Equipment
KBS launches ‘Tour-V’ iron shaft
KBS has announced the release of its new “Tour-V” steel iron shaft, which is lower spinning than the KBS “Tour” shaft and weighs about 10 grams less.
The Tour-V (known as the “Tour V2” in its prototype phase) has been in development since early 2012. It was first used on the PGA Tour by Phil Mickelson, who worked with KBS shaft designer Kim Braly to create a shaft that had the feel of the KBS Tour, but produced a lower launch and less spin.
Click here to see the other clubs and shafts Mickelson uses.
To make the shaft, Braly lengthened the step pattern of the KBS Tour, while also increasing the outside diameter of the shaft and thinning its walls. Those changes gave the shaft a lower ball flight, and also made it 10 grams lighter.
“Dispersion with the Tour-V is some of the tightest we have ever seen and it maintains our signature smooth feel at impact,” Braly said in a KBS press release. “Lighter weight has become more popular and this allows golfers to swing a little easier.”
The Tour V is available for pre-order immediately, and will begin shipping on Nov. 1. The shafts will be offered in three flexes: R (100 grams), S (110 grams) and X (120 grams). The Tour-V will also be the stock shaft offering for Callaway’s Apex Pro irons, which will be available in early 2014.
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying in the forums.
Above: The KBS Tour-V shaft (left), has a larger outside diameter and thinner walls in the tip section than the KBS Tour (right).
Above: Notice how the KBS Tour-V shafts, when paired side-by-side with the KBS Tour shafts, have longer steps (in both pairings, the KBS Tour is on the left and the Tour-V is on the right). This change, combined with the change in wall thickness and outside diameter, gives the shaft a more penetrating flight.
In June, the KBS launched its C-Taper Lite iron shaft, which filled a gap between the KBS Tour 90 and KBS Tour shafts. The Tour-V fits between the company’s C-Taper and KBS Tour shafts, offering the smooth feel of the KBS Tour with a launch and spin that is closer to the C-Taper.
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- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
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- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
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In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4...
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Hamish
Aug 4, 2016 at 7:13 pm
Please make a new KBS Tour V shaft in Stiff @ 125g, and S+ @ 130g for us regular players.
Tour V X flex @ 120g are a tad lite, and too stiff, but I do like the stable mid section.
Jm
Jul 20, 2016 at 1:34 pm
V Tapers are great shafts. Sure, the availability of other shafts are at your fingertips however; know your equipment, know your game and master your skills. With that said, the V taper is lighter for a reason they’ll definitely help you slow that out of control swing down.
BET
Nov 15, 2013 at 4:54 pm
Just ordered a set of these and they are $30.00 per shaft. I play DG now & have been looking for something with a little higher launch & the same spin. I had the c-tapers and they were good but a little to low. Always loved the feel of KBS vs DG & PX I just hope these fit in where they say they will.
JS
Jan 11, 2014 at 4:33 pm
Any update on performance of Tour V? Compared to DG and PX? Thanks!
Alex
Oct 7, 2013 at 9:10 pm
Unbelievable, just crazy fantastic! These golf companies are beginning to sound like soap commercials. It has to be better because it’s new and improved. Sorry, but just does not blow my dress up.
Greg
Sep 30, 2013 at 11:27 pm
$44.95 lol. What makes these twice the money as the KBS Tour?
t120
Oct 1, 2013 at 5:10 pm
…charging twice as much?
Jack
Oct 2, 2013 at 2:39 am
Always try to charge more (in higher end lines) to capture more of the consumer surplus.
Al Coholic
Sep 30, 2013 at 6:53 pm
How many shafts can you make that are “lower launch, lower spin”….here is a newsbreaker….no amateur can hit thee like a pro…get yourself a great DG shaft and call it a day and take lessons
IRISH P1MP
Sep 30, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Al…..amateurs can hit these shafts. I was a 19 handicapper early this year playing super game improvement irons. I found the stock shafts to be too whippy in my backswing and my dispersion was all over the place. I was handed a set of Adam cmb irons with the kbs tour c-taper in 120 g stiff flex to hit and it was like instant magic dispersion is at an all time low and my handicap sits at a 9 right now. My club head speed for a driver is 104-107. I believe it all lies in proper fitting for correct shafts. I was typically a high ball hitter almost ballooning the ball too much with the game improvement irons. The c-tapers brought this down to where it should be.. I’m not saying it’s for everyone but darn worth trying out, you may just be surprised.
Cannon
Sep 30, 2013 at 10:23 pm
Maybe you should lay off the drinks and save some brain cells.
They’re s actually a lot of am’s that can hit it as good or better than most pro’s. But it’s a game called golf, not ball-striking.
t120
Oct 1, 2013 at 5:09 pm
….wait for it
…wait for it
SNAP!!!!
Club
Oct 7, 2013 at 1:45 am
+1 to Cannon’s comment. I know at least 2-3 golfers who can easily turn pro, but decided not to. They actually better than many players on Tour (Yes, I have played with them). Hey, they can play like a Pro doesn’t mean they have to be a Pro, or be on Tour.
Gary Lewis
Mar 15, 2014 at 12:27 am
DG shafts don’t work for everyone. Times changes things. There are more shaft options than there used to be and some golfers are going to like the Tour V a quite a bit better than the DG shaft.
g,f,g
Apr 11, 2016 at 7:01 pm
stiff and reg flexes are for us mortals dont be afraid. dg gold suuuuuux
Ryan
Sep 30, 2013 at 5:34 pm
$44.95 !!! Come on KBS !! I know it’s a special shaft but yikes.. It’s still just a steel shaft.