Which KBS iron shaft suits you?
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- KBS have 14 different iron shaft options within their 2022 line-up, but how do you know which suits you?
TG test pro Neil Wain and Equipment Editor Simon Daddow show how KBS Iron shafts compare in data and explain which type of golfer each shaft is aimed at.
See the test data and get more KBS Iron shaft information on our website here bit.ly/3F3lS6Y
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Probably the best shaft graph I've ever seen. The shape, color choices, and the unit as a whole are full on. More data there than most can handle I'd guess.
Been playing KBS for years and so confused by all the different shafts. This video was brilliant at explaining all the shafts
Thanks so much for taking the time to say so Frederick, really appreciate your feedback.
just pick one, don't even look, and use it...all the fittings are a joke
C taper 130x is one of the best shafts I’ve ever hit. Love at first swing.
That’s great to know. Glad mine are working out. They are awesome and I love them.
Can totally tell the difference too.
At some point I will send to have them test and put them through what ever it’s called to be zeroed out for vibration.
Great to hear, thanks for taking the time to feedback.
Excellent video guys. So. Much better than anything else out there for kbs shafts. More informative and comprehensive than anything kbs put out too! Has really helped me narrow down what kbs shafts to try out.
Having weighed shafts I have in demo clubs, it's interesting to find the weights don't correlate to the number on the shaft too much -
tour 105 weighing 111g in stiff.
C-taper 90 reg = 101g
TT reax 90 Reg = 108g
Old True Temper 120 = 108g
S300 bang on 130g.
Thanks for the feedback Stu, really appreciate you taking the time. The number on the shaft doesn't always tell the exact story of the weight, with KBS too there's often parallel and taper tip versions of the same shaft that are different weights. Exactly why a fitting with someone in the know is a really good idea.
Great info. I hardly ever see any irons in sets for sale at the range I go to or in their demo carts that aren't at the heavy and stiff end of the KBS range. It must be kind of a macho thing since this is not a range that serves tour pros, although there are a couple of scratch players. I an an 81 year old who has played for 60 years, maintains a modest 16 handicap, and still has decent speed for his age. But for the past 25 years I have played Mizuno forged blades with stiff shafts, MP-33s with DG S300 in one set I recently sold, and MP-67s in another with Aldila NV green MLTi pro-S graphite shafts that for sure are too strong for me now. Two years ago I picked up a set of unusual forged blades, Chicago Classics by Evans Design, put together by the clubmaker at my range with new heads and Precision Rifle Lite stiff shafts. Evans was formerly the Director of Tour Operations and then Production for McGregor, had a small company with a partner from 1987-1995 that forged heads in Taiwan where McGregor got forgings made. His Chicago Classics muscle back closely resembles the MP-33. I got a set 3 iron through PW, SW and LW for less than a single forged blade iron costs these days. I continue to play them despite the penalty of their really weak lofts (36 degree 7 iron) because I can't afford anything new and also just like the look and feel of forged blades. But, and this was the point I wanted to make, your exposition on the range of very light KB shafts really got me interested. I may ask our clubmaker to change out the Rifle Lite stiff shafts for something like the KBS Tour Lite or KBS Max in regular, or Max Graphite.
Great video. I think there will be more of a proliferation of “lite” shafts as lofts on irons continue to get stronger. Those 27 degree 7 irons are going to need a shaft that will give the player a chance to hold a green.
Thanks LE GEND really appreciate you taking the time to feedback. Lite shafts for strong lofted irons are a really good shout from where we're standing.
Great review. Due to age and injuries, I was fitted a few years ago from DG S300 to Modus 120 S. Now, a bit stronger I prefer the DG S300 to hit low stingers into wind. Tour V sounds like it would be ideal, will consider when I update irons.
Thanks for the feedback Paul, appreciate you taking the time.
This content is awesome! Thanks for breaking the data down.
Thanks for taking the time to say so, really appreciate the feedback.
Great video guys. Love to see this with true temper and project x range
Thanks Muffin. Will see what we can do with getting hold of samples. We had to borrow the KBS tour rep's shafts for this video.
Good look at multiple KBS shaft offerings here, however, it is also important to note that there are many golfers out there who should be made aware that they could benefit greatly from playing lower-balanced shafts, as opposed to higher-balanced shafts.
I personally prefer playing lower-balanced shafts, which is why I use the KBS $-TAPER HT (HT = "heavy tip") 120 shaft version for all my irons, and the KBS TOUR-V HT 125 for my wedges.
