When Newton Golf released the Motion driver shaft, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As a spin off from a boutique putter brand, could they really compete in the premium shaft space? It didn’t take long for the original Motion to prove itself across the professional and recreational market. The easy energy load, smooth feel, solid performance, and “ready-to-swap” delivery made it a hit—and at $275, the price was tough to beat. (Newton sells the shafts with your adapter of choice and a grip so they are ready to go right out of the box.)
I tested the original 6 dot flex (the stiffest option at the time) and found it didn’t quite work with my aggressive swing. (You can read that review here to learn about the technology and design concepts.) While the Motion shaft was gaining praise, I couldn’t quite get the consistency and control I needed. Enter the new 6.5 dot flex, designed for players with swing speeds between 110 and 120 mph. Newton also delivered a 7 dot for players with 120+ mph swing speeds. These updated profiles are stiffer, have lower torque, and provide better stability and precision—exactly what I needed.
Testing the 6.5 Dot Flex
The Newton Motion 6.5 dot flex immediately felt better suited to my faster tempo. It allowed me to swing aggressively without losing control, while still promoting a smooth, natural motion thanks to Newton’s “Kinetic Storage Construction.” In theory, the shaft loads and releases energy easier, making controlling my swing feel like less of a struggle.
With the 6.5 dot, I didn’t have to think about “how” I was swinging. I could just focus on making my normal swing, which is always a good thing. The less that’s running through my brain on the tee box, the better. I noticed much more consistency in my ball flight and dispersion compared to the original. The feel was tighter and that translated to better performance, and more confidence.
My launch and spin could still stray toward the higher end a bit more than I’d prefer. I was able to reel that in a bit by swapping sole weights so the center of gravity (CG) was forward in my driver head. The only issue I run into there is that I tend to not get along with this CG “feel”, so I struggle with consistency. This plagues me with forward CGs in drivers no matter what shaft I have in the club. So if I could get better adjusted to that CG feel, I’d really be cooking with gas.
Final Thoughts – Newton Motion Shaft 6.5 Dot
This experience with the Newton Motion shaft in a firmer flex made for a much different experience. Frankly, I felt like I must have been totally missing something based on all of the raving reviews I was seeing. I just couldn’t relate. With the introduction of the stiffer profiles in the 6.5 and 7 dot, it all made much more sense to me. The Newton Motion has a user-friendly feel and performance, and is available ready to play at an accessible price point. Now players with higher swing speeds can get a better idea of what the Motion shaft has to offer.
