Equipment

Shafts Sneak Peek for 2009

Published

18 years ago

Oct 27, 2008

Gxgolfer

What shafts are having the buzz out on tour? These could be the next hot thing in the market next year. GolfWRX has been out on tour looking at what the players have been playing. Most of the shaft buzz out on tour is from shafts that the average “Joe” can’t get yet. These are shafts that are still in the prototype phase and the manufactures are still working the final adjustments to. Some are minor tweaks to the performance characteristics, and some adjustments are graphical only.

With all the technology packed into these 45” long shafts it isn’t surprising to see some exciting new products being tested out on tour. The players on the PGA are the ultimate critics. The best in the world can feel minor adjustments to the designs. In some cases the technology is directly linked to the trends in head design. For instance we are noticing there has been a lot of modifications and improvements this year to help stabilize the large MOI heads. As the drivers have gotten larger, there is a need to stabilize the heads during off center hits.

Here are the buzz makers for 2009…

UST Shafts introduces Proforce AXIVCore

Proforce AXIVCore Tour Black is for a player seeking high initial launch, low spin, and increased ball speed. It is a tour-proven design that integrates a true weave – 4-axis material – within the inner walls of the butt section that provides stability and consistent shaft recovery. This counter-balanced shaft reduces club heft helping players gain more MPH of clubhead speed, uses superior high modulus carbon fiber in the mid and tip section and is available in multiple weights and flexes to fit various swing profiles. The Tour Black Series’ flexible, low torque tip section offers high launch, low spin, and better control. AXIV material provides stability and consistent shaft recovery without sacrificing feel. Counter-balancing reduces club heft helping players gain more clubhead speed. MSRP: $ 165; MASP/Street: $139.99

Proforce AXIVCore Tour Red is for a player who generates above average ball speed seeking a penetrating launch, low spin, and stable feel. It’s a tour-proven design that integrates a true weave — 4-axis material – within the inner walls of the butt section that provides stability and consistent shaft recovery. This counter-balanced shaft reduces club heft helping players gain more MPH of clubhead speed, uses superior high modulus carbon fiber in the mid and tip section and is available in multiple weights and flexes to fit various swing profiles. The Tour Red Series’ stiffer tip profile offers a penetrating launch, low spin, and firmer feel for players with above average ball speed. AXIV material provides stability and consistent shaft recovery without sacrificing feel. Counter-balancing reduces club heft helping players gain more clubhead speed. MSRP: $165; MASP/Street: $139.99

Mitsubishi Rayon’s newest premium shaft- Fubuki

The new FUBUKI wood shaft series incorporates a revolutionary design concept called Modulus Differential Technology (MDT). The end result is a more responsive golf shaft that reduces spin and creates more consistent launch characteristics.
Modulus Differential Technology (MDT) incorporates a revolutionary design concept that combines state-of-the-art high modulus material with specialized, more responsive, pitch based fiber in and above the tip section. The resulting design allows the different materials to work in concert, promoting enhanced feel and stability throughout the length of the golf shaft. Additionally, MDT offers a significant reduction in golf shaft deformation and lag, which promotes consistent spin reduction and a more repeatable dynamic launch angle.

The pure pearl white basecoat for the FUBUKI™ shaft is inspired by the meaning of the word "FUBUKI" in Japanese which means "BLIZZARD". The shafts signature graphical element, the "throwing star", is inspired by traditional weaponry of the Japanese Ninja and has been modified to represent a snowflake. The Japanese word for weapon is "BUKI". MSRP: $300 USD

More reviews of the FUBUKI

Aldila Voodoo

The new VooDoo shaft from Aldila features patented S-Core technology that dramatically stabilizes the shaft cross section through use of an internal rib system. Per Aldila, S-Core Technology allows the hoop stiffness of the VooDoo to be increased by 80% over conventional graphite and by as much as 60% over the competitions attempts at cross sectional stabilization. Increased hoop stiffness allows the VooDoo shaft to better resist ovaling or cross-sectional deformation during the swing. Thus, maximum energy is transferred to the ball rather than being wasted deforming the shaft cross section – distance is maximized. In addition, because the symmetry of the shaft cross section is maintained throughout the swing, the shaft will load and unload much more consistently thereby enabling the player to more accurately deliver the clubhead to the ball – accuracy and consistency are maximized.

