging at only 80 percent effort, allowing him to turn the club over without maximum exertion. This approach appeals for days when players are not at their peak, though co-host Jake Morrow noted the challenge of consistently throttling back. Johnny Wunder, the other co-host, shared that Walker still performs well even when swinging harder.
The idea stemmed from Walker trying his father’s driver, equipped with a regular flex Fujikura Ventus shaft, where he matched his usual ball speeds without the feared left misses. This led him to a golf shop, where after considering lighter steel shafts, he opted for the Axioms. Walker, known as an elite ball striker, may adapt well to the shafts’ tip-stiff profile.
While graphite shafts are typically for slower swing speeds, Walker’s success suggests potential for faster swings on Tour. The podcast explores whether such options could gain traction among professionals.