fst kbs tour 90 review

KBS Tour 90 Review – Setting A New Standard In Steel Shafts

The story of KBS Tour shafts is the joining of two paths into a committed partnership aiming to establish a new vision of golf shaft performance and design.

FEMCO Steel Technology (FST), the golf branch of the Far East Machinery Co. Ltd, aims to provide high-quality and cost-effective steel products including golf shafts through constant innovation and technological advancements. FST continues to provide high-quality shafts at affordable prices.

Kim Braly designed innovative golf shafts throughout his career. He has validated his designs with golfers playing on the various professional golf tours. Furthermore, Kim used feedback from these golfers in the development of new products.

In 2008 FST America Corporation decided to partner with the most sought-after golf shaft designers to incorporate pioneering designs with its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. This led to the partnership between FST and Kim Braly.

Since its launch, KBS has set a new standard in steel shafts with its unparalleled growth and acclaim.

KBS shafts have grown a significant share of the market and are now used in the irons of most major golfing brands as standard or for custom fitment. It is swiftly turning into the fastest growing steel shaft brand in the industry.

Adopted by over 150 professionals, the KBS Tour shafts have recorded multiple wins including several majors.

KBS Tour 90 Review

1. project x lz, 2. n.s. modus 3 shaft, final thoughts, related articles.

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• Stable tip section
• Higher CG location
• Firm shaft design
• Light-weight construction
• Good trajectory
• 2-flex system
• Not suitable for fast tempo golf swings

Design and Technology

As the lightest shaft in the KBS Tour range, the KBS Tour 90 shaft is designed to offer golfers with a slow tempo more spin, a higher trajectory, and distance.  It is 20% lighter than a standard steel shaft thus aiding increasing swing, ball speeds, and distance.

The firm shaft design on the Tour 90 offers a softer tip with a higher center of gravity to create a higher ball trajectory.

Combined with the 2-Flex system on the KBS Tour 90 offer a more flexible than the normal shaft.

Specifications

Tapered tip technical specifications.

Regular shaft flex:

• Tip diameter .355 inches
• Butt diameter .600 inches
• Length 36.5 inches to 40.5inches
• Available for 2-iron through 9-iron, and PW

Stiff shaft flex:

• Weight 102g
• Available for 2-iron through 9-iron

Parallel tip technical specifications

• Weight 101g
• Tip diameter .370 inches
• Length 41.25 inches

.370 Parallel shaft is a single length shaft that will be tip and butt trimmed to your required length which can change how the shaft will play.

For the best feel, you must have a smooth tempo. You can still achieve a high swing speed even if you have a smooth tempo.

With the right tempo, you will receive precise feedback on the impact point of the ball on the clubface. No tingle to your fingers even on the coldest days.

Its kick is remarkably smooth with the right tempo swing but if your tempo is too fast, you are sure to encounter difficulties.

Performance

KBS TOUR 90 is the lightest shaft in the KBS Tour range designed for golfers requiring a higher trajectory, additional spin, and maximum distance.

Performance on the short irons is most noticeable with the wedges and 9-iron generating a high trajectory and more spin. This gives you great green-side control.

Golfers with a moderate-to-slow swing speed and slow tempo will achieve the best performance from the KBS Tour 90.

Independent testing reveals that the KBS Tour 90 to be in the region of 9% longer and generate 5% more spin than its foremost rivals.

Alternatives

Project X shafts are used on all professional tours and a follow up on the Project X Standard version making it accessible to golfers that have swing speed that is lower than that of professional golfers.

Variable wall thickness creates an extra kick at compact for a mid-launch trajectory without sacrificing stability.

Although this is the closest you will come to a universal shaft, it is highly recommended that you conduct proper testing to ensure that the shaft is suited to your swing.

All shafts measure between 36.5 and 40 inches in length, with a tip diameter of 0.355 inches and a butt diameter of 0.600 inches, and produce a mid-flight launch trajectory.

Weight varies between 110g and 125g with 5g intervals.

Flex is available in R, S, and XS.

Nippon’s comprehensive golf shaft use weight and bend to suit every golf swing and tempo offering improved control over trajectory, distance, and direction.

Nippon excels in three key areas

• Desired trajectory
• Accurate distance
• Tight dispersion

The high tip rigidity design steadies the tip through impact thereby reducing unwanted spin, low mid-section rigidity control shaft flex for enhanced control, and the low butt rigidity improve tempo for a smoother feeling on impact.

