project x io vs kbs tour lite

Project X vs KBS Tour: Comparison

Project X is one of the best in the market, True Sports wished so and the players made it come true.

According to a publication by Golfweek USA Today, a large percentage of golfers make use of the True Temper Steel Shafts in their irons on the PGA Tour.

These models are used by Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and others too, according to Golfweek.

True Temper Sports has an admirable foot in the world of golf today.

For over 70 seventy years, this brand has been in the business of shaft making and has done nothing but soar, the name itself speaks standards.

Being the most trusted brand in golf shafts globally, True Temper strives to keep that trophy in check.

The brand has a warehouse of shaft types to choose from, such as the flagship Dynamic Gold, Project X, AMT, Elevate, Aerotech (for graphite lovers), and Accra shafts made with love for the custom fitters.

Each of these shafts has various types of tweaks from the original model to cater to players with slightly different preferences.

This article discusses the Project X shaft and one of its counterparts, the KBS Tour Shaft.

What to Know About Project X

The project X shafts were designed to provide a stiffer feel and heavy load.

The shaft is ideal for players who don’t like to feel the shaft moving during the swing, as it has minimal deflection. It has a mid-launch low-launch profile with a low spin and fast tempo.

Project X is preferred by strong players who swing strong looking for a stable, penetrating ball.

Project X comes in 5 different flexes: 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0. It also ranks as the second most used shaft after Dynamic Gold.

Compared to the Project X shaft, KBS Tour is soft in the tip but has a thick middle section.

This makes it a lot more different than Project X, which has a stiffer tip and a softer midsection in comparison.

What to Know About KBS Tour

While KBS Tour has a low club head speed, that of Project X is a little bit higher, which also makes a good difference between the two.

KBS Tour might be able to give you a higher launch trajectory as well as a lower spin rate.

The KBS Tour shafts were designed to complement the stoutness of Project X, the shaft has a stiff tip, soft mid-section, and a stiff butt.

It fits better with players who like the Project X profile but find it too stout.

The mid-section allows the shaft to deflect during swing giving it a little bent profile.

The shaft has a mid-launch profile with a medium spin and moderate tempo. KBS Tour is available in four different flex options too.

Project X vs KBS Tour: Which is Better?

Changing golf shafts can make little changes to the stick feel, these little modifications can have an immense effect on golf swings.

The Project X shaft is known and loved for its profile build, but some people really like their shafts being a bit flexible and not too rigid.

Project X LZ became the heeding call to their complaint offering them a shaft that is less stiff and compromising a percentage of the original Project X build.

Project X will be seen flying lower than LZ with less spin and thereby causing lesser dispersion, but this might feel hard to achieve in the hands of a player without much strength and a slow tempo.

The loading zone technology in the LZ was built to compensate for that.

Both products sell for 300+ a set, with little price difference.

Project X is a great product for players seeking pin-point accuracy and if the main and the LZ variant don’t feel just that perfect, Project X has a lot to offer.

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KBS Tour Vs Project X – How Do They Compare?

True Temper and KBS have been duking it out in the steel iron shaft space for many years now.

There is a staunch following on either side. In my personal experience, I find that KBS shafts usually play better for me.

But I have come across golfers who vow that they will never play a non-Project X shaft.

You should always go in for a fitting when changing shafts but in the following comparison overview, I will be breaking down the basic differences between the KBS Tour and Project X shafts.

KBS Tour Shaft Overview

“The KBS Tour shaft is available in regular, regular+, stiff, stiff+ and extra stiff flex. There are also 110g, 115g, 120g, 125g and 130g weights available.”

The first thing you should know about the KBS Tour shaft is that it tends to launch a bit higher than the Project X shaft.

There is also considerably more activity in the midsection than the Project X.

That’s not to say the KBS Tour is whippy. But I can feel the entire midsection flex more through transition compared to the Project X shaft.

The activity does fade a bit if you’re playing the 125g or 130g version; but it never goes away completely.

It has a classic stepped design and is mostly polished chrome save for the red band in the midsection.

Project Shaft Overview

“The Project X shaft is available in regular, regular plus, stiff, extra stiff and extra stiff+ flex. There are 110g, 115g, 120g, 125g, and 130g weights available.”

You can see that the weight and flex options are almost identical to the KBS Tour.

It’s clear that these shafts are in direct competition with one another. But the Project X shaft produces slightly less spin than the KBS Tour shaft.

As a result, the Project X tends to produce straighter ball flight.

It’s not that the KBS Tour is inaccurate; it’s just that it’s easier to get a draw or a fade out of the KBS Tour than it is with the Project X shaft.

The feel of the Project X shafts is also considerably stouter than the KBS Tour.

“If you have a fast swing speed and are looking for lower ball flight, the Project X will be the better shaft for you. If you need some help getting the ball in the air, the KBS Tour shaft would be better.”

KBS Tour First Impressions

“The KBS Tour shaft gave me the confidence to fire at will.”

Even on my most aggressive swings, I got the feeling that this was essentially a point-and-shoot shaft.

Project X 5.5 First Impressions

At first, we thought the Project X 5.5 felt a little stout. However, when we paired them with our irons, they let up a bit as we worked down the set.

Key Features & Performance

The most important feature is easily the tapered tip. The tapered area runs longer for enhanced energy transfer from your swing to the ball.

Project X 5.5 Wedges Review

A great choice for wedges because the Project X 5.5 will afford you more accuracy where you need it the most: around the green.

Project X 5.5 Irons Review

We would recommend fitting all of your irons with the Project X 5.5 shaft. The progressive kick point will appeal to better players who will feel the load shift throughout the set.

Project X 5.5 Driver Review

If you are a faster swinger, you will want a stiffer flex than the Project X 5.5 offers.

KBS Tour Pros & Cons

Extremely stable
Very tight dispersion
Takes strong loads very well
Stepped design

Project X 5.5 Pros & Cons

Stiff butt area
Great control
Not great for drivers
Not great for slow swing speeds.

Who Should Buy the KBS Tour?

“Players who demand ultimate stability on powerful loads.”

This is the shaft that can keep up with your most powerful swings and should fit heavy hitters like a glove.

Overall Score: 98/100

Check out more reviews here:.

Who Should Buy it?

The Project X 5.5 would be perfect for players with a swing speed in the 95 MPH range.

It’s also ideal for more aggressive swingers looking for a shaft for their iron set.

Overall Score: 94/100

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Which KBS iron shaft is best for you?

Published: 17 January 2024

KBS iron shafts are for everyone from the world’s best golfers to slow-swinging amateurs, but which of their 14 models best suits you? Let us explain…

Golfers rarely give a second thought to which shafts are in a new set of irons . Yet, KBS believe 14 different models (all of which come in numerous weights and flexes) are needed to cover all types of players.

Technology has taught the brains behind KBS – Kim Braly, if he’s to fit hard-hitting tour pros alongside moderate speed, high handicap amateurs the brand needs a vast array of options. The thinking has led to the creation of 14 different steel and graphite KBS iron models.

EXPLAINED: How we test golf equipment

We don’t want to fit you for your perfect iron shaft. That should only ever be done with the help of a decent club fitter in the real world. But, to highlight how shaft technology helps you hit better iron shots more often we’ve taken a look at the full KBS line-up.

When buying your next set remember KBS shafts can change how a shaft feels, launches and spins, so you have the opportunity to choose your perfect ball flight and set-up. Here’s what you need to know about KBS iron shafts.

Players’ models

Kbs c-taper iron shaft.

There are three-pillar players’ shafts within the KBS line-up and each differs by balance point. The Tour is stiffest in the grip section (for good feel) and it gives mid-launch and mid-spin. The C-Taper is stiffest in the tip section (close to the head) to give a stout and strong feel and deliver low launch with low spin. The S-Taper fits neatly between the pair.

C stands for Constant Taper, so the shaft has no steps, which allows the C-Taper to have a strong and stout feel. Typically the model suits stronger golfers, and players can expect a 5% lower ball flight than True Temper’s Dynamic Gold . Major winners Gary Woodland and Justin Rose have played the C-Taper as has Rickie Fowler .

KBS $-Taper iron shaft

All three KBS pillar players’ iron shafts come in the same five weights, so golfers get to choose based on the launch, spin, and ball flight desired for their own game.

Half flexes (R+ and S+) are brilliant for golfers that sit on the fence between two flexes. They alleviate decisions around whether to go regular flex for more distance or stiff for increased accuracy. The S-Taper (Subtle Taper) is midway between the C-Taper (lowest spin and launch) and Tour shaft (mid-spin and launch).

KBS Tour iron shaft

The Tour is Kim Braly’s signature shaft, it was the first KBS model and it’s the mothership of KBS. Thanks to not being overly strong the Tour can suit a wide audience of golfers. Its consistent step pattern is a good fit for smoother, less aggressive transition players.

Thanks to being a high balance point model (so weight is positioned closer to the grip), golfers get a slightly softer feel and good feedback at the top of the swing. A further Tour FLT (Flighted) shaft model launches long irons higher and short irons lower for a more optimised set.

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How KBS players’ steel shafts differ in launch and spin

KBS Tour V iron shaft

KBS see the Tour V as an outlier shaft because the model is 10g lighter than the C-Taper, $-Taper, and Tour.

KBS Tour Rep Paul Steels says “the Tour V shaft is often a good fit for players who like the shot shape and flight of the C-Taper but want extra feel, as the C-Taper is just so boardy”.

KBS C-Taper Lite, $-Taper Lite, and Tour Lite iron shafts

There’s lots of misunderstanding around lighter iron shafts. But KBS say golfers should see their Lite models (which are 15g lighter than the standard models) as giving a little more launch and being easier to get airborne (than the 3 pillar models).

For players who don’t go at iron shots full tilt Lite models can be a really good option as club speeds increase and shots launch higher. Lite models and aging typically go hand-in-hand. If you happen to overload the shaft you’ll know because shots will start turning over left of the target (for a right-handed golfer).

Also, think about launch windows. A strong but very low launch player could see benefits by going Lite but in a strong flex to up launch and ball flight.

RELATED: Should you play the KBS TD driver shaft?

KBS iron shaft swing speed recommendations

Average speed KBS iron shaft models

Kbs max and max ct80 iron shafts.

To ensure KBS have shafts to suit every golfer’s speed they produce ultralight Max and Max CT80 shafts as well. Both Max shafts are high-launch, high-spin models which help optimise ball flight for maximum carry distance at moderate speeds.

Remember it’s possible to be a fast but inconsistent high handicapper (in which case you’d be better suited to one of the KBS players’ shaft models), so think about shafts suiting speeds rather than ability. Thanks to their low kick point and high launch properties the Max shafts regularly make an appearance in stronger lofted irons (think TaylorMade Stealth and Callaway Big Bertha B21 ).

Typically high-speed players, irrespective of ability will not touch this product.

