Equipment

TESTING: Fujikura Atmos “Tour Spec” Red vs Atmos Red driver shafts

Published

8 years ago

Aug 23, 2018

For an average golfer, what’s the difference between a regular Fujikura Atmos Red shaft and a “Tour Spec” Atmos Red? That’s what we wanted to find out.

In our new club testing series, average golfers will be hitting either different shafts or different club heads, testing them against each other. The process will simply be to hit an equal number of shots with each shaft or club head, eliminating any outliers, and then report the numbers. These are all one-variable tests. Since the club tests are all done at Club Champion in Royal Oak, Michigan, the testing is under direct supervision of professional fitters.

First, some information about both shafts in this test.

Fujikura Atmos Tour Spec Red 6S facts

Fuji says: “New for 2017, the Atmos Tour Spec line is geared towards the performance golfer looking to keep the ball flighted down with low spin. Continuing with our iconic ‘Tour Spec white’ paint, Atmos is a true tour flighted line of shafts with a simple color coding – red as the higher launching, blue as mid launch, black as the lowest launch – similarities include keeping the handle flexes the same for feel, but adjusting mid and tip sections for launch and spin to achieve your desired ball flight.”

Specs

Fujikura Atmos Red 6S facts

Fuji says: “New for 2018, we’re excited to introduce the higher launching and softer profile Atmos. The Atmos has a similar design profile to the Tour Spec version, but is geared towards fitting a wider spectrum of golfers. The Atmos has a consistent, smooth feel, and has the red launch profile to signify the higher flight and spin… the blue profile is for mid launch and spin performance.”

Specs

The Test

We had two testers each hit the Fujikura Atmos Red Tour Spec 6S against a Fujikura Atmos Red 6S. Player A is a lefty and a 17-handicap. Player B is a righty and a 9-handicap. Both fight shots to the left (one being a slice, one being a hook, respectively). Here’s what happened when they both hit the shafts:

Player A

	Atmos Red TS Red 6S	Atmos Red 6S
Club Speed	91.6 mph	91.4 mph
Ball Speed	128.3 mph	127.1 mph
Smash factor	1.40	1.39
Spin Rate	5339 rpm	5194 rpm
Side	129.8 L	143.9L
Launch	14.8 degrees	16.0 degrees
Carry	186.6 yards	185 yards
Total	198.4 yards	196.1 yards
Height	92 feet	97 feet
Attack Angle	-3.6 degrees	-3.4 degrees

Player B

	Atmos TS Red 6S	Atmos Red 6S
Club Speed	103.4 mph	104.3 mph
Ball Speed	150.2 mph	150.8 mph
Smash Factor	1.45	1.44
Spin Rate	2652 rpm	2915 rpm
Side	74.1 L	65.8 L
Launch Angle	12.1 degrees	11.4 degrees
Carry	246.5 yards	242.7 yards
Total	272.0 yards	267.2 yards
Height	88 feet	89 feet
Attack Angle	-0.9 degrees	-2.0

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13 Comments

Jim Giles

Aug 24, 2018 at 12:03 pm

I was curious on the significant change in Attack Angle for Player B . Did the shaft cause this ? Cuz I am no expert, but wouldn’t that have a lot to do with the resulting Launch Angle (thus flight) being so different. Player B’s stats confused me.

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Someone

Aug 24, 2018 at 11:19 am

Need more data. Greater sample size. Two players is insignificant especially considering the skill gap.

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Bark Chuck

Aug 24, 2018 at 1:31 am

Did I miss the type of club head, loft, etc.?

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CrashTestDummy

Aug 24, 2018 at 1:25 am

For any strong consistent swings, the standard Atmos Red will feel like a noodle and most likely have poor dispersion groupings compared to the TS Atmos Red. Those shafts are polar opposites in specs except for the name.

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james

Aug 23, 2018 at 3:59 pm

Based on these numbers, one would think the stock shaft is really, really good!. why spend $300+ for the tour spec? does not seem worth it.

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Kevin

Aug 23, 2018 at 1:01 pm

So even a “mid” and a “high” handicap golfer hit the tour spec shaft further…minimally, but further. If this is truly legit data it would seem there is no need to make both versions. Just make the tour spec and let everyone hit it a little further…

Reply Report comment
- Jim Giles
  
  Aug 24, 2018 at 12:01 pm
  
  for a Manufacturer in making it, your comment is correct… .but for a consumer, these things are hundreds of dollars different. So I think it provides validation that for the weekend golfer you don’t need to spend $$$ on the Tour Spec shaft to get similar results.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Josh
    
    Aug 25, 2018 at 1:00 am
    
    Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding
    
    Reply Report comment
  - The Club Nut
    
    Sep 3, 2018 at 12:00 pm
    
    They’re really not that different in price. If youre comparing the Atmos that comes “stock” in the M4 with the shaft they tested, you’d be comparing two different shafts. The graphics may be more similar than any Fujikura stock offering in recent years, but the final product is different. Having physically tested a stick Atmos red and an aftermarket Atmos red, the stock option is lighter flex (at same marked rating) and more tip soft.
    