Voodoo shafts are the buzz of the tour. Ryder cup alone saw some serious traffic from the new comer. Justin Rose, Ben Curtis, JB Holmes, Lee Westwood, Boo Weekley, and Ian Poulter all had it in play.

More talk and reviews of the VooDoo

Fujikura ATL Series

For 2009 Fujikura will launch the ATL Series (55, 65 & 75gr). These first models incorporate a mid-launch, low spin design. To understand ATL (Academy Tour Limited) it really needs to be looked at as a “Canvas” of products rather than the traditional 3-model series. There will be succeeding products released under the ATL umbrella throughout the coming months and years. The ATL models are and will continue to be a direct result of the research and testing that Fujikura has done at their on-site Fitting Academy the past two years. The Academy uses the highest level of motion capture technology in analyzing shaft behaviors allowing our engineers to design shafts not only for players of all levels, but to synchronize optimum performance with the new OEM clubheads. Fujikura is looking to the ATL models being the hottest shafts on tour in 2009.

Graphite Design

GD will have an extension of YSQ available in 65 grams and 75 grams. It is a stiffer tip, lower launching, higher modulus graphite version. MSRP: $175.

Matrix Shafts – TPHD

In the one in the half years since the last advancement of the OZIK franchise, Matrix has focused on creating new means of structural strength and pushing forward their advancements in spin control. The result will be the much-anticipated series internally nicknamed “HD” or “16-cut”. The nicknames refer to the hexadecagonal (16-sided) internal platform on which the new designs are built. The 16-cut design is meant to provide a new level of strength and stability from the shaft’s butt to mid sections. Matrix will do two things with this new platform of strength: (1) launch their most aggressive spin-reducing and stable feeling designs to date and (2) add the technology to previous designs to make them more stable. The flagship model is currently under the working prototype name of “TPHD Gold Prototype.” Matrix believes that this will be the most advanced golf shaft in production.

GolfWRX.com quoted J.C. Beeson, Vice President of Matrix Shafts…

“The Matrix OZIK player asked us for more stability. We sought further spin-control advancements and the opportunity to again bring something to golf that is completely unique. We have accomplished each goal. These are the best feeling golf shafts we have created. Think of the 16-cut structure as a design platform that allows us to create things that simply were not possible before. Then, think of this first prototype as us taking the ‘best’ from all the previous OZIK models, stacking them on this platform, and finishing it with something new. The youngest of the World Top 10 stormed through the Ryder Cup with this in his driver. The second youngest just won the BMW and THE TOUR Championship and will get his specially-made version very soon. We could not be more excited about where our brand and this new technology are headed.”

More Pics and talk about Anthony Kim’s Driver shaft

The OBAN Revenge

The Revenge utilizes only the most premium high-modulus pre-preg materials in the world. The Revenge design was designed to have a softer butt and tip section while maintaining a stiffer mid-section. The result of this design is a responsive shaft feeling with great feel and stability. The softer tip and adequate torque allow for a higher launch with moderate spin. This shaft is best utilized by the golfer that has a smooth consistent swing and for the player with a softer shaft load. This shaft is available in 55, 65, 75, 85 gram weights. It is also available in a 85 gm Hybrid. The Devotion is presently being used by Tour players on the PGA, Nationwide, Champions, and European Tours. MSRP – $220.00

More Oban reviews

Whats in the Bag

Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X

5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X

Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (24 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White Hybrid 90 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P7TW (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S300

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F @44, 48-10F @49), SM11 (54-12D), WedgeWorks (60-04L)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour V

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

Whats in the Bag

Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 70 TX

5-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (18 degrees @17.25)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 70 TX

See more photos of Michael Block’s clubs in the forums.

Irons: TaylorMade P-UDI (4), TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC (5-9)
Shafts: Graphite Design Tour AD DI Hybrid 85 X (4), Project X 6.5 (5-9)

Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 (46-SB09, 52-SB09, 56-LB08), MG4 (60-TW11)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

See more photos of Michael Block’s clubs in the forums.