Shafts are available in 105g, 120g, 125g, and 130g and R, S, X, TX flex options

The shaft lengths vary between 37 and 41 inches, with a tip diameter of 0.355 inches and a butt diameter of 0.600 inches.

Amalgamating the paths of Kim Braly and FST America Corporation In 2008 was a turning point in the golf shaft industry.

The KBS Tour 90 is 20% lighter than comparable steel shafts and ideally suited for golfers with a moderate swing tempo that requires a higher ball trajectory.

Happy golfing with your higher trajectory.

• Graphite vs Steel Shafts; Which Is Better & Why?
• Golf Shafts: The Ultimate Guide
• Stiff vs Regular Flex: Which Golf Shaft Should You Choose?

Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.

• Nick Lomas https://www.golfspan.com/author/nicklomas Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls Review: Pros, Cons, & Costs
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• WRX Club Techs

Two quick questions about the KBS 90 shaft...

By nad12 February 12, 2014 in WRX Club Techs

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Question 1:

Has anyone had experience with the KBS 90 Regular and KBS 90 Stiff shafts? What is the difference between them (weight, stiffness, etc..)?

Questions 2:

What other manufacturers shafts can the KBS 90 Stiff shaft that is 1 inch longer that standard be compared to (I understand that it being 1 inch longer will make it weaker)?

The dilemma I have is I demo the R11 irons in a KBS 90 Regular shaft and I liked what I saw but the shaft felt light and short. So I ordered a set in the KBS 90 Stiff shafts, thinking that Stiffer will mean heavier and thus a good fit. However, the KBS 90 Stiff shaft feel light too. Surely the KBS manufacturer make stiffer shafts that what I now have and I cannot believe it is due to the extra inch longer. My 6 iron swing speed is 85mph and carry 180 yards. I am now wondering is the KBS 90 Stiff shaft is too weak for me.

Answers to my questions will be much appreciated. Thanks.

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Feb 12 2014

Feb 19 2014

CallawayKid86

Try either the tour or the tour v. Those are heavier and a little stiffer. The KBS 90 plays pretty soft from my experience with it. Depending on the tip, you can always tip a little extra or hardstep them to make them play firmer.

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I may just be misunderstanding you but it seems that you are confusing weight with stiffness. They are actually two fairly independent aspects of a shaft. In one sentence you say the KBS 90 Stiff's are too light but the next sentence seems to imply you are looking for a stiffer shaft. Is it a weight issue, or a flex issue, or possibly both? The weight specs are here: http://kbsgolfshafts.com/shafts/kbs-tour-90

NevadaGolfGuy

kbs tour 90 stiffs play very very close to a dynamic gold R300, they are a pretty weak shaft. Guys I know that use them swear by them but calling the stiffs a stiff is a bit misleading.

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In the .370 version of the kbs 90 the strongest frequency will be 5.5. Which in many cases will be a regular flex. I played them for a little while, and really liked them. However I switch them out for px 95. 6.0. Which are just as light, but firmer, which lead to better control.

Right so I'm more confused. I didn't think there was a [b]KBS [u]Tour[/u] 90[/b] shaft. I thought there was only a [b]KBS 90[/b] or a [b]KBS Tour[/b]. I have viewed the KBS website and it says the KBS 90 in Regular is 95 grams and the KBS 90 Stiff is 102 grams (hardly a stiff weight). The other version of the KBS shaft is the KBS Tour where there shafts are more stiffer and weigh about 120-130 grams (normal stiff weight). Apparently the KBS 90 Stiff is suited for a swing speed of 65-80 mph -- what? That isn't even regular let alone Stiff. Am I missing something? Can anyone compare the KBS 90 Stiff to other shafts? Thanks for the comparison to the DG R300 but the DG R300 is about 20 grams heavier. If I start ramping my 6i swing speed to 90mph are the balls going to spray all over the place. I'm currently using the DG SL S300 shaft, how closely matched is it to the KBS 90 Stiff? I'm slightly confused and worried. Thank you.

