32 replies to this topic

[klausdude]

Hey guys. I just wanted to give my unbiased review of the newest offering from UST which is the VTS shaft. VTS stands for Variable Torque System, and the design of the shaft is to spread the torque across the entire length of the shaft versus a specific area of the shaft (i.e. tip, midsection, or butt). What the shaft engineers have done is created a shaft that has a lot of feel regardless of how high (4.5) or how low (2.5)without feeling boardy.  There are three torque values available for each weight class and each flex. What this translates into is there is potentially a shaft in that line up for everyone.
Initially, I was kind of skeptical of the concept as I typically play low torque, tip-stiff shafts as I’m classified as a high-spin/ high ball hitter. Normally, I would gravitate from UST prior to the release of the Attas T2 line. The Attas T2 was closer to what I expect in a shaft but not exactly what I really want in shaft being that the shaft always felt light. Enter the VTS. The two profiles I tested were the black and the red. Ironically, the colors simply respond to torque values.
The two heads these were tested in were the Callaway FT Tour and the Nike VR Tour. Oddly enough, after destroying two of the FT Tour heads and one VR Tour, we were able to find one of each to stand up to the paces we were going to put them through. Initially, we pit the marked lofts of 8.5 through the paces but after checking them the loft on the Callaway was actually well over 9 and the Nike closer to 10. After selecting heads with similar spec’d lofts of 9* testing would begin. Each shaft was tipped .50 inches and the static weight was approximately 78 grams ungripped.
I quickly noticed that the initial launch was about 1.5 to 2 degrees higher in the black than the red and had spin in an area (3,000 plus)  that would be unplayable for me (roughly 14* - 16*). This equates to about a 280 yard or so carry which really wouldn’t be that bad on a wet course. However, I typically play at sea level, so this presents its own set of problems when the ball needs to be flighted down and maneuvered.

The following are the averages of the day of testing and evaluation:

FT Tour with VTS Black    FT Tour with VTS Red                                              
Launch Avg. 15.8                Launch Avg. 14.8
Spin Avg. 3200                     Spin Avg. 2700
Carry Avg. 281                      Carry Avg. 289






VR Tour with VTS Black      VR Tour with VTS Red
Launch Avg. 15.0                Launch Avg. 14.6
Spin Avg. 2700                     Spin Avg. 2200
Carry Avg. 290                      Carry Avg. 302

I have been able to thoroughly play test these shafts  on my home course. There are a couple of spots that I haven’t seen in quite awhile. This was due to two heads that left the “sheepfold” awhile ago in exchange for more accuracy (the venerable 282 and the FT-5T LCG). The first hole is actually driveable if it is slightly wind-aided. On this particular day it was and I managed to find the right side of the green at pin-high. I managed to miss a total of 3 fairways during this particular round so I won’t rule out the honeymoon experience. However, during the play-testing  the red version performed much better for me than the black. Shot shapes with the VR Tour versus the Ft Tour were extremely easy to execute and my normal left miss was completely eliminated in exchange for a slight tail-fade. As noted in one of the earlier discussions, the dispersion is much better than I expected and is a substantial improvement over my previous driver shaft choice.

All in all, UST has created a winner and is a good product that even the average Joe can take advantage of. Based on the feedback that I got from UST, most of the big hitters gravitated to the red version in either X or XX during testing.

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[Circle-H]

Awesome review! I can't to have a try of these myself, I just hope they get released to retail asap!

[tbomb]

The VR tour was longer then the FT?

Thanks for the great in depth review!

[craz-e]

Very informative review, thanks for posting. Looking forward to hearing more on these shafts.

[The Milk Man]

Anyone know the price point on these shafts? I checked the USTM website but didn't see the VTS on the site

[gunmetal]

Best part of the review was the revealing of true lofts.  How many of us just think we're playing the loft stamped on the bottom of the club, lol?  Imagine you get fitted for your driver and the optimal loft is 9.5* so you order your 9.5* driver only to get something closer to 11*.  Lame.

[slicktry]

it also shows the FT Tour isn't as low spin as most golfers think....

Can't wait to try a VTS Red 89XX!!!

God Bless
Jer

[w8liftr]

Nice review. Thanks for sharing.

[ragin cajun]

Great review!

[trav51]

Great review thanks for posting!!

[10of14]

As the Nike VR Pro is on my finalist list and I have been on here checking out different aftermarket shafts, I might have just hit gold!  Thanks for the great review.  When will these be available?

[Hacker1979]

thanks for the great review.

[swanry30]

Awesome review!!!  Low torque shaft with feel - WINNER!!!

[10of14]

swanry30, on 27 February 2011 - 01:49 PM, said:

Awesome review!!!  Low torque shaft with feel - WINNER!!!

Where didbyou get the "low torque" notion?  The shaft is designed with a range from 2.9 to 4.5 in torque, without being boardy like a lot of low torque shafts.

[swanry30]

OP mentioned black being 2.5 without feeling boardy - thy is how.  Played a lot of lower torque shafts and VERY few can produce stability and feel all in one.

Edited by swanry30, 28 February 2011 - 11:21 AM.

