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Tech Talk: KBS C-Taper Lite iron shafts

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With the name C-Taper Lite, most golfers will assume that the biggest difference between KBS’s newest shafts and the company’s original C-Taper shafts is the weight. But even though the new shafts are between 5 and 15 grams lighter depending on flex, weight was actually a secondary concern in the design of the shafts.

Kim Braly, the man who designs KBS shafts, says there’s no reason golfers should change to lighter iron shafts based on weight alone. While he admits that changing from heavier iron shafts to lighter ones usually gives golfers a few extra yards at first, over time Braly has noticed that golfers tend to go back to hitting their iron shots about the same distance.

“You see it all the time on tour,” Braly said. “Guys go to light-weight iron shafts and hit it a little farther. But then a few months later they go back to hitting it their old distances. Their bodies acclimate to the lighter weight.”

So if the C-Taper Lite shafts don’t give golfers extra distance, what do they do?

The new shafts fill a hole in the company’s lineup, which is between KBS’s low-launching, low-spining C-Taper and KBS Tour shafts and the company’s high-launching, high-spinning KBS Tour 90 shafts. They offer a similar feel and the same efficient energy transfer as the C-Taper shafts, but in a profile that is much easier for slower swing speed players to load properly. That gives them the best chance to hit long, straight shots.

Trajectory

To create the new shafts, Braly had to experiment with different shaft geometries, just like he did when he designed the tour-only shafts that Phil Mickelson is currently using, the KBS Tour V2.

Mickelson didn’t care for the feel of KBS’s original C-Taper shafts — he preferred the softer feel of the KBS Tour. But the KBS Tour shafts spun too much and launched too high for him. So Braly spent almost two years working with Mickelson on the design of the KBS Tour V2, which are actually lighter than KBS Tour shafts, but are lower launching and lower spinning.

IMG_2780

Can you tell which shaft is a KBS Tour V1 and which shaft is a KBS Tour V2? A KBS Tour V2 shaft (left), has a larger outside diameter and thinner walls in the tip section, which gives it a more penetrating trajectory. 

It seems impossible that Braly could make a shaft that was both lighter and had a more penetrating trajectory, but it’s actually fairly simple to do. Because changing a shaft’s outside diameter (the fatness of the shaft) has three times more effect on stiffness than changing a shaft’s wall thickness, Braly was able to increase the outside diameter of the V2’s tip section to make it stiffer and get the lower-launching, lower-spinning performance Mickelson wanted.

KBS Tour V1 and V2

Notice how the KBS Tour V2 shafts, when paired side-by-side with the KBS Tour V1 shafts, have longer steps (in both pairings, the V1 is on the left and the V2 is on the right). This change, combined with the change in wall thickness and outside diameter, gave Mickelson the launch, spin and feel he was looking for in his iron and wedge shafts. 

For a change that simple, why did it take two years for Mickelson to make a change? According to Braly, getting the right performance from a shaft is often much easier than getting the right feel. That’s why the V2 shafts are five grams lighter than the KBS Tour shafts. To make up for the stiffer tip, Braly was forced to extend the lengths of the steps of the shafts and subtract from the thickness of the walls to give Mickelson a KBS Tour-like feel with the performance that he wanted.

Like the tour-only KBS Tour V2 shafts, the C-Taper Lite shafts were able to be made lighter by decreasing the thickness of the shaft’s walls and tuning the shaft’s diameter to create the mid-spin, mid-launch conditions he was looking for from the shaft.

Just how important does Braly think the C-Taper Lite is to his company’s shaft lineup?

“I’m really into custom fitting and I wanted to have a complete product line,” Braly said. “I want to be able to fit golfers into the best product I possibly can. With this new product, I can’t imagine that there are many golfers out there that we won’t be able to fit.”

The C-Taper Lite shafts have KBS’s brushed satin finish, and are available for order now with shipping starting July 8. The R-Flex C-Taper Lite shafts weigh 105 grams, with the S-Flex weighing 110 grams and the X-flex weighing 115 grams. They’ll cost around $39 per shaft.

