19 replies to this topic

[O-For-20]

Just curious on how these shafts feel to those who use them.  I have the SS for a stiff/x-stiff shaft, but I dislike the feel of super-stiff shafts.  

Are these shafts super stiff?  I would love to be able to test these out, but since they are so pricey they aren't exactly easy to find in the demo racks at my local Golfsmith/Golf Galaxy store.  Does anyone know the frequency (cpm) of these shafts?

The price of these shafts alone make me feel they are targeted for low handicappers - and are thus 'players shafts'.  I would hate to order one at the price of a new driver only to find out that they didn't have the feel I like.

I'm currently playing a Prolaunch Red - which I really like the feel of.  My only complaint is the ball-flight can get a bit too high at times.

Thanks....

[tomg1969]

They are both very smooth......far smoother than the ProLaunch Red that your using now. The Whiteboard is the smoothest tip stiff shaft that I have played.

[fkim011]

Blueboard is pretty darn smooth. The whiteboard is just a bit broader but it still is noticeable.

[O-For-20]

Thanks for the responses...

Smoother than the PL Red?? I'm not saying I don't believe it - but this shaft is very smooth.

Which actually brings up another question. Do manufacturers make shafts differently (specs, frequency, etc) when they are offered as a stock option for a big-name driver (Ping, TM, etc) than they do for the after-market? I guess what I'm asking is my PL Red that came in my G10 driver the same PL Red that I would get if I had ordered it alone from Golf Galaxy or another place? The reason I ask is the PL Red is supposed to be a low-launch shaft. Lower launching than the original Graf Blue (not the PL variety) that came out years ago. I hit that Blue lower than I do this PL Red in the same loft head.

I've heard great things about the blue/white boards - but they are just so expensive. I wish they were easy to test before buying - I'd pay the price if I knew it was right for me.

Edited by O-For-20, 08 July 2008 - 01:31 PM.

[schlebrock]

O-For-20, on Jul 8 2008, 01:30 PM, said:

Thanks for the responses...

Smoother than the PL Red?? I'm not saying I don't believe it - but this shaft is very smooth.

Which actually brings up another question. Do manufacturers make shafts differently (specs, frequency, etc) when they are offered as a stock option for a big-name driver (Ping, TM, etc) than they do for the after-market? I guess what I'm asking is my PL Red that came in my G10 driver the same PL Red that I would get if I had ordered it alone from Golf Galaxy or another place? The reason I ask is the PL Red is supposed to be a low-launch shaft. Lower launching than the original Graf Blue (not the PL variety) that came out years ago. I hit that Blue lower than I do this PL Red in the same loft head.

I've heard great things about the blue/white boards - but they are just so expensive. I wish they were easy to test before buying - I'd pay the price if I knew it was right for me.

The PL Red is generally not considered a smooth shaft. So, if you like the PL Red you may really love (or hate) the Whiteboard. It's about as different as a shaft can be in terms of feel from the PL Red IMHO.

As far as your question regarding aftermarket vs. OEM shafts, it depends on the company. The PL Red that you're hitting in your G10 is the real deal. The PL Red in Adams drivers has different specs from what I've heard.

Also, your higher launch may very well be the loft in the G10 and not the shaft. The PL Red is definitley a lower launch, lower spin option than the Grafalloy Blue but the G10 heads are notrious for being about 1-2 degrees higher than it's stated loft. Therefore, if you're hitting a 10.5 degree G10 driver you may very well be hitting a 12.0 degree in actual loft.

Edited by schlebrock, 08 July 2008 - 03:29 PM.

[O-For-20]

schlebrock, on Jul 8 2008, 02:18 PM, said:

O-For-20, on Jul 8 2008, 01:30 PM, said:

Thanks for the responses...

Smoother than the PL Red?? I'm not saying I don't believe it - but this shaft is very smooth.

Which actually brings up another question. Do manufacturers make shafts differently (specs, frequency, etc) when they are offered as a stock option for a big-name driver (Ping, TM, etc) than they do for the after-market? I guess what I'm asking is my PL Red that came in my G10 driver the same PL Red that I would get if I had ordered it alone from Golf Galaxy or another place? The reason I ask is the PL Red is supposed to be a low-launch shaft. Lower launching than the original Graf Blue (not the PL variety) that came out years ago. I hit that Blue lower than I do this PL Red in the same loft head.

