Connect with us

Equipment

Spotted: Prototype wood shafts at the U.S. Open

Published

on

There is always a lot going on at a major championship. Fortunately, amidst the chaos, we were able to track down some new gear out on the range. This week we spotted a few different prototype shafts out at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. We don’t have any official details on most of the shafts, but we can speculate on a few details.

Mitsubishi Diamana BB (Blue Board)

We got the sixth-generation Diamana White Board a little while ago and now we get our first look at the Blue Board. The BB will be the mid-launch option in the latest Diamana lineup as its sibling the White Board is designed for low launch. Mitsubishi informed us that this new BB will mix the current Diamana GT and the slightly older Diamana BF shaft. This new Diamana BB should incorporate the firmer handle of the GT and the smooth feel of the BF for a high-performance shaft that feels great. Surprisingly, the Diamana BB is matte black like the WB, but with a blue “surfboard” — I think most of us expected a matte blue shaft! The new Diamana BB will include Mitsubishi’s latest shaft technology, like its Xlink Resin System.

UST Mamiya Lin-Q 2353OWv2

This looks to have very similar graphics to the current Lin-Q M40X White that is in the lineup. There are additional markings below the graphics that say, “PROTO 2353OWv2,” but I don’t think that really helps anyone outside of UST Mamiya. High tensile modulus M40X fiber is being used in the shaft, but I don’t see any TSPX Concept markings on the shaft, so I wonder if that material is being used in the full length of the shaft or just in strategic parts. The current Lin-Q M40X White is a low/mid-launch and spin shaft and a 6F5 (X-stiff) model comes in at 67 grams.

Graphite Design Tour AD GC

Graphite Design might have one of the most robust shaft lineups of any company out there, and some of the models it makes don’t even make it to the U.S. market. We don’t have anything official on the shaft but there was a tour rep at the Suntory Ladies Open who told the media the Tour AD GC was similar to the Tour AD PT and the Tour AD TP models. The tour rep mentioned it was a little “tighter” than both of those shafts. Now the PT model isn’t currently available here but it is a mid-launch shaft and the TP is mid/high launching with low/mid spin. We spotted a GC in 8 TX flex, meaning it is in the 80-gram weight range, so I think the shaft will be offered in the full range of 40-80 grams like most Graphite Design Tour AD shafts.

Newton Motion “6.5 Dot”

Newton is a newer player in the graphite shaft market but is experiencing success on professional tours. We spotted their Motion shaft out at Pinehurst N0. 2 this week with an interesting marking on it. Newton designates flex by the number of dots on the shaft, from one to six dots, and those correspond with the recommended swing speed. The current lineup has five-dot shafts for swing speeds around 105-115 mph and a six-dot flex for swings over 115 mph. The shaft we saw has seven dots, but the last one is not filled in. We can’t be sure what this represents as none of the other flexes seem to have any empty dots on them. Newton Motion shafts are hand-built with no spine for extreme consistency and accuracy. They also play a little softer for generating ball speed.

I have been an employee at GolfWRX since 2016. In that time I have been helping create content on GolfWRX Radio, GolfWRX YouTube, as well as writing for the front page. Self-proclaimed gear junkie who loves all sorts of golf equipment as well as building golf clubs!

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

Published

on

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. 

Continue Reading

Equipment

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

Published

on

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”

Continue Reading

Equipment

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

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Announcement

Our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use have been updated as of January 29th, 2026. Please review the updated policies here Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. By continuing to use our site after January 29th, 2026, you agree to the changes.

WITB

Facebook

Trending