The KBS $-TAPER HT shaft version is available via some retail channels, but the KBS TOUR-V HT shaft version is only available via special purchase from KBS directly.
Feel-wise, the KBS $-TAPER feels like driving an expensive Cadillac, with its silky smooth and luxurious experience to the player who swings it, while the regular KBS TOUR-V shaft (the non-"HT" variant) was originally designed for Phil Mickelson, and essentially behaves like a point-and-shoot sniper rifle, with its slightly stouter stiffness concentrated more in the butt and mid-sections of the shaft.
The HT versions of both the $-TAPER and the TOUR-V basically behave like the regular higher-balanced versions, only that they are lower balanced, so the shaft walls in the bottom few inches near the tip are thicker in comparison to the shaft walls of the regular higher-balanced versions.
I have tested every shaft in the $-TAPER and TOUR-V offerings, and they are definitely closely-related "family members" in how they feel and perform, so they are compatible with one another.
Price-wise, the $-TAPER shafts are considerably more expensive than the TOUR-V shafts, however.
ive got the kbs tgi 80g love them
great video and information over the wide base of shafts from KBS. if to replace modus 3 105 regular, which 95 grams shaft from KBS will be a closer fit and feel similar to modus 3? S taper lite?
Thanks Terence really appreciate you taking the time to feedback. We'd seriously recommend working with a decent fitter on replacements, to make sure you not only you get the best match between shafts but also a model that best suits you.
Hope that's ok.
Great video, will you be doing the same with the other leading shaft manufacturers ?
Thanks for the feedback, really appreciate you taking the time. Yes, if we can get hold of all the shaft samples needed for a video like this.
Russell, another Great vid on delofting the irons on setup, I am a huge fan of this setup!!
Personally, I would only use KBS shafts.
I've had TGI 80g in my Irons for several years and love the feel and predictability that I get from them, without the body wrecking vibration. At the moment the 80g flights the ball in a perfect window, but as I age I just need to drop down to 70g to maintain the ball flight that I like.
Nice selection Bandit.
@@todaysgolfer thanks👍
I got fitted for Tour Lite shafts. I swing my 7 iron around 87mph but I’m built like a soggy noodle so the lighter shaft stopped my heavy shots and wrist pain because I just don’t have the strength to swing my old 130g shaft
Love it, thanks for your input McGumba.
I'm thinking of going for same shafts - for that exact same reason. S300 shafts feeling a bit too much work after a couple of rounds and range session over the week.
Can i ask what clubs and 7 iron distance you have? Trying to figure out my swing speed, without access to accurate sim. Cheers.
Think I'm going to do this as well. Wrist pain isn't too bad ATM, but probably just had enough to hold me back.
Comprehensive information about all kbs shafts. Exellent job guys.
Just don't know why did you choose light weight graphite shafts instead of heavier one like TGI 110 to compare with 110-120g steel shaft?
Thanks for the feedback, we had access to the Tour Reps bag for a couple of days so essentially used what was in it.
The explanation really is that simple.
In one part of the video Neil calls the lite shafts 80 grams, but they're not. As your diagram and KBS and their website show they are 105-110 for the lites he tested. You guys show a launch and spin chart, and among the things there it says the KBS Tour lite should launch and spin the most, but that wasn't the case for Neil's results. Based on what you guys showed the Tour Lite were among the lower launching and spinning shafts for Neil. Since what shafts fit what people are very dependent on a combination of swing components (tempo, where the club moves through space, and where, when, and what direction the shafts load and unload) its highly advised people get fit with a sound fitting system. One that takes the ball out of the equation (like Mizuno's shaft optimizer) is the best to find what shaft will transfer energy best, and then you can use a good launch monitor (foresight, trackman, etc) to confirm the ball is performing optimally, or to decide between shafts that tie in how well they match your swing characteristics.
Excellent video. Thank you
Thanks for taking the time to say so, appreciate you feeding back.
Your description of the KBS step pattern is inaccurate. It is a "proportionate" pattern meaning each step decreases in length proportionately from Butt to tip as the shaft diameter narrows. I feel like you guys should be getting this correct given it's their key design factor along with proportional wall thickness...
most KBS shafts I see in the stores are marked 85, why are the ones in this video showing 120 for weight?
One more thing please. Takomo Golf of Finland produces really great irons ranging from stainless steel hollow body players distance heads to forged cavity back heads with a milled back pocket, to forged solid cavity back and muscle back heads. They sell direct to the consumer and offer only KBS shafts. You can get Tour and Tour Lite on the first two, but only Tour X, S and R on the CB and MB heads. Since they are so closely partnered with KBS, would it be possible for KBS to enable them to offer the lighter steel and graphite shafts for all their heads?
