Equipment

UST Golf Shaft’s 2008 Preview

Published

18 years ago

Mar 9, 2008

Based in the heart of the DFW Metroplex, United Sports Technologies has quickly become a force in the golf industry. For 2008, they continue to improve and refine their line of high performance golf shafts.

UST made its first big splash with the original Proforce shaft which became very popular for its combination of control and solid feel. UST built on this legacy with the introduction of the Proforce V2 three years ago, which quickly became one golf’s most popular shafts. The flexible tip section of the V2 combined with low torque gave the shaft the high launch angle many players desired without sacrificing control or feel. It also paired very well with a wide variety of heads and has become a staple offering in woods among most OEMs. For 2008, UST is building on the legacy of the Proforce brand, introducing the new HMOI, and V2 iron shafts, along with not-yet-introduced-tour-only AXIVCore shafts which have just been spotted out on the PGA Tour.

The new trend in golf clubs today is MOI. Heads are being engineered with maximum forgiveness in mind and weight is being pushed further back and to the perimeter of the club head to accomplish this. According to Jamie Pipes UST’s Manager of Field Research and Product Testing, this has began causing unique design challenges for shaft manufacturers, "The CG of the heads are moving further from the shaft’s axis or center line. This can cause the shaft to load, lag and/or droop differently. We strive to make shafts that compliment the heads and perform at the highest levels of consistency."

The Proforce HMOI has been designed to work in concert with the new breed of high MOI heads. As MOI has increased, so has head weight with many drivers tipping the scales at 205 grams or more. The HMOI has a higher balance point helping to produce a more playable swing weight. The increased head weight also causes greater shaft droop at impact. In order to prevent this, the HMOI has been designed with a more stable tip section which prevents droop and allows players to swing aggresively through the ball.

UST has just introduced a new prototype called the Proforce AXIVCore, an extension of the HMOI. The shaft should fit the gap providing a higher launch than the V2 but still lower than the V2 High Launch series. According to Mr. Pipes, "AXIVCore line will be UST’s highest launching, low spinning shaft to date. The AXIV Technology weaves carbon fiber in four critical directions to provide what we call Rapid Shaft Recovery for consistency and feel and the counter-balanced technology provides the flex profile for high launch, low spin."

Although the Proforce AXIVCore is still a prototype, it has already been in play on the PGA Tour. Rod Pampling put it in the bag the first time he tested it at the WGC Match Play event. Although the initial reactions have been very positive, UST plans to bring a tip-stiff version for testing to Tour as well as to suit players who prefer the a tip-balanced shaft over a counter-balanced one.

Photo: Matt York AP

UST has also introduced new Proforce V2 iron shafts. The 95-gram constant weight shafts will provide consistency throughout the set for better ball flight control and feel. The middle weight is a good compromise for players who want to switch from steel but still want some heft in their iron shafts.

However UST is still actively pursuing R&D in the field of graphite iron shafts. "Possibly lighter and heavier models in the V2 irons. Even better, possibly a whole new line of iron shafts? We believe that graphite iron shafts have a huge potential," according to Mr. Pipes.

Last but not least, UST is also introducing a training aid called the Easy Flex Tempo Trainer. Available for both woods and irons, the Easy Flex is a super flexible shaft designed to help golfers maintain a smooth tempo throughout the swing and square the club face without being overly handsy.

Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

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.

Equipment

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

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

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”

Equipment

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

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

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