You are still confusing weight with stiffness. It's possible to have a heavy regular shaft (like the DG R300) that plays softer than a lighter shaft (like your DGSL300 at around 100g or less once trimmed). Weight has nothing to do with flex, unless you compare it across same shafts across the same product range. The KBS Tour 90 is a great shaft that gets bad press because people don't understand it's profile and merely look at it's relative FCM, which on paper looks "weak". However the shaft is very stable and suited to a wide variety of swing speeds, but not necessarily those with a stronger transition and a later release. This would suit a heavier shaft with a stiffer tip, which the Tour 90 is not. If you had a smooth swing with a mid release, you would have no problem with it if you were looking for a higher ball flight compared to your DGSL (both stiff). For a like to like comparison, the Tour 90 is somewhat similar to the Dynalite Gold XP - I'd say the Tour 90 is the better shaft of the two.

Weight differences you are seeing are trimmed verses raw (full length). Most manufacturers list a shaft at it's trimmed to length weight. The DG SL S 300 is a much stronger shaft than the KBS Tour 90 S They are close at the butt then the DG SL gets progressively stiffer over the rest of the shaft with the DG SL S being about a flex and a half stronger at the tip. Bottom line is they are completely different bend profiles. here are the bend profile frequencies for the two shafts Model, 36,31,26, 21,16,11 [b]DG SL S300 taper[/b], 212,257,315,402,562,963 (frequency higher = stiffer) [b]KBS Tour 90 S taper[/b], 209,244,304,385,526,825 (frequency higher = stiffer)

Thank you to you both. Funny thing is you both mention [b]KBS Tour 90[/b]. I have only seen [b]KBS 90[/b] or [b]KBS Tour[/b]. Is the KBS 90 really called the KBS Tour 90? The [b]Tour [/b]shafts on the KBS website seem much more heavier and stiffer than the [b]90[/b] version. The sticker on the shaft only says 'KBS 90 S' no Tour is mentioned. So I've been fitted for DG SL S300 in the past but can hit the KBS 90 Stiff would I be wrong in the keeping the KBS 90 Stiff on the R11? The swing weight is D8 which is heavier than my usual D2. I am searching the DSFI list and can find the DG SL S300 ratings but the KBS shafts I can see have C-Taper next to the them. DaveMac = thanks for your numbers but I'm afraid I do not understand them.

Jaskanski hit the nail on the head and addressed the biggest point of confusion. But just a correction to a few other points. [quote name='nad12' timestamp='1392239150' post='8654253'] I didn't think there was a [b]KBS [u]Tour[/u] 90[/b] shaft. I thought there was only a [b]KBS 90[/b] or a [b]KBS Tour[/b]. I have viewed the KBS website and it says the KBS 90 in Regular is 95 grams and the KBS 90 Stiff is 102 grams[b] [s](hardly a stiff weight)[/s].[/b] T [/quote] There is no "KBS 90" that i've ever seen - only the "KBS Tour 90" as per the KBS web site. The r11 irons use parallel tipped shafts, not tapered so the weight difference between stiff and regular is only 1 gm. http://kbsgolfshafts.com/shafts/kbs-tour-90 The KBS Tour 90's are specifically designed with a softer, more active tip section to promote higher launch and that will contribute to it feeling less stiff but that doesn't mean, by any means, that it's not suitable for the swing speeds in the 'normal' stiff range. People who are properly fit to the tour 90 either like or need the more active tip section. But this is certainly not necessarily going to be the best shaft for everyone. The real question is whether the feel of these shafts cause an actual problem for your swing or whether you are concerned because it's just not what you expected. Try to put aside any preconceived notion of how it should be and concentrate on the actual results you get with the shaft. If there is a problem, the next step is to determine if it is the bend profile or the weight (or possibly both). With that info we can then possibly help find a better shaft.

[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1392241824' post='8654613'] There is no "KBS 90" that i've ever seen - only the "KBS Tour 90" as per the KBS web site. [/quote] Just a minor addendum here. "KBS 90" might be a Taylormade specific labeling of the shaft. Not 100% but as far as I know it's the same shaft as the KBS Tour 90's.