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There are junior options too

To ensure golfers can go through their whole golfing career with a familiar KBS feel, the brand also produce two junior steel shafts (the 560 and 580). Both are designed to suit the speed of 8 – 11-year-old players.

Both shafts are lightened steel, so the weights are similar to lightweight graphite iron ranges. But, crucially golfers don’t get a heavy head feel which can cause issues when switching from graphite to steel once a child is a stronger teenager.

When should you go graphite?

Graphite irons shafts are massively misunderstood in the modern game. Many people think they’re for older golfers and slower speed players, which just isn’t the case. Graphite irons shafts are easier on the body. They remove vibration, and can suit everyone from tour players to very moderate speed club golfers.

In typical KBS fashion, the brand make three graphite models (all are available in numerous weights and flexes), here’s what you need to know about them.

How KBS graphite iron shafts differ in launch and spin

KBS TGI – Tour Graphite Iron shaft

KBS specifically target a steel-like feel from their graphite shafts. They’ve done such a good job fulfilling their brief several tour players swear it’s not actually graphite. Thinking instead it’s a steel shaft painted black.

The TGI can be matched to golfers’ speeds (there are eight weights, so the model can suit from 57mph to 100mph speed players) in exactly the same way as the brand’s steel shafts. The TGI is the company’s lowest launching and spinning graphite iron shaft, it’s pretty strong and stout, so decent players often like it.

KBS PGI – Players Graphite Iron shaft

In developing their shafts KBS have undertaken masses of research, and they say when the flex isn’t disclosed golfers often prefer the feel of graphite over steel. Their advice is to play the flex you need. Don’t be tempted to go stiffer than necessary. And if you swing a 6-iron at 70mph play a shaft that performs at that speed.

The PGI was developed to bring a steel-like feel to graphite and it’s a step up from the lower launching and spinning TGI. The PGI is widely played on the LPGA Tour, it’s the brand’s mid-launch/mid-spin graphite iron shaft. Six weights mean the model can suit from 57mph to 94mph players.

KBS Max graphite iron shaft

The Max graphite is the highest launching and spinning graphite iron shaft in the KBS line-up. It’s a model for golfers who really need help launching shots high into the air to maximise carry distance. Five weights mean the model can suit swing speeds from 51 to 82mph.

KBS graphite iron shaft swing speed recommendations

Get it right the first time

KBS reckon so long as golfers get fitted correctly the first time they can progress through KBS models throughout their playing career. It means, if like Gary Woodland you’re a C-Taper player or Cameron Smith a Tour shaft player you stay within that family but progress to lighter models as you age.

And to demonstrate how important finding the right family is KBS say to look at Adam Scott and Gary Woodland . Scott has been a Tour shaft player for years (think of his smooth, under-control swing) whereas Woodland is a big strong hitter of the ball, so he’s a C-Taper guy all day long. But, switch their clubs over and both would struggle to play, as they wouldn’t get the ball flight or shot window they’d be expecting.

Don’t forget your wedges

Today KBS are a through-the-bag shaft company. They make shafts for drivers, fairways, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters, so if you’re taking the time to get fitted don’t neglect how the company produce five different wedges shafts too.

KBS say the Hi-Rev wedge shaft has been designed from the Tour shaft profile. There’s a lengthened tip section to give a softer feel and generate extra spin. If you play the Tour shaft you’ll likely enjoy this wedge model too. The brand’s 610 wedge shaft was designed to complement the Tour V shaft.

Where C-Taper and S-Taper fans often run shafts from their irons through into the wedges, albeit at a slightly lighter weight as wedge shots are rarely hit full out.

Want more information about KBS iron shafts? Visit their website here

How do KBS iron shafts compare in data?

Verdict: KBS iron shafts

Lots of people will look at our test pro’s data and think the shafts are performing very much alike. But the data says nothing about how different the shafts felt.

Comparing the C-Taper and S-Taper the data shows the pair as being pretty evenly matched but the difference in feel was phenomenal. So different in fact our test pro felt he just wouldn’t be able to use the C-Taper effectively on the golf course (as it’s so strong). Where the $-Taper felt brilliant and could well be his perfect match within the KBS family.

The Lite shafts produced a faster ball speed, just as KBS promised and the C-Taper Lite in particular launched and flighted shots higher with a steeper descent angle, so there’s a huge amount of tuning in ball flight and feel available from shafts.

Just as KBS promised the TGI graphite shaft produced some very good optimal numbers too, they’d be a very sensible choice for golfers looking to avoid the shock and vibration of using steel shafts. Equally the Max graphite climbed to its peak height very early in its flight, which at lower speeds will be a real benefit in maximising carry distance.

At the end of the day, KBS are all about the consumer. You get what you want, whether that be higher or lower launching, more or less spin, or a different feel, everything is on offer within the KBS iron family. Our test pro liked the $-Taper for his own game as it didn’t feel too strong, yet it felt stable and produced a good feel through the hands, and he had control over his ball flight.

KBS Founder Kim Braly on a life spend designing golf shafts

Many golfers won’t know the name Kim Braly, but the guy is a shaft legend. He has dedicated his life to creating the highest performance shafts you can buy, and we sat down with him.

How have shafts evolved over the last 150 years?

A hundred of those years were dominated by hickory shafts. Steel shafts didn’t come about until the 1930s. My father patented “Frequency Matching” (in the 1980s) which has been the biggest breakthrough during my lifetime. Until then there were no standards; the method gave a baseline to compare and match shafts. Everything I’ve achieved since is down to the Frequency Matching method he invented.

How did the Frequency Matching idea come about?

We made titanium irons with tungsten weights and wanted to see how different set-ups affected performance. We organised a golf robot, and tried two identical set ups, yet the results were entirely different. We started questioning if shafts might not be matched. My dad developed Frequency Matching as a way to compare and match (for flex, weight, profile through CPM, cycles per minute) shafts to one another. The process hasn’t changed for 30 years.

You developed the Rifle and Project X shafts which are still popular; what was different about them?

No set of shafts had been designed individually for each club until then. They were a breakthrough. We’d follow the PGA Tour (at a time when there were no tour vans) and explain to players about matching their irons. We could match a whole set to the club they felt most comfortable and confident with. We were custom fitting without really knowing it.

I’m also proud of what we’ve achieved at KBS over the last 10-12 years. If we aren’t the leaders in shaft technology I really don’t know who is.

What was the players’ reaction?

They were super interested. We had lines of people wanting to understand how shafts affected performance. We learned all sorts. In relation to frequency the lightest shaft in the bag (the driver) will be the stiffest. The weakest shaft should be in the lob wedge, as there’s lots of shots hit less than full out, and a fraction weaker shaft allows you to know where the head is.

Today, the correct fit for players is often a flex and a half stiffer than we recommended 15 years ago. At the start we were a couple of guys just trying to understand. It wasn’t about marketing; we had our mathematical theory and we wanted to understand if it worked in practice.

How have launch monitors affected modern shaft fittings?

They’re one of the best things to have happened to golf. Launch monitors have helped people understand ball flight, spin, height and launch. Every shaft I’ve ever designed has been designed with a type of player in mind.

Each KBS shaft fits into a matrix, we’ve worked on them one at a time, and the line-up is nearly 100% complete.

Where do you start designing new shafts? Is it an idea from you, or a request from a player?

We have ideas, but they have to work in practice. In golf “feel” is a huge thing. If the feel is wrong products go nowhere. I’ve enjoyed dialling in the KBS Tour Lite (steel) and KBS PGI (Players’ Graphite Iron shaft) to be “everyman” golf shafts over the last two years.

They work at specific swing speed ranges, and thanks to our options we can optimise launch and spin for golfers swinging 6-iron in the region of 80mph.

You’ve worked on a bunch of top performing shafts, but which are you most proud of?

The Precision Rifle put me on the map, set up my career and I learned loads from it. The first KBS Tour shaft was a really big deal, too. It’s the foundation stone of every other KBS shaft, where all our other current shafts start. I’m awfully proud of it.

Have you hit hickory shafts? How different are they to today’s models?

The last two tournaments I’ve played have been hickory challenges. Hickory weighs a ton (they’re 180g in a 6-iron), they’re really stiff but the torque is unreal. You can literally twist the head in your hand. Wood is strong in one direction – the one it’s grown in – which is up and down the shaft.

Will graphite shafts ever be the norm through the bag?

I’ve heard so many times how graphite represents the future. In terms of iron shafts steel is still a great material. The reason graphite became popular is its strength to weight ratio. It’s possible to make a 45in driver shaft at a “normal” swingweight.

You just can’t do that with steel, but you don’t need that as much in irons. Steel isn’t going away.

KBS make 16 different iron shafts; why so many?

Each of our profiles do different things. You may have the tendency to hit the ball low, so we have shafts designed to spin more and have a higher trajectory, and vice-versa.

For every 2.5mph of club speed change golfers need a different shaft flex, and that’s why we make half flexes. There’s also feel to consider. In our KBS Tour franchise we go from 130g to 90g in 5g increments (nine different weights), so golfers get what they need.

Whereas in a traditional three flex line-up (R, S, X) golfers get pushed into the best option available. KBS have a reputation for making good feeling shafts because golfers get shafts with the correct load at impact, which naturally feels good. Everything really does come back to fitting.

Best Iron Shafts in 2021 Review

Iron Shafts 2021

Selecting the best iron shaft or iron–shaft combination for your game starts with knowing your game. The newest irons and shafts in 2021 are producing greater distance, forgiveness and accuracy for our customers because we properly tune the iron and shaft combination to your handicap and swing dynamics. We’ve put the newest iron shafts from Project X, True Temper, KBS, OBAN, Mitsubishi, Nippon and others through rigorous testing. Choose your handicap range or swing speed to see how each iron shaft stacks up: (Our More Popular Shafts are Highlighted in Red)

• Professionals/ low handicaps (6 iron distance is 200+ yards with swing speeds 90+ mph)

• low to mid-handicaps (6 iron distance 175 – 200 yards with swing speeds between 80-90 mph), • higher handicaps (6 iron distance 150 – 175 yards with swing speed less than 80 mph, • seniors, juniors, ladies (6 iron distance under 140 yards), if you want to find the best iron shafts for your swing, schedule your fitting here, our fitting difference.

We fit a LOT of different golfers every year for iron shafts. Our master insights come from shaft performance testing and player testing during thousands of fittings. Our fitting system recommendations include length of iron, shaft weight, shaft trajectory and spin profile, shaft flex, and swing weight. Our recommendations are also determined by a golfers physical characteristics (height, weight, wrist crease-to-floor), strength (distance), launch characteristics (actual and desired trajectory, spin, dispersion), and swing dynamics (tempo, transition and release point). Unfortunately, many fitters including your local pro shop do not take all these factors into account, nor do they have the selection of shafts, nor do they have the underlying performance data needed to correctly fit you. Learn more in our blog what happens when golf shafts are not properly fit to your swing.

Our 2021 Guide to the Best Iron Shafts

Professional or low handicaps (200+ yards with a 6 iron).

