Mitsubishi Bassara Phoenix UltraLite Driver Shaft

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Mitsubishi Bassara P UltraLite Driver Shaft

By Russ Ryden, Fit2Score, A Dallas Fort Worth Club Fitter & Club Maker
The Golf Center at the Highlands, Carrollton Texas

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In 2013, Mitsubishi Rayon began the introduction of shafts that are available only from Authorized Mitsubishi ClubFitters. The UltraLight Bassara Phoenix released in 2014, is the third such shaft.. The color is dramatic, a burnt orange with a clear coat finish. The bend profile is a perfect match to the KuroKage Proto TINI, the first of the fitter only shafts. That profile is one of my favorites for a well trained swing. TINI stands for Titanium Nickel Wire. It was first use in the Ultralight Bassara “G” series shafts. It is now being added to many shafts. It is a high elastic material that can stretch and immediately regain its original shape. In addition to storing and releasing energy, it stabilizes the shaft tip.

TINI_illustrationTip stability results in tight dispersion. A consistent loss of stiffness makes this profile easy to load and many find it adds dramatic distance to their drives. The KuroKage Proto TINI is only available in 5 models ranging from 60S to 70XX. The Bassara Phoenix completes the range, starting with a  30 gram L flex and ascending to a 59 gram TS flex.

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The radial consistency is excellent, averaging 99.4% with a 0.3% standard deviation. If we look for similar designs in iron shafts, the KBS Tour is the closest bend profile design. Both have a consistent loss of stiffness from butt to tip, Near the tip, the stiffness increases to stablize the head during impact. With such designs, tipping will actually remove some of the tip stiffness. With the Bassara Phoenix, if you want more stiffness, get a heavier, stiffer shaft. Tipping is not recommended for this shaft. Alignment of the Phoenix is not necessary nor will it be beneficial. The radial consistency of the Phoenix makes it excellent for rotating hosels.
Bassaras_EiGjA comparison of the current Bassara UltraLight models shows the Phoenix and the Wyvern to be quite similar. The Phoenix profile indicates a little more launch. The Phoenix is modeled after the ilima profile. In fitting after fitting, I put more ilima’s into fairways metals than all other shafts combined. The 53TS Bassara Phoenix is a great shaft if you are looking to build an ultralight fairway.

This shaft is available at shop.golfshaft.reviews 

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Russ

Matrix VLCT Driver Golf Shaft Review

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Driver Golf Shaft – Matrix VLCT SP & Matrix VLCT ST

By Russ Ryden, A Golf Digest America’s 100 Best Clubfitter
Fit2Score, Dallas Fort Worth, Texas

The VLCT model is the 2014 driver shaft from Matrix Golf Shafts. It is available in two versions, Sp and St. The stiffness on the shaft is shown as a speed rating. A = +75, R = +85, S = +95 and X = +105. My review samples were the original graphic. The name on the shaft is VELOX, that is changing. If you see a shaft labeled Matrix Velox, it is the same shaft, different graphics. The ST version has a stiffer tip to promote a lower launch. 

Matrix uses the term CFI, Circumferential Flexural Integrity for what I call radial consistency. They define it perfectly as ” an innovative layup method devised to insure a shaft’s flexing properties are consistent around the 360 degree circumference”. I checked a total of 18 shafts and found the radial consistency at 99.0% with a 0.7% standard deviation. Those numbers translate into a shaft that can be installed in any orientation. The shaft is suitable for rotating hosels. Alignment will add nothing of value to the performance of the Matrix VLCT shafts.

The technical discussion, measurements and testing results are available only to registered readers

I had a chance to talk to Tom DeShiell, Director of R&D at Matrix Golf Shafts at the 2014 PGA Merchandise show. He discussed all the 2014 models.

 The Velox 60 gram ST shaft is stock in the 2014 TaylorMade JetSpeed TP driver. At $400 retail for the driver, that is a great bargain, considering the retail price of the shaft alone is $375. 

UST Proforce V5 Golf Shaft Review

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Driver Golf Shaft – UST Proforce V5

By Russ Ryden, A Golf Digest America’s 100 Best Clubfitter
Fit2Score, Dallas Fort Worth, Texas

USTProforceV5_ImageThe UST Mamiya Proforce V5 is a 2014 update of the ever popular Proforce V2. I have never had much experience with this shaft so my comments will be limited to observations of the numbers. Comparing it to the single Proforce V2 that was in the shop, the Proforce V5 torque is about a half degree lower. That creates a more stable tip for the larger heavier driver heads that we now see loaded with bling.

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Radial consistency is excellent, the average was 99.8 with a standard deviation of 0.3%. None of the review sample exceeded my 2 cpm threshold, all were excellent. At this price point, that is notable. It reflects a trend in the shaft business to produce quality shafts that work consistently in any orientation in rotating hosels. The graphics of the Proforce V5 reflect that, wrapping uniformly around the shaft.

If you were familiar with the UST AXIVCORE Tour Green you will find the Proforce V5 to be quite similar. Compared to the AXIVCORE which integrates 4 axis material int he tip, the Proforce V5 has about a half degree more torque. You can expect a mid launch ball flight

 

 

Mitsubishi KuroKage Blue Driver Shaft

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Mitsubishi KuroKage Driver Shaft Review

By Russ Ryden, A Golf Digest America’s 100 Best Clubfitter
Fit2Score, Dallas Fort Worth, Texas

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In 2014 Mitsubishi reintroduced the Bassara V shaft as the dealer only KuroKage. It is a great looking shaft, Blue ion finished. It has a great history, this was Lorena Ochoa’s shaft. Many years ago I fit a great many of these. It is a Diamana Blue with about a half degree more torque. The radial consistency of all the samples measured was 99.6% with a 0.3% standard deviation. Translation, excellent. Install this shaft in any orientation, use it in a rotating hosel. Shaft to shaft consistency; as good as it gets, the fitter and the shaft your club gets built with will be indistinguishable from each other.

MRC_KuroKageBlue_EiGjTbIf you are familiar with the Misubishi Blue Board design, you know this shaft. In a former life it looked like this:

MRC_BassaraV_ImageSome of the shafts I measured for this review came from the fitters that were still in my shop. I was impressed that many years ago when this shaft was first available that the radial quality was exceptional.

 

Mitsubishi Fubuki Z and Fubuki ZT Golf Shaft Review

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Mitsubishi Fubuki Zeta & Fubuki Zeta Tour Driver Golf Shafts
Callaway Big Bertha 2014 Stock Driver Shafts

By Russ Ryden, A Golf Digest America’s 100 Best Clubfitter
Fit2Score, Dallas Fort Worth, Texas

Fubuki Z

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Several years ago Mitsubishi Rayon began making high quality shaft models for the golf club manufacturers. These designs closely resemble the Mitsubishi Rayon premium shafts. The Fubuki Zeta and Fubuki Zeta Tour continue this tradition. The driver market has settled in on a $400 price point and most premium shafts range from $300 to $850.  For some, these prices are justified by performance, for others, they are not.

drivers-2014-big-berthaThe 2014 Callaway Big Bertha stock shaft is the Fubuki Zeta or simply Fubuki Z. For those that are familiar with Mitsubishi Rayon golf shafts, the shaft design is indicated by the little letter that is left of the weight.

The technical discussion, measurements and testing results are available only to registered readers