Thank you Stuart G. Things are starting to make sense now. So the KBS 90 (as my stickers say) are indeed KBS Tour 90. Don't suppose there is any info on TM customising the original KBS shaft in anyway? I know that Wilson used the SS 105 FST shaft which were indeed the FST Pro 115. Its confusing when they just dont name them the original shaft names. I always thought the '90' was the actual weight of the shaft (90 grams). I didn't realise the shaft was 101g for Regular and 102g for Stiff. My questions here are: 1) The KBS Tour 90 in Stiff is 102 grams. With my shafts being an inch longer than standard what weight do you know think they are? 2) I always thought that a Stiffer shaft would be much heavier than a Regular shaft. How do shaft manufacturers make a Stiff flex by ONLY adding a single gram in weight? 3) Do you think the KBS Tour 90 in Stiff was 102 grams but once TM finish with it it weighed 90 grams? 4) What weight is the DG SL S300 shaft in standard length? Just racking my brains.

[quote name='nad12' timestamp='1392243041' post='8654763'] My questions here are: 1) The KBS Tour 90 in Stiff is 102 grams. With my shafts being an inch longer than standard what weight do you know think they are? 2) I always thought that a Stiffer shaft would be much heavier than a Regular shaft. How do shaft manufacturers make a Stiff flex by ONLY adding a single gram in weight? 3) Do you think the KBS Tour 90 in Stiff was 102 grams but once TM finish with it it weighed 90 grams? 4) What weight is the DG SL S300 shaft in standard length? Just racking my brains. [/quote] 1) The specs on the web site for the parallel tipped shafts typically list the weight before it's cut down for any particular iron. For the Tour 90's that's when the raw shaft length is 41.25". For a rough estimate you can estimate that the weight is evenly distributed over the whole shaft. That would mean for a 102 gm shaft, roughly 2.47 gm per inch of raw shaft length. That would put a standard length 5 iron (38" playing length w/ 1.5" BBTG) at a hair over 90 gm. 2) Magic :-) Sorry. I might be an engineer but dont know exactly how they do it. Could be using different alloys, different taper patterns and how the shaft diameter varies over the length, variable wall thicknesses over the length of the shaft, and probably more that I can't think of. And that's just steel, graphite shafts have a lot more options with varying the graphite fiber size, strength and weave, different layering and even different epoxy formulations. 3) No idea but the 90 label more than likely was just a carry over of the name from KBS 4) Don't know off the top of my head. Someone else might have the specs handy or you can get them from True Temper web site and go through the same calcs I did above. Don't take this the wrong way but part of the problem could be that you are over thinking things. None of the numbers really matter - it's the results that count. Go hit the club and find out how it feels. IF there is a problem, then we can go from there.

[quote] Don't take this the wrong way but part of the problem could be that you are over thinking things. None of the numbers really matter - it's the results that count. Go hit the club and find out how it feels. IF there is a problem, then we can go from there. [/quote] LOL no I didnt take it the wrong way. I often over analyse things. Thank you for your help. BTW, the swing weight is D8 - up from D2 due to the extra inch. I'll stop there but I start over thinking the swing weight.

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/740015-tom-wishon-irons-shaft-graphs-in-regular-flex/page__st__60#entry8417895"]How to interpret the shaft bend profile data[/url] I don't have the graphs for the two shafts just the frequencies but the interpretation is exactly the same. 1 and 4 The DG SL S300 raw weight is 106 grams so there will only be a few grams difference between the two shafts about 96 - 100 grams at your playing length +1 inch 2 Shaft diameter and step pattern 3 No, the shaft will be around the 96 - 100 gram mark at your playing length Just to throw your head in a bigger spin the DG SL will feel just a little heavier than the KBS Tour 90 because more of the shaft's mass is in the tip. (The shaft balance points are different) This is not the reason you prefer the DGSL over the KBS Tour 90 though, it is simply down to the difference in relative stiffness (bend profile) between the two shafts.

Thanks guys for all your replies. I've had a proper fitting and know now the KBS 90 is not the right shaft for me.

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Which KBS iron shaft is best for you?

Published: 22 September 2022 Last updated: 17 January 2024

KBS iron shafts are for everyone from the world’s best golfers to slow-swinging amateurs, but which of their 14 models best suits you? Let us explain…

Golfers rarely give a second thought to which shafts are in a new set of irons . Yet, KBS believe 14 different models (all of which come in numerous weights and flexes) are needed to cover all types of players.

Technology has taught the brains behind KBS – Kim Braly, if he’s to fit hard-hitting tour pros alongside moderate speed, high handicap amateurs the brand needs a vast array of options. The thinking has led to the creation of 14 different steel and graphite KBS iron models.

