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ACCRA Shogun is a family of three wood shafts with extraordinary performance.  Shogun Blue is extremely active and high launching.  Shogun Green has a traditional low launch, low spin feel and great stability.  Shogun Red is built for the aggressive swinger with excellent consistency and surprising kick.

Introduction

I’ve tested several ACCRA shafts over the years [ACCRA Tour Z RPG review HERE], and every time I’m left with the same thought, “If these guys ever got their marketing right, they just might destroy every other shaft company.”  Testing the ACCRA Shogun shafts was no different.  This family of three premium wood shafts is absolutely extraordinary though – in true ACCRA fashion – it defies the easy red/blue/white system that most shaft makers adhere to.  Read on to learn which one might help elevate your game.

Looks

The look of the ACCRA Shogun shafts screams quality.  In red, green, and blue, they have a gorgeous matte finish.  It’s hard to put into words, but something about the combination of the rich colors and the finish stands apart from anything else I’ve seen in a long time.

Graphically, the Shogun shafts are understated.  The branding and specifications are done in gold on one side of the shaft.  A subtle star-like geometric pattern wraps around the entire shaft just below the grip.  On the “logo down” side, you’ll see a golden Japanese character and the ACCRA logo in tone on tone.  Overall, these shafts are absolutely stunning.

Feel

The three ACCRA Shogun shafts have completely different bend profiles.  Per ACCRA, Shogun Blue is the most active, Shogun Green is tip stiff with a softer butt section, and Shogun Red is stable “from top to bottom.”  I’ll discuss each one individually.

Based on those descriptions, you’d never guess that the ACCRA Shogun Blue is used by long drive competitors, but it is.  I was even more stunned when I swung it.  This shaft is only offered in M0 and M2 flexes – both “below” regular – so the feel of the shaft I tested was predictably active.  The intense bending demanded that I swing with good tempo and allow the shaft to do the work.  This was not a fit for my aggressive transition, but I could appreciate the feel of the shaft powering itself through impact.

For me, the next shaft up the feel ladder was the ACCRA Shogun Red.  This deviates from ACCRA’s description, but feel is subjective.  For me, the Shogun Red feels highly stable, but it does offer some kick when you give it your all.  It’s one of the most fun shafts I’ve hit because it walks a fine line of rewarding your full effort without being punishing when you don’t go all out.

The ACCRA Shogun Green felt most stiff to me.  I could feel a hint of a kick in the butt section, but it really took everything I had to get it to go.  I don’t know that I could call is smooth, but it’s certainly not harsh.  It didn’t laugh at my weaker swings, but it did feel indifferent to them.

Performance

Let’s start with the ACCRA Shogun Blue.  This was the prototypical, “It’s not you, it’s me” situation.  I blast through my transition like a kid ripping open a birthday present; the Shogun Blue is for people who neatly fold the wrapping paper.  When I made smoother swings, this shaft performed very well – a strong draw with slightly higher launch.  I will note that even when I made my normal, too-aggressive swing, the stability of the ACCRA Shogun Blue impressed me – the tip didn’t feel torque-y and the ball flight never crossed into snap hook territory.  This was also a good reminder that long drive competitors are absolute freaks – to swing this shaft smoothly while generating 150 MPH club speed doesn’t make any sense.

Moving to the ACCRA Shogun Green felt like playing an entirely different sport.  While ACCRA states that this shaft is for “smooth transition players,” I felt that it could keep up with my wildest efforts.  Feel aside, this shaft produced amazing shots.  The default was a straight ball with mid-low launch and spin, but I could shape it fairly easily.  I particularly liked that I could hit a controlled draw without fear of it turning over too much.  I’d also be doing cartwheels over the ball speed I was generating if it wasn’t edged out by its brother.

According to the company, the ACCRA Shogun Red is built upon “the legacy of the ‘GOAT’ ACCRA shaft, the SE 80.”  Based on my testing, the Shogun Red is definitely the greatest in this line for me.  The stability is unquestioned – this shaft stood up to my hardest swings and produced an extremely good dispersion.  It also created the highest ball speed I’ve seen in a while along with high launch and low spin for extraordinary carry distance.  But, for me, the appeal goes beyond the numbers.  There’s something in the feel of this shaft that rewards a good, hard swing and makes you want to hit another shot.  It’s addictive, and it might make this shaft my gamer for 2025.

The technology story behind these premium shafts includes both materials and manufacturing techniques.  ACCelaron MX is “an ultra lightweight 5K material” that claims to minimize ovaling (more stability) and recover more rapidly (added speed).  On the manufacturing side, ACCRA uses “Tornado Material Stabilization” to make the Shogun shafts.  They state that this “evenly distributes composite material strength around the circumference of the shaft” which should lead to superior consistency.

