Equipment
Mitsubishi Rayon’s new Diamana BF-Series shafts
In 2005, Mitsubishi Rayon Composites introduced a mid-launching shaft that became one of the most popular shafts in history. Officially it was known as the Diamana S-Series, but golfers around the world came to know it as the “Blue Board.”
Diamana classics kept coming from MRC — the company later popularized a D-Series, or “White Board” shaft that offered a lower trajectory, as well as an M-Series, or “Red Board” shaft that offered a higher trajectory. Eleven years and many generations later, however, the Blue Board, with its mid trajectory and smooth bend profile, continues to be the company’s most popular model.
This fall, Mitsubishi Rayon has launched the fourth generation of its most premium Diamana Blue Board profile, which it’s calling the BF-Series. The new shaft is designed to replace the company’s third-generation (B-Series) Diamana Blue Board shafts.
Like the B-Series shafts, the new BF-Series shafts use Dialead Pitch Fiber in the butt section of the shaft, which is stronger than carbon fiber. It’s said to provide stability during the loading and unloading process in the transition of the swing, improving energy transfer.
For stability and strength in its tip section, MRC has introduced a new hybrid prepreg that’s never been used before. The hybrid includes boron and a new material called MR-70, which was first introduced in Mitsubishi Chemical’s aerospace sector. Boron adds strength to the prepreg, and the MR-70 material is 20 percent stronger and 10 percent higher modulus than standard carbon fibers, according to MRC.
For a laymen’s visual of what a prepreg is, think of a Fruit Roll-Up (click here for a reminder). Except instead of candy, the flat material is made of carbon fiber, boron, MR-70 and resin. That material is then rolled in specific directions around a mandrel, and baked in a really hot oven to fuse it all together.
The combination of strategically placed materials is designed to make the shaft profile smoother throughout the swing. The result? A slightly lower launch than the B-Series, with more stability, and — if it’s a fit for your swing — a tighter dispersion and more distance.
Mitsubishi Rayon’s new BF-Series shafts are available for $400 each in the specifications listed below:
- 50 (R, S and X-flex)
- 60 (R, S, X and TX-flex)
- 70 (S, X and TX-flex)
- 80 (S, X and TX-flex)
Below are the full specs, as displayed on Mitsubishi Rayon’s website.
Related: See what GolfWRX members are saying about the BF-Series shafts in our forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Cameron Young WITB 2024 (March)
- Cameron Young WITB accurate as of the Valspar Championship.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra Tour Z5 65 M5
2-wood: Titleist TSR 2W Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Irons: Titleist T200 (3), Titleist T100 (4-5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: MMT Utility 105 TX (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 58-08M, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 5.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1 Left Dot
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Equipment
Best hybrids 2024: Expert fitters recommend the hybrids for your game
At GolfWRX, we believe the best hybrid for your game is going to be the one that gives you the greatest opportunity to both score and save shots during your round of golf.
In 2024, we have seen a continued expansion of hybrid options from every manufacturer with models designed to fit golfers of all skill levels and clubhead speeds. Some manufacturers offer models all the way down to 8-iron-replacement lofts.
That being said, ultimately the best way to find the best hybrid or hybrids for you is to work with a professional fitter using a launch monitor and gap them accordingly. The difficult part is a lot of people don’t have easy access to fitters, launch monitors, and club builders — so at GolfWRX, we have done a lot of the work for you.
We want to give you the tools and information to go out and find what works best for you, and we’re offering recommendations based on exactly what you need from your hybrids.
We have again broken our 2024 best hybrid list into two categories.
- Best hybrid for golfers seeking forgiveness
- Best hybrid for golfers seeking versatility
We reached out to our trusted fitters to discuss how they sort through the hybrid club options available to golfers. Forgiveness and versatility were the highest-ranked choices.
Most versatile hybrids of 2024
Titleist TSR2
“Forgiving speed and performance,” is the branding for the TSR2. TSR2 hybrids remain slightly longer with a classical shape. Center of gravity is lower and deeper in the TSR2 for higher launch and maximum forgiveness.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Ping G430
In all of the G430 fairway woods and hybrids, Ping developed Carbonfly Wrap in a bid to deliver more distance by positioning the CG closer to the face line in design to maximize ball speed, resulting in higher, longer carries. The lightweight composite crown wraps into the heel and toe sections of the skirt, creating weight savings of 10 grams, which are reallocated to achieve a lower CG and increase ball speed.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke
Leveraging the company’s new Ai Smart Face, Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke hybrid has been reshaped and features a larger profile for greater forgiveness and a refined sole camber for better turf interaction. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is positioned in the front of the club for lower spin and ease of launch.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
TaylorMade Qi10 Rescue
The Qi10 Rescue is designed with an all-new Carbon Crown that helps free up weight for improved weight distribution in the heads. The club has split internal weighting to achieve more distance and a higher launch.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue
The Qi10 Tour Rescue model features a C300 face with a more compact look and a higher-toe design. It’s designed for better players who seek to combine distance and control with iron-like turf interaction, workability, and precision.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Most forgiving hybrids of 2024
TaylorMade Qi10 Max Rescue
Qi10 Max Rescue clubs are designed with all-new Carbon Crowns that help free up weight for improved weight distribution in the heads. The Qi10 Max has an ultra-low CG (center of gravity) and a shallow face height for even higher launch and greater forgiveness.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke HL
Designed for players with moderate to average swing speeds who are looking to hit the ball higher to maximize carry distance, the Paradym Ai Smoke HL leverages the company’s new Ai Smart Face. It features a larger profile for greater forgiveness and a refined sole camber for better turf interaction. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is positioned in the front of the club for lower spin and ease of launch.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Ping G430
In all of the G430 fairway woods and hybrids, Ping developed Carbonfly Wrap in a bid to deliver more distance by positioning the CG closer to the face line in design to maximize ball speed, resulting in higher, longer carries. The lightweight composite crown wraps into the heel and toe sections of the skirt, creating weight savings of 10 grams, which are reallocated to achieve a lower CG and increase ball speed.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast
The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast is designed for moderate-swing-speed players. In addition to Ai Smart Face, Max Fast features a larger profile for greater forgiveness and a refined sole camber for better turf interaction. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge is positioned in the front of the club for lower spin and ease of launch.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Titleist TSR1
Titleist’s new TSR1 hybrids are built with a larger, “wood-like” size to help golfers find more speed and forgiveness. They’re also built 0.5 inches longer than standard to provide additional assistance in creating speed.
