30 Oct Is PUREing a Golf Shaft Worth It?
For most golfers investing in fitted clubs, yes. In independent player testing, PUREd shafts produced more distance, tighter dispersion and better feel than identical non-PUREd shafts, for an added cost of $60 per shaft.
That’s the short answer. Here’s the evidence behind it, and where its limits are.
What the player tests found
Plugged In Golf, an independent equipment review site, has run several head-to-head tests. In each, the clubs were identical in head, shaft model, length, loft, lie, grip and swing weight. The only difference was whether the shaft was PUREd. Testers didn’t know which club was which, and every shot was recorded on TrackMan.
| Test | Golfers | Result with the PUREd shaft |
|---|---|---|
| Six-iron | 7, mid-teens to scratch | 7+ yards more total distance; 2.2 yards closer to the center line; 2.1 yards tighter left-to-right spread; 6 of 7 said it felt better |
| Driver | 10, +3 to 19 handicap | 6.3 yards more total distance and 3.7 more carry; 8 of 10 hit it farther; 80% correctly picked the PUREd club by feel; accuracy results were inconclusive |
Full disclosure: Club Champion owns SST PURE, and both tests were conducted at Club Champion.
Why it works
Every shaft has small manufacturing variations that make it bend a little differently depending on which way it faces. Installed in an unstable orientation, the shaft moves slightly off plane during the swing. PUREing finds the most stable orientation and aligns it to the target, so the shaft bends the same way every time. Read how the process works.
What PUREing won’t do
- It won’t fix a swing. PUREing makes a good shaft more consistent. It doesn’t change your swing path or face control.
- It won’t save a poorly fit club. A shaft that’s the wrong weight or flex for you is still the wrong shaft. Get fit first, then PURE.
- Results vary by player. In the driver test, two of ten golfers hit the PUREd club shorter. Averages tell you what to expect, not what you’ll get on any one swing.
What it costs
On a new build, PUREing adds $60 per shaft. PUREing clubs you already own (a retro-PURE) costs more, $140 per shaft, because each club has to be taken apart and rebuilt. See how retro-PUREing works.
On a set that already represents a significant investment in fitting and premium components, PUREing is a small added cost for a more consistent result.
Frequently asked questions
Is PUREing a gimmick?
No. In blind player testing, PUREd shafts gained distance and tightened dispersion compared with identical non-PUREd shafts, and most golfers could feel the difference.
Will I feel the difference?
Most golfers do. In the tests above, 6 of 7 iron testers preferred the PUREd club, and 80% of driver testers identified it by feel.
Should I PURE every club in my bag?
If you’re building a new set, PUREing every club keeps the whole bag consistent. If you’re retro-PUREing, start with the clubs you hit most, usually driver and irons.
Read next: Which Shafts Benefit Most from PUREing? · SST PURE FAQ