Update (7/8, 7 p.m.) The official word from Fujikura: “Due to the success of Ventus on Tour and in the aftermarket since launching in February, Fujikura has now expanded the Ventus line with an additional launch option powered by Fujikura’s proprietary VeloCore Technology. The new Ventus Red provides golfers with a mid-high launch option with mid spin for more carry distance (the original blue Ventus is classified as a mid-launch, low spin). This profile originally appeared as a prototype on the PGA Tour denoted by a “proto MH” label and was used for testing and player feedback before becoming the official Ventus Red.

“The Ventus Red is designed to achieve slightly more launch and spin than the current profile of Ventus Blue, which originally launched on tour in September 2018 and in the aftermarket in February 2019. Ventus Red has a softer tip section than the current Ventus to achieve more launch. It is designated by a gloss red paint finish to be consistent with our color-coded launch system akin to ATMOS Tour Spec, red being the highest launching of the profiles. VeloCore technology in the Ventus line is a multi-material bias core design that maximizes the MOI and ball speed of your clubhead through the reduction of twist during the swing and at impact, especially on off-center hits. It will be available at over 600 local Fujikura clubfitters nationwide this fall.” end update

In an interesting surprise from this Monday’s preparations at the John Deere Classic, we spotted a new Fujikura Ventus (Red) shaft on the range at TPC Deere Run.

Although we don’t have an official statement yet from Fujikura there are some significant conclusions we can draw from what we already know about the Ventus line and the fact that this new Ventus is, in fact, RED.

How we’re going to react…

Fujikura Ventus Red: What are we dealing with?

First off, the original Ventus is blue—thank you Captain Obvious, and blue in the Fujikura lineup means it’s a mid-launch/spin profile. These profiles are almost always the first to come to market since they fit the largest number of players, and it allows engineers and designers to tweak both up and down for players on either end of the spectrum requiring different profiles.

Speaking to different profiles it wasn’t too long ago that we saw a black version of the Ventus in the bag of Dustin Johnson (WRX Spotted: Ventus Black) the prototype name was LT (Lower Trajectory). Traditionally, a black shaft in the Fujikura line means a stiffer profile meant for more aggressive golfer looking for greater control.

This brings us to the newly spotted red version. Red in the Fujikura lineup means mid-to-high launch and that makes the Ventus Red a great candidate for a fairway wood shaft and those less aggressive swingers of the club, looking for smooth feel and increased carry distance. What we’ve seen are X-flex so maybe not for the “regular” golfers yet, but you might see these in some fairway woods pretty soon.

A refresher on the Ventus line (from our January Ventus launch piece)

Thanks to all-new VeloCore Technology, the company claims its mid-launch, low-spin Ventus shaft tightens shot dispersion and performs particularly well on off-center shots.

“As swing speeds increase on Tour over the last few years, the Tour player is seeking tighter dispersion to hit more fairways,” said John Hovis, Tour Operations & Technical Services Manager.

“We challenged our engineers to develop a stable, low spinning, stiff tip shaft to improve control and ball speeds and the result was Ventus.”

The multi-material VeloCore derives its stability from ultra-high modulus Pitch 70 Ton Carbon Fiber (about 150% stronger and more stable than T1100g) and 40 Ton bias layers that run the full length of the shaft.

According to Fujikura, the VeloCore maximizes MOI (moment of inertia) and ball speed of your clubhead through the reduction of twist during the swing and at impact, especially on off-center hits.

The Ventus also features an ultra-stiff tip section and an accelerated taper butt section maximizes energy transfer through the swing.

• More photos of the Ventus in the forums.