I've heard great things about the blue/white boards - but they are just so expensive. I wish they were easy to test before buying - I'd pay the price if I knew it was right for me.

The PL Red is generally not considered a smooth shaft. So, if you like the PL Red you may really love (or hate) the Whiteboard. It's about as different as a shaft can be in terms of feel from the PL Red IMHO.

As far as your question regarding aftermarket vs. OEM shafts, it depends on the company. The PL Red that you're hitting in your G10 is the real deal. The PL Red in Adams drivers has different specs from what I've heard.

Also, your higher launch may very well be the loft in the G10 and not the shaft. The PL Red is definitley a lower launch, lower spin option than the PL Blue but the G10 heads are notrious for being about 1-2 degrees higher than it's stated loft. Therefore, if you're hitting a 10.5 degree G10 driver you may very well be hitting a 12.0 degree in actual loft.

Interesting comments...thanks. Good to know my PL Red is the real deal.

It does feel smooth to me - and when I say smooth I guess what I mean is it feels like it has snap without being too whippy or too stiff. But it may be because I've been used to playing with a 44" shaft (V2) in a Callaway X Tour - the 45.75" length may be the reason it feels smoother to me.

I did know about the real lofts vs labeled lofts of the G10 - so I got the 9* (labeled). I'm guessing it's really a 10 - maybe 10.5 (which is fine).

My SS averages @ 107. I've just read so many glowing reviews on the blue board and white board (red too - but I think blue or white would be better options for me) that I'm dieing to try them out. I'd just prefer to try before I buy - and in this case I haven't found it too easy to do that.

Edited by O-For-20, 08 July 2008 - 02:46 PM.

[J.W.]

I dont think the original Graf Blue is higher launch/spin than the ProLaunch Red.  The ProLaunch Blue is higher launch/spin than the Red but not the original solid blue shaft from a few years ago.  I had the original Blue in an old 983K and it was the stiffest, boardiest, lowest launching shafts that I've ever play.  And I've used Whiteboard, protopype, and loved the VTLT in a 500 Tour around the same time.

[O-For-20]

Dizzub, on Jul 8 2008, 02:50 PM, said:

I dont think the original Graf Blue is higher launch/spin than the ProLaunch Red. The ProLaunch Blue is higher launch/spin than the Red but not the original solid blue shaft from a few years ago. I had the original Blue in an old 983K and it was the stiffest, boardiest, lowest launching shafts that I've ever play. And I've used Whiteboard, protopype, and loved the VTLT in a 500 Tour around the same time.

According to Grafalloy it's supposed to be:
http://www.grafalloy...falloy/blue.asp




http://grafalloy.com...rolaunchred.asp



I've played the Blue in stiff and an X-flex. The X was basically a tree trunk - not good. I did hit the stiff ok but, like I said, lower than my current PL Red. But, like as been pointed out, I was playing a 460cc Cleveland Launcher head in the Blue and the G10 now (perhaps a degree higher in loft).

Edited by O-For-20, 08 July 2008 - 03:36 PM.

[Walkin36]

Love my Diamana! It is Red, but I thought I would add my thought on these. I have hit the ProLaunch Red, and have had 2 different drivers with the ProLaunch Blue in them. (all Stiff Flex, btw) The feel of the Diamana at contact is a completely different world. I, like you, was hesitant to spend the money on a high-end shaft, but I am a believer now. It is unfortunate that they are such a niche product that most stores do not have the demo's for you to hit. Does your local store have the imix line in yet? Our Golf Galaxy does and they have the Diamana's in the fitting station. I know it won't be your G10 head, but will give you an idea of the feel.  

[O-For-20]

carogers1, on Jul 8 2008, 03:32 PM, said:

Love my Diamana! It is Red, but I thought I would add my thought on these. I have hit the ProLaunch Red, and have had 2 different drivers with the ProLaunch Blue in them. (all Stiff Flex, btw) The feel of the Diamana at contact is a completely different world. I, like you, was hesitant to spend the money on a high-end shaft, but I am a believer now. It is unfortunate that they are such a niche product that most stores do not have the demo's for you to hit. Does your local store have the imix line in yet? Our Golf Galaxy does and they have the Diamana's in the fitting station. I know it won't be your G10 head, but will give you an idea of the feel.

