PING Golf Shafts: About the Alta CB 55

PING golf company is probably better known for its large, heavy drivers like the G425 MAX than it is for golf shafts.

All the same, there are some pretty good PING golf shafts out there, and some of them make very good mates for their drivers (and for very specific reasons that we will cover here).

Case in point: the PING Alta CB 55. Here’s what you need to know about this golf shaft, broken down.

General Overview of This PING Golf Shaft

The PING Alta CB 55 is one of the company’s elite graphite golf driver shafts for sale, and has been engineered, extensively tested, and refined to produce optimal distance, control, and consistency.

These graphite shafts are available in regular, stiff, and extra-stiff shaft flex ratings, range in weight from 53-63g (this post will focus on the 55), ranges in torque between 4.2 to 5.9 (the 55 between 3 and 3.5) depending on flex, and produces mid-low to high launch angles - but we’ll get more to that in the details below.

Flex, Weight, and Performance

Shaft flex refers to how the shaft bends under the load placed on it during the swing. The PING Alta CB 55 has three standard shaft flex profiles: regular, stiff, and extra stiff.

For players with swing speeds between 85 and 95 mph, the Alta CB 55 produces optimal launch for carry distance without compromising on consistency. R\In this instance, reduced spin helps generate increased carry.

The stiff version is best for players with swing speeds roughly between 90 and 100 mph, and for whom it will also produce low spin and a slightly lower ball flight, for maximized carry distance.

The extra-stiff version is best for players with swing speeds higher than 95 mph. It produces low launch and spin, but the tradeoff is that if your swing speed is too low, you’ll probably get erratic shot dispersion; step down to the stiff version if this is your concern.

In each situation, a steady, controlled tempo will help improve consistency characteristics, helping to reduce shot dispersion. All in all, smooth swing mechanics work best with this shaft.

The PING Alta CB 55, unsurprisingly, tips the scale at 55 grams. This version of the Alta CB was developed to be lightweight, with the needs of amateur golfers in mind. Each 10 grams shed from the shaft can increase swing speed and thereby club head speed substantially, which is actually what the people at PING aimed to do by reducing the overall weight of these shafts.

As a result, it’s a good overall choice if you’re an amateur with a low to medium-fast swing speed, and the lightweight design will help boost performance by wringing the most club head speed from your swing.

Torque Profile (and Why It Matters)

Flex selection will be the ultimate determinant of torque rating in these PING golf shafts, but in general, the Alta CB 55 will deliver torque between 3 and 3.5 degrees.

One of the secrets to the design of the Alta CB 55 is in the consistency of the wall construction, which delivers exceptional symmetrical torque and stability without excessive twisting of the shaft.

Another great thing about the design of these shafts is that they exhibit identical torque from the butt through the tip section, maximizing consistency.

While shaft flex gets most of the attention placed on golf shafts, it is imperative to recognize that excess torque imparts more backspin, which can be desirable for controlling shot dispersion.

That extra spin can also impart a higher, loftier launch that results in higher flight and greater carry distance, and so for players with slower swing speeds, it can be beneficial.

Regardless, the consistent torque ratings and minimal variation, even among different flex ratings, helps to ensure more consistent ball flight.

Kick Point, Launch and Spin Characteristics

The PING Alta CB features a mid-high kick point approximately 75% of the distance up the shaft from the tip.

This relatively lower kick point (by high kick point standards) allows for a smoother energy transfer and optimal launch angles to maximize carry distance without producing too much dispersion.

This makes these shafts (across all three shaft ratings) suitable for players with both low and mid-high swing speeds.

Who Is This PING Golf Shaft for?

One element of this PING golf shaft that we have not yet expressly explored is one that is central to the shaft - the CB in the name.

This stands for “counterbalanced” and despite the fact that these are, on the whole, lightweight shafts, they feature a counterbalanced weight profile.

This helps offset the ungainly balance of the shaft when a heavy, bulky clubhead is added to it - resulting in more fluid transitions, more even loading, superior energy transfer, and overall greater consistency for players with moderate swing tempos.

Visit Us and Get Fitted

Not sure if this PING golf shaft is for you? It very well might be, especially if you’re swinging a large, heavy club - but all the same, visit us in Dallas, Texas or contact one of our professionals at 800-955-9550 to get fitted before you make a decision. We’ll help you find the right golf driver shaft for your athletic abilities (and equipment) whether it’s a PING shaft or not.