Equipment
First Look: KBS S-Taper and Tour Hybrid prototype shafts
This week at the Shriners Hospital for Children’s Open, we spotted two new prototype shafts from KBS: an S-Taper iron shaft (steel), as well as a Tour Hybrid shaft (graphite).
We reached out to KBS to learn more about each of the new offerings. Read about each the new shafts below, and click here to see what GolfWRXers are saying about the new shafts in our forum.
S-Taper iron shafts
The new S-Taper shafts are an extension of the KBS Tour line, and are made with the same bend profile. The difference between the two models is that the S-Taper’s step patterns have been elongated to lower spin, while maintaining a similar launch angle to the KBS Tour shafts.
KBS plans to launch the shafts at the PGA Merchandise Show in January, and they’re expected to be available in five weights/flexes: 110 (R Flex), 115 (S Flex), 120 (S+ Flex) and 125 (X Flex).
KBS Tour Hybrid Prototype
The KBS Tour Hybrid prototype graphite shaft was made using E.I. Data from the KBS Tour shafts, or in other words, it has a similar bend profile as the KBS Tour shafts. That means the hybrid shafts will blend more seamlessly into your set, from irons up to the woods. And since they’re built more like iron shafts, you can expect a tighter dispersion from your hybrids, and more stability through the hitting area, according to the company.
Look for a soft launch of the new shafts on November 15, and a full launch to follow at the PGA Merchandise Show. The shafts are will be available with a 0.370-inch diameter and in the following specs: 65 grams (R, S, X flexes), 75 gram (R, S, X), 85 grams (R, R+, S, S+, X) and 95 grams (S, S+, X).
Related: For more discussion and photos on the KBS Tour shafts, click here.
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Over the past year, equipment free agent Jason Day has played a number of different iron sets looking for his right match.
In May 2023, he was using a TaylorMade P770 4-iron to go along with a set of P7MC irons (5-PW).
In August 2023, he had switched to a set of TaylorMade P7TW irons (5-PW) to go with his P770 4-iron.
Then, in February 2024, he was into a full set of P760 irons (4-PW).
Now, Day has switched it all the way up, and he’s currently using a new set of Srixon ZX5 MK II long irons (3 and 4), and Srixon ZX7 MK II mid-to-short irons (5-PW).
On Tuesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Day told GolfWRX.com that he made the switch before the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, because he was looking to reduce spin.
“For me, they spin a little bit less,” Day said. “They’re very good out of fairway bunkers, too. I haven’t played too much in the rough yet, so I still need to get an understanding of how the come out of the rough, but for me, it was all about spin control.”
“I had tested the previous model to these [Srixon ZX7’s], but I only had one club. And I was getting some inconsistent spinny with my previous irons, so I just decided to at least give them another shot. My biggest thing was to take spin off, because I was spinning it like crazy.”
The Srixon ZX7 MK II irons are known for producing low spin numbers, and pairing them with Day’s typical ultra-stiff True Temper X7 shafts make them certified spin killers.
If it’s spin he wanted to reduce, then Day may have found his match with the new Srixon irons.
See what else Day has in the bag at the 2024 RBC Heritage here
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- Jason Day what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: TPT Driver 15 Lo
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage 80 X
7-wood: TaylorMade Stealth (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage 80 X
Irons: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (3, 4), Srixon ZX7 Mk II (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X Seven
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-08F, 56-10S, 60-04T), Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Tour Rack (56-10 MID, 52-10 MID)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X Seven
Putter: TaylorMade Itsy Bitsy Spider Limited
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X (with Mindset)
Check out more in-hand photos of Jason Day’s WITB here.
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- Ludvig Åberg what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
7-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 9 X
Irons: Titleist 718 TMB (2), Titleist T200 (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour Hybrid 105 X (2), KBS Tour 130 X
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-08F, 54-10S, 60-08M, 60-04T), WedgeWorks Proto (60-10V)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X
Putter: Odyssey White Hot Versa #1
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Check out more in-hand photos of Ludvig Aberg’s clubs in the forums.
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Jason Day what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees @10) Shaft: TPT...
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Ludvig Åberg what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)...
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Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75g 6.5 Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver...
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BB
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:56 am
Is this Graphite Hybrid Shaft another High Dollar shaft with a made in Bangladesh sticker on it?
Pingback: First Look: KBS S-Taper and Tour Hybrid prototype shafts – Swing Update
Teaj
Nov 3, 2016 at 2:09 pm
I wonder if you will be able to shave down the tip of the hybrid shaft to .355 to fit a driving iron? Also the thought of the lowing spinning KBS Tour is a great idea to me as it is the only reason I went to the C-Taper, I found the tours ballooned on me.
KD
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:00 am
You’re scaring me
Teaj
Nov 10, 2016 at 10:30 pm
please do explain your fright?
Tom
Nov 3, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Expect tighter dispersion patterns from hybrids is good news.
NLS
Nov 3, 2016 at 11:02 am
About time they made Fwy wood and Driver shafts.. if they can replicate the quality of their iron and wedge shafts, it’d be a winner
Teaj
Nov 3, 2016 at 2:11 pm
where do you see Fairway and driver shafts?