Equipment
Tech Talk: KBS C-Taper Lite iron shafts
With the name C-Taper Lite, most golfers will assume that the biggest difference between KBS’s newest shafts and the company’s original C-Taper shafts is the weight. But even though the new shafts are between 5 and 15 grams lighter depending on flex, weight was actually a secondary concern in the design of the shafts.
Kim Braly, the man who designs KBS shafts, says there’s no reason golfers should change to lighter iron shafts based on weight alone. While he admits that changing from heavier iron shafts to lighter ones usually gives golfers a few extra yards at first, over time Braly has noticed that golfers tend to go back to hitting their iron shots about the same distance.
“You see it all the time on tour,” Braly said. “Guys go to light-weight iron shafts and hit it a little farther. But then a few months later they go back to hitting it their old distances. Their bodies acclimate to the lighter weight.”
So if the C-Taper Lite shafts don’t give golfers extra distance, what do they do?
The new shafts fill a hole in the company’s lineup, which is between KBS’s low-launching, low-spining C-Taper and KBS Tour shafts and the company’s high-launching, high-spinning KBS Tour 90 shafts. They offer a similar feel and the same efficient energy transfer as the C-Taper shafts, but in a profile that is much easier for slower swing speed players to load properly. That gives them the best chance to hit long, straight shots.
To create the new shafts, Braly had to experiment with different shaft geometries, just like he did when he designed the tour-only shafts that Phil Mickelson is currently using, the KBS Tour V2.
Mickelson didn’t care for the feel of KBS’s original C-Taper shafts — he preferred the softer feel of the KBS Tour. But the KBS Tour shafts spun too much and launched too high for him. So Braly spent almost two years working with Mickelson on the design of the KBS Tour V2, which are actually lighter than KBS Tour shafts, but are lower launching and lower spinning.
Can you tell which shaft is a KBS Tour V1 and which shaft is a KBS Tour V2? A KBS Tour V2 shaft (left), has a larger outside diameter and thinner walls in the tip section, which gives it a more penetrating trajectory.
It seems impossible that Braly could make a shaft that was both lighter and had a more penetrating trajectory, but it’s actually fairly simple to do. Because changing a shaft’s outside diameter (the fatness of the shaft) has three times more effect on stiffness than changing a shaft’s wall thickness, Braly was able to increase the outside diameter of the V2’s tip section to make it stiffer and get the lower-launching, lower-spinning performance Mickelson wanted.
Notice how the KBS Tour V2 shafts, when paired side-by-side with the KBS Tour V1 shafts, have longer steps (in both pairings, the V1 is on the left and the V2 is on the right). This change, combined with the change in wall thickness and outside diameter, gave Mickelson the launch, spin and feel he was looking for in his iron and wedge shafts.
For a change that simple, why did it take two years for Mickelson to make a change? According to Braly, getting the right performance from a shaft is often much easier than getting the right feel. That’s why the V2 shafts are five grams lighter than the KBS Tour shafts. To make up for the stiffer tip, Braly was forced to extend the lengths of the steps of the shafts and subtract from the thickness of the walls to give Mickelson a KBS Tour-like feel with the performance that he wanted.
Like the tour-only KBS Tour V2 shafts, the C-Taper Lite shafts were able to be made lighter by decreasing the thickness of the shaft’s walls and tuning the shaft’s diameter to create the mid-spin, mid-launch conditions he was looking for from the shaft.
Just how important does Braly think the C-Taper Lite is to his company’s shaft lineup?
“I’m really into custom fitting and I wanted to have a complete product line,” Braly said. “I want to be able to fit golfers into the best product I possibly can. With this new product, I can’t imagine that there are many golfers out there that we won’t be able to fit.”
The C-Taper Lite shafts have KBS’s brushed satin finish, and are available for order now with shipping starting July 8. The R-Flex C-Taper Lite shafts weigh 105 grams, with the S-Flex weighing 110 grams and the X-flex weighing 115 grams. They’ll cost around $39 per shaft.