    Reply Report comment
Picky

Aug 23, 2018 at 11:49 am

You lost me at .620 butt diameter. I’m not spending hundreds of dollars on a shaft that I can’t have a standard size cord grip on.

Reply Report comment
- The Club Nut
  
  Sep 3, 2018 at 12:01 pm
  
  You can stretch it, or have an undersize built up to standard.
  
  Reply Report comment
Dan

Aug 23, 2018 at 11:31 am

This is a tiny sample size and TXG did a better version of this where they show how it affects the flight

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Francis

Aug 23, 2018 at 11:31 am

Love this concept. I know you said that the object of the experiment was for “average” golfers, but it would have been even more interesting if you threw in a scratch since the TS is designed for “performance golfer.” I would have liked to have seen the performance difference (if any) between the three handicap levels. Great work!

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Equipment

Interesting clubs at top of bag – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

8 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, users are talking about top of bag setups that are non-traditional or thought-provoking in some way. Original poster @SuperSpurs106 inquired about other members who might use unorthodox set-ups to help with gapping issues or weak spots.

They wrote:

“I currently have a PING G430 driver, TM Qi35 3W and a TM Qi4D 7W. Driver and 7W are fine but can’t get on with my 3W and have always struggling with this club over the years. Thinking of adding a 2H which I know would look odd. Just wondering if anyone else had a weird set up at the top of their bag?”

Our members in the forum have offered up their thoughts and personal experiences with non-traditional top of bag set-ups, and their reasoning for thinking outside of the box to begin with. 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.

BowMain42: “Don’t worry about what “looks” odd. If the club does what you need it to do, it’s the right club.”
scooterhd2: “I cant hit 3 woods either. Thats why I roll with a unicorn XL Hibore 2 wood. 400 cc head at 16 degrees of loft and its just a monster 3 wood off the tee. Off the deck, we are playing the f6 baffler. 5 wood at 41.75 inches and its easy to control.”
phizzy30: “I had driver, 3 metal, 2/4 hybrid once upon a time as a higher ss player. 4 hybrid is gone and in place is a driving iron nowadays. I don’t think what you’re proposing is weird in anyway, however the yardage gap might be glaringly huge between driver and 2 hybrid. What is it about your 3 metal that has got you all messed up? You could always go 4 metal with shorter shaft and see if that works.”

Entire Thread: “Interesting clubs at top of bag”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Equipment

Members of the Mini Driver Club – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

8 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user has gone searching for fellow users of a mini driver. In a post, @TightFade asked for other mini driver users to chime in with their weapon of choice, the reason for employing a mini, and what club follows it in the bag.

@TightFade asked:

“What mini are you playing? What spot in the bag did it take over? What’s the next club after it? For me: Elyte mini 13.5. Replacing 3w. Next up club looks like it’ll be 5w.”

Our members in the forum have been sharing their own bag setups featuring the mini driver, and the various reasons they purchased one in the first place. 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.

RCGA: “Ping G430 Max 12* ‘Thriver.’ Next club is a 4w and 2i (I play a weird course).”
JMB3: “R7 at 12.75 with Diamana BB 63s. 3w replacement. Next Club: Elyte Ti 5w at 17*.”
ColdOkieGolf: “R7 15.5 turned down to 13.5 It replaces the 3w. I found it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, and it’s very rare that I need or want to hit something beyond 250 from the fairway, so next club is my 7w.”
ChaosTheory: “I’m sub-90 MPH with driver. But I’m able to hit DOD. I have been wanting something like the R7 15.5, so I just ordered one. I have a spot in the bag so nothing has to go. But I could see it replacing my trusty 4 wood, which I never use for approach shots. Just tee shots and lay ups. If I drop the 4 wood, I will turn my 7 wood down to ~20 degrees and will have good gaps. I recently tried a thriver build: 12 degree driver turned to 14, with a heavier 44 inch shaft and added head weight. I hit it great. Very accurate and not overly high, but the problem was that it sometimes went as far as a typical drive. And that’s not what I needed. So I will probably turn the 15.5 up to 16.5 or even 17.5. It’s all theoretical at this point. ?”

Entire Thread: “Members of the Mini Driver Club…Check In.”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Whats in the Bag

Chris Gotterup WITB 2026 (June)

Published

8 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Chris Gotterup had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.

Drivers: TaylorMade Qi4D (8 degrees), Ping G440 LST (9 degrees @8), Ping G440 LST (7.5 degrees)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g