Equipment
GolfWRX member testing: UST Mamiya LIN-Q wood shafts
Our forum faithful are well acquainted with the incredible giveaways and review opportunities in the realm of threads and comments, but we want to ensure front-page readers are involved as well.
Check out what the most-trusted GolfWRXers have to say about the TPT Golf Pulse putter shaft here.
UST Mamiya LIN-Q Wood Shafts
UST Mamiya is bringing serious innovation to the spotlight with its new LIN-Q lineup. At the core of the design is PowerCore technology, built using advanced Q Ply material and a Nano Resin Matrix to enhance stability, energy transfer, and overall performance. UST has used Q Ply in select shafts before to reinforce specific sections, but this build takes that concept further for a more complete performance profile.
A game changing golf shaft design offering increased performance and phenomenal feel for golfers of all abilities. Designed from the inside out, each launch/flex profile is fabricated with a distinct mandrel, materials and layup patterns. The nano-structural influences of the resin system combined with the Q Ply material provides the most efficient fiber material available. The innovative combination of Q Ply material, a nano resin system and discrete profile design technology provide unrivaled launch consistency, stability and perfect feel. Our exclusive PowerCore provides significantly improved multi axis stability and hoop stiffness during the golf swing delivering increased energy at impact, and a more consistent release path swing after swing.
Learn more about the LIN-Q Wood Shafts here.
How we choose our testers
GolfWRX staff evaluates each entry against the criteria laid out in the testing thread to determine the best fit for each specific product — For example, if a game-improvement iron is being tested, game-improvement iron-playing golfers will be considered.
Member testers
The testers are:
@J-Walker
@gioguy21
@golfinbrad
@rbilramz
@Shilgy
Member review highlights
@golfinbrad (60 gram X-Stiff):
“I requested the LINQ Blue in a 60 gram x-stiff. The first thing that jumped out was the looks/paint scheme. It has a very distinct look, which makes it easy to see the guys gaming it on TV, but not too much that makes it distracting. Manufacturers have done a great job with this over the past 10-15 years. Simple but distinct. Very positive.”
“After several LM and a few course sessions, here is my short opinion. Yes, consistent. The profiles that fit me best are soft handle/stiff mid/stiff tip or stiff handle/soft middle/stiff tip. This falls in the 2nd category. I do not like shaft that are very stiff in the handle and softer in the tip like a Ventus or Diamana. Nothing wrong with those shafts, but just don’t work for me. I usually end up with Tensei White/Blue or HZRDUS Black. These shafts aren’t cheap, but giving serious consideration to putting it in my fairways. Yes, I have the Tensei White currently in those. Do not buy the LinQ non-Powercore shaft thinking it will be similar, but cheaper especially if you are a higher swing speed player. They are not even close. The Powercore is very tight. I found the non-Powercore to be all over the place. The only other word of advice is definitely look closely at the weight if you are sensitive to that. It was mentioned throughout this thread these are a little heavier than other similar weight shafts. I don’t find it an issue, but I would also have no hesitation going to a 5s and tipping in an 1″ or 2″. These in a lighter flex will still hold their own. You don’t have to be the ego guy thinking you need an x because you will “over power it.” Lighter and a little tipping will hold up just fine.”

@rbilramz (70 gram X-Stiff):
“After reading about the LIN-Q I was really interested in how it would compare to my current setup. I have been playing a Taylormade Qi35 driver with a Ventus Blue TR Velocore 7X that I was fit for in the spring of 2025. That combo performed great for me, and I LOVED the feel of the shaft. I recently purchased a Qi4D with a Project X Denali Frost Black 60 6.5(X). I had never tried that shaft, but the profile looked intriguing. I figured that I could always swap the Ventus in the new head if it performed better. For this review, I will be comparing all three shafts in my Qi4D head. All three shafts play at 45.50” installed.”
“Quickly, I want to touch on the shaft’s appearance. Since this review is about the LIN-Q, I will focus on it. And man, it does not disappoint. This is easily my favorite looking of the three shafts. It balances classy graphics with just enough style. Plus, black & white with a splash of gold is hard to beat. I’ve never loved the look of the Ventus (blue isn’t really my jam), and the Denali Frost is kinda boring. The matte black does look great with the Qi4D, though. At the end of the day, whatever performs best goes in the bag.”

“I had another round with the LIN-Q today, and it changed everything. Shout out to Colorado National for being in decent shape this early in the season!
“Any hesitancy I had with the shaft is gone. It is warm (86 and sunny), but I had 100% control of the shaft today. I used driver on 13 holes and found 11 fairways. The first fairway I missed was because I drove through it and ended up in a fairway bunker. I have never been long enough to end in that bunker before. Over 310 to the front lip and I rolled through to the back. I just kept finding the center of the clubface and was consistently hitting my cut. The launch was definitely higher than I experienced on the range and even in my first round. I’m not sure exactly what was so different. The LIN-Q is STRONGLY in the bag for now.”
“Update #3- Keeper!
“One last update from me. The LIN-Q white has officially made its way in to my bag. I tried a round with my Ventus TR Blue and found myself missing the LIN-Q. The Powercore provides the smoothest little kick while still feeling stable. I think they’ve got the next hot shaft, I bet it’s going to be super popular.”