EXPLAINED: How we test golf equipment

We don’t want to fit you for your perfect iron shaft. That should only ever be done with the help of a decent club fitter in the real world. But, to highlight how shaft technology helps you hit better iron shots more often we’ve taken a look at the full KBS line-up.

When buying your next set remember KBS shafts can change how a shaft feels, launches and spins, so you have the opportunity to choose your perfect ball flight and set-up. Here’s what you need to know about KBS iron shafts.

Players’ models  

Kbs c-taper iron shaft.

There are three-pillar players’ shafts within the KBS line-up and each differs by balance point. The Tour is stiffest in the grip section (for good feel) and it gives mid-launch and mid-spin. The C-Taper is stiffest in the tip section (close to the head) to give a stout and strong feel and deliver low launch with low spin. The S-Taper fits neatly between the pair.

C stands for Constant Taper, so the shaft has no steps, which allows the C-Taper to have a strong and stout feel. Typically the model suits stronger golfers, and players can expect a 5% lower ball flight than True Temper’s Dynamic Gold . Major winners Gary Woodland and Justin Rose have played the C-Taper as has Rickie Fowler .

KBS $-Taper iron shaft

All three KBS pillar players’ iron shafts come in the same five weights, so golfers get to choose based on the launch, spin, and ball flight desired for their own game.

Half flexes (R+ and S+) are brilliant for golfers that sit on the fence between two flexes. They alleviate decisions around whether to go regular flex for more distance or stiff for increased accuracy. The S-Taper (Subtle Taper) is midway between the C-Taper (lowest spin and launch) and Tour shaft (mid-spin and launch).

KBS Tour iron shaft

The Tour is Kim Braly’s signature shaft, it was the first KBS model and it’s the mothership of KBS. Thanks to not being overly strong the Tour can suit a wide audience of golfers. Its consistent step pattern is a good fit for smoother, less aggressive transition players.

Thanks to being a high balance point model (so weight is positioned closer to the grip), golfers get a slightly softer feel and good feedback at the top of the swing. A further Tour FLT (Flighted) shaft model launches long irons higher and short irons lower for a more optimised set.

RELATED: Which Taylo rMade iron suits me ?

How KBS players’ steel shafts differ in launch and spin

KBS Tour V iron shaft

KBS see the Tour V as an outlier shaft because the model is 10g lighter than the C-Taper, $-Taper, and Tour.

KBS Tour Rep Paul Steels says “the Tour V shaft is often a good fit for players who like the shot shape and flight of the C-Taper but want extra feel, as the C-Taper is just so boardy”.

KBS C-Taper Lite, $-Taper Lite, and Tour Lite iron shafts

There’s lots of misunderstanding around lighter iron shafts. But KBS say golfers should see their Lite models (which are 15g lighter than the standard models) as giving a little more launch and being easier to get airborne (than the 3 pillar models).

For players who don’t go at iron shots full tilt Lite models can be a really good option as club speeds increase and shots launch higher. Lite models and aging typically go hand-in-hand. If you happen to overload the shaft you’ll know because shots will start turning over left of the target (for a right-handed golfer).

Also, think about launch windows. A strong but very low launch player could see benefits by going Lite but in a strong flex to up launch and ball flight.  

RELATED: Should you play the KBS TD driver shaft?

KBS iron shaft swing speed recommendations

Average speed KBS iron shaft models

Kbs max and max ct80 iron shafts.

To ensure KBS have shafts to suit every golfer’s speed they produce ultralight Max and Max CT80 shafts as well. Both Max shafts are high-launch, high-spin models which help optimise ball flight for maximum carry distance at moderate speeds.

Remember it’s possible to be a fast but inconsistent high handicapper (in which case you’d be better suited to one of the KBS players’ shaft models), so think about shafts suiting speeds rather than ability. Thanks to their low kick point and high launch properties the Max shafts regularly make an appearance in stronger lofted irons (think TaylorMade Stealth and Callaway Big Bertha B21 ).

Typically high-speed players, irrespective of ability will not touch this product.

RELATED: Which Lamkin grip best suits your game?

There are junior options too   

To ensure golfers can go through their whole golfing career with a familiar KBS feel, the brand also produce two junior steel shafts (the 560 and 580). Both are designed to suit the speed of 8 – 11-year-old players.