If your swing speed with a 6 iron is 90+ mph, you should be getting close to 200 yards of distance or more from your 6 iron. If you’re not seeing these distances or happy with the trajectory, schedule your Fitting Here and we’ll get you dialed in with the best iron shaft or iron-shaft combination for your swing.

Shaft Weight Trajectory Spin

True Temper X7 132gr Low Low

Project X 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 120-130gr Mid Mid

Project X LS 120-130gr Low Low

Project X LZ Steel 6.5 125gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

Rifle 6.0 and 7.0 125-130gr Mid Mid

OBAN CT-125 125gr Mid Mid

OBAN CT-115 115gr Mid Mid

KBS C-Taper X 120gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

KBS Tour V 115-130gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

KBS $ Taper X 130gr Mid Mid

Nippon Modus 130 121 – 129gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

Nippon Modus 125 127 – 129gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

ACCRA TiMesh 125gr Mid Mid

Aerotech i110 110gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

Aerotech i125 125gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

KBS TGI 100, 110 100-110 Mid Mid

Mitsubishi MMT Taper 125gr Mid Mid

UST Recoil 110 110 Low-Mid Low-Mid

Low to Mid Handicap Players (175 – 200 yards with a 6 iron)

If your swing speed with a 6 iron is between 83 – 90 mph, you should typically see between 175 – 200 yards of distance or more from your 6 iron. For mid-handicappers, we often see a lot of variance in distances, especially when standard flex and even standard stiff flex shafts are used. Your shot dispersion can be less than 10 yards right to left and 7-10 yards front to back, ensuring you’re getting more greens in regulation.

Shaft Weight Trajectory Spin

True Temper TI X100 128gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

True Temper DG 120 120gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

True Temper AMT White 102-130gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

OBAN CT 115 115gr Mid Mid

Project X I/O 105-115gr Variable Variable

Project X LZ Steel 6.0 120gr Mid Mid

True Temper ELEVATE Tour 115-120gr Mid-High Mid-High

True Temper ELEVATE ETS 115 115gr Mid Mid

Project X Catalyst 100CW 100gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

Rifle 5.0 and 6.0 115-125gr Mid Mid

KBS $ Taper 115-120gr Mid Mid

KBS $ Taper Lite 95-105gr Mid-High Mid-High

Nippon Modus 120 111 -126gr Mid Mid

ACCRA iSteel 115gr Mid Mid

ACCRA I Series 95-105gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

KBS TGI 90, 95 90-95 Mid Mid

Xcaliber RT 95 96 Mid Mid

Mid to High-Handicap Players (150-175 yards with a 6 iron)

If your swing speed with a 6 iron is less than 83 mph, you should expect between 150 – 175 yards of distance from your 6 iron. Shot trajectory can be extremely important here so that you can still get enough loft to stop the ball on the green without sacrificing distances or artificially creating excessive spin that costs you distance.

Shaft Weight Trajectory Spin

True Temper DG 105-115gr Low-Mid Low-Mid

True Temper XP95 93-95gr Mid-High Mid-High

True Temper ELEVATE 95 95-97gr High High

OBAN CT 100 100 Mid-High Mid-High

Project X I/O 105-115gr Variable Variable

Project X LZ Steel 5.5 115gr Mid Mid

Project X LZ Steel 5.0 110gr Mid Mid

KBS C-Taper Lite 100-110 Mid-High Mid-High

KBS $-Taper Lite 95-110 Mid-High Mid-High

Xcaliber 85 86 Mid Mid

Nippon Modus 105 105 Mid Mid

Project X Catalyst 80CW 85 Low-Mid Low-Mid

Aerotech SteeFiber i90 FC 90gr Variable Variable

OBAN i83 and i93 83-93gr Mid-High Mid-High

KBS TGI 80, 90 80-90 Mid Mid

ACCRA i80 and i90 85-95gr Mid Mid

Mitsubishi C6 80 80-89gr Mid-High Mid-High

Nova Tech i800 80-90 gr Mid Mid

UST Recoil 780ES 80-85gr Mid-High Mid-High

Xcaliber 75 76 Mid Mid

Slower Swing Speeds (UNDER 115 yards with a 6 iron)

If your swing speed with a 6 iron is a bit slower, we’ve still got a perfect solution for you. From your swing and personal dynamics, the shaft we recommend and all the other parameters we ask in our fittings helps us optimize the shaft for your swing – no change to the swing and you get the perfect balance of distance, trajectory and spin.

Shaft Weight Trajectory Spin

Fujikura Vista Pro 50-80gr Mid-High Mid-High

Xcaliber 75 76 Mid Mid

UST Recoil DART 65-75gr Mid-High Mid-High

Aerotech SteelFiber i70FC 70-75gr Mid-High Mid-High

KBS TGI 50, 60. 70 50-70gr Mid-High Mid-High

KBS MAX Graphite 45-85gr Mid-High Mid-High

Mitsubishi C6 45-75gr Mid-High Mid-High

OBAN i43i-i73i 43-74gr Mid-High Mid-High

Project X Catalyst 40-60 57-68gr Mid-High Mid-High

Project X CYPHER 40-60 52-74gr Mid-High Mid-High

Nova Tech i700 70-75gr Mid-High Mid-High

Veylix 473, 673 50-65gr Mid-High Mid-High

To see our testing and review of the 2021 iron shafts, read more within each of our manufacturer’s blogs: Project X, True Temper, KBS, OBAN, Mitsubishi, Nippon.

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Shaft Material

Torque and kickpoint, spin and launch characteristics, flex options, weight range and price comparison.

In conclusion, the choice between the KBS Tour and KBS Tour Lite shafts in your golf clubs can greatly impact your game. Understanding the key differences in terms of performance, feel, and suitability for your playing style is crucial in making an informed decision.

Professional club fitting is highly recommended when choosing between these two shaft options. A club fitter can analyze your swing, assess your skill level, and consider your specific needs and goals to determine which shaft is the best fit for you. Additionally, experimenting with both shafts during practice rounds can provide valuable insights into how each one performs under real course conditions.

Remember that the right shaft can enhance your control, distance, and overall enjoyment of the game. Whether you prioritize stability and precision with the KBS Tour or are seeking increased clubhead speed and a higher ball flight with the KBS Tour Lite, making an informed choice will contribute to your success on the golf course.

In summary, your golf club shaft is a critical component of your equipment, and choosing between the KBS Tour and KBS Tour Lite should be based on your individual needs and preferences, ultimately helping you achieve your golfing goals and improve your performance.

Anglo Carson, a Certified Golf Instructor, embarked on a remarkable journey, driven by his unwavering love for golf. He founded The Golf Mine with a singular mission - to create a golfing haven where passion knows no boundaries. His lifelong love affair with golf, combined with his expertise as a Certified Golf Instructor, turned into a vision to share his extensive knowledge, inspire, and promote the game he holds dear.

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Project X vs. KBS Tour V: Low- vs. High Launch Ironshafts

When fitting very good players, it is often only a matter of small details. With these players, it is often already clear in which direction the club head, shaft weight, shaft length and swing weight should go. Here it is often not sensible to dare larger experiments. Most of the time, it's just a matter of finding a combination of club head and shaft to develop a good swing feel, to hit the balls consistently and without major deviations and to optimise the trajectory.

What definitely makes sense here is to test shafts with very different profiles. In the following case, we did just that and looked at two shafts that are very similar in terms of flex and weight, but differ greatly in the bending profile.

One is the Project X 6.0 and the other is the KBS Tour V. The Project X has been known for years as a shaft that allows a very penetrating and controlled ball flight. It is especially suitable for professionals who have no problems generating spin and sufficiently "compressing" the ball. This means that such a player prefers a low ball flight with less spin that he can control better.

The bending profile of the Project X is explained quite quickly: The middle part of the shaft is relatively soft, while the tip is very stiff. This profile is very similar to the Nippon Modus or the very successful Fujikura Ventus shafts.

The exact opposite is the KBS Tour V. This one has a relatively stiff mid section and is very soft in the tip. Such a shaft profile is not found too often. The Tour V therefore embodies the counterpart to the Project X very well and is therefore ideal for a comparison.

Our player swings a 6 iron at around 89-91mph and what you can see straight away is that he was able to accelerate the Tour V a little easier. The club head speed is slightly higher. This is not exactly surprising. Even though the overall stiffness of the shaft is the same, the soft tip is noticeable here, which makes for a slightly better acceleration at impact. On the other hand, the strike pattern with the KBS Tour V was slightly worse with 1.30 vs. 1.32 efficiency.

The actual difference is noticeable in the dynamic loft, because here the two shafts are 2° apart. That is quite a lot in this range. The result of this 2° more dynamic loft with the KBS Tour V is 150rpm more spin and 1.3° higher launch. The peak height is also significantly higher. The Project X, however, achieves practically the same length with a flatter trajectory and slightly less spin despite lower club head speed.

You could say that the result is very similar, but that is not the point of this test. This test mainly shows how different a ball flight can look just based on the shaft profile. After all, we are dealing with the same degree of stiffness and shaft weight. Only the shaft can influence the ball flight and optimise it accordingly.

It was also noticeable that the player was always struggling with the change of shaft. He needed a few swings to adjust to the new shaft. This also speaks for the fact that the shaft is very individual and a change in profile can certainly provide a completely different swing feeling.

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Project X IO Shaft Review

Project x io shaft.

“The new Project X IO was born from the concept that not all golfers need the same thing from a shaft.” With so many players in the recent years of golf putting a premium on low launch and low spin shafts for better control under the stress of big hard swings, there are still a lot of players that are looking for more launch and spin to help them hit their clubs farther. Project X’s latest response is their new lighter-weight IO shaft, designed to load easier but with the stability of a Project X shaft. If this sounds familiar, the IO is “evolved” from the DNA of the classic PXi but with specific weights and trajectories based on flex.

Normally for steel shafts, we don’t include a Looks section, but Project X made a change with the IO shaft. Historically, Project X utilizes a polished chrome finish but they gave the IO a brushed chrome finish which also reduces glare. The Project X branding is a little different with its grey and white color scheme, and lack of their usual blue.

How Does it Feel?

Feel is somewhat dependent on which flex you go with in the Project X IO shaft. For starters, the shaft weight varies by 5 grams across flexes. Project X’s regular flex (5.5) comes in at 105 grams, stiff (6.0) is 110 grams, and x-stiff (6.5) is 115. So the stiffer the flex, the more weight you’ll have. I tested the IO in 6.5 and the shaft load felt easy with a very smooth, yet energetic, release . In the case of the 6.5 flex, the kick point is in the mid section of the shaft. I imagine the lighter flexes may have that kick point a little higher in the shaft for a slightly higher launch.