@J-Walker (60 gram X-Stiff):
“In this review, I’ll be using my Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max 10.5° head to put this shaft up against my Ventus Blue TR+ 6X playing @45.5” and Tour AD-FI 5X @45.75”. Given the heavier weight of the Powercore Blue 6X, I plan to build it up at the same length as my TR Blue+ 6X @45.5” (and 1/4” shorter than FI 5X).”

“I love the feel of Lin-Q PC Blue 6X. It kicks a bit under the handle and is super smooth. It responds well on both easy and full swings. On center-face shots there is more of a thud than a crack, giving me the sensation of strong power transfer. More “Tour AD-like” than “Velocore-like.” In fact it feels a bit like my Tour AD-FI, but, on first impression, I think it felt even a little more responsive and smooth than FI.
“It is really stable for being so responsive. My over-fades and over-draws were all playable. I didn’t have a lot of bad swings, but on the few I had it was very forgiving. It just feels safe and comfortable. There were no big blocks to the right, or pull-hooks left for me.”
“I had another very consistent day off the tee with PC Blue 6X in my driver today. I wasn’t even hitting it my best, but everything was so playable and consistent. Fairways and edges of fairways all day. My two worst misses were safe and to the side of the fairway I needed to miss on. Today proved once again that this shaft is really forgiving for me on my off days.
“Now my new Ping G440 Max 3W with Lin-Q PC Blue 6S (tipped 1”) was the real show-stopper. I was hitting it on a rope all day from the deck, repeatedly carrying 240+. The shot of my day came with 3W on a short 267 yard drive-able par 4. I hit a towering shot that felt like a rocket off the face and then landed softly at 255 yards on the green and rolling to 7 feet for eagle.”
“For all intents and purposes, my initial testing is complete. Of the three shafts I began this shoot out with (Tour AD-FI, TR Blue+ and Lin-Q Powercore Blue), Lin-Q Blue wins on feel and consistency. All three shafts are extraordinary. All of them are very fast and stable with launch characteristics and ballspeeds that are close enough that it would be splitting hairs to try to compare them anymore than I already have. I could happily play any one of them. But when it comes to repeatability, timing and feel, PC Blue has won the show. I’m consistently hitting the ball farther and closer to my target line on my less than perfect shots with Lin-Q, and I find it just as stable and long on my best shots. As stated numerous times in this review, I am most consistent with this shaft and it is the easiest to launch in a consistent window.”

More about GolfWRX member testing
Member testing gives our forum members the opportunity to put the latest golf equipment through the paces. In exchange for getting a product to test (and keep), forum members are expected to provide in-depth product feedback in the forums, along with photos, and engage with the questions of other forum members.
For brands, the GolfWRX member feedback and direct engagement is a vital window into the perceptions of avid golfers.
You can find additional testing opportunities in the GolfWRX forums.
Whats in the Bag
Miles Russell WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ-8 X

5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X

Irons: TaylorMade P770, P7MC (4-PW)
Shafts: Graphite Design Tour AD VF Hybrid 105-X, Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50 SB-08), TaylorMade MG5 (56 LB-08, 60 LB-08)
Shafts: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100, Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour V

Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
Check out more in-hand photos of Miles Russell’s clubs here.
Whats in the Bag
Ben James WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees, SureFit D3 setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X

3-wood: Cobra Darkspeed X (15 degrees, SureFit D3 setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke 6.5 TX 70g

Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 9 X

Irons: Titleist U500 (4), Titleist CB 620 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 120

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM11 (46-10F, 50-12F, 56-12D), Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks (60K)
Shafts: True Temper 115 Mid X100

Putters: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Prototype, TaylorMade Spider Tour

Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Whats in the Bag
WITB Time Machine: Brooks Koepka’s winning WITB, 2018 U.S. Open
Brooks Koepka did the incredible at the 2018 U.S. Open, successfully defending his title at a punishing Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Facing one of the toughest course setups in recent major championship history, Koepka displayed composure and consistency, closing with a final-round 68 to finish at 1 over par, one stroke ahead of a surging Tommy Fleetwood.
Check out the gear Koepka had in play eight years ago below.
Driver: TaylorMade M3 460 (9.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 70 TX

SOUTHAMPTON, NY – JUNE 17: Brooks Koepka of the United States on plays his shot from the eighth tee during the final round of the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 17, 2018 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
3-wood: TaylorMade M2 Tour HL (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX

Driving Iron: Nike Vapor Fly Pro (3)
Shafts: Fujikura Pro 95 Tour Spec X-Flex

Irons: Mizuno JPX-900 Tour (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 (52-12F, 56-10S, 60-08M)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Only T10 Select Newport 2

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord (Midsize) with one wrap of 2-way tape and one wrap of masking tape
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