More Michael Block WITBs

Equipment

PGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2026

Alistair Cameron

A lot has been said leading up to the 108th PGA Championship about how Aronimink Golf Club will handle the modern game’s philosophy of bomb and gouge. Tipped out, the Donald Ross design is just shy of 7,400 yards. In comparison, Quail Hollow played at nearly 7,600 yards last year. Off the tee shouldn’t be an issue for most players in the field. What will stress their games are the putting surfaces.

“The greens seem to be the big defence and the big talking point of the golf course,” two-time PGA champion Rory McIlroy said ahead of the tournament.

“Yeah, it reminds me, we played Philly Cricket Club last year for a PGA Tour event. It reminds me a little of that, very wide playing corridors. Still got to get the ball on the fairway. The rough is sort of hit-and-miss, but you can get some bad lies. They can really tuck the pins away with some of these slopes on the greens and just really being aware of that.”

The theme of McIlroy’s comments could be why plenty of players were testing out new flatsticks throughout the early week in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Some were forced, however, and keep reading for Brooks Koepka’s new putter and why he’s added it to the bag.

On the surface, one of the more surprising putter changes for the undulating surfaces at Aronimink is that of Alex Fitzpatrick. The newly minted PGA Tour member, who earned his card by winning alongside his brother Matt at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, is teeing it up for just his second major championship and his first at the PGA. Despite collecting back-to-back top-10 paychecks in his two starts since that victory, the younger Fitzpatrick is trading in his short-slant Odyssey Ai-One #7S for a newer version, but equipped this time with plumber’s neck hosel.

“It’s more of a hosel configuration change that we could hopefully identify some face awareness and rotation benefits,” Cody Hale, Odyssey Tour Rep, told GolfWRX. “So what we looked at was, could we help reduce the rotation, tighten some of that up a little bit, and after measuring that and then his team came out to the putting green, measured again, we saw some positive changes.”

By switching the hosel type and going with less toe hang on the putter, Fitzpatrick was able to become a “little bit tighter and a little bit more efficient” with the stroke, according to Hale.

Along with the hosel change, Fitzpatrick has moved from the standard metal finish to a darker, navy-blue PVD finish, although the switch-up is merely aesthetic and not to help with alignment or framing the putter behind the ball.

Ryan Fox, Haotong Li and Sahith Theegala also join Fitzpatrick with putter swaps in Philadelphia. Fox added an Odyssey Tri-Hot double-wide, while Li opted for a center-shafted GoLo, and Theegala has returned to his Ping TR 1966 Anser 2 prototype after gaming a Ping Ally Blue H at Quail Hollow last week.

Cameron Young using conforming rollback ball

Cameron Young revealed in his pre-tournament press conference at Aronimink that up until a few weeks ago, he didn’t know that his golf ball would meet the criteria of the new rollback rules.

The Titleist Pro V1x Double Dot that Young switched to last summer, with which he ended up winning during the first week he had it out on Tour, meets the proposed standards by the USGA and The R&A.

“I think I put it in play [for] the same reason that everybody else plays the ball that they play,” Young said. “I hit it during a ball test, one of the Titleist facilities probably close to two years ago and didn’t know anything about it. I just kind of (said), ‘Hey, what’s that one?’ because I liked the flight.

“Then as things progressed, I was able to test it last year at Wyndham, able to put that in play, and it’s been there since.”

Young’s distance hasn’t been impacted by the switch to the Double Dot golf ball. He’s sixth on Tour in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and, in fact, is hitting it 0.4 yards longer on average this year compared to last.

“Obviously, there is no conforming list,” Young said. “I wasn’t aware that it would have (conformed). I suppose I read something that said it passed that test, but I wasn’t aware of that until very recently. So, at no point was that a consideration. It was just really me trying to optimize my golf, and it’s the ball that seems to work the best for me.”