Stability is synonymous with the feel of a Project X steel shaft. The IO specifically is designed for a more moderate swing tempo. If you have the correct tempo for this shaft, that stability is definitely noticeable. While the shaft is easy to load and has a nice, smooth release, it still felt nice and tight so I could control the club. Where I started to lose that feel was when I would get too quick (read: jerky) with my tempo, which would mess up my timing, and the release just wouldn’t feel right. But let’s be honest, that’s on me, not the shaft.

On-Course Performance

Project X lists the IO as a mid-low launch and spin shaft in the 6.5 flex. Keep in mind that the overall shaft design is supposed to be helpful in launching the ball a little higher with a little more spin. This is supposed to keep the ball in the air longer resulting in more carry distance. So with all that said, I think an easy mid-launch profile is a very fair classification for the IO. Should you want a little more air under the ball, raising the launch angle is no problem. I would say the shorter irons launched a little higher for me at more of a mid-high range but nothing I couldn’t manage. Flighting the ball low was not impossible but took a little extra work. In my opinion, the mid-launch shot will be a breeze for anyone and there’s plenty of playability .

In regards to spin, the IO was a real nice fit for me. As much as I like the control of a low spin iron, I often can use a little more into greens. I’m certainly not known for my impressive bite on the putting surface. I was able to get good carry with a lot of stopping and holding throughout the entire set. I never felt like there was too much spin to control my shot or cause the ball to balloon. In my opinion, I’d call the the IO’s spin helpful, snappy, and very playable .

Final Thoughts – Project X IO Shaft

Having played the Project X PXi, I could feel that the IO had a lot of the “same bones”. The easier/higher launch and lighter weight was very familiar to me. Where I believe the IO stands out as the better shaft is that there’s more stability and better shaft load. I felt the IO’s extra stability made it easier to control and improved club head awareness . Pair that stability with the easy launch and a little extra spin, you get longer distance and tight dispersion. Mix in a nice and smooth swing, and the Project X IO is definitely a shaft worth looking into.

*I used Sub 70 639 CB/MB combo irons to test these shafts for this review. You can read my review of the 639 CB here and my review of the 639 MB here .

21 Comments

Ive been looking forward to this review! I went from regular Project x 6.5 to now playing PXi 6.5 the last 2 years and absolutely love it. I find it very stable and still gives me a mid – low flight. Im certainly not the smoothest swinger but I haven’t found I can overpower the PXi

if you had to pick between the 2 would you go with PXi or the new IO??

PXi’s are getting hard to find so I think by default id have to go with IO for my next set. If anything id probably hard step them to get a little lower flight

Hmm, hard to say. It’s been awhile since I’ve hit the PXi, but my gut says I’d prefer the IO if I picked between the two. The PXi is a little more “rigid” feeling (don’t think of that in terms of flex), and I feel like the IO has more life to it and more precision in the feel. That said, I also feel like the IO requires a much smoother tempo than the PXi.

I really like the IO a lot. I think the only true answer really is that you have to try it out somewhere and see what it does in your hands.

Got lucky and stumbled on the IO 6.5 yesterday at PGA Store. Hit it in the x forged CB

Not a fan of it at all. Very hard for me to describe what I felt. Reminded me of C-taper with a small, subtle kick. I got decent numbers with the IO and I was very accurate with it. A very neutral/straight flight. They happened to have a PXi shaft there also so I was able to hit side by side. First swing with the PXi I got 4mph more ball speed. Next 2 swings gave me 6mph extra, lowered launch a degree, and raised spin by 250 rpms.

Stopped swinging at that point knowing PXi is the shaft for me. I’ll have to look for another shaft when it comes time for new irons I guess

The PXi is a little more stout. Sounds like your tempo was likely a little too quick for the IO.

Hello Bill, This sounds close to the C-Taper light? (Thinking of my C-Taper light “I love that shaft”) Are there any comparisons?

I would say it reminds nothing of the C-Taper, and the C-Taper Lite reminds me of a lighter version of the regular model. The Project X LS (have a search on our site) is closest to the regular C-Taper. The IO is definitely not a “LS Lite”, so to speak.

How would you describe the EI profile of this shaft? Was wondering if it like it has a firm handle but softer tip etc

It sort of shifts throughout the set which is by design. Nothing feels significantly stiff in the profile, but the mid section is softer and will shift accordingly as you progress through the flexes. Unfortunately it’s been awhile since they were installed in my test irons so I can’t speak a ton to where it is per iron. I can really only speak to it generally.

Ok I was curious because I like the c taper lite with the firm handle feeling to me but lighter and less boardy than the heavier c taper. Was looking at this shaft and the LZ but LZ seemed to kick too much in the handle for me I couldn’t get used to the feel kept overdrawing my irons with it and that never happens.

If I swing the project x io 6.0 110 what is a good wedge shaft to recommend

Not a great answer for you, but I really couldn’t say. It really depends on your wedge game, the shots you’re looking to hit, what feels good in your hands, etc. Like maybe you like a softer iron profile, but something stout and firm in a wedge shaft. Pretty common combination, but then someone else might want something super whippy and soft in the wedge for how they play the ball.

hey man great review , compared to the LZ , which one do u prefer ? I’m using the project x LZ 6.0 at the moment, if I’m gonna switch to IO should I go for 6.0 or 6.5 ?

I wouldn’t be able to really accurately speak to flex recommendation. That will be very specific to your own hands and swing. As far as LZ and IO, I wouldn’t really say these two are apples to apples. From my personal experience, I felt like IO was the softer and higher launching option, the LS is the low launch and spin option for the aggressive swinger, and LZ falls somewhere right in between. It has been awhile since I’ve hit the LZ, but I feel pretty confident in that general assessment.

What your thoughts about putting this shaft in a 4 iron (or longest iron in your set) if you play standard PX in the rest your the irons? Love project x steel, but I could potentially use something a little lighter in a long iron. Seems like this profile could add a little launch and spin compared to standard PX.

No reason you couldn’t do that, but I don’t think you’ll find it to be a seamless transition from 4 to 5 iron if that’s what you’re looking for.

New to the “technology” side of the game. Enjoyed your review, but doesnt a high kick point generate lower ball flight? ….. I imagine the lighter flexes may have that kick point a little higher in the shaft for a slightly higher launch

Nope, even in stiffer flexes and weights, a higher kick point (high meaning toward the handle) should result in higher launch angle.

I’ve compared it to PXi and C Taper lite and C Taper Lite is def the firmest with the least load and kick sensation. The IO feels very similar to PXi to me, smooth and easier to load than PX. On the launch monitor it launches slightly higher with slightly more spin than PXi, about 300-500rpm more in the 6 iron with testing.

Good information I’ll be switching from Dynamic Gold 105 stiff to Project X IO 6.0 this week. I’ve been researching like crazy and have hit several shafts setups on the Mizuno JPX 923 Forged. It’s boiled down to these shafts seem to be what I’m looking for. Thanks for all the information.

How do these compare to the Oban CT-115 you reviewed and enjoyed? I play the CT-100 now and am looking for some additional weight. Thinking these might be good to test against the 115’s. Thoughts?

Different guys reviewed those two shafts. I can’t speak too much for the Obans since Tommy did that one, but knowing his swing, I’d be shocked if they’re in the same category as the IOs. I found it pretty necessary to have a smoother/lighter tempo with the IO, that’s about the best feedback I can give. Good luck.

KBS C-Taper Lite Shaft Review

50 Words or Less

The KBS C-Taper Lite is very different than the standard C-Taper. High launching with mid spin but feel similar to the original C-Taper.

Introduction

Every golf equipment nerd has unrequited love for some piece of gear. Whether it’s a blade iron that your handicap just won’t let you play or a driver that looks great but goes nowhere, we battle to reconcile our wants with our needs. For me, one of those pieces of gear is the KBS C-Taper shaft. I love the feel, and I love the accuracy, but the launch conditions just aren’t meant for me. Thankfully I’ve found a better match in the C-Taper Lite.

The C-Taper Lite has the same stepless, brushed steel appearance as the C-Taper. To the extent that any steel shaft looks cooler than another, I like this look. There’s no glare, and the stepless look has always appealed to me. Beyond that, the C-Taper Lite can be identified by KBS’s trademark red label.

The feel of the original C-Taper kept it foremost in my thoughts despite the fact that it’s not a great fit for my swing. Some people found it to be rigid, but it made me feel like I could hit the ball down a hallway.

The C-Taper Lite keeps most of that feel while adding a little more kick. This shaft still gives me the sense of being very accurate and stable because of the stiff tip section, but there’s a little more action in the butt section . Whether you liked the feel of the original C-Taper or not, I think the C-Taper Lite could suit your tastes.

Performance

I was fit for the C-Taper Lite during my recent iron fitting with Club Champion . As I mentioned earlier, the C-Taper – a low launch, low spin shaft – is not a good fit for me, so I was surprised when I was handed the C-Taper Lite. Though the two shafts share a name, they are on nearly opposite ends of the fitting spectrum. The C-Taper Lite produces high launch and mid-spin , which is exactly what I needed to gain distance.

My favorite characteristic of the original C-Taper – the accuracy – is still present in the C-Taper Lite. No matter how hard I swing, this shaft holds up and produces accurate shots. I feel like the C-Taper Lite gives me the exact results that my swing deserves, which is everything I want in a shaft.

There are significant weight changes in the C-Taper Lite depending on flex and whether you use parallel or taper tip shafts. In taper tip, the X-flex is 115 grams with the stiff and regular at 110 and 105, respectively. The raw weights of the parallel tip shafts are significantly heavier at 125, 118.5, and 108.5 in X, stiff, and regular. Make sure that you work with your fitter to find the right weight and flex for your swing.

If, like me, you love the feel and accuracy of the original C-Taper but need less weight or more air under the ball, try the KBS C-Taper Lite . While the feel is similar to the C-Taper, the performance is entirely different, launching the ball high with moderate spin. Best of all, it maintains the C-Taper’s trademark accuracy.

59 Comments

I made the switch a couple weeks ago from graphite and love the C-taper 105. At almost 60 years old, I was concerned about the feel on my elbows which had taken a real beating fromother steel shafts. So great to see an article on these. More senior players may want to look at this option. I feel like I have more consistency with this shaft. Thanks as always for the great articles.

Matt, how would you say this shaft compares to the Modus 105 in stiff

Outside of being in a similar weight class, the two don’t have much in common.

Can you expound on the difference? Thx

I have a full review of the Modus 105 here: https://pluggedingolf.com/nippon-modus-3-tour-105-shaft-review/

I find this interesting. The Mizuno Swing optimizer put me into the C-Taper Lite Stiff followed by the Modus3 105 X Stiff (ended up gaming the Stiff flex Modus3).

I found both shafts to perform the same on the simulator. Launch was within one degree. Both had the same carry, dispersion, spin numbers. I would happily game either shaft. Personal preference was to go with the slightly lighter shaft. (Had the KBS Tour 120 previously)

surely the graphite is the material for light shafts and certainly would be better for the elbows

Patrick, I may have missed it in the review, but what makes you believe these shafts will be easier on your elbows than graphite? I too, am just “north of 60” and leaning strongly toward graphite irons in the near future, just to tame the beatings on my elbows, especially when I am forced to hit balls off of a mat. Thanks.

