Aretera AO2 Shaft Review: Speed, Stability, Exotic Materials

[MikeG]

The key is the materials, according to Aretera. Based on their information, the types of exotic materials they’re applying are thinner and lighter, which allow for such things.

Now, it’s not to say others aren’t using similar exotic materials or their own processes for applying the plies in a non traditional way, because they are, some are innovating insanely hard there, but this is Aretera’s story for theirs. For which I personally, with no evidence at all, take as a shot to those like Fuji more than others.

Fuji was the first one I was thinking about because with the Ventus line, they seemed to gain a ton of traction with similar technology application with the shafts.

Again, not knowing the full history of Aretera, it reads like they took that mindset and took it up several levels.

 

[Jman]

Fuji was the first one I was thinking about because with the Ventus line, they seemed to gain a ton of traction with similar technology application with the shafts.

Again, not knowing the full history of Aretera, it reads like they took that mindset and took it up several levels.

Well with Ventus being Alex Dee’s “masterpiece” if you will, it makes a lot of sense hahaha

It’s also why I’m eager to see how they continue to evolve too, rounding out a complete lineup as time goes on

 

[Golf Jones]

I agree, but they don’t want us to feel that way hahaha

 

[MikeG]

Well with Ventus being Alex Dee’s “masterpiece” if you will, it makes a lot of sense hahaha

It’s also why I’m eager to see how they continue to evolve too, rounding out a complete lineup as time goes on

I thought that was the case with Alex, but was not completely sure. glad you confirmed I am not going crazy, lol

 

[Jman]

I thought that was the case with Alex, but was not completely sure. glad you confirmed I am not going crazy, lol

Oh, we be crazy Mike. We definitely be crazy.

 

[JimmyDee]

For Aretera Golf, the past few years have been a whirlwind. Like any young brand, there have been curveballs along the way, but thanks to the extensive experience behind the scenes, momentum continues to build. While the EC1 earned widespread praise both across the industry and within THP Community Testing, it was always clear that […]

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Awesome write up @Jman . This and its predecessor have always been at the top of my list to test but sadly they have never been in the fitting cart and too much money to blindly buy. I bet I have heard the Aretera founders on a handful plus podcasts over the past couple of years talking about their journey and tech story. I hope this is the year I get my hands on them.

Question - did you find one shaft that for you, was just easy to hit consistently well without much thought? Will it stay in your bag for on-testing rounds, at least until you find something better?

 

[MikeG]

Oh, we be crazy Mike. We definitely be crazy.

 

[amarkabove]

@Jman, do we think we'll ever see a "red" from them? Both of their current offerings being the same except for the tip section makes me wonder how far they can push that idea.

 

[Chow]

My limited knowledge of shaft design and how "flags" are placed usually play a big part in feel, playability and overall performance. Since these are using almost double, and have managed to maintain a favorable feel and still perform, did you get any details on how the layers are being applied to achieve this? Does this come down to the materials being used versus what other OEM's are using?

Podcasts with Alex talk about this.

I can't remember off the top of my head but Aretera's design philosophy with the ControlCenter, involves controlling the stiff at all the layers from inner diameter to outer diameter which is contrary to traditional shaft methods.

"So if you look at a golf shaft, the construction, the materials that are resisting twist are first on the tool, so they're the core, the inner diameter of the shaft. And the outer diameters are materials that are aligned in a way that resist bending. The further towards the outer diameter you go, the stiffer things get (generally). The plies that were resisting bending on the outside were dwarfing what you get from the stiffness contributions in twist on the inner diameter plies.

What we did was break that apart and say, let's not shove all of these materials that resist twist and restrict them to the inside, let's break up this idea of a core, and distribute those materials along the wall thickness. So now we're balancing the stiffness and bending and stiffness and twist and just structurally becomes much more of a unifying thing along the whole length of the shaft (Aretera Feel)

For the first time that the plies (layers) responsible for torsional stability are now given equal measure to the plies responsible for bending stiffness. Shafts are traditionally manufactured the way they are because it's less time and cost, it takes longer for us to roll these plies independently and alternating, the 16-20 plies of material in comparison. "

I transcribed and summarized the key points for everyone here. Worth a read

 

[Jman]

@Jman, do we think we'll ever see a "red" from them? Both of their current offerings being the same except for the tip section makes me wonder how far they can push that idea.

I don’t think so. Their fitting setup is pretty concrete as far as their beliefs of wha their two offering design can offer. With the 7% difference in the top sections, they feel like they’ve got a pretty good window there already, and that’s not even getting into the different weight and flex options.

 

[Jman]

Podcasts with Alex talk about this.

I can't remember off the top of my head but Aretera's design philosophy with the ControlCenter, involves controlling the stiff at all the layers from inner diameter to outer diameter which is contrary to traditional shaft methods.

"So if you look at a golf shaft, the construction, the materials that are resisting twist are first on the tool, so they're the core, the inner diameter of the shaft. And the outer diameters are materials that are aligned in a way that resist bending. The further towards the outer diameter you go, the stiffer things get (generally). The plies that were resisting bending on the outside were dwarfing what you get from the stiffness contributions in twist on the inner diameter plies.