Takomo.have a trade account with Kbs and can buy any kbs shafts they like?
I use kbs tourlite stiff what a great shaft 👍🏌
If c-taper is too firm/strong, you must be playing x stiff, I'm installing the 120 stiff, I think it will be good because I used to hit x stiff years ago, now need lighter shaft, but want the lower trajectory this shaft will deliver, but in a slightly weaker flex.
Great content. I play the c taper 120s. I’m 54 starting to feel it’s a bit to stiff for and looking for more a soft feel what do you think I should try.
7 iron swing speed 89 to 91.
Thanks Johnny.
If you generally like the C-Taper 120's we'd have a look at the C-Taper Lite. It's 10g lighter in the S Flex.
If though you struggle to flight the C-Taper look back up the scale to $-Taper for more launch or Tour for more launch and spin.
A good fitter will obviously be able to help.
@@todaysgolfer Thanks for that information that will help for sure.
Look forward to your next post.
Just based off of a few specs I was wondering if you could lead me in the right direction. Swing speed roughly 88 with 7 iron avg carry 150 with launch angle around 22-25 and idea what shaft could bring my flight down?
A shaft in average wouldn’t bring your flight down too much. The ball you’re playing can attribute to this as well. Are you hitting off mats? Mats will launch high and spin less. If your ball is not ballooning and dying then it isn’t too high of a flight imo. I think I saw a comparison between c taper and c taper lite and ball flight dropped 1 degree on average.
kbs tour lite 115 R+ bombing iron shots like never b4!
Great to hear, nice choice.
@@todaysgolferI won't use any other shaft ever again! TBH!
The tour r plus is 115 not the tour lite
Everything from kbs is out of stock for the god knows how much longer(it will be awhile). Got to love the technical difficulties on the website page but in reality they are in trouble with getting any stock in. Fitters are using everything but kbs because they know nothing is available and won't be anytime soon. Every company is struggling a bit but kbs is by far the worst off right now. I've played kbs for 8 years and this is the first year I'm switching. Not because I want to but don't want to wait another year or 2 for them to start showing up again. Started out with the kbs tour 90 then went kbs V, c taper lite, and now the $ taper thru the years. Definitely would have stayed with the $ taper but with nothing available. $70 apiece for a steel shaft is getting a little out of hand which also factors into it. Good video overall.
The KBS tour V is 10 grams lighter than the taper s and it has a lower launch angle. Would you lean towards lighter shaft if you are extending irons 3/4 inch?
Stupid question, I guess, but the club head speeds discussed in this video are for a 6-iron. Correct?
Not stupid at all TD, yes the KBS recommended speeds are for a 6-iron, our test pro's data was created with a 7-iron.
I’m thinking of buying some Takomo irons , where they offer I think 10 different shafts . They don’t do a fitting . Can you go to a Pro and get a shaft fitting ? I’m 57 , fit & play off 15
Great question Stephen, in the UK at least there are some specialist fitters/pro who will do a shaft fitting and be able to switch the previous shafts out, there is though plenty who won't.
Are you in the UK?
@@todaysgolfer Yes I am . Stockport/ south Manchester?
@@stephencarlisle3743 If you're based up that way we'd be contacting Tour X golf (they're based in Wigan) to ask for help.
@@todaysgolfer Thanks for your help
@@stephencarlisle3743 Pleasure.
Wish you had tested regular flex steel shafts as well, at slightly lower weights for those with swings not as fast as Neil.
Understand why you'd say that John. Obviously it's a mammoth job to test multiple weights, there's higher speed players wishing we'd gone faster too.
I believe the Tour Lite 105g is XS, not S
Anybody have the KBS shafts and notice the tips bending? Been reading on a ton of people having this issue as the tips are not reinforced.
Thanks!
I have the 120 S for my 4-pw, i just added the high rev 2 for my wedges at 125. Would like to know thoughts on those. Ive really been enjoying all of them more than the gold stiff 120.
Have you noticed the tips bending in them at all?
Nope not at all
@@MarineBand5524 That's good to hear. Been reading horror stories online of people constantly having the tips bend. KBS does replace all of the shafts at no cost, but its the inconvenience
I am 58, play off 16....swing speed about 65-70 and would like to know what diff between C & S light is please ?