Great review as always.

Do you find the c taper lite plays stiff to flex?

For 95 mph driver swing speed I’m on the fence as to regular or stiff in these.

No, if anything I would say they’re a bit soft to flex. At least that’s how they feel to me.

C-Taper Lites are my favorite shafts. Played them and kept getting pain in my elbows at 35 and couldn’t figure out why til I read other threads. I regrettably had to make the switch. I went to the Steelfibers and the pain went away.

That’s not good to hear. I’ve recently had a little pain myself (age 34), but I can’t really point to the shafts because I’ve hardly played. It is something I’ll keep an eye on – I appreciate the heads up!

How would these shafts compare to the Project X or more specifically the Project X LZ , have been playing Mizuno 900 Forged LZ in stiff but have been hitting ball way too high an am thinking about switching to a slightly lighter shaft (to regain about half a club length distance lost) and slightly lower launching (to stop ballooning my short irons) … Would these or perhaps the regular CTapers be a better fit than the X or X LZ and given that you think they play a little soft to flex, a stiff or perhaps even XS ?

To be blunt, you’re throwing together a lot of shafts that don’t belong in the same conversation. The Project X and the C-Taper are similar – heavy, low launching, tip stiff. The PX LZ – which I don’t have much personal experience with – and the C-Taper Lite are much more active and higher launching.

I think there’s a lot of merit to dropping weight – I’ve done so myself recently – but I would do it with the help of a club fitter like Club Champion or True Spec rather than through self-guided experimentation.

I also was fit into C-Taper lites. Interestingly, I am almost always an S Flex guy, but I was fit into X Flex for the C-Taper lites. They have been great and feel about the same stiffness to me as previous DG S300s. Not sure if that is just feel or whether the lighter weights are actually less stiff within each flex.

I recently got fitted.the Mizuno DNA shaft optimiser. First choice was Project x lz 5.0 shaft…..second was the KBS c taper lite tour 105 regular…..Third was modus 3 105 stiff. Strange that Matt reckons my second and third shaft choice are not comparable…not true according to my fitting.

I switched to C Taper Lites and really liked the performance but after a few months playing with them, by the 6 – 7 hole my elbows hurt to the point that I couldn’t play. I’ve never had that problem before with Dynamic Golds, KBS , etc. It hurt to the point that I played the next few rounds with my other sets with KBS Tours and DG300s and the elbow pain was nonexistent. Switched my gamers to KBS Tours and never had elbow pain again. Might not a problem for sweepers but if you’re a digger like me, stay away from these shafts.

I am looking at either the MP 18 fli hi 3 iron or Srixon Zu65 3 iron for approach shots from around 220, so I am looking for a shaft that is as high launch/spin as possible for stopping power. (not a fan of hybrids)

Would you say this is it? if not what would you recommend?

The C-Taper Lite is not as high launch and spin as possible, but it is higher launching. What weight are you looking to be around?

I currently play project X 6.5 rifle shaft in 4-pw, so ideally looking for something a little lighter than those to increase SS?

Thanks for responding! Tom

You might look at the True Temper AMT Red or the XP models. I haven’t tried the Red but the DG AMT was impressive to me.

Hello Matt. I have recently purchased a set of PXG 0211 irons with kbs tour c taper lite 110 stiff. So far so good. Consistent and very accurate. What are your thought on using the same shaft in my driver. Presently I’m using Aldila nv 65 s.. Opinion would be appreciated

You’re talking about putting a steel shaft in your driver? I’m not sure KBS makes any shaft long enough for that.

Matt, i play the C taper lite 105r, What would be your thoughts for wedge shafts to match? 54 and 58 degree. I have read about soft stepping a 8 iron shaft but i would like your thoughts. Not to much out there that i specific. Thank you

I just play the wedge shaft. It’s worked well so far.

Matt, what would you say is the iron shaft that would promote the highest launch? Steel and graphite?

That’s going to depend entirely on the fit to the individual and the weight you want to be in. Nippon has some great higher launching options, True Temper has the flighted Dynamic Gold series now, KBS has some good options. If you need more launch, make an appointment with a good fitter to find the best option.

Hi Matt, I am playing the KBS Tour 120 gr. Which for me gives me a good dispersion. Getting older, I would like to play a lighter shaft. I tried the KBS c taper lite stiff and loved the fell. They have more kick that the KBS Tour for me. I have a quick transition and I do not want to increase dispersion. I know that you always like heavier shafts in past. Now you are doing well with the 115 gr. Did you have to adjust to them or it was easy? Are they as precise that the Heavier kbs shaft?

The transition from a 120+ shaft to 115 was not a big deal for me. For me, the C-Taper Lite has been as accurate as any iron shaft I’ve played.

HOLA MATT , ES UN PLACER CONTACTARTE, TENGO EN MIS MANOS UN EQUIPO MIZUNO Y LA VARILLA ES KBS TOUR C – TAPER LITE 110 S , MI HANDICAP EN 13 Y MI EDAD RONDA LOS 55 , SI PUDIERA DARME UNA OPINION YO LOS SIENTO MUY RIGIDOS Y PESADOS, GRACIAS.

I’ve recently being fitted for KBS C TAPER 120 S in new MIZUNO 919 Hot Metals. They are what i would consider very heavy compared to what i previously played….. Project x 5.5 rifle. 3 prizes won in 3 weeks….Great…. but here’s my problem….I am hitting 7-PW brilliantly but longer irons 6, and especially 5 & 4 iron, heavy and very poorly compared to the shorter irons., so my question is do you think i would benefit from C Taper lite S 110/115 X in the 4,5 &6 irons….? They are a higher launching shaft with more kick in them yes…?

Yes, the C-Taper Lite is higher launching and lighter than the standard C-Taper. As to whether or not that will solve the long iron problem, there’s no way to know without testing them. If you’re inclined to tinker, you could buy one C-Taper Lite and put it into your 4I and see what happens. If not, I’d suggest meeting with a fitter to figure out if the Lite is a fit.

KBS C Taper 120 S too heavy query. Hi Matt, Happy St Patrick’s Day from Ireland, and thanks for your response. In fairness to the shop where I was fitted they said any problems, then come back and they will work through any issues so I think maybe your advice on the 4 iron might be the way to go..? Or I suspect they’ll try c taper light in a 7 iron..(that’s how I was fitted , on trackman). I like to feel where the clubhead is in my backswing but in the longer irons its like I can’t feel where it is…? I really haven’t been fitted ever before, bar my driver, so I’m no expert. Driver swingspeed is 104mph and 7 iron is 84mph with the C Taper 120 S….at the fitting. Up from 81mph with project X 5.5 in my previous set. (Not fitted for those) . Thanks again for responding to my question. Regards, Ray

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Hi Matt, Thanks for your precise review of c taper life shafts. What would be the expected swing speed or carry distance on 5 iron for regular flex shaft ? I have setup my mind to get a set of constant taper shafts like KBS lites. I like the feel and response of this design Please advise Best regards

Swing speed and resultant distances are totally player specific Nagesh.

– Meeks

How would you compare these to the tour v and $ taper lite?

Both of those shafts have a more active feel than the C-Taper Lite.

Can you compare the normal C-taper 120s to C-taper lite 115x ? I’m currently using C-taper 120s but thinking about moving to lite version but stiffer which is 115x

We have a complete review of the C-Taper here: https://pluggedingolf.com/kbs-c-taper-iron-shaft-review-1/

I cannot find anything on where the KBS Tour C-Taper Lite 105 R. In a Tour Regular, is that in between an standard Regular and standard Stiff? I used to play Project X 5.5, is this similar.

2nd item, the Nippon 105 Regular, how does that lay out compared to standard Regular and standard Stiff.

Thanks in advance!

Yes, Tour Regular is between Regular and Stiff. With regard to Nippon, are you talking about the Modus?

I hit 7 i with 83 mph, and mizuno dna came back with c taper lite X 115 , as TT 120 S300 any tips what you think, is the X not too harsh? john

I don’t find the X harsh. If you’re buying new irons, I would suggest trying both options in a fitting.

Loved the C Taper Lites in my Mizuno’s, but gave them up because of the extreme elbow pain. Now playing the Modus 3 105 without any elbow pain, but liked the KBS shafts better. Must be a lot of vibration in that shaft, but loved the way it felt.

Regarding the comment on elbow pain and vibration in the shaft, a good way to stop vibration and to slightly stiffen the shaft is to fill the shaft with silicone, this dampens the vibration and adds very little weight to the shaft.

Years old thread worth a shot.

Originally fit into elevate tour stiffs. Preformed well but 3 have broken and I’ve read this happens a lot.

I am considering the c taper lites in stiff, would you say they are comparable with launch?

It will depend on the player. For me, they’re not that close.

Your initial review here for the KBS C-Taper Lite was from 2018. These became your gamers.

Several of the commenters said they used this shaft but developed elbow pains from it. While in your bag, did you develop a similar issue?

I ask because of the review you did of the True Temper Elevate Tour were you compared it to the KBS C-Taper Lites. I have liked the TT Elevate on Callaway APEX Pro’s and just bought a used set of Ben Hogan Ft. Worth White with the C-Taper Lite shafts with a 30 day refund. Developing elbow pain will take longer than that to discover.

No, I did not develop any elbow pain as a result of using these shafts.

Good to hear, and thank you for the response.

I love your reviews (and others here on Pluggedingolf) and that they remain available for historical reference. Very informative.

Matt I happened to stumble upon your review of the c taper light and just had a question. I just got fit for irons, I went in with a very open mind and figured I’d settle on what was best for me, spin, dispersion, distance, feel, etc. I got fit for c taper lite 115 xstiff. My concern is the more I read, the more I’m worried these r not the right shafts for me. I hit them very well in my fitting, the best out of the 15 or so shafts i tried… but I’m about a 6hcp with a 100 average swing speed with a 6 iron… would you be concerned or should I trust my fitter? I have not received the clubs yet as I just had my fitting I just was looking for an opinion. Thanks Tom

As a rule, I do not second guess fitters. If there’s a reason that you don’t trust the fitter’s work or what you saw in the fitting, by all means explore another fitting, but nothing in your comment indicates that.

Matt: I went to a fitter and really like the C-Taper Lite. However, the regular and still shafts give me nearly the same results. I swing my 7 iron in the 83-86 range and am a fairly fit 70 years old. Any suggestions as to which flex I should choose for the Srixon SX5? Thanks. Mark

Did you have a preference for the feel of one over the other? If not and all else equal, I’d say go softer and lighter as they’ll work better when you’re a bit tired.

Is this a steel shaft or a graphite shaft? Everything I am reading makes it out to be a steel shaft, but it certainly looks and feels like a graphite shaft.

It’s a steel shaft.