What we did was break that apart and say, let's not shove all of these materials that resist twist and restrict them to the inside, let's break up this idea of a core, and distribute those materials along the wall thickness. So now we're balancing the stiffness and bending and stiffness and twist and just structurally becomes much more of a unifying thing along the whole length of the shaft (Aretera Feel)

For the first time that the plies (layers) responsible for torsional stability are now given equal measure to the plies responsible for bending stiffness. Shafts are traditionally manufactured the way they are because it's less time and cost, it takes longer for us to roll these plies independently and alternating, the 16-20 plies of material in comparison. "

I transcribed and summarized the key points for everyone here. Worth a read

It’s a good rundown.

We also talked about this in our Aretera brand focus article.

 

[Jman]

Awesome write up @Jman . This and its predecessor have always been at the top of my list to test but sadly they have never been in the fitting cart and too much money to blindly buy. I bet I have heard the Aretera founders on a handful plus podcasts over the past couple of years talking about their journey and tech story. I hope this is the year I get my hands on them.

Question - did you find one shaft that for you, was just easy to hit consistently well without much thought? Will it stay in your bag for on-testing rounds, at least until you find something better?

They’re both extremely friendly to my needs if I’m being honest. I lean Gray on the course for a little tighter dispersion when dealing with the wind here downrange, but I played as many rounds with the blue as the gray and both were really good for me.

 

[swook]

What a great write up @Jman! You are a fantastic writer.

I did enjoy the EC1 but it wasn't enough to beat out my Ventus Blue last year. Would love to try the AO2

 

[Jman]

What a great write up @Jman! You are a fantastic writer.

I did enjoy the EC1 but it wasn't enough to beat out my Ventus Blue last year. Would love to try the AO2

I think you’d enjoy this one a good bit more than the EC1 if that’s your comp of what you’re coming from.

And thank you for the kind words!

 

[shanewu]

I’ve enjoyed the EC1 and while these are quite different from them, I would still like to try them and compare at some point, probably the blue for me

 

[Apolloshowl]

Excited to put this on the list to test and try out. The 3 wood shaft I had didn't love me but maybe these will fit a better rhythm

 

[Jman]

Excited to put this on the list to test and try out. The 3 wood shaft I had didn't love me but maybe these will fit a better rhythm

Really look forward to your thoughts after you do get a chance to track one down and give a go.

 

[Jman]

Cool to see the little nod to this review on Aretera’s social today.

 

[amarkabove]

Cool to see the little nod to this review on Aretera’s social today.

Well deserved for the quality article.

 

[Mayor McCheese]

Cool to see the little nod to this review on Aretera’s social today.

It’s pretty clear that Aretera THP

 

[CSILKEY7]

anyone have any comparisons of the AO2 and the new UST powercore? These are my top two shaft to look at going into 2026!

 

[Jman]

anyone have any comparisons of the AO2 and the new UST powercore? These are my top two shaft to look at going into 2026!

Hahaha, I’ve been waiting on someone to ask this directly.

They’re the two that I’ve hit the most over the past two months, and it’s not taking the easy route when I say they’re both excellent, but do it in different ways.

IMO, the PowerCore matrix allows for more flight tuning having all three colors in the bag at one point, it’s also got feel, but not to the same degree as the AO2.

Both are impressive in the energy transfer efficiency.

Feel of the AO2 is truly unique.

Downrange both shine.

Both also bring effortless power to the mind.

For me, the PC has a little more ideal flight with the white TX given my height off the tee, but I’d love to get to try the 6 in the AO2 gray to compare.

HONESTLY though, both are very good. Very very good.

 

[Mayor McCheese]

Hahaha, I’ve been waiting on someone to ask this directly.

They’re the two that I’ve hit the most over the past two months, and it’s not taking the easy route when I say they’re both excellent, but do it in different ways.

IMO, the PowerCore matrix allows for more flight tuning having all three colors in the bag at one point, it’s also got feel, but not to the same degree as the AO2.

Both are impressive in the energy transfer efficiency.

Feel of the AO2 is truly unique.

Downrange both shine.

Both also bring effortless power to the mind.

For me, the PC has a little more ideal flight with the white TX given my height off the tee, but I’d love to get to try the 6 in the AO2 gray to compare.

HONESTLY though, both are very good. Very very good.

I’ve gotta swing an AO2 to see what this feel is all about. I love the feel of the EC1

 

[CSILKEY7]

Hahaha, I’ve been waiting on someone to ask this directly.

They’re the two that I’ve hit the most over the past two months, and it’s not taking the easy route when I say they’re both excellent, but do it in different ways.

IMO, the PowerCore matrix allows for more flight tuning having all three colors in the bag at one point, it’s also got feel, but not to the same degree as the AO2.

Both are impressive in the energy transfer efficiency.

Feel of the AO2 is truly unique.

Downrange both shine.

Both also bring effortless power to the mind.

For me, the PC has a little more ideal flight with the white TX given my height off the tee, but I’d love to get to try the 6 in the AO2 gray to compare.

HONESTLY though, both are very good. Very very good.

Sounds like I'll just have to get one of each to see how they compare

 

[Jman]

I’ve gotta swing an AO2 to see what this feel is all about. I love the feel of the EC1

Similar, yet more stability underneath.

IMO, they really are developing an “Aretera feel” across both lines that’s unique to them.