What do you think may be going on with the Tour V? It is listed as low spin on the chart, but was highest in your test. Seems strange.
It's highly likely to be down to Neil's reaction to knowing it is a really tough shaft to launch, so he's trying to help shots get airborne, which obviously affects the numbers created.
Hence why some fitters don't like players knowing too much about various options as they try them, we all naturally react to what we think should happen.
Hope that helps?
Shame they have supply issues and you can’t get their shafts at the moment! Waiting 5 months for my new clubs now 😭😭😭
I’m so confused because I got fitted to C-Taper lites… they were also on my current set I wasn’t fit for. Reg flex -.5”, and I hit my 7i 165… weak lofts, JPX Tours. You’d think someone hitting a 7i that far would need a stiff? I mean I believe the fitter, and I love my current set, I guess I just have a smooth transition and low launch?
Did you ask the fitter why he felt Reg was the right option Michael?
@@todaysgolfer I went to a Mizuno fitting, and I used their swing analyzer thing. I'm actually playing C-Taper lite regular flex now, so I got fitted to the same shafts. I'm not going to question it lol, I hit my irons straight and I like the feel of the shafts.
@@MichaelJames629 Great stuff, we'd be interested to hear how you get on with them. 👍
2:13 The MPH is for what club?
They are KBS recommendations for a 6-iron.
@@todaysgolfer Thanks for the reply.
So what one have you the tightest grouping?
What iron are the swing speeds on the charts based on? 7 Iron? 6 Iron? THANK YOU!!
KBS use 6-iron, hope that helps.
Thanks for this video. I'm 65 and looking to replace my Taylormade M3 irons that have XP100 s300 shafts. My swing speed last week during my lesson was 75 mph. Ultimately I'd like some irons that give extra distance and better dispersion and am going to try the Wilson D9 forged. Which shafts do you think I should try? Forgot to add I'm off 11.1 at the moment having lessons to try and get better after being out for much of last year due to injury and had the M3's when I was high single figures. Distance wise my M3 7 iron goes 148yds
Thanks Adrian. Of course you need to work out your best fit with a fitter but there's plenty of shafts in the KBS line up that fit a 75 mph swing speed.
The Tour Lite would be worth exploring, as would the Max in steel and we'd have a very good look at the PGI graphite too, especially as it's easier on the body.
Hope that helps, would be good to hear how you get on.
Thank you for the great video. Very informative.
Thanks Brendon, really appreciate you taking the time to feed back.
When they talk speed, what club are they talking about?
Try the mmt 105 they are awesome
Where exactly should you go that will have all these different shafts that you can test? The local PGA superstores may have one or two variants, usually the C taper or Tour versions in stiff or extra stiff. They very rarely have any of the lighter shafts making it impossible to fully benefit from being able to fit into the entire range.
Have you tried contacting KBS direct? They should be able to direct you to an independent fitter in your area who will likely offer a wider selection.
When you showed the chart with the stiffness and swing speed recommendations, i presume that is a 7 iron swing speed? Can you confirm?
It's for 6-iron Bobby. Hope that helps.
How do you not discuss the C-Taper Lite for his choice.... highest ball speed; almost highest launch angle; highest height; greatest descent angle which I think is the most important number, especially when you look at his distance, being the longest distance.... so you have the longest distance with the highest descent angle. How do you not choose that? I've played the C-Taper Lite and I didn't like it for me but that was probably due to the strong lofted P790 heads, which I now realize don't agree with me but this shaft is the highest performing shaft for him and you don't discuss it?
Nice to see all the offering and results but out in the real world we can’t test hardly any of this range as it’s not available. Custom fitting just gives you two of these shafts if your lucky. Maybe do a test with a club manufacturer fitting options on what is available. After all in the comments you could only get them from the KBS rep. But good thorough test.
What happened to the stats on the $Taper Lite?
Niel the Jedi, lol ,,Boys loving the music, Thanks Guys always the best, Niel you game the X forged Callaway, of course you do because there the best ,,, I think they are, lol , I game them also with the KBS c- taper lite 105 Reg, but I'm a low teen HC ,best feel best looks best numbers, but only scoring Irons 7 thru pw, I game Callaway 5,6 irons Rogue st pros very nice also, very long there definitely jacked up ,, i believe there in the players distance category,, but a little clicky!! Niel,, but I just purchased 7 thru PW in Apex TCBs omg what a club , im sure you've tried them, if not ,,go for it,, perfect distance, standard lofts ,,perfect spin , same results every time on a pure hit, unbelievable club ! no wonder the tour pros hit them club!! Anyway the story was about me gaming the the KBS c- taper lite 105 are the best shafts I've tested, for my HC !! Thanks again Awesome job!!
