Ive never heard of this before, can't say I'm technically smart enough to know the answer! But, if they do need "broke" in, thats probably the best news every, head to the range and pound a large bucket! GOLF!!

I've never heard or read anything about "breaking in" graphite shafts. Over time I would believe that the properties of shafts change due to the stress they go through during the golf swing and because of that they may need to be swapped out over time, but I wouldn't refer to that as "breaking in".

I don't really subscribe to that thought. "Breaking in" a motor for example implies wearing away metal which increases tighter tolerances of the metal parts. In turn it runs stronger and more efficient. Applying that logic to a golf shaft would mean losing or changing the graphite, composites or catalyst. If the shaft is decent quality, it should be coming from the factory ready to play. Variations in temperature, swing load, and multiple other characteristics would change how the shaft plays. But, overall, shafts are designed to play consistent, as long as the player is consistent.

I would think a shaft would deteriorate over time, but I'd also think you would need a computer to measure the extremely tiny amount of difference between it being new or supposedly worn.

I've never heard of breaking in a shaft though.