[pdaero]

What a great post! I have played nothing but UST shafts in my driver, and am very impressed with the VR tour numbers. Didn't know it was that much lower spin than the FT Tour! Which weight and flex did you use for testing?

[S00NR1]

OP - How would you say the VTS compares feel-wise to something like the Fubuki? I really am impressed with the spin-reduction numbers of the Red but am wondering if it comes at the cost of feel.

[klausdude]

S00NR1, on 28 February 2011 - 09:08 AM, said:

OP - How would you say the VTS compares feel-wise to something like the Fubuki? I really am impressed with the spin-reduction numbers of the Red but am wondering if it comes at the cost of feel.

It's funny that you mention the Fubuki being that's what my initial thoughts were after the first few strikes. Also, the red has the highest torque value (4.5) and the black the lowest (2.5). Both shafts contain an amount of feel that wouldn't normally be associated with something that would be lightly described as firm. I would've never thought I would gravitate toward a shaft with a value that high, but the numbers don't lie.

[S00NR1]

klausdude, on 28 February 2011 - 11:06 AM, said:

S00NR1, on 28 February 2011 - 09:08 AM, said:

OP - How would you say the VTS compares feel-wise to something like the Fubuki? I really am impressed with the spin-reduction numbers of the Red but am wondering if it comes at the cost of feel.

It's funny that you mention the Fubuki being that's what my initial thoughts were after the first few strikes. Also, the red has the highest torque value (4.5) and the black the lowest (2.5). Both shafts contain an amount of feel that wouldn't normally be associated with something that would be lightly described as firm. I would've never thought I would gravitate toward a shaft with a value that high, but the numbers don't lie.

Shocking that the Red with that high a torque number would be so obviously lower spinning than the Black. Has anyone from UST confirmed this relationship (Red -lower spinning, Black - higher spinning)?

[klausdude]

S00NR1, on 28 February 2011 - 11:39 AM, said:

klausdude, on 28 February 2011 - 11:06 AM, said:

S00NR1, on 28 February 2011 - 09:08 AM, said:

OP - How would you say the VTS compares feel-wise to something like the Fubuki? I really am impressed with the spin-reduction numbers of the Red but am wondering if it comes at the cost of feel.

It's funny that you mention the Fubuki being that's what my initial thoughts were after the first few strikes. Also, the red has the highest torque value (4.5) and the black the lowest (2.5). Both shafts contain an amount of feel that wouldn't normally be associated with something that would be lightly described as firm. I would've never thought I would gravitate toward a shaft with a value that high, but the numbers don't lie.

Shocking that the Red with that high a torque number would be so obviously lower spinning than the Black. Has anyone from UST confirmed this relationship (Red -lower spinning, Black - higher spinning)?

You have to approach it with an open mind. What UST did was change the way I think about shafts in relation to torque values based on how they designed and profiled the shaft. UST's R&D conducted initial "blind" tests with unmarked black shafts before releasing them to tour. Several of the really big ball hitters admittedly liked what is now the red version. Consequently, the red was lower spinning and better performing for me in the VR Tour. One of my other testers found that the black was better fit for him via launch and spin. His best of the day was a 322 yard poke with about 13 degrees of launch and 2300 rpm or so of spin.

[S00NR1]

Have these already made it to retail or are they still tour only? Any idea on price point?

[klausdude]

S00NR1, on 28 February 2011 - 01:47 PM, said:

Have these already made it to retail or are they still tour only? Any idea on price point?

The word on the street is that these will be released to dealers that have UST Tour Spec accounts in a week to ten days or so. I haven't heard anything as to the official retail release or the suspected price point. From what I understand, there will be minor differences with the retail and tour items. Hope this helps.

Edited by klausdude, 28 February 2011 - 06:13 PM.

[jonn443]

One can be bought on the Bay if you have an extra $1,000 to play around with...

[mosesgolf]

What a fantastic review.  Thanks for sharing.  There really is something to be said about proper fitting.  281 carry w/ the FT Tour and Black vs 302 carry w/ the VR Tour and Red shaft.  Anyone know what retail pricing may be on these?

[mussgolf]

The shaft is still in prototype phase. This shaft won't be released for a while to the public but there are essentially 9 different shafts and then you have your different flexes. This shaft should be a club fitters dream, plus the shaft won't be expensive (less than ATTAS). I can't wait to try this shaft out and I can't wait to be fitting with these bad boys.

[drpino]

I posted some information about the VTS line here:  
http://www.golfwrx.c...ost__p__3074147

[ragin cajun]

Took some more pics of these at the Nationwide tournament this week.  The VTS series and the Graphite Design Tour AD-DI are the two most popular shafts.

[Nike Markiie]

jonn443, on 03 March 2011 - 09:57 AM, said:

One can be bought on the Bay if you have an extra $1,000 to play around with...

Oh relax there...i found them for a very affordable 600.00 dollars. haha.

Now if Tiger pulls one out of the bag at Augusta then your figure is probably spot on..........

[scottygolfer]

Nice review!  You discuss the Red and Black versions but your picture looks like the Silver?

[NJLee]

Thanks for the great review.  Looks very interesting.  Hope its not that expensive.