Finally, the ACCRA Shogun family covers a wide range of weights and flexes across the three models.  Shogun Blue is only offered at 42 grams in M0 or M2 flex.  Shogun Green is available in 52, 62, and 72 grams.  At 52 grams, they offer M3 and M4 flexes, akin to regular and stiff.  At 62 grams, ACCRA offers M3, M4, and M5.  For the 72 gram version, there is M4 and M5.  Finally, Shogun Red is offered at 62 and 72 grams, both in M4 and M5 flexes.

Conclusion

The ACCRA Shogun shafts cover a wide range of feels and performance characteristics while all delivering extremely consistent, high end performance.  This family defies simple categorization, so make sure to visit an ACCRA fitter like Club Champion to find the best model for your swing.

Visit ACCRA HERE

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The Nippon Modus Tour 110 can help to reduce spin without adding extra weight to your irons.  Smooth feel with a noticeable kick near the grip.  Stiff tip and mid sections.

Introduction

For me, no other steel iron shafts come close to Nippon’s Modus series.  The consistency, feel, and performance are unsurpassed, which is why I’ve gamed the Modus Tour 115 [review HERE] for several years without any thought of changing.  To celebrate the 15th year of Modus, we’re getting the new Nippon Modus Tour 110.  This is the sixth unique Modus iron shaft, and I got to test a set to see how it compares to its legendary line mates.

Looks

The Nippon Modus Tour 110 carries forward the classic appearance of the rest of the Modus line.  This is a traditional stepped stainless shaft in a shiny chrome finish.  The one thing that sets all Nippon shafts apart from the rest is the lack of stickers.  I know it’s my OCD talking, but I can’t stand seeing a shaft sticker that’s mis-applied, bent, or, worst of all, torn.  The screen-printed branding takes that out of the equation.  Also, all the markings are kept to one side, so you can have a clean logo-down installation.

Feel

The Modus family is divided into two halves.  The “5” Series – 105, 115, 125 – has a traditional EI Curve.  Each of the “0” Series – 120, 130, and the new 110 – have unique EI curves that are unlike anything else on the market.  For the Modus 110, Nippon created a shaft that gets progressively stiffer from tip to mid section with a softer butt section.

In testing the Nippon Modus Tour 110, what stood out most was the bend or kick just below the grip.  In true Modus fashion, the kick is smooth and very consistent.  Nippon notes that this shaft was designed to mirror popular driver shafts, and I can see that similarity.  Players get the benefit of some softness, some “feel,” but the shaft is very solid from mid to tip.  I do want to be clear that the amount of kick in the Modus 110 is nowhere near a shaft like the Zelos or NS Pro GH [review HERE], but it is noticeable when compared to a more traditional Tour-style iron shaft.

Performance

As I do with any iron shaft, I ran the Nippon Modus Tour 110 head-to-head against my gamers, the Modus 115.  Starting with the wedges and scoring irons, the first thing that stood out was the spin reduction.  The launch monitor was showing a meaningful change – as much as 1000 RPM.  Additionally, I was seeing the ball draw more than usual.  Despite the right-to-left flight and reduced spin, my apex was only a couple feet lower with the Modus 110.

Moving into the mid and long irons, those two changes were joined by a third: an uptick in ball speed.  It wasn’t a big jump, but my ball speed was consistently up 1-2 MPH.  With the longer clubs, the added draw was also more pronounced, which is to be expected with less loft.  When I was able to hold the flight straight, the Nippon Modus Tour 110 was significantly longer than the 115 – as much as 10 yards with my 4I.

Before going any further, I want to give some boilerplate warnings.  First, your results may – and likely will –  be different than mine.  This is just how I interacted with the Modus 110.  Additionally, I’m comparing the 110 to a shaft I’ve been gaming for years, so please don’t leave this review thinking, “The 115 is more accurate or straighter than the 110.”  The more correct takeaway is that the 115 is a better fit for me, or, at a minimum, it’s the shaft I know how to use better.

Moving to Nippon’s recommendations, they suggest the Nippon Modus Tour 110 for players who want to bring their ball flight down.  This shaft is designed to reduce spin which can lower your apex, add distance, and minimize curvature.  Also, being in the 110 gram range, it’s a great option for players who like the low spin of the Modus 130 [review HERE] but can’t handle the weight.  Finally, the Modus 110 is an obvious choice for players who like the weight of the Modus 105 [review HERE] but don’t get along with that traditional bend profile.

The Nippon Modus Tour 110 shaft are available in regular, stiff, and X-flex in lengths from 41″ to 37″.  The uncut weight of each shaft is 105 gram in regular, 110 in stiff, and 115 in X-flex.  Look for them to appear in your fitter’s hitting bays in April.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a longtime Modus player or someone who has never tried one, the Nippon Modus Tour 110 is a great option for players who want less spin and less weight.  If you’re getting new irons in 2025, make sure to try this during your fitting.