- LIKE73
- LEGIT0
- WOW6
- LOL3
- IDHT0
- FLOP2
- OB0
- SHANK6
TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
View this post on Instagram
TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
- LIKE2
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
- Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist TSR2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White Hybrid 90 TX
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 S
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (54-M, 58-L @60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Onyx (46-50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Onyx (54-60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash
Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Richy Werenski’s clubs in the forums.
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)
Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1...
Wesley Bryan WITB 2024 (May)
Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple...
Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
Pierceson Coody WITB 2024 (April)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi 10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi 10 Tour (15 degrees)...
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
-
19th Hole7 days agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJason Day on his recent switch into Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Mk II irons
Pingback: KBS Adds New C-Taper Lite Shaft with Parallel Tip | Golf Gear Select
Dolph Lundgrenade
Jun 14, 2013 at 8:40 pm
With counterbalancing about to be a major aspect of the fitting process (owing to the recent exposure that many players are using it…and Jack used it) I expect a shaft line-up to be double the options. For KBS’s line-up I believe we will see a B-spec version of each shaft in a lighter configuration with the same profile. For example, don’t be surprised to see a C-taper that is exactly the same in terms of performance, but 10-20 grams lighter per flex… or, as another example, being able to buy a KBS Tour X stiff shaft that weights 115g. In this manner the fitter can counterbalance 15 grams of weight without increasing the overall weight of the club.
That’s just what I see for the future… but I’m right so often you may just count on it.
Ryan
Jun 11, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Wonderful intuitive article. I play the Tours but can’t wait to try the C-Taper Lite Stiff!
lefty
Jun 10, 2013 at 9:20 pm
Yea but my Honma 5 stars cost more and are graphite. I have gold in my irons too.
Honma driver 5 star 1700 dollars
Honma 3 wood 5 star 1500 dollars
Honma irons 3-AW 5 star 12,500 dollars
Cameron California prototype, 1 in existence 25,000 dollars
Honma Corinthian leather golf bag 5500 dollars
Custom Club Car cart 22,000 dollars
Golf swing .50 cents
Okay guys I am being fecetious but I actually saw this on ebay
Dave
Jul 12, 2013 at 7:31 pm
Surely you mean FACETIOUS? Since Fecetious must mean that there’s sh*t coming out of your mouth?
Either way, what’s the point of your post?
Blanco
Jun 7, 2013 at 11:42 pm
One of the best articles I’ve ever read on Golfwrx. Nice to hear about more about shafts than the usual weight, launch profile, fluorescent colors, and who’s playing it on tour. Informative, clear, great photography.
Please inject me with more technical shaft dope.
John Strathman
Jun 7, 2013 at 8:23 pm
I always thought there was a hole in selecting KBS shafts. I hit Tour’s with two iron sets and just went back to DG S300’s on my last purchase. Well there is always tomorrow…
LK
Jun 6, 2013 at 7:42 pm
forget the c-taper lights, give me the tour v2s!!
John
Jun 6, 2013 at 9:42 pm
Seriously wish they would, as this sounds like the perfect shaft I’m wanting. Kbs tour feel with a more dg like trajectory or even slightly lower spinning and I would pay big $$$!
T
Jun 7, 2013 at 11:57 am
Huh? DG says it is LOW launch, so how can it be more like DG trajectory? You don’t know what you’re talking about. Why not use something like DG XP hardstepped a couple times?
John
Jun 7, 2013 at 7:38 pm
Huh?? That’s exactly what I’m saying, if the KBS had a shaft with the SAME LOW launch of the DG with the FEEL similar to the KBS tours, with a possibly touch less spin than a DG.
Yo mama
Jun 9, 2013 at 8:54 pm
I don’t want to pay big bug I want them
Kridian
Jun 16, 2013 at 9:45 pm
$39 per shaft!? There better be GOLD weaved in there!
Xander Walsh
Jun 6, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Great article. I enjoyed the read.