A new golf shaft hit the market in 2020. It is from a Korean company called Dumina. The characteristics of this shaft is different from other shafts on the market. It is said to use “Korean Hidden Technology.” Whatever the technology, it does work. The AutoFlex shaft is very light (40 grams), very flexible (170 CPM), and very expensive ($800)
The benefits are faster club head and ball speed and tighter shot dispersion. The difference between the Autoflex and other light weight flexible shafts is that the AutoFlex provides a definite “kick” in the power zone that is not found in other light weight flexible shafts.
Instead of the normal L, A, R, S, X shaft flexes, the AutoFlex is fit by the swing speed.
The AutoFlex is not for everyone. In order to attain the benefits of the AutoFlex, it requires a smooth transitioned swing without any jerky or violent motion. Senior golfers that are losing their strength can benefit with more distance if they can adopt a smooth swing. It might be said that the AutoFlex is an expensive swing trainer!
The Autoflex does require some “tuning” to achieve optimal results. The most common adjustment is in the swing weight. The shaft responds better to lighter swing weights. The swing weight recommended for my shaft, the SF305X, is C5-C9. For my Titleist TSR1 driver, I replaced the standard 9g weight with a 3g weight. So, it helps to have a driver that has removable weights. I have found that using lead tape to add some weight makes a difference in the flex of the shaft. I could feel a difference in the flex with just a change of an eighth-gram of lead tape.
The feel of the proper flex is the feel of the shaft “kick” just before contact with the ball. If the swing weight is too light, the feel of the shaft will feel “stiff” and no feeling of the kick. If the swing weight is too heavy, the feel of the shaft will feel “soft” and the club head will feel like it is lagging and no feeling of the kick.
Using a driver that has an adjustable adapter is also beneficial. the AutoFlex’s flex is sensitive to the changes in adapter settings. I could feel differences in the various settings. Each setting had a different ball flight and I could feel that a setting had a stiffer or more flexible feel when I swung the club. That being said, you MUST have a repeatable swing in order to do try “tuning” the AutoFlex by changing adapter settings or changing weights.
I have the AutoFlex in my driver, fairway wood, hybrid, iron, and wedge. I have added distance and accuracy in the driver and fairway wood. The hybrid and iron shafts did not add any advantage other than a lighter club weight, which I like. The feel of the AutoFlex hybrid and iron shafts feel like my regular flex steel shafts.
I think golfers who are looking for more distance and accuracy, and are willing to use a smooth and rhythmic swing, will like the AutoFlex shaft.
Some golf professionals that use Autoflex are Lee Trevino and Catriona Matthew.