Visit Nippon HERE

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The Fujikura PRO Black shaft is a low launch, low spin shaft.  Much more active than most low/low shafts.  Not as stiff or low spin as Ventus, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Introduction

The Ventus Black [review HERE] is a favorite on Tour, but it’s one of the more extreme shafts on the market.  It’s very stable with low launch and spin.  It does exactly what it’s designed to do, but it can be intimidating.  The Fujikura PRO Black is the more approachable low/low shaft, meant for the player who wants to see a stronger ball flight but doesn’t want a shaft that demands 110% effort on every swing.

Looks

Like the Ventus, the Fujikura PRO Black shaft leans heavily on a medium-sized graphic to give it visual interest.  A spiraling geometric design is unique, but the black color keeps it low key.  “PRO” branding sits at the middle of the shaft next to “Fujikura” and the shaft’s specs, all in black, also.

The base color of the shaft is silver with a light sparkle that looks great in the sun.  There are no graphics or logos on the lower third, so you won’t be distracted at address.  You can’t get a true “logo down” installation, but the underside of the shaft (above and below) is less busy than the top.

Feel

If you want low launch and low spin, but don’t like the feel of typical low/low shafts, the Fujikura PRO Black may be perfect for you.  On feel alone, I would never have pegged this as a low/low shaft.  There’s a substantial kick just below the grip.  Most low/low shafts are softer in the handle than the tip, but the PRO Black has a genuine kick, not just a comparative softness.  The middle and tip of the shaft feel relatively stiffer but not as stout as shafts like the Ventus Black.

Per Fujikura, the PRO Black is stiff in the butt, firm in the middle, and stiff in the tip.  This contrasts with the PRO Blue which is firm, medium, and stiff, respectively [PRO Blue review HERE].

Performance

The Fujikura PRO Black is a great choice for players who want a low launch, low spin shaft but don’t want to swing a chunk of rebar.  This is low/low with the rough edges sanded off; stable but not exclusively for those who carry is 300+.

In my testing, I saw the PRO Black produce a strong, boring ball flight.  It launched on the lower end of my normal window and was largely unaffected by the strong falls winds here in Chicago.  If you need the lowest possible spin, you’ll probably find it in the Ventus line, but the PRO Black should be low enough for many players.

Looking at dispersion, the Fujikura PRO Black felt stable on mishits and did a good job keeping the ball where it belongs.  As a player who fights a hook, the PRO Black was a good fit, but it provided more flexibility than the extreme low/low shafts.  Some ultra stiff shafts take away my ability to hit a soft draw as the price for preventing the hook.  The PRO Black was more moderate in both regards.

As I noted in my review of the PRO Blue, the Fujikura PRO Black may be a faster option for many golfers, just like the Pro 2.0 [review HERE] before it.  With many stiffer shafts, you feel that you need to do all the work, often resulting in overswinging and reduced speed.  The PRO Black takes some of the burden off, allowing a freer, faster swing.

The Fujikura PRO Black is available in three weight classes: 60, 70, and 80 grams.  There are stiff and X-flex versions of the 60 and 70 gram model.  The 80 gram PRO Black is only available in X-flex.

Conclusion

The Fujikura PRO Black is a great shaft because it’s a friendlier low launch, low spin option.  For players that need some spin reduction but don’t want to give up a smooth, active feel, it’s something they should definitely try during their next driver fitting.

Visit Fujikura HERE

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The Fujikura PRO Blue shaft is a true “blue” shaft with mid launch and mid spin.  Softer feel.  Excellent for smoother swingers and those that might need help turning the ball over.

Introduction

If you only followed golf forums and the PGA Tour, you’d wonder why Fujikura would bother producing anything besides Ventus [check out our Ventus reviews HERE].  However, there is a much larger world beyond Tour Pros and all the internet golfers with their 140 MPH swings.  For many of those players in the real world, there’s the new Fujikura PRO Blue.  I tested one to see who should consider putting this into their bag.

Looks

The blue-on-silver color scheme of the Fujikura PRO Blue looks great while staying well within the bounds of what most golfers are going to feel comfortable putting in their bag.  The spiraling geometric design is unique and does most of the aesthetic heavy lifting.  “PRO” branding sits at the middle of the shaft next to “Fujikura” and the shaft’s specs.

The base color of the shaft is silver with a light sparkle that looks great in the sun.  There are no graphics or logos on the lower third, so you won’t be distracted at address.  You can’t get a true “logo down” installation, but the underside of the shaft (above and below) is less busy than the top.

Feel

The Fujikura PRO Blue feels like the mid lauch, mid spin shaft that it is, but it’s on the softer side.  It doesn’t have a big kick, the shaft just feels pliable throughout the middle and tip sections.  The tip feels moderate in terms of stiffness and resistance to twisting.

According to Fujikura, the PRO Blue has a firm butt, medium mid section, and stiff tip.  This contrasts with the Fujikura PRO Black which is rated as stiff, firm, stiff, respectively.

Performance

For the last several years, it seems that every shaft is trying to be low spin.  While this has been a boon for the golfers with excess spin, it’s left a lot of players out in the cold.  It’s also distorted the accepted framework of shaft profiles.  “Blue” was known to be mid launch and spin with a lot of feel, but shafts like Ventus Blue [review HERE] pushed closer to low launch and spin.