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Golf Balls/Shafts/Grips

KBS vs Project X

By JFish350 December 6, 2021 in Golf Balls/Shafts/Grips

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52 minutes ago, JFish350 said: I bought new clubs and had KBS Tour 130 shaft that I was fitted for but not using the clubs I going to purchase. After I got them the ball flight seemed very high and I felt I was losing a club length of distance. I went to another fitter and again not using the clubs I bought as we couldn't swap shafts and they don't carry my clubs They suggested Project X 6.5 LS 1250. Is this going to make a difference in ball flight being a little lower and getting the distance back? Or are they about the same shaft and I should make this work? I can make them work just fine but it sits in the back of my head when I deciding on club choice. This all said I am a 15 HDCP trending down and not sure it will make that big of difference. Thanks for any help/info? Jeremy

After reading your post it seems like a lot of unknowns and based on my reading:

you were fit to a set but bought something different than recommended. same shaft different head
you feel the ball height is too high and you feel like you are losing distance. No numbers or measurements to confirm this.
You went to another fitting but didn’t bring the clubs you were using to compare so you still have no measurement.

first, going to different fitters will probably result in different configurations. Fitters have their preferences and get to goals differently. The shaft works based on how you respond to it so we really can’t tell you if it will make any difference. It could result on a lower flight or it could be the same or higher.

what sits in the back of your head? You have a club that you were fit into and you should know how far you hit each club.

nofives , MGoBlue100 and tdroma98

3 minutes ago, cnosil said: After reading your post it seems like a lot of unknowns and based on my reading: you were fit to a set but bought something different than recommended. same shaft different head you feel the ball height is too high and you feel like you are losing distance. No numbers or measurements to confirm this. You went to another fitting but didn’t bring the clubs you were using to compare so you still have no measurement. first, going to different fitters will probably result in different configurations. Fitters have their preferences and get to goals differently. The shaft works based on how you respond to it so we really can’t tell you if it will make any difference. It could result on a lower flight or it could be the same or higher. what sits in the back of your head? You have a club that you were fit into and you should know how far you hit each club.

A few more details that may help.

I went through the fitting process a few times. First time I was fit ( Golf Tech) for Mizzuno 921 Hot metal pro, I think it was 921. I apologize as I don't remember which shafts they fit me into. Second time I was fit (Private CC) for T200's which I loved and the shaft they suggested was the KBS Tour 130. Both sets where $1400 plus 3 thru AW. I kept looking as spending that much is a hard pill to swallow and really hard to hide from the wife which isn't an option. I can across Sub 70 on this site, checked them out, demo'd a few clubs and decided on them and went with the KBS shafts. I paid $850 for 3 hybrid and 4 iron -AW. I love the sub 70's and feel I made the right choice even with the ball fight being higher which is I believe the reason for the lost distance.

When I got the clubs and the ball flight was high I went to another fitter closer to home with trackman. I did take my Sub70 clubs but they obviously don't carry them. Ironically He used Mizuno 921 hot metal pro's. He opinion was that the ball flight was the issue as the Mizuno was 10-12 yards longer with a lower ball flight. Both Mizuno and Sub70 were consistent in ball flight and dispersion. Mizuno 7 iron was avg 180 and Sub70 avg 165. Now when I demo'd the sub70 If i remember the shaft was a KBS 125 stiff shaft and the sub 70 6 iron avg was 189. Maybe my perception is different than what it should be, but my main concern is the height of the ball. Living in Oregon its common to loose a ball as it plugs into the soft ground.

Not sure if any of this helps or is more confusing.

MGoBlue100 and tdroma98

RollingGreens

So basically you went with a shaft you were fitted for but swapped the iron heads? Which sub 70 iron did you go with?

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18 minutes ago, JFish350 said: A few more details that may help.

Definitely helps.

Based on marketing material the project X might be lower launching, but it is impossible to really compare marketing material. One companies low is another’s mid.

the Mizuno’s are lower lofted by a couple of degrees and designed for distance. the 699 pros are probably a little closer to a players irons category. This probably makes the pros launch higher and spin a little more resulting in your distance variance.

from a fitting perspective both clubs are probably good fits. Your discussion about wanting to launch lower due to course conditions may have prompted the shaft change.

So based on your goals, the project X shafts might give you better results. Hard to tell if there would be any actual improvements without trying them since I am guessing you want to reshaft the Sub70 irons

JFish350 , MGoBlue100 , Nolan220 and 1 other

12 minutes ago, RollingGreens said: So basically you went with a shaft you were fitted for but swapped the iron heads? Which sub 70 iron did you go with?

Kinda sorta did that. I went through the Demo program Sub 70 has, but yes I went with a different shaft and head combo than I could try out.

I went with 699 Pro's. I love them.

13 minutes ago, cnosil said: Definitely helps. Based on marketing material the project X might be lower launching, but it is impossible to really compare marketing material. One companies low is another’s mid. the Mizuno’s are lower lofted by a couple of degrees and designed for distance. the 699 pros are probably a little closer to a players irons category. This probably makes the pros launch higher and spin a little more resulting in your distance variance. from a fitting perspective both clubs are probably good fits. Your discussion about wanting to launch lower due to course conditions may have prompted the shaft change. So based on your goals, the project X shafts might give you better results. Hard to tell if there would be any actual improvements without trying them since I am guessing you want to reshaft the Sub70 irons

Thank you for the info and help. I knew you would be the one to answer this question when I typed it out.

I have always had a higher ball flight. When I started golf my learning was done in AZ where a higher ball is fine to hold the greens better. Now living in Oregon plugged golf balls are common and losing some of those is frustrating.

I do want a different shaft that will give a lower launching ball flight. I just don't know if it will make that big of a difference.

cnosil and MGoBlue100

Update: In speaking/emailing with Cody at Sub70, I am going to go into there facility this spring and have them fit me using their products. Seems the best thing to do and the right way to get this fixed. Who knows maybe I'll end up with the same shaft.

Thanks guys for the info.

edingc , MGoBlue100 , sirchunksalot and 1 other

Bob Shearer

I’ve been a club repair guy for over 50 years, the project x shaft will bring that ball flight down. I love the KBS shafts but they do have a higher flight. Good luck.

JFish350 , MGoBlue100 and tdroma98

Strange, I am an old fart and I just got the Sub 70 699's with the UST SR shaft. I love the feel of the clubs, but I hit them really high and I am losing 10+ yards per club. I had the PXG 0311 with an ACCRA shaft

Taylor Made Stealth 2 Driver with ACCURA Senior flex, 42.5 grams

Ping G415 3 Wood

Callaway Epic 5 Wood

Ping G415 22* Hybrid

Sub70 699 irons

Aerotech Steel Fiber I70 graphite shafts an NO1 50 grips

Sub70 286 Forged wedges 54* and 60*

Scotty Cameron Phantom X putter with oversized Sweet Rollz grip

True Pro Lux and True Links Knit shoes

It’s never easy to put together combos on paper. Going through the fitting process showed me why it was important, looking at height, spin, and descent angles

JFish350 and MGoBlue100

I'm a certified fitter and I tell customers the following...you cannot compare one brand of shaft to another by their specs. Flex differences and kick points are for that specific brand only to distinguish between their own models. You have to physically hit each shaft you are interested in, look at the launch monitor numbers (especially if your indoors), and make a decision based on your feel and the numbers. If you can be fitted outside, ex: a country club or demo day, all the better, as you can physically see your complete shot. Feel is so important, just like the look of an iron when you're deciding on what to buy. If you're not convertible with the head, shaft, and/or grip, don't buy it. Keep looking until you get the right combination.

KC Golf , tdroma98 , MGoBlue100 and 2 others

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Ping 4.0 Eye2 Glide Wedges 54°-58° w/Recoil SmacWrap

Ping Redwood ZB Putter w/PP58

PING Pioneer Cart Bag

Lamkin Sonar+ Wrap Mid-Size Grips

Hollow body construction like the sub70 699 pro, tends to lower the CG of the club and therefore pushes the launch angle up. Add that to lofts that are strong (compared to old time standards) but not as "jacked up" than most comparable sets and you have a recipe for a higher ball flight than with most comparable irons.

Now, lets be honest... there are not that many people who really need to bring the ball flight down (typically very high club head speed players who are in windy places with hard greens). If you need to keep the ball "low" on links-y courses, and hit it very fast, blades and small cavities may help... And ultimately you'll end up with a PX 6.0/6.5 (not LZ) or a DG X100 as these are the "kings of lower balls". If you really want KBS, that will be a C-taper. Rest of the market (and that's a big big part) would probably benefit from a higher ball, hence the popularity of the hollow heads. I mean, distance is fine and all, but with irons you don't want to be long, just consistent at the same yardage with the same club AND hold greens!

MGoBlue100 , RollingGreens , Stugotz and 1 other

Aim small... pray to miss small

My bag: Ping hoofer lite. My driver: Nike Vapor Pro. 4w: Inesis 500. Hybrid: Nike Vapor Flex. Irons (4-PW): Takomo 301 combo on KBS tour X. Wedges: Vokey SM7 52° and 58°. Putter: Cleveland Classic HB1. Balls: Inesis Tour900 yellow.

When I go to my trusted fitter I usually stay with what he recommends. It normally works out. You are usually making a decision based on a seven iron and it does take a little while to break in a new set or irons. I expect this and give the clubs a chance. It is a team effort with myself and my fitter who has over 25 years experience with Titleist and I trust his experience and judgement. I do not spin the ball and prefer height with my balls off my irons. One thing we have worked with in my driver is height has brought me lower spin and greater distance and accuracy. Am 75 and KBS and Project X shafts did not work for me at the fitting. I went with the AMT Red shafts and can hit my 7 irons which everything seems to be based on, over 150. Playing from the age appropriate tees, it works well for me. Go with what your fitter recommends. Seems wasteful not to use his advice, if he is certified and all that knowledge. Just sayin'. With respect. I too am up to a 15 hdcp. New greens and they are killing me. Ten strokes harder.

Driver - TSi3 10.75* - Fujikura Speeder 661 TR

Fairway - TSi2 14.25* - Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 6.1

Fairway - TSR1 17.0 * - Fujikura Vista Pro 65S

Hybrid - TSR1 20.0* - Fujikura Atmos Red Tour 75

Hybrid - TSR1 23.0* - Fujikura Atmos Red Tour 75

Irons - T350 (2023) - 6-48W - True Temper AMT Red 95g-107g

Wedges - Vokey SM9 - 52.08F, 56.10S - True Temper AMT Red 94

** GolfPride MCC +4 Midsize Grips (all woods/irons/wedges)

Putter - 2023 Scotty Cameron Super Select Squareback 2 35"

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Rangefinder - Bushnell Pro XE

JPX 921 with Project X LZ for me,,,love em

You got a lot of advice here. I echo Chuck's advice to trust fitter and also work with what you have for some time to determine how to best use the clubs. I bought KBS C Taper 110 shafts to go with P790s. Very happy with them, but also still working on my swing -- which is the bigger variable in scoring than the shaft.