14 Comments

14 Comments

  1. Pingback: KBS Adds New C-Taper Lite Shaft with Parallel Tip | Golf Gear Select

  2. Dolph Lundgrenade

    Jun 14, 2013 at 8:40 pm

    With counterbalancing about to be a major aspect of the fitting process (owing to the recent exposure that many players are using it…and Jack used it) I expect a shaft line-up to be double the options. For KBS’s line-up I believe we will see a B-spec version of each shaft in a lighter configuration with the same profile. For example, don’t be surprised to see a C-taper that is exactly the same in terms of performance, but 10-20 grams lighter per flex… or, as another example, being able to buy a KBS Tour X stiff shaft that weights 115g. In this manner the fitter can counterbalance 15 grams of weight without increasing the overall weight of the club.

    That’s just what I see for the future… but I’m right so often you may just count on it.

  3. Ryan

    Jun 11, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    Wonderful intuitive article. I play the Tours but can’t wait to try the C-Taper Lite Stiff!

  4. lefty

    Jun 10, 2013 at 9:20 pm

    Yea but my Honma 5 stars cost more and are graphite. I have gold in my irons too.

    Honma driver 5 star 1700 dollars
    Honma 3 wood 5 star 1500 dollars
    Honma irons 3-AW 5 star 12,500 dollars
    Cameron California prototype, 1 in existence 25,000 dollars
    Honma Corinthian leather golf bag 5500 dollars
    Custom Club Car cart 22,000 dollars
    Golf swing .50 cents
    Okay guys I am being fecetious but I actually saw this on ebay

    • Dave

      Jul 12, 2013 at 7:31 pm

      Surely you mean FACETIOUS? Since Fecetious must mean that there’s sh*t coming out of your mouth?
      Either way, what’s the point of your post?

  5. Blanco

    Jun 7, 2013 at 11:42 pm

    One of the best articles I’ve ever read on Golfwrx. Nice to hear about more about shafts than the usual weight, launch profile, fluorescent colors, and who’s playing it on tour. Informative, clear, great photography.

    Please inject me with more technical shaft dope.

  6. John Strathman

    Jun 7, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    I always thought there was a hole in selecting KBS shafts. I hit Tour’s with two iron sets and just went back to DG S300’s on my last purchase. Well there is always tomorrow…

  7. LK

    Jun 6, 2013 at 7:42 pm

    forget the c-taper lights, give me the tour v2s!!

    • John

      Jun 6, 2013 at 9:42 pm

      Seriously wish they would, as this sounds like the perfect shaft I’m wanting. Kbs tour feel with a more dg like trajectory or even slightly lower spinning and I would pay big $$$!

      • T

        Jun 7, 2013 at 11:57 am

        Huh? DG says it is LOW launch, so how can it be more like DG trajectory? You don’t know what you’re talking about. Why not use something like DG XP hardstepped a couple times?

        • John

          Jun 7, 2013 at 7:38 pm

          Huh?? That’s exactly what I’m saying, if the KBS had a shaft with the SAME LOW launch of the DG with the FEEL similar to the KBS tours, with a possibly touch less spin than a DG.

      • Yo mama

        Jun 9, 2013 at 8:54 pm

        I don’t want to pay big bug I want them

        • Kridian

          Jun 16, 2013 at 9:45 pm

          $39 per shaft!? There better be GOLD weaved in there!

  8. Xander Walsh

    Jun 6, 2013 at 6:20 pm

    Great article. I enjoyed the read.

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Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

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Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game. 

The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag. 

At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.

The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.

“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley

In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.

To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.

“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod

An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.

Pricing & Availability

The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026. 

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Equipment

Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:

“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly. 

My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”

And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
  • MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
  • dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”

Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”

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From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.

From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo.  4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades.  5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft.   Standard Length, Lie and Lofts.  These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me.  Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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