The Fujikura PRO Blue shaft makes blue blue again.  It has a softer, more active feel and the mid launch and spin that many golfers except from a blue shaft.  Fujikura has even said plainly that their PRO shafts are going to spin more than Ventus.  This is great.  We need to stop treating spin like it’s a bad thing.  Spin in excess can rob players of distance, but too little spin can be just as bad.

For lower launch and spin, check out the PRO Black HERE

In addition to the mid launch and spin, the Fujikura PRO Blue has a lot of speed.  Like the Pro 2.0 [review HERE] before it, the bend profile of the PRO Blue was designed to unlock additional speed.  With many stiffer shafts, you feel that you need to do all the work, often resulting in overswinging and reduced speed.  The PRO Blue takes some of the burden off, allowing a freer, faster swing.

Turning to dispersion, I saw the PRO Blue favor the left side of the fairway.  Though it’s not a perfect fit for me, the PRO Blue was very consistent when I kept my swing smooth.  Players with a naturally easier transition and those whose dispersion shades right should vibe with the PRO Blue right out of the gates.

The Fujikura PRO Blue is offered in three weights – 50, 60, and 70 grams – with different flexes offered at each weight.  In the lightest version, you can get R2, Regular, and Stiff flex.  At 60 grams, the availables flexes are Regular, Stiff, and X-flex.  In the 70 gram version, Fujikura offers Stiff and X-flex.

Conclusion

The Fujikura PRO Blue shows the company’s keen eye for developing shafts that fit players across the spectrum.  While Ventus is a killer on Tour, many players with slower or smoother swings will have better success with the “true blue” performance of the PRO Blue.

Visit Fujikura HERE

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The Nippon NS Pro 750GH neo rounds out the company’s offering of super lightweight iron shafts.  Wonderful, smooth feel.  Effortless to swing.  Surprising levels of control given the lack of weight.

Introduction

While we all aspire to swing as fast as the pros, the reality is that there are far more players trying to get their drives to 200 yards than 300 yards.  Nippon recognizes this reality and builds their line up accordingly.  The new Nippon NS Pro 750GH neo is their third super-lightweight iron shaft, joining the Zelos7 and the NS Pro 750GH.  I tested a set to see what performance benefits it can offer to golfers.

Looks

Graphically, the Nippon NS Pro 750GH neo is identical to the previous models in this line, the 850 neo and 950 neo [review HERE].  The stepped steel shaft has a chrome finish, and its graphics are a unique shade of green.  As is their norm, Nippon prints the graphics right on the shaft, which is a huge improvement over stickers that can tear or wrinkle over time.  Another big plus is that the graphics are only on one side, allowing for a “logo down” installation, if you prefer a totally clean address look.

Feel

While iron shafts over 125 grams are something I left behind several years ago, I’m always amazed at how much farther light weight can be pushed.  My gamers, the Modus 115 [review HERE], never feel heavy to me, but swinging the Nippon NS Pro 750GH neo feels absolutely effortless.

During the swing, the 750GH neo is as smooth as any steel shaft I’ve ever hit.  Getting it to load and kick requires very little force.  In this way, this shaft has a strong familial resemblance to its heavier brother, the 850GH neo [review HERE].

Comparing the Nippon NS Pro 750GH neo to their two other 70 gram iron shafts, the neo sits in the middle.  Per Nippon, the standard 750GH will be the firmest of the three, and the Zelos7 [review HERE] will be the most active.  When I had them side-by-side, I could tell the difference, but in the larger context, they’re all very smooth and fairly active.

Performance

For players my age and older, an iron shaft in the 70 gram range seems wild, especially when it’s made of steel.  We grew up when there were two “real” choices: Dynamic Gold and Project X, both over 120 grams.  But the benefits of dropping weight are obvious.  For a lot of players, going lighter will add substantial swing speed and distance.  It’s also a major factor in reducing fatigue.  Sure, we can all swing a heavy shaft on the third hole, but what’s happening on the back nine?

Additionally, the Nippon NS Pro 750GH neo has higher launch and spin, just like the other neo shafts.  This works in concert with the lighter weight to serve the target golfer.  Players who will benefit most from the lighter weight typically need that higher flight to maximize their distance and hold the green.  The 750GH neo delivers on both counts.

What always surprises me about Nippon’s lightweight offerings is how well they hold up for a player who is, at least on paper, not a fit for lightweight.  When I keep my transition smooth, these shafts are nearly as consistent as my gamers, which are much stiffer and heavier.  They also give me good control over trajectory and shot shape, though they do have a natural tendency to fly a bit higher.

Comparing the Nippon NS Pro 750GH neo to Nippon’s other 70 gram offerings, the performance is in the middle, just like the feel.  The torque rating sits between the 750GH and the Zelos.  The 750GH produces a lower ball flight for most players.  Looking across the neo line, Nippon recommends the 750 for players using larger irons, the 950 for small or mid-size heads, and the 850 for those in between.

