 I know the difference between shaft flexes (reg for normal swing speed, stiff for a fast one) and the reasons why, but does shaft manufacturer make a difference? I've seen many drivers offered for sale stating the shaft manufacturer as well as the flex, so was wondering if it made that much of a difference (especially to a highish handicapper), and if so, how do you find out which one is for you?
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 Try them. There is no standard for shaft flexes so one manufacturers stiff may be equivalent to anothers R... The things to look out for are shaft weight (the heavier the shaft the stiffer it will feel) Kick point (depending on what trajectory you want) Torque (the lower the better, but this will also affect how "responsive" the shaft is) But ultimately, they all play a little different. The only real way is to try as many as you can, do your own research and note the weight, kickpoint, torque etc on the ones you like and you will end up with a set of stats that should guide you as to what works for you. Then you will be in a position to target the shafts that should suit you. But even then, it is still a case of finding the right shaft and club head, trying it out and making sure it works before committing to it.
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 Jeesh
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 I am assuming yo are talking drivers here? An OEM like titleist etc will quote a shaft fitted as a selling point if it is from one of the better known manufacturers, typically Fujikura, Graffalloy or Aldila.
Here lies part of the problem. Many of the shafts are jointly produced by the OEM and the shaft manufacturer specifically for that manufacturer. ie Titleist may commission Fujikura to produce a shaft for their latest driver. This will be done at a specific price point, or in other words, cheaply. So a Fujikura speeder for titleist shaft is very different than a genuine Fuikura speeder shaft which will cost 5 times or more what the one produced for titleist. Typically a few dollars for the shaft in the driver you buy from the pro shop, or up to $1000 for a high quality shaft from a manufacturer such as Matrix Ozik
It can make a huge difference, but only in as much as getting the correct launch angle for you swingspeed and swing. When you have played for a long time you start to get a feel for which shafts suit you, which are tip soft etc but if you are playing to a higher handicap don't pay too much attention to the manufactureer of the shaft - just get a fitting and go with the one which suits you best.
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 Unless you get fit properly for shafts I can only tell you one fact I have learned after 30 ears in the game, it will be pure luck you hit the ball as well as you can. And you probably won't, and then you will try and adjust your swing to suit it and thus hold yourself back for years. Shafts are so dramatically different for a whole load of reasons my advice is go to someone who knows what they are doing. And if your pro advise flex based on swing speed he DOES'NT know jack about shafts, so walk away. You will have a long search in the UK.
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 I really dont think there is any difference in quality between a shaft made in smaller numbers to one mass produced for an OEM. The sales of the "exotica" shafts cant be that high and when an OEM comes along and wants half a million they are gonna be able to strike a bloody good deal. I do think that the OEM versions of shafts play softer to flex, thats most likely for sales reasons rather than any quality aspect. I think tha vast majority of amateur golfers are fine with stock OEM shafts. There are hard hitters here and elsewhere that do require a different shaft, but most of us will be fine with a stock modern OEM shaft IMO.
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Possibly, probably, maybe, who knows, but there will be a shaft out there that suits you, just as RJUSA said about putters and swing weight, there is a wide set and one will suit. It depends on the player whether they want to go and find it and how much they practice and want to improve. Personally I think having enough loft and playing a shaft short enough to control is more important, as you say if the shaft is there or there abouts and you have the right loft and length then you will be far better off than someone with to little loft and a shaft to longer.
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 I really dont think there is any difference in quality between a shaft made in smaller numbers to one mass produced for an OEM. The sales of the "exotica" shafts cant be that high and when an OEM comes along and wants half a million they are gonna be able to strike a bloody good deal. I do think that the OEM versions of shafts play softer to flex, thats most likely for sales reasons rather than any quality aspect. I think tha vast majority of amateur golfers are fine with stock OEM shafts. There are hard hitters here and elsewhere that do require a different shaft, but most of us will be fine with a stock modern OEM shaft IMO.
My time spent with Golfsmith tells different.... through their data collection upto 85% of OEM shafts are unsuitable for the majority of golfers,which holds true , my callaway x20 shafts were all over the place ,only 3 were the same flex.....
Discuss 
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Yep, I've heard that many times. I've heard about one set with an A flex, a reg and an X in them. Its says soemthign about DG who probably gave them the ones that don't pass the mustard, and Callaway for not checking
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Yes I have had the same X100, R300 and S400 in the same set labelled as S300 - cleveland they were. Oh and the 4 iron had more loft than the five.
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hence why I got X100 tours, at least they are supposed to be frequency matched, but a mate who tests these things said their Black Golds have a reputation for being out, and they are supposed to be hand picked and within a very tight tolerance
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