Both shafts are lightened steel, so the weights are similar to lightweight graphite iron ranges. But, crucially golfers don’t get a heavy head feel which can cause issues when switching from graphite to steel once a child is a stronger teenager.   

When should you go graphite?

Graphite irons shafts are massively misunderstood in the modern game. Many people think they’re for older golfers and slower speed players, which just isn’t the case. Graphite irons shafts are easier on the body. They remove vibration, and can suit everyone from tour players to very moderate speed club golfers.

In typical KBS fashion, the brand make three graphite models (all are available in numerous weights and flexes), here’s what you need to know about them.

How KBS graphite iron shafts differ in launch and spin

KBS TGI – Tour Graphite Iron shaft

KBS specifically target a steel-like feel from their graphite shafts. They’ve done such a good job fulfilling their brief several tour players swear it’s not actually graphite. Thinking instead it’s a steel shaft painted black.

The TGI can be matched to golfers’ speeds (there are eight weights, so the model can suit from 57mph to 100mph speed players) in exactly the same way as the brand’s steel shafts. The TGI is the company’s lowest launching and spinning graphite iron shaft, it’s pretty strong and stout, so decent players often like it.

KBS PGI – Players Graphite Iron shaft

In developing their shafts KBS have undertaken masses of research, and they say when the flex isn’t disclosed golfers often prefer the feel of graphite over steel. Their advice is to play the flex you need. Don’t be tempted to go stiffer than necessary. And if you swing a 6-iron at 70mph play a shaft that performs at that speed.

The PGI was developed to bring a steel-like feel to graphite and it’s a step up from the lower launching and spinning TGI. The PGI is widely played on the LPGA Tour, it’s the brand’s mid-launch/mid-spin graphite iron shaft. Six weights mean the model can suit from 57mph to 94mph players.

KBS Max graphite iron shaft   

The Max graphite is the highest launching and spinning graphite iron shaft in the KBS line-up. It’s a model for golfers who really need help launching shots high into the air to maximise carry distance. Five weights mean the model can suit swing speeds from 51 to 82mph.

KBS graphite iron shaft swing speed recommendations

Get it right the first time

KBS reckon so long as golfers get fitted correctly the first time they can progress through KBS models throughout their playing career. It means, if like Gary Woodland you’re a C-Taper player or Cameron Smith a Tour shaft player you stay within that family but progress to lighter models as you age.

And to demonstrate how important finding the right family is KBS say to look at Adam Scott and Gary Woodland . Scott has been a Tour shaft player for years (think of his smooth, under-control swing) whereas Woodland is a big strong hitter of the ball, so he’s a C-Taper guy all day long. But, switch their clubs over and both would struggle to play, as they wouldn’t get the ball flight or shot window they’d be expecting.    

Don’t forget your wedges

Today KBS are a through-the-bag shaft company. They make shafts for drivers, fairways, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters, so if you’re taking the time to get fitted don’t neglect how the company produce five different wedges shafts too.

KBS say the Hi-Rev wedge shaft has been designed from the Tour shaft profile. There’s a lengthened tip section to give a softer feel and generate extra spin. If you play the Tour shaft you’ll likely enjoy this wedge model too. The brand’s 610 wedge shaft was designed to complement the Tour V shaft.

Where C-Taper and S-Taper fans often run shafts from their irons through into the wedges, albeit at a slightly lighter weight as wedge shots are rarely hit full out.

Want more information about KBS iron shafts? Visit their website here   

How do KBS iron shafts compare in data?

Verdict: KBS iron shafts

Lots of people will look at our test pro’s data and think the shafts are performing very much alike. But the data says nothing about how different the shafts felt.

Comparing the C-Taper and S-Taper the data shows the pair as being pretty evenly matched but the difference in feel was phenomenal. So different in fact our test pro felt he just wouldn’t be able to use the C-Taper effectively on the golf course (as it’s so strong). Where the $-Taper felt brilliant and could well be his perfect match within the KBS family.

The Lite shafts produced a faster ball speed, just as KBS promised and the C-Taper Lite in particular launched and flighted shots higher with a steeper descent angle, so there’s a huge amount of tuning in ball flight and feel available from shafts.