The Nippon NS Pro 750GH neo shafts are currently offered in regular and stiff flex.  They have a tip diameter of 0.355 and come in 3-PW lengths.  Uncut weights range from 74.5 grams to 78 grams.

Conclusion

According to Nippon, if you’re playing a driver shaft at or below 50 grams, a 70 gram iron shaft might be great for your game.  I’d suggest an even wider range of golfers give the Nippon NS Pro 750GH neo a try in their next fitting.  If you want a shaft that will keep you energized and add distance to your approach shots, this is it.

Visit Nippon Shafts HERE

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The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Red shaft adds slightly higher launch and spin to the tight dispersion that the Ventus family is known for.  Much tighter feel than most “high launch” shafts.

Introduction

Few products show the difference between those that know and those that think they know like the Ventus Red shaft.  Head to the golf forums and you’d barely know that Ventus Red exists – they all need the 2024 Ventus Black [review HERE] for their 140 MPH swings.  Talk to a fitter, however, and you’ll hear about how often they put Ventus Red into golfers’ bags to optimize launch and maintain control.  I tested the new Fujikura 2024 Ventus Red to see if it can improve on this high level of performance.

Looks

The graphics on the Fujikura Ventus shafts belong among the best logos: immediately recognizable without being overbearing.  As such, they carried forward to the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Red.  Nike isn’t ditching the swoosh, is it?

Two changes were made for the 2024 version, one large, one small.  The larger change is the finish on the shaft which is now a matte red.  Less obvious is the change to the Ventus branding which is now outlined as opposed to solid, making it more understated.

Feel

The rating of the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Red shaft will surprise many golfers.  Per Fujikura, it’s “Ultra Stiff” in the handle, “Firm” in the middle, and “Stiff” in the tip.  Also, the torque ratings aren’t very high – at 6-X, it’s 3.2 compared to 3.0 in the 2024 Ventus Black and 3.1 in the 2024 Ventus Blue [review HERE].  Again, the difference between reality and perception can be enormous.

When I was swinging the 2024 Ventus Red, I felt that it was only slightly softer than the Black and not necessarily softer than Blue but different.  There was more of a distinct hinge in the middle than the smooth, longer kick in the Blue.  The tip section of the Red felt very stable, even on toe or heel strikes.

Performance

One of the phrases that I used frequently as a golf instructor was, “Feel is not real.”  That came to my mind often as I tested the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Red.  I typically favor mid or low launching shafts, so I struggled to find a consistent, agreeable feel with the Ventus Red.  But despite how I felt, this shaft produced overwhelmingly solid results.

The feel should have clued me in to the fact that the 2024 Ventus Red isn’t your normal “high launch” shaft (technically it’s billed mid/high launch by Fujikura).  This is the highest launching Ventus, but it’s not that high.  The “Medium Spin” categorization is about right – it spins more than the other Ventus shafts, but it’s nowhere near high spin in the larger landscape of shafts.  While I didn’t test the original Ventus Red extensively, the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Red reminds me a lot of the Ventus TR Red [review HERE].

While the strong flight was a small surprise, what left me consistently scratching my head – in a good way – was the dispersion.  Though I didn’t feel like I could call my shots, the ball kept finding the fairway.  The 2024 Ventus Red did have a slight preference for a draw over a fade, but the curves were moderate.

The only area where I the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Red acted like a “normal” higher launching shaft for me was when I dialed up my speed and transition to 100%.  In those instances, I did know where the ball was going – hard right.  As always, this is only how this shaft interacts with my swing; your mileage may vary.

The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Red shaft is available in five weight classes.  Three flexes are offered at 50 grams: R2, Regular, and Stiff.  At 60 grams, that bumps up to Regular, Stiff, and X.  Stiff and X are available at 70 and 80 grams.  The 90 gram 2024 Ventus Red is offered only in X flex.

Conclusion

The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Red is an important addition to the Ventus family.  For players that want tight dispersion but need slightly more launch and spin, it hits the sweet spot.  Ditto for those that don’t get the feel they want from Ventus Black or Blue.  Try all three with your Fujikura fitter to see which one can help you get the most from your woods.

Visit Fujikura HERE

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The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black shaft makes modest technical changes to one of the most successful shafts of the last decade.  Low launch, low spin, and total control of your shots.

Introduction

Since its launch five years ago, the Fujikura Ventus Black has been a favorite among aggressive swingers in search of lower launch, lower spin, and control [review HERE].  It had a place in my driver for a time, and it’s been a frequent visitor to the winner’s circle on professional tours worldwide.  The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black takes it place this year, powered by the new VeloCore+.  I tested one to see how the performance has changed.

Looks

Much like the 2024 Ventus Blue, the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black makes very modest changes to the look of the original.  And there’s no reason to change.  Most tour pros – and golfers in general – don’t want something totally wild looking, but the geometric design below the grip is instantly recognizable to any gear nerd.