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Titleist 917f2 5 wood

Titleist H1 21d hybrid

Titleist u100 4 iron

Ping i500 5 - PW

Vokey SM8 52, 56, 60

You really NEED to check to loft of each of the 7 irons you are hitting. Some of today's irons have a lot less loft than they did a few years ago. My forged irons have 5 degrees MORE loft than a lot of what is being sold today. That means a lower ball flight and more distance with the new irons compared to my 15 year old clubs. Check the loft of those heads and then see if the numbers make more sense to you. The flex can make a big difference as well. For my swing, I hit a S flex shaft about 2-1/2 degrees higher launch angle than I do a R flex shaft iron. Could be the same for you or it might NOT, you need to demo both to see what works for YOU.

All my clubs are custom built with aftermarket shafts that have been spine and FLO aligned for max performance every swing.

Shapotomous

If you love the way the Sub70's feel then have them bent stronger a couple degrees to get the yardage you want.

Shot Scope H4, MG600 Rangefinder

If you are a 15 handicap you are worrying about way to much tech crap. Work on your swing weaknesses and when you get to a single digit then worry about that stuff !!

14 hours ago, srvpoo said: If you are a 15 handicap you are worrying about way to much tech crap. Work on your swing weaknesses and when you get to a single digit then worry about that stuff !!

I agree with worrying to much about about tech stuff. Most of my extra strokes come from poor chipping and mediocre putting, This is my winter project.

The Mizunos appear to be 1 degree stronger 8-PW and 2 degrees stronger in the 4-7 irons. Different lofts, head designs and materials plus different shafts and shaft weights could be much of the difference.

Choose the ball flight and distances that are best for your game and the courses you play.

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3W-Taylormade

Hybrid - Adams Super LS 21 degree

Irons-Maltby PTM, KBS Tour stiff

Wedges-Maltby M-Series+

Putter-Maltby C.E.R. C-Ray

precision marker

I went to a fitter and started with my driver. We quickly found out I make excellent contact but only have a swing speed of 60mph. (72 years old with a couple back surgeries and another needed). The fitter suggested I try Lady's shafts. We re-did the Callaway Fusion driver. I loved the additional 10-15 yards. Ordered a set of Callaway Mavericks in lady's with the shaft extended 2" and thicker grips. I am in heaven; love them. Before you call me a sissie; Tom Watson gave Freddie Couples a 4 wood. He used it all season and loved it. At the end of the season, he accidentally broke the shaft. When he went to get it replaced, they told him it was a lady's shaft. Just info for thought for all you old guys out there.

SDVOSB precision Marker, Richard Sweet, Founder

First of all, whatever club you're hitting, put the same shaft into the same head to give you an idea of what changing shafts would do. Mizuno has almost every option in their fitting matrix with most flexes. That's the best apples to apples comparison you can make. The spin and launch rates may be different that what you're playing because the club head is different, but it's your best option.

What you might want to look at, also, is the ball. There are some great TXG videos on youtube that give you a really good idea how much a golf ball change (which is going to cost you significantly less than re-shafting an entire set) your launch and spin characteristics.

Team Kansas

Got fitted at Golftec and basically had to demand they bring out the Titleist and Taylormades. All they wanted me to hit were Mizunos or Calloway’s. Fitting numbers ended up being the best with the P770’s project X 6.0 tipped 1 inch. Absolutely the best irons for my game now.

Spend sometime and educate yourself before the fitting and don’t be afraid to ask and try something not on the fitters radar.

If you hit it harder, it will go farther.

When you originally went to GolfTec for your fitting, and looked at the Mizuno 921 Pro, did they have you use the Mizuno Shaft Optimizer? This gives the fitter suggestions for shafts, that would be recommended for you (brand, weight, flex, etc)? Had you taken time off from golfing, prior to your fitting? I was fitted for Mizuno clubs a few years back, and did a lot of trial and error with shafts. My decision KBS Tour 90R, was not in the top five recommendations from the Swing Optimizer, but I spent a lot of time in a bay prior to my fitting, trying shafts and looking at the data. Good luck in finding the right club/shafts for golf. Remember it takes time to get used to new clubs. I usually expect 1/2 a season to really get used to the changes (I golf 50-60 rounds a year, with lots of range ball time).

3 weeks later...

Personal anecdote…

I hit the KBS consistently 10-15ft higher than Planet X and spin about 7000 on a iron vs 6000 in the PX. both of these mean the ball travels about 10 yards less on the same head.

another personal anecdote is I get the same apex and spin rate using a P770 in a KBS tour 130X as I do using a P7MB in PX6.5.

"C'mon be good"

4 months later...

I made a change from KBS Tour 130X to PX 6.0 soft stepped 1. I wanted a bit lighter shaft and got the spin and launch numbers I wanted. Trajectory control is best I’ve ever had since charging.

Larry A. Merrick

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Project X IO vs Modus 105: Which Golf Shaft is Right for You?

Both Project X IO and Modus 105 irons have been highly praised by golfers around the world, but what’s the differences?

The main differences between Project X IO and Modus 105 golf shafts are that Project X IO has a stiff tip and a softer mid-section for stability and low trajectory, while Modus 105 has a softer tip for a higher launch angle and more spin, offering a balance of distance, accuracy, and feel.

In this blog post, we will compare and contrast these two shafts to help you determine which one is the best fit for your game.

Project X IO vs Modus 105 : What are the differences?

The Project X IO Steel Iron Shaft and Nippon Modus 105 are both high-quality steel shafts designed for golf clubs, but they differ in several key aspects. Here are the main differences between the two:

Manufacturer

The Project X IO Steel Iron Shaft is manufactured by True Temper, a well-known American brand in the golf industry, while the Nippon Modus 105 is made by Nippon Shaft, a renowned Japanese company specializing in golf shafts.

The Project X IO shafts are typically available in various weights, ranging from around 95 to 115 grams depending on the flex.

The Nippon Modus 105, as the name suggests, has a weight of around 105 grams.

The lighter shafts are generally designed to generate more clubhead speed, while heavier shafts offer more control and stability.

Project X IO shafts are available in different flex options, including regular, stiff, and extra stiff.

Nippon Modus 105 shafts also come in various flex options like regular, stiff, and extra stiff, but they also offer a unique “Tour” flex, which is designed for players who require additional control and accuracy.

Bend Profile

The Project X IO shafts have a unique bend profile that is designed to provide a more penetrating ball flight and improved trajectory control.

The Nippon Modus 105 has a mid-launch, mid-spin profile, which is intended to deliver a more balanced performance between distance and control.

Material and Technology

Both shafts are made from high-quality steel, but they utilize different technologies in their construction.

The Project X IO shafts use a unique Variable Wall Technology that optimizes the thickness of the shaft walls throughout the length of the shaft, resulting in a lightweight yet stable shaft.

The Nippon Modus 105 employs Multi Heat Treatment Technology, which strengthens the shaft and improves its overall performance.

Prices for both shafts may vary depending on the retailer, but generally speaking, the Project X IO Steel Iron Shaft tends to be more expensive than the Nippon Modus 105.

Modus 105 vs project X IO: Which one is the game improvement shaft?

Choosing the right shaft to improve your game depends on your individual swing characteristics, skill level, and personal preferences.

Both the Project X IO Steel Iron Shaft and Nippon Modus 105 offer unique benefits and can help improve your game, but it’s essential to select the one that best suits your needs.

Here’s a general guideline on which shaft might be a better fit for you:

Project X IO Steel Iron Shaft

If you are low to mid-handicap golfer seeking improved control, accuracy, and a more penetrating ball flight, the Project X IO shafts might be a better choice.

These shafts are designed for players who prioritize control and stability, with a unique bend profile that offers a firm feel and a lower trajectory.

Nippon Modus 105

If you’re looking for a more balanced performance, with a combination of distance and control, the Nippon Modus 105 could be a better fit.

These shafts cater to a broader range of golfers and feature a mid-launch, mid-spin profile that provides a good balance between distance and accuracy.

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Project X IO Steel Iron Shaft and Nippon Modus 105:

Can I use these shafts for both irons and woods?

While both shafts are primarily designed for irons, some golfers may use them for hybrid clubs as well.

However, they are not intended for use with fairway woods or drivers, as those clubs typically require shafts with different specifications.

How do I know which flex option is right for me?

The ideal flex for your shaft depends on your swing speed and personal preferences.

As a general guideline, slower swing speeds typically benefit from a more flexible shaft, while faster swing speeds require stiffer shafts for optimal performance.

Consulting with a professional club fitter can help you determine the best flex for your swing.

Can I mix and match shafts from different manufacturers in my iron set?

Yes, it’s possible to mix and match shafts from different manufacturers in your iron set. However, doing so may result in inconsistent performance across your clubs.

It’s usually recommended to use a consistent shaft model throughout your iron set for better control and feel.

How can I ensure that I have the correct shaft length for my clubs?

The ideal shaft length depends on your height, arm length, and posture. A professional club fitting session can help you determine the best shaft length for your needs.

In general, standard off-the-shelf shaft lengths work well for most golfers, but custom fitting can further optimize performance.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, the best way to determine which shaft is right for you is to consult with a professional club fitter.

They can analyze your swing, discuss your goals, and recommend the most suitable shaft based on your specific needs.

Testing both shafts on a launch monitor can also provide valuable insights into which one works best for you.

Keep in mind that improving your game requires not only the right equipment but also consistent practice, proper technique, and a focus on the fitness and mental aspects of the game.

That's me, Jerry Hall. Golf is my passion. I'm a researcher, blogger, and avid fan. My objective is to provide you with current information, advice, and resources to enhance your knowledge and enjoyment of golf.

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WRX Club Techs

Project X 5.5 vs KBS C-Taper Lite Stiff

By B.Boston February 3, 2015 in WRX Club Techs

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Created 9 yr
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B.Boston 8 posts

Balloon 2 posts

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Mar 18 2015

Mar 22 2015

Mar 23 2015

I too am a digger with my swing. I've played S300, TIS400, PX 6.0, KBS Tour Stiff, and C-Taper Lite X. I didn't care much for any of them but the TI S400 because of the heads they were in but I'm moving on from that set. I recently switched to PX 5.5 in my Vrs Forged irons and love the feel throughout the swing. I demoed the Mizzy MP-H5s with both the C-Taper Lite Stiff and PX 5.5 shafts. Both felt pretty good (I had the X in the lites thinking my hard transition would make good use of them, but they didn't work out either) and I thought they were pretty similar as far as overall length. Something about the PX just keeps me stuck on them though. Weather here has been spotty as well, with rain and some colder temps. I almost played 9 yesterday but a certain 7 week old decided he wanted to keep mommy and daddy up most of the night before. I don't think you'd go wrong with either, and while an outdoor fitting will of course yield the best results, you can at least gather some data with some monitor swings. Perhaps hit both and see what the comparisons look like over the course of two or three visits to the monitor.

