Equipment

Spotted: Fujikura Ventus HB hybrid shafts with VeloCore+

Published

1 year ago

Jan 15, 2025

Fujikura Ventus shafts have dominated bags on tour…and the bags of us normal golfers (just look at our Members Choice voting). This week at The American Express we spotted three new Ventus shafts, but they aren’t for drivers. These look to be the new Ventus HB shafts that are engineered for hybrids, driving irons, and utility irons. Right now Fujikura offers the Ventus HB in just the Black and Blue options but it looks like these new shafts go with the same three profiles as the wood shafts. Fujikura has added VeloCore+ technology to the new Ventus HB to add stability and increase ball speed. All of the versions have the matching matte finish that the wood versions have.

Ventus HB Red

This is the new addition to the Ventus HB lineup and should offer the highest launch and spin. I think this shaft makes a lot of sense for us normal golfers as most of us are adding a hybrid in the bag is to replace a long iron that we don’t really hit very high. I’m not sure about the shaft profile yet, but the Red wood shaft features a stiff handle and soft tip for the higher trajectory.

Ventus HB Blue

An update to the current Ventus HB Blue, this new version adds a VeloCore+ bias core and the lighter blue paint. Blue should be the mid-launch option with low spin that might have the softest handle section of the trio. We don’t have exact specs from Fujikura yet, but basing these speculations on the current shaft. We see the 8 X, 9 X, and 10 X weights here, but it will be interesting if we see some additional flexes and lighter weight options when the shaft gets to retail.

Ventus HB Black

The lowest launching and spinning version of the Ventus HB line, Black is usually a very stout profile. The current Ventus HB Black has a very stiff handle and tip section for controlling launch and spin for high-speed players. The current version is also only available in 9 X and 10 X, but we see a Black 8 X here so maybe Fujikura will be expanding the weights and flexes of the Ventus HB Black for us regular golfers.

See the rest of our photos from the 2025 The America Express.

Whats in the Bag

Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)

Published

4 mins ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Equipment

Game improvement iron as a driving iron? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

51 mins ago

Jun 1, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user is sharing details of a recent round in which his playing partner was gaming an…unconventional driving iron.

@AbSWFPGA explained:

“Played with a kid the other day who was a good player and he used a TaylorMade qi max hl 4 iron as a driving iron. He hit it off a lot of tees and it was pretty money. I looked up the 4 iron in that set and it’s 18.5 degrees so that would make for a good driving iron in terms of loft. Has anyone done this and could share some feedback? Thanks”

Our members have been sharing their own perspectives and experiences with unique driving irons in the 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.

Dave33: “I just got a new set of irons, Ping I540’s, and the 4 iron is 19 degrees. That’s basically as strong as the 2 iron in my 30 yr old custom set its replacing and I used to hit that 2 iron off the tee all the time. The I540 4 iron off the tee is an awesome club. ”
Santiago Golf: “I have tried this a few times and they always went too high … Never really the stinger height I was looking for. I got a IDEA Pro style hybrid and it was the perfect mid launching club I was looking for.”
DircaDelta: “I basically do this with a JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro 4iron (19 degrees). I tried a few driving irons but honestly this probably fits me best due to the shorter length, but it’s still hot and still has a wide sole which is nice. Great off the tee, turf, and punchy shots to lay-up on par 5s or get out of trouble. It has the same shaft as my irons (Modus 120X) so I could probably get more out of it from a different shaft, but it fits what I need in terms of gapping from my 5 iron (JPX Forged) and gapping and launch from my short 5 wood. I think it’s a good (and often cheaper) route so long as you can find one that suits your eye and gapping needs. I don’t like offset so the HMP’s help in the optics department over a “more typical” game improvement iron.”

Entire Thread: “Game Improvement Iron as a Driving Iron?”

If you’re not already a member, join is in the GolfWRX forums today!

Equipment

Best 400cc driver that has a modern COR? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

1 hour ago

Jun 1, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user is hoping to marry the look of classic drivers with modern technology.

@slantsflood inquired:

“Not looking at the mini drivers here. Looking for 9 degrees if possible.

“Think Titleist 905s or T. Kind of pear shaped with today’s tech would be perfect for my eye.”

Our members have been helping slantsfood brainstorm about drivers that might fit into his wheelhouse.

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.

ProjectX: “The major difference is the 905T had a standard length of 45″ and the modern stuff is 45.5″ or longer. So not only will that extra half inch feel a lot longer it will also swingweight 3 points heavier. That’s where you are getting the heavy feeling from is the length. Outside of that the balance of the clubs has also changed because of the requirement of the adjustable hosel that puts a lot of mass towards the neck of the club than before. This has also made the insertion depth for shafts much more shallow making them play lighter to flex than the old days which is why tipping has become so prevalent. There is no doubt what you feel is different than the old days, but I highly doubt we ever see a glued hosel again.”
Golfingfanatic: “Have a look at the Japanese market. you’ll find some options released in the last few years in that size range.”
storm3: “If you are willing to go bigger with a smaller looking pear like footprint, you may want to consider the TSR4 of GT4 (430cc) which provides adjustability and are more likely to outperform 20 year old sub 400cc heads.”

Entire Thread: “Best 400 cc driver that still has a modern cor”

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