The two aesthetics changes are the finish and the Ventus branding.  The 2024 Ventus Black has a matte finish in contrast with the shiny, polished finish of the original.  Additionally, “Ventus” is now printed in a more subtle outlined font instead of a solid one.

Check out the higher launching 2024 Ventus Red HERE

Feel

“Hello darkness, my old friend.”

Having gamed the original Ventus Black for a while, the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black felt immediately familiar.  This is a shaft that isn’t going to do anything extra – for good or ill.  It can stand up to the most aggressive swings without doing anything weird, but it’s not going to put any extra juice into your modest efforts.  There is very little kick and no feeling of twisting or torque.

The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black is rated as “Ultra Stiff” in the butt and tip and “Stiff” in the midsection.  This differs from the 2024 Ventus Blue in the handle, which is “Firm” [Blue review HERE].  That is two full steps softer, which I think it about right – I found significantly more action or sensation in the Blue.

Performance

Throughout my testing of the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black shaft, I remembered why it was that I gamed the Ventus Black for so long…and why I stopped.  On the plus side, this shaft is the prototype for what a low launch, low spin shaft should be.  There may not be a shaft that produces more satisfying shots on your best swings.  When you pure the ball, you know you earned every part of that good shot: the squared face, the centered contact, and every ounce of energy.  And the shots that are created are gorgeous: cannon blasts that look like they would laugh at gale force winds.

That virtue – being responsible for every bit of the result – can also be a vice.  When you don’t give this shaft your all, the ball speed can be mediocre.  If you get lazy with a swing, you can expect to find the ball in right field.  But, back on the positive, it’s hard to hook this shaft.  Actually, I found it fairly hard to curve the ball either way – I hit pushes, pulls, or straight shots almost exclusively.

This shaft does live up to its low launch, low spin billing.  As a low spin player, it was rare for me to see a spin number over 2,000, and the launch was visibly lower than my normal ball flight.

Comparing the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black to the original, the new model feels a little more stout.  The differences are minute, but the 2024 is a little closer to the Ventus TR Black [review HERE] than the original was.

The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black shaft is offered in five weight classes.  Stiff and X flex are available at 50, 60, and 70 grams.  The heaviest versions, 80 and 90 grams, are offered only in X flex.

Conclusion

Much like the new Ventus Blue, the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black preserves everything players loved about the original while adding a little extra stiffness.  This is a true low launch, low spin shaft that will help high spin players find more distance and more fairways.  As always, make sure to visit your local Fujikura fitter before deciding to put one of these in the bag.

Visit Fujikura HERE

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The Mitsubishi Diamana BB shaft updates the classic Blueboard with the latest material innovations.  Classic smooth Diamana feel.  Works well for a huge range of swings.  Consistent performance.

Introduction

For twenty years, Mitsubishi’s Diamana line has been the gold standard for quality and feel in graphite shafts.  Across numerous generations, these shafts have been consistent winners on worldwide professional tours and in fitting bays.

To celebrate this milestone, Mitsusbishi is bringing back the original names and profiles.  We saw the WB – Whiteboard – earlier this year, and the end of summer brings the Mitsubishi Diamana BB, the successor to the Blueboard.  I tested one to see how the latest material technology can make this classic even better.

Looks

The Mitsubishi Diamana BB shaft brings back all the classic elements of the original Diamana line with its own twist.  Just below the grip, the flowerband wraps around the shaft in white and silver on a matte black background.  The traditional Diamana surfboard logo sits between the flowerband and the BB designation.

While the original silver base color is the classic, I like the matte black even more.  It allows the blue to pop without being a “Look at me!” shaft.  I also like that you can get a totally clean look if you install the shaft logo down.

Feel

The key word with any Diamana shaft has always been “smooth,” and that’s never been more true than with the new Mitsubishi Diamana BB.  This shaft doesn’t have a clear hinge or kickpoint; the energy pours seamlessly from grip to club head.  This makes sense given Mitsubishi’s rating of the shaft as Medium+, Medium+, Medium from butt to mid to tip.  For comparison, the new Diamana WB [review HERE] is rated Firm, Firm+, Medium+.

From a feel perspective, what stood out to me is how consistent it is regardless of effort.  I could dial my speed down to the high 90s and still have the smooth sensation.  Going all out over 110 MPH, the feel was the same, and the shaft held up.

Performance

Building on that idea of consistent feel across speeds, the Mitsubishi Diamana BB gave me the confidence to hit all types of shots at all different effort levels.  After a recent round with rental clubs, I’ve been playing with a lot of 75% driver swings, and the Diamana BB was sensational for this.  It felt like the shaft was adding some extra speed without opening up my dispersion.  When I turned my effort up to 100%, the BB kept up rather than asking me to fit my swing to the shaft.