You can't compare the C-Taper Lite to the Project X. They are totally different animals. The C-Taper Lite has a very soft butt while the Project X has the stiffest butt of all shafts on the market.

Congrats on the little one! I too have a newborn at home (3 months old!) so I know where you're coming from on the lack of sleep! I have been hitting both and will continue to over the winter as my swing isn't exactly in mid-season form. I have a friend and golfing buddy who works there so I do trust his advice for the most part (he was my playing partner in a league for a year so he knows my tendencies pretty well). He is at least not trying to sell me on the "your 6 iron will go 530 yards further!" deal. He knows I'm looking for what is going to be consistent overall. My only concerns are that: a. the monitor is not very accurate (There is a SIGNIFICANT difference in readings between balls with markings and without, so I try to use the same ball each time). b. as a digger hitting down onto the mat is not representative of the turf interaction of what the club and shaft will be on the course c. I tend to [i]slightly o[/i]ver-analyze things, and take a while to make a purchase decision. (but I guess I do rarely feel buyer's remorse, which is nice.)

[quote name='Balloon' timestamp='1422991265' post='10877439'] You can't compare the C-Taper Lite to the Project X. They are totally different animals. The C-Taper Lite has a very soft butt while the Project X has the stiffest butt of all shafts on the market. [/quote] Isn't tip stiffness the more important aspect for fittings? while butt stiffness is more about feel? (I could be 100% wrong here). Cheers

Callaway Rogue ST Max LS 9* / Ventus TR 5-S Callaway Rogue 14* / Tour Blue 75-S

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PXG Gen2 22* / Fuji Pro 73-S Mizuno MP-20 HMB 4-P / Modus 120-S PXG Sugar Daddy II 53*/58*

Odyssey Versa 1W

[quote name='B.Boston' timestamp='1422992227' post='10877561'] Isn't tip stiffness the more important aspect for fittings? while butt stiffness is more about feel? [/quote] Isn't feel an important factor for fittings? He could be very unhappy with the wrong shaft. The Project X is a nightmare for players without a very late release.

[quote name='Balloon' timestamp='1422996080' post='10878027'] [quote name='B.Boston' timestamp='1422992227' post='10877561'] Isn't tip stiffness the more important aspect for fittings? while butt stiffness is more about feel? [/quote] Isn't feel an important factor for fittings? He could be very unhappy with the wrong shaft. The Project X is a nightmare for players without a very late release. [/quote] I can't remember what my numbers were from the Mizuno swing analyzer, or if it suggested I had a late release. I know the project X 5.5 felt much better than the DG S300 or CFS Stiff on the i25 head. The KBS Tour Stiff felt the best of the bunch (on smooth swings) PX on hard swings. PX seems to take my fade bias away as the monitor shows that the most consistently straight (not sure if the stiff tip is the reason for that). I was thinking the C-Taper Lite might give me the performance of the PX 5.5 with a nicer feel overall. I also could use a little help getting the ball up another 5 yards or so of peak height. At any rate I am not a long hitter (100mph driver), the simulator was showing 155-160 carry with the i25 7 iron and px 5.5. It was about 5 yards further on average than the CFS stiff, which was about the same as what I hit my r7 7 iron over the past several years. Can't wait for spring! hopefully I'll find a good place with an outdoor range I can try the different options.

1 month later...

Anyone have more info on the two profiles of these shafts? They seemed to perform very similarly for me.

This site has some info for ya.....looks like PX 5.5 play much stiffer then CTL S http://www.hirekogolf.com/media/pdf/2014SFAchapter5.pdf

Anyone care to chime in? Here are my results from golfsmith with the PING i25 7 iron with px 5.5 and KBS tour stiff. I took about 10 swings with each and took the best 5. The px was definitely tighter. Even if I had included the misses. I was hoping the C-Taper Lite would perform like the PX, but with a bit higher peak height. Although the spin numbers seemed better this time Around. [attachment=2674835:ImageUploadedByTapatalk1427057980.628642.jpg] [attachment=2674837:ImageUploadedByTapatalk1427057991.926322.jpg]

2 weeks later...

Ended up being fit for the c taper lite. Felt equally as good, if not smoother on full swings, and was 100x better on 3/4 swings.

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COMMENTS

Project X vs KBS Tour: Comparison
Project X comes in 5 different flexes: 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0. It also ranks as the second most used shaft after Dynamic Gold. Compared to the Project X shaft, KBS Tour is soft in the tip but has a thick middle section. This makes it a lot more different than Project X, which has a stiffer tip and a softer midsection in comparison.
KBS CTaper Lite vs. Project X IO Iron shafts
I've hit the CTL 110g stiff and the Project x IO 6.0 110g. I've hit the CTL more so I'm leaning toward it, but I'd like to hit the IO more as well. The shafts seem similar as far as numbers go for me. My 6 iron ss around 88-89 mph with an average transition. I've actually hit the standard ctaper 120 and love the tight dispersion.
KBS Tour Vs Project X
The first thing you should know about the KBS Tour shaft is that it tends to launch a bit higher than the Project X shaft. There is also considerably more activity in the midsection than the Project X. That's not to say the KBS Tour is whippy. But I can feel the entire midsection flex more through transition compared to the Project X shaft.
Project X IO Shaft Review
The Project X IO shafts are available in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 flex, which translates roughly to regular, stiff, and X-flex. As you move up in flex, the shafts get 5 grams heavier, starting at 105 grams in the 5.5. Conclusion. If you haven't tried a Project X iron shaft in a while, visit your fitter to check out the new Project X IO.
Which KBS iron shaft is best for you?
KBS C-Taper Lite, $-Taper Lite, and Tour Lite iron shafts. There's lots of misunderstanding around lighter iron shafts. But KBS say golfers should see their Lite models (which are 15g lighter than the standard models) as giving a little more launch and being easier to get airborne (than the 3 pillar models).
Best Iron Shafts in 2021 Review
Project X CYPHER 40-60 52-74gr Mid-High Mid-High. Nova Tech i700 70-75gr Mid-High Mid-High. Veylix 473, 673 50-65gr Mid-High Mid-High. To see our testing and review of the 2021 iron shafts, read more within each of our manufacturer's blogs: Project X, True Temper, KBS, OBAN, Mitsubishi, Nippon.
KBS Tour Vs Tour Lite
Ball Flight Preference: KBS Tour: If you prefer a mid-launch trajectory, the KBS Tour is the better choice. KBS Tour Lite: For a higher ball flight, especially if you struggle to get the ball in the air, the Tour Lite is a suitable option. Feel and Comfort: KBS Tour: Offers a more solid and consistent feel. KBS Tour Lite: Provides a softer feel ...
KBS Tour Lite Shaft Review
True to its label, the KBS Tour Lite shaft feels exactly as advertised. If you have any experience with the standard Tour model, the Tour Lite feels quite similar. Generally speaking, the feel is smooth with just enough "dampening" reducing harshness on all mishits to feel sweet in your hands. The only downside there is that you might think ...
Project X IO Golf Shaft Review
The Project X IO 6.0 (stiff flex) was what was recommended to me, which at 110 grams is right around where I prefer my golf shaft weight to be. The IO's stepless chrome design is pleasing to the eye and looks more like graphite than steel, which is another preference of mine. When coupled with a high-launch, low center-of-gravity cavity back ...
Project X vs. KBS Tour V: Low- vs. High Launch Ironshafts
The result of this 2° more dynamic loft with the KBS Tour V is 150rpm more spin and 1.3° higher launch. The peak height is also significantly higher. The Project X, however, achieves practically the same length with a flatter trajectory and slightly less spin despite lower club head speed. You could say that the result is very similar, but ...
KBS Tour Vs Tour Lite: Which Shaft Is Right For You?
The KBS Tour Lite shaft offers a more controlled and stable feel compared to other lightweight shafts, such as the KBS Max 85 steel shaft. This stability is a result of its unique flex profile, which provides a balance between distance and control. On the other hand, the KBS Tour shaft is designed to deliver a smooth and responsive feel that ...
Project X IO Shaft Review
For starters, the shaft weight varies by 5 grams across flexes. Project X's regular flex (5.5) comes in at 105 grams, stiff (6.0) is 110 grams, and x-stiff (6.5) is 115. So the stiffer the flex, the more weight you'll have. I tested the IO in 6.5 and the shaft load felt easy with a very smooth, yet energetic, release.
KBS C-Taper Lite Shaft Review
I recently got fitted.the Mizuno DNA shaft optimiser. First choice was Project x lz 5.0 shaft…..second was the KBS c taper lite tour 105 regular…..Third was modus 3 105 stiff. Strange that Matt reckons my second and third shaft choice are not comparable…not true according to my fitting.
MyGolfspy Labs
Great test!! On my current set (Titleist AP2) I have tested with several shafts, and I also felt and saw a lot of difference between True Temper, Project X and KBS. True Temper felt hars, did not really fly for me and had a great dispersion. Project X and KBS were similar for me. Where the KBS had a better (smaller) dispersion. Went for KBS Tour.
Project X LZ vs KBS tour
Joined Feb 2015. Posted January 4, 2021 (edited) They are not poles apart in terms of weight and flex, but depending on how you swing and load the shaft the results may be slightly different in launch and spin. The LZ has a stiffer tip section and slightly stiffer butt - the mid sections are very similar. The LZ would give a tad lower launch ...
KBS vs Project X
I hit the KBS consistently 10-15ft higher than Planet X and spin about 7000 on a iron vs 6000 in the PX. both of these mean the ball travels about 10 yards less on the same head. another personal anecdote is I get the same apex and spin rate using a P770 in a KBS tour 130X as I do using a P7MB in PX6.5. Quote.
Project X IO Vs Modus 105: Which Golf Shaft Is Right For You?
The Project X IO shafts are typically available in various weights, ranging from around 95 to 115 grams depending on the flex. The Nippon Modus 105, as the name suggests, has a weight of around 105 grams. The lighter shafts are generally designed to generate more clubhead speed, while heavier shafts offer more control and stability.
KBS C Taper LITE vs Project X PXI
The biggest difference between the two is the C Taper is a stronger profile specially in the tip. Thanks for the info DaveMac. I am leaning towards trying the 6.0 in the PXI vs the CT Lite. I really like a high launch and flight with my irons and am concerned the CT Lite may be too low a launch for me.
Project X 5.5 vs KBS C-Taper Lite Stiff
I know the project X 5.5 felt much better than the DG S300 or CFS Stiff on the i25 head. The KBS Tour Stiff felt the best of the bunch (on smooth swings) PX on hard swings. PX seems to take my fade bias away as the monitor shows that the most consistently straight (not sure if the stiff tip is the reason for that).

Project X vs KBS Tour: Comparison

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Project X vs KBS Tour: Which is Better?

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Overall Score: 98/100

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Project X vs. KBS Tour V: Low- vs. High Launch Ironshafts

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KBS C-Taper Lite Shaft Review

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