Nice content !!!👍
Thanks Konstantin really appreciate you taking the time to feedback.
Who would you recommend the KBS Tour 80 Stiff for?
The Tour 80 isn't a shaft in the brands current line-up. Do you mean the Max 80?
@@todaysgolfer is a tour 90 stiff
And KBS is just one of the many shaft manufacturers out there. The issue is how the does the amateur golfer get access to try all the shaft varients from all the manufacturers as it would take days.These days you get 1 to 1.5 hours for a full club fitting and the fact that Neil spent all day hitting different shafts for just KBS proves the point.
What iron are the swing speeds guide for?
They're for a 6 iron.
Are those swing speeds for 7 iron club head speed?
They're for the 6-iron.
What shaft replaced your uniflex steel shaft?
Are you asking about the Max Uniflex that has appeared in Wilson irons Jerard? If so the Max is still available and can be tip and butt trimmed to achieve a R/S/X from the same shaft.
Hope that helps?
I’m not sure it was the shafts that came with my Callaway X n 415 irons and a Callaway rep told me they don’t make them anymore. That’s why I’m trying to find a match .
What club is the reference for the swing speed range?
KBS use the 6 iron Rick.
@@todaysgolfer thanks!
Stupid question. I had a set of kbs tour lite shafts (used to be the tour 90) on a set of irons I was fitted for. I want to order another set of shafts, but I’ve never ordered from KBS. I see no options for trimming their Tour Lite shafts on their website. If I order a 4,5,6,7,8 and 9 iron shaft, how long will they come? Do I need to reach out to them? Again, never purchased just the shafts before. Help.
Not a stupid question at all Lori.
The tip trimming instructions are on the link below.
kbsgolfshafts.com/wp-content/uploads/parallel_trimming_sheet.pdf
If it's your first time of ordering direct, make sure you know whether you need Taper tip or Parallel tip shafts to fit you irons. Parallel tip will need tip trimming where Taper tip won't.
If in doubt work with a fitter to ensure you get everything correct.
@@todaysgolfer I appreciate it! One more question. If I were to buy a set of 40.5” shafts on eBay, I would trim them to spec by trimming the butt section, correct?
@@lorimeyers3839 A Taper tip set will range in length from 37" to 40.5" they should not all be the same length. So long as they are Taper tip (.355) then yes you just butt trim to length.
Hope that helps.
@@todaysgolfer yep, I figured. I just needed your affirmation. Lol. Thank you guys for the information.
Im using a modus tour 105 s in my irons, but my distances became shorter (5-10) yards, and shots are med flight.
Which do you think would be better? An s taper lite s or reg?
Thanks
You really need to go try them Raymond.
As a general rule reg will offer a little more distance, where the stiff will boost accuracy, but the only way to know for sure what works for you is to go and try them.
Hope that helps.
Please tell me the difference between Tour V and $ Taper.
Thanks, Joe
The Tour V is lighter (10g) than the S-Taper Joe, but it's also lower launching. So it doesn't quite fit with the KBS story of going Lite for more launch. Hence why they call it their outlier. Bear in mind the graphs are just guides, anybody would need to go and try the shafts to see which they like the feel and flight characteristics of.
Hope that helps.
Hi Joe, fyi the $-TAPER and TOUR-V shafts are closely related family members.
The TOUR-V shaft feels stiffer in the butt and mid-sections of the shaft, and also comes in more shaft weight options (100g/110g/120g/125g/130g), while the $-TAPER shaft swings smoother and are offered in (110g/115g/120g/125g/130g) shaft weights (although there is also a $-TAPER LITE version for those players who prefer (95g/100g/105g) shaft weights, though).
I use both shafts ($-TAPER in irons & TOUR-V for wedges), but in the lower-balanced "HT" versions of both, which may or may not suit your preference.
It also very much depends on your style of swing.
If you have a jerky, more aggressively violent swing-transition from back-swing to fore-swing, I strongly suggest trying the TOUR-V shaft first.
Cheers!
Why KBS shaft always make me feel heavier swing weight than it actually is？
How many of the different profiles have you tried Tony? Sounds like you might not quite have found the right one.
@Today's Golfer I have C-taper lite R and tour lite R .
@@tony1999c Have you asked a fitter for help? The C-Taper is a very stout profile, so there should be plenty of feel difference between it and the Tour Lite R.