Just as KBS promised the TGI graphite shaft produced some very good optimal numbers too, they’d be a very sensible choice for golfers looking to avoid the shock and vibration of using steel shafts. Equally the Max graphite climbed to its peak height very early in its flight, which at lower speeds will be a real benefit in maximising carry distance.   

At the end of the day, KBS are all about the consumer. You get what you want, whether that be higher or lower launching, more or less spin, or a different feel, everything is on offer within the KBS iron family. Our test pro liked the $-Taper for his own game as it didn’t feel too strong, yet it felt stable and produced a good feel through the hands, and he had control over his ball flight.

KBS Founder Kim Braly on a life spend designing golf shafts

Many golfers won’t know the name Kim Braly, but the guy is a shaft legend. He has dedicated his life to creating the highest performance shafts you can buy, and we sat down with him. 

How have shafts evolved over the last 150 years?

A hundred of those years were dominated by hickory shafts. Steel shafts didn’t come about until the 1930s. My father patented “Frequency Matching” (in the 1980s) which has been the biggest breakthrough during my lifetime. Until then there were no standards; the method gave a baseline to compare and match shafts. Everything I’ve achieved since is down to the Frequency Matching method he invented.

How did the Frequency Matching idea come about?

We made titanium irons with tungsten weights and wanted to see how different set-ups affected performance. We organised a golf robot, and tried two identical set ups, yet the results were entirely different. We started questioning if shafts might not be matched. My dad developed Frequency Matching as a way to compare and match (for flex, weight, profile through CPM, cycles per minute) shafts to one another. The process hasn’t changed for 30 years.

You developed the Rifle and Project X shafts which are still popular; what was different about them?

No set of shafts had been designed individually for each club until then. They were a breakthrough. We’d follow the PGA Tour (at a time when there were no tour vans) and explain to players about matching their irons. We could match a whole set to the club they felt most comfortable and confident with. We were custom fitting without really knowing it.

I’m also proud of what we’ve achieved at KBS over the last 10-12 years. If we aren’t the leaders in shaft technology I really don’t know who is.

What was the players’ reaction?

They were super interested. We had lines of people wanting to understand how shafts affected performance. We learned all sorts. In relation to frequency the lightest shaft in the bag (the driver) will be the stiffest. The weakest shaft should be in the lob wedge, as there’s lots of shots hit less than full out, and a fraction weaker shaft allows you to know where the head is.

Today, the correct fit for players is often a flex and a half stiffer than we recommended 15 years ago. At the start we were a couple of guys just trying to understand. It wasn’t about marketing; we had our mathematical theory and we wanted to understand if it worked in practice.

How have launch monitors affected modern shaft fittings?

They’re one of the best things to have happened to golf. Launch monitors have helped people understand ball flight, spin, height and launch. Every shaft I’ve ever designed has been designed with a type of player in mind.

Each KBS shaft fits into a matrix, we’ve worked on them one at a time, and the line-up is nearly 100% complete.

Where do you start designing new shafts? Is it an idea from you, or a request from a player?

We have ideas, but they have to work in practice. In golf “feel” is a huge thing. If the feel is wrong products go nowhere. I’ve enjoyed dialling in the KBS Tour Lite (steel) and KBS PGI (Players’ Graphite Iron shaft) to be “everyman” golf shafts over the last two years.

They work at specific swing speed ranges, and thanks to our options we can optimise launch and spin for golfers swinging 6-iron in the region of 80mph.

You’ve worked on a bunch of top performing shafts, but which are you most proud of?

The Precision Rifle put me on the map, set up my career and I learned loads from it. The first KBS Tour shaft was a really big deal, too. It’s the foundation stone of every other KBS shaft, where all our other current shafts start. I’m awfully proud of it. 

Have you hit hickory shafts? How different are they to today’s models?

The last two tournaments I’ve played have been hickory challenges. Hickory weighs a ton (they’re 180g in a 6-iron), they’re really stiff but the torque is unreal. You can literally twist the head in your hand. Wood is strong in one direction – the one it’s grown in – which is up and down the shaft.

Will graphite shafts ever be the norm through the bag?

I’ve heard so many times how graphite represents the future. In terms of iron shafts steel is still a great material. The reason graphite became popular is its strength to weight ratio. It’s possible to make a 45in driver shaft at a “normal” swingweight.

You just can’t do that with steel, but you don’