I'm not sure if the I-mix is in my local store yet - I'll have to check that out.  

Just curious - what made you go with the red board?

[stub]

if you want to try a diamana WB or BB find a stockist wid the nike 360 fit system they have diamana shafts almost as standard and you can slot them into any nike head.

[phi482]

I have hit the Blueboard in the Ft-5 head at Golf Galaxy.  They have all the shafts from the iMix cart.  My SS is 110 and I loved the Blueboard 73x.  I have just replaced everything in the bag this year so the chance I have of putting one in my D2 is slime and none.  Well unless I get a divorce....

[Walkin36]

The Red just fits my swing I guess. I don't try to over-power the ball, I just try to focus on tempo and this shaft responds well to it. I still have a fairly decent SS at 100ish. It launches the ball on a higher, boring ball flight which I like. It is very long for me and is just an overall great shaft.

[odshot68]

I play the blueboard in my driver and fairway woods.  These are extremely smooth.  Unlike many shafts that feel boardy or let you down when you jump on it this shaft can handle anything and feels smooth.  I play an X and it feels like a soft X.  I have never hit the red, but I have hit the white in a driver.  The whiteboard was definitely harsher and produced a lower ball flight.  I couldn't handle the shaft.  Note:  Tiger plays the white...if its any indication.   With the I-mix and the OEM soon releasing fitting carts with shafts and heads they will be readily available for the average consumer to try.  As far as comparisons to the Prolaunch Red or V2...both have completely different feel and I hated both of them.  The closest shaft for comparison would be a VS Proto 70 or 80.  Not the cheap OEM 65 or lighter shaft.  Even then, the blueboard is much smoother than the VS.  Just my opinion, many others would agree with this!!!

[w7n23j]

O-For-20, on Jul 8 2008, 01:30 PM, said:

but the G10 heads are notrious for being about 1-2 degrees higher than it's stated loft. Therefore, if you're hitting a 10.5 degree G10 driver you may very well be hitting a 12.0 degree in actual loft.

Definitely.  My supposedly 9* G10 digitally measured 10.3* in loft.

Edited by w7n23j, 18 July 2008 - 03:18 PM.

[O-For-20]

odshot68, on Jul 18 2008, 10:11 AM, said:

The closest shaft for comparison would be a VS Proto 70 or 80. Not the cheap OEM 65 or lighter shaft. Even then, the blueboard is much smoother than the VS. Just my opinion, many others would agree with this!!!

Interesting - thanks for this comparison!

I almost bought a 16* Idea Pro hybrid this year - I absolutely loved that shaft (VS Proto S-80) when I tested it out.  If it's similar to that - I may be thinking about the correct shaft for me.

[sweeet]

schlebrock, on Jul 8 2008, 03:18 PM, said:

The PL Red is generally not considered a smooth shaft. So, if you like the PL Red you may really love (or hate) the Whiteboard. It's about as different as a shaft can be in terms of feel from the PL Red IMHO.

I can agree with that. The PL Red is not a smooth shaft at all. Add to the fact that the Whiteboard is entirely different, you may hate or love the Whiteboard depending on how it feels to you.

[WillyPlay]

I play the The TP Burner 10.5 degree stiff flex Diamana White Board.  I came off a variety of shafts in my driver before going to the WhiteBoard.  I have to admit, as a golf professional, clubfitter, and teaching professional.  The $ needed to invest in the White Board was worth every cent.  The shot dispersion is tighter, distance increased, and the ability to work shots high, low, right, left, etc....it is amazing.  

I think you will see a definite improvement over the shaft you are playing currently.

[O-For-20]

How do I know if White or Blue is better for me?

[Blackfinn]

I've hit the ProLaunch Red, BB & WB in a Ping G10. - side by side for hundreds of balls.  Both BB and WB are smoother than the ProLaunch IMO; the BB feels the smoothest.  Also hist Aldila VS and DVS in the same club head, and the DVS feels very similar to the BB.