Before going any further, I want to highlight the thing that stood out most: the ball speed.  Mitsubishi states that the 80-Ton Dialead Pitch Fiber in the butt section maximizes energy transfer.  I can’t speak to that level of technicality, but I can report that the Diamana BB gave me some of the highest ball speeds and smash factors I’ve seen at every level of swing speed.  This added pop would be a major factor in giving me the confidence to take my 75% swing to the course.

Another thing that was consistent across effort levels was the BB’s preferred shot shape.  Regardless of how hard I swung, the Diamana BB preferred a tight draw.  For my hook-prone swing, cuts required a bit of effort.  As with any equipment choice, this has its positives and negatives.  While I prefer to see a cut, I felt like I could aim the Mitsubishi Diamana BB down the right edge of any fairway and not worry about losing the ball.  And, as always, your results may be completely different which is why fitting is so important.

Comparing the Mitsubishi Diamana BB to the WB, the launch and spin are higher.  The BB is billed as mid launch and spin, the WB as low launch and spin.  While the difference is not night and day, the numbers were significantly different* and there was a visible change in the ball flight.

*The numbers in this review are not comparable apples-to-apples with the numbers in the WB review.

The Mitsubishi Diamana BB is available in five weight class designations: 43, 53, 63, 73, and 83 grams.  The lightest BB comes in five flexes: R2, R, SR, S, and X.  Both 53 and 63 are available in five flexes, too: R, SR, S, X, and TX.  BB 73 and BB 83 are offered in S, X, and TX.

Conclusion

The Mitsubishi Diamana BB is a worthy heir to both the Diamana and Blueboard legacies.  It delivers the smooth feel that this line is known for while using the latest materials to add an infusion of speed.  Whether you’re a smooth swinger or an aggressive hitter, put this in the lineup during your next driver fitting.

Visit Mitsubishi Golf HERE

The post Mitsubishi Diamana BB Shaft Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

50 Words or Less

The Breakthrough Golf RedZNE wedge shaft delivers on its bold promises of improved accuracy and spin.  Softens impact feel.  Three weights to fit most players.

Introduction

For the last seven years, Breakthrough Golf Technology has been one of the leaders in advancing the putter shaft with their Stability line [check out my gamer, the Stability One Tour HERE].  They’ve also branched into the long game with their Brava wood shafts [review HERE].

As good as all those products are, their biggest innovation may be the ZNE wedge shaft [review HERE].  Among true gear heads, ZNE was a sensation for its ability to tighten dispersion.  Never ones to rest, BGT is back with a new version, the RedZNE wedge shaft, and I tested it to see if it’s even better than the original.

Looks

The most obvious change from the original ZNE to the Breakthrough Golf RedZNE wedge shaft is the look.  The RedZNE has one consistent color scheme throughout each of the three weights where the ZNE changed color to indicate the weight.

Appropriately, the RedZNE features bold red branding on a glossy black background.  The black carbon fiber upper transitions to a thinner, matte black section about halfway down the shaft.  While this is an unusual look, I didn’t find it distracting at address as the transition is quite far from the ball.

Feel

There are a lot of feel similarities between the new Breakthrough Golf RedZNE wedge shaft, the original ZNE wedge shaft, and BGT’s Stability putter shafts.  At impact, the feel is softer and “cleaner.”  I say this to mean that I can more clearly sense where the ball met the face without any excess vibrations.  The shaft enhances the feedback.

Breakthrough Golf states that the RedZNE is even stiffer than the original ZNE, so it’s no surprise that it has the same stout, one-piece feel.  It’s not harsh, but you shouldn’t expect any kind of kick or action through impact.  Players currently gaming a shaft like Dynamic Gold will make the transition easily.

Finally, the new Breakthrough Golf RedZNE wedge shaft features a carbon fiber tip, which has changed the balance of the shaft.  Per BGT, “We redistributed the weighting of the shaft to create a slightly higher balance point.”  This higher balance point allows players to achieve “normal” swing weights while playing their wedges longer or using heavier heads.  As someone who plays all his wedges at 36″, this is a great change for me.

Performance

In addition to changing the tip section from steel to carbon fiber, the new Breakthrough Golf RedZNE wedge shaft has a “Stiffness Stack” that’s 54% stiffer than the original, per BGT (the Stiffness Stack is the section above the taper).  In their testing, they found that this makes the RedZNE launch lower and spin higher than the ZNE.  Against steel shafts, BGT states that the RedZNE has “92% better distance control” and “10% tighter dispersion.”

For my testing, I gathered data on pitches, half shots, and full shots with a 53 degree Edison 2.0 wedge [review HERE] with a steel shaft.  Then I pulled the steel shaft, installed the Breakthrough Golf RedZNE, built the club to the same specs, and hit the same series of shots.

Find out how RedZNE fared in Golf Myths Unplugged HERE

The results I saw from the RedZNE were just as impressive as those from the ZNE test.  My launch angle dropped about 1 degree and spin went up 500 RPM.  More importantly, my left-right dispersion was minute.  From pitches to full shots, having the ball end up more than a couple yards off the target line was a surprise.

