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