Young has won twice already during 2026 on Tour, both at high-level events – The Players Championship and Cadillac Championship – and entered the PGA Championship as a pre-tournament favorite behind Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

Brooks Koepka’s enforced putter switch

Three-time PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka spent plenty of time Monday morning and into the afternoon on the practice putting green in front of the Aronimink clubhouse, working with coaches and Tour reps and putting plenty of different flasticks through their paces, after apparently recently breaking his new TaylorMade Spider Tour X last time out at the Myrtle Beach Classic.

Koepka tested out a couple of Scotty Cameron heads, similar to that of Cameron Young’s Phantom 9.5R with a full sightline. It’s not the first time a Tour pro has asked to follow in Young’s footsteps. Justin Thomas had the same request last week at the Truist Championship. Why not follow the hot hand?

Koepka’s custom Cameron featured the same style Teryllium insert that he has used previously, most notably during his PGA Championship wins in a Newport-style blade. The putter, however, that looks to have the best chance of making its way into the bag come Thursday is a TaylorMade Spider Tour V, the head model recently launched on Tour at the RBC Heritage.

What’s unique about Koepka’s new Tour V putter is the custom-length L-Neck (plumbers) hosel that he has equipped. The extended version looks to reduce the toe-hang of the putter while adding stability to the stroke.

The putter change comes with a plethora of additions to Keopka’s bag after his split with Srixon/Cleveland. Along with already playing a Titleist Pro V1x golf ball, Koepka added Vokey wedges to his Grove XXIII staff bag last week in South Carolina. The 36-year-old is using SM11s in 48.10F, 52.12F and 56.10, along with the WedgeWorks 60B, a special grind with an interesting letter choice.

Look at Koepka’s full bag here.

Rickie Fowler goes shorter

In a golf world where players are looking to eke out every yard possible, usually by lengthening their drivers to add clubhead speed, there’s one player at the PGA Championship who’s going in the opposite direction. In fact, for Rickie Fowler, his goal off the tee is not about gaining extra distance or yards north to south, but rather about shrinking the misses from east to west.

Ahead of the PGA Championship and the week prior at the Truist Championship. Fowler mentioned to Cobra Tour Rep Ben Schomin that the driver didn’t quite swing feel the same as everything in the bag. As a result, and with Schomin’s suggestion to try and sync everything up with the big stick, Fowler decided to test out a shorter length shaft.

“He’s been at 45 (inches), and he’d been at 45 for a few weeks, 44 1/8 (inches) is really is where he is been living really for the most part, for the last couple of years, and is where he is been comfortable,” Schomin told GolfWRX. “It just felt like it was a little long and loose on him.”

Interestingly, Fowler ranks 40th in Driving Accuracy this year on the PGA Tour. It’s his most accurate season with the driver since the start of the decade. But sometimes for players, feel is more important than statistics.

“It was really more of a trying to get the swing to feel the fluidness from club to club to club to try to get it to feel the same,” Schomin added. “And so we took it down to 43 and a quarter, and it was a touch of a ball speed loss, just based on that overall club head speed. But honestly, he squared it up probably a little better. The right miss wasn’t nearly as far. So really, overall down-range dispersion tightened up a fair amount, and he felt confident in swinging it.”

The change in length had Fowler’s caddie, Ricky Romano, beaming at how well he had driven during Tuesday’s practice round at Aronimink. So much so, he was asking Schomin not to suggest changes anymore.

Fowler’s shaft-shortening is one of a few driver adjustments he’s made this season. Read more here on Fowler’s driver updates this season.

Odds and Ends

Keith Mitchell, one of the best drivers of the golf ball, switched to the Qi4D LS 10.5-degree driver last during the Cadillac Championship, and it was still in the bag at Aronimink. He’s currently eighth on Tour in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. Alex Noren switched from a C-grind Opus SP wedge to Callaway’s X grind. The X grind features more bounce than the C and considerably more trailing-edge and heel relief. Max Geryserman looks to be another Callaway staffer switching to the Quantum Triple Diamond TDTD head. The head features a unique face progression and a slight heel-weight bias, a right-to-left ball flight. Aldrich Potgieter scrapped his fairway woods and is looking to use two driving irons. Along with his usual 18-degree PXG Gen 8 X 2-iron, he’s added a 15.5-degree 1-iron version.