Looking at distance dispersion, I saw improvements in my full swing but not my short shots.  The RedZNE and the steel shaft were peers on distance control for touch shots.  When I made a full swing, however, the RedZNE cut the distance from my shortest to my longest shot almost in half.

The Breakthrough Golf RedZNE wedge shaft comes in three weights – 90, 115, and 130 grams.  Unlike the original ZNE, all three weights feature a carbon fiber tip .355 section.  The butt section is slightly larger than average in the heavier weights – .610 at 115 grams and .615 at 130 grams – versus .600 at 90 grams.  Finally, as the weight increases, the frequency goes up (430 to 500 to 530 CPM) and the torque goes down (2.3 to 1.6 to 1.5 degrees).

Conclusion

At $199 each (including installation), the Breakthrough Golf RedZNE wedge shaft is not cheap, but it does back up its strong claims.  This shaft gave me lower launch, higher spin, and a significant improvement in dispersion.  If you want to see more of your wedge shots end up next to the pin, consider getting fit for RedZNE wedge shafts.

Visit Breakthrough Golf HERE

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50 Words or Less

The Newton Motion Fairway Wood shaft produces high, long, soft shots.  Demands a smooth swing.  Gentle, unhurried feel.

Introduction

Despite being less than a year old, Newton has already bagged a professional win with their Newton Motion driver shaft.  More importantly, they’ve made converts out of countless recreational golfers.  Building on that success, they’ve expanded their line to include the Newton Motion Fairway Wood shaft.  I tested one to see if it could deliver the same performance into the green as it does off the tee.

Looks

The Newton Motion Fairway Wood shaft is almost identical to the driver version.  What stands out most is the stunning, color-shifting paint job.  A blend of blues, purples, and greens, the exact hues shift with the light.  To me, it’s one of the best looking shafts in recent memory.  I like even it more for its subdued tones which don’t scream for attention or cause distractions at address.

With such a bold color, the graphics don’t need to do much.  The Newton branding is fairly basic and confined to the mid section of the shaft.  “Fairway” has been added underneath “Motion” to differentiate this model.  You can get a blank look if you install the shaft logo down.

One final spot of interest is the array of dots below the Motion branding.  Newton uses these dots to indicate the weight and flex of the shaft.  This is a smart way to keep the loaded flex words – stiff, regular, senior – off the shaft.

Feel

Just like the driver, the Newton Motion Fairway Wood shaft feels very loose when you give it the wiggle test.  It feels more like The Orange Whip than the low launch, low spin shafts that are popular today.

Plugged into my PXG Black Ops fairway wood [review HERE], the Newton Motion produced a smooth, unhurried sensation.  I could feel the shaft loading and unloading throughout the swing.  The kick isn’t snappy or energetic – everything this shaft does is more smooth than aggressive.

If you want to dabble in the smooth feel rather than going all the way in, you might try moving up a “flex”.  When I dialed back my swing speed, the Newton Motion was still smooth, but it was a little more traditional.

Performance

The Newton Motion Fairway Wood shaft utilizes the same key technologies as the driver shaft.  If you want the full breakdown of all the tech, please check that out HERE.  In the interest of not repeating myself, I’m going to dive straight into the performance of this version.

Regular readers might guess that the Newton Motion FW shaft and I were not likely friends.  I am not a smooth swinger, and it’s only in the last few months that I’ve started carrying a fairway wood.  Thankfully, my experience with the Motion driver shaft had given me the keys for getting along with the FW version.

When I kept my swing smooth, the Newton Motion Fairway Wood shaft produced some of the highest, softest FW shots I’ve ever hit.  The launch angles were the stuff of my dreams, and the spin was also quite high.  As always, I’ll emphasize that high spin is not a bad thing.  For many, many players, more spin will add carry distance in addition to producing softer landings.  It’s always a matter of matching your equipment to what your swing needs.

Unfortunately, when I reverted to my normal aggressive transition, the results were not good.  I hit a lot of fat shots.  When I did get the club to the ball cleanly, my shot pattern covered a wide range, and several of the shots ballooned.  None of this is a fault with the Newton Motion FW shaft, it’s just not a good fit for me.  For players who are naturally smooth, this shaft will work wonders.

Like the driver version, the Newton Motion Fairway Wood shaft is offered in six variants, denoted by the number of dots on the shaft.  The lowest CPM, highest torque, lightest weight (55 gram) version has one dot.  As you move up in dots, the weight and CPM go up and the torque goes down.  The other end of the spectrum is the six dot version, suggested for players with driver swing speeds over 115 MPH.  This model is 80 grams.

Conclusion

If you’re a smooth swinger who wants to see your fairway wood shots fly higher and land softer, this is the shaft to try this year.  As with their driver shafts, the Newton Motion Fairway Wood shaft is sold direct to consumer in 3, 5, and 7 wood lengths with the adapter already installed.

Visit Newton Shafts HERE

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