For more information, check out our launch piece.
Best hybrid of 2024: Meet the fitters
- Adam Rathe: Club Champion
- Adam Scotto: Club Champion
- Adam Seitz: Club Champion
- Aidan Mena: Club Champion
- Alex Dice: Carl’s Golfland
- Alex Praeger: Club Champion
- Ben Giunta: The Tour Van
- Blake Smith, PGA: True Spec
- Bo Gorman: True Spec
- Brad Coffield: Carl’s Golfland
- Brett Ott: Club Champion
- Brian Riley: Club Champion
- Cameron Scudder: Club Champion
- Carmen Corvino: True Spec
- Christian Sandler: Club Champion
- Clare Cornelius: Cool Clubs
- Dan Palmisano: Club Champion
- Dane Byers: Club Champion
- Darren Joubert: Club Champion
- Dennis Huggins: Club Champion
- Drew Koch: Club Champion
- Eric Touchet: Touchet Performance Golf
- Erik Gonzales: Club Champion
- Evan Morrison: Club Champion
- Gus Alzate: True Spec
- Jake Medlen: Stripe Show Club Fitters
- Jake Woolston: Club Champion
- Jake Wynd: Club Champion
- Jay Marino: Club Champion
- Jeremy Olsen: Club Champion
- Jim Yenser: Club Champion
- Joe Stefan: Club Champion
- Joey Simon, PGA: Club Champion
- Jonathan Kaye: Club Champion
- Jordan Patrick: True Spec
- Jordan Rollins: Club Champion
- Kevin Arabejo: Club Champion
- Kevin Downey: Club Champion
- Kirk Oguri: Pete’s Golf
- Kyle Lane: Club Champion
- Kyle Murao: Club Champion
- Marc Roybal: True Spec
- Mark Hymerling: Club Champion
- Mark Knapp: Carl’s Golfland
- Matt Miller: Club Champion
- Matt Rish: Club Champion
- Matthew Gandolfi: Club Champion
- Mike Martysiewicz: Club Champion
- Mike Weis: Club Champion
- Mitch Schneider: Club Champion
- Nicholas Barone: Club Champion
- Nick Sherburne: Club Champion
- Nick Waterworth: Haggin Oaks
- Preston Vanderfinch: Club Champion
- Rick Lane: Club Champion
- Rob Anderson, PGA: Club Champion
- Russell Hubby: Club Champion
- Ryan Fisher: Grips Golf
- Ryan Grimes: Club Champion
- Ryan Johnson: Carl’s Golfland Bloomfield Hills
- Sam Kim: True Spec
- Scott Sikorski: Club Champion
- Scott Felix: Felix Club Works
- Scott Trent: Club Champion
- Sean Pfeil: Club Champion
- Shaun Fagan: True Spec
- Steve Harrow: Club Champion
- Tad Artrip: Club Champion
- Thomas Mattaini: Pull the Pin
- Tony Rhode: True Clubs
- William Buse: Club Champion
- William Cho: NovoGolf
- William Fields: Club Champion
Conclusion
The fitters consulted for this piece have accumulated data from thousands of fittings with golfers just like you. From beginners to tour players, their feedback and information can’t be undervalued.
Join the discussion about the best hybrids of 2024 in the forums.
- RELATED: Best driver 2024: Most forgiving driver
- RELATED: Best driver 2024: Expert club fitters recommend the best driver for your swing speed
- RELATED: Best fairway woods of 2024: Expert club fitters recommend the most versatile and forgiving options
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Whats in the Bag
Nelly Korda WITB 2024 (March)
- Nelly Korda’s WITB accurate as of her win at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 Max (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 60 S
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7 S
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 S
Hybrid: Ping G425 (26 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 7 S
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (5), TaylorMade P7MC (6-PW)
Shafts: AeroTech SteelFiber i80 cw
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 54-SB), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58-T)
Shafts: AeroTech SteelFiber i95 cw
Putter: Scotty Cameron Special Select Squareback 2 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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mr b
Sep 15, 2016 at 2:14 pm
yet to find anything to knock my blueboard 73’s out of my fw woods but will give these a try.
Emo
Sep 14, 2016 at 7:20 pm
GAwddammit. Not again. What’s with the current trend of extremely high torque for mid-launch shafts at lower weights? Whatever happened to the days of very low torque at lighter weights?
Mikec
Sep 14, 2016 at 3:27 pm
No would think not, simply stiffer.
Tipping is usually never done at he OEM level, but more at the build stage to tweak launch and feel around tip stiffness.
ultimate hacker
Sep 14, 2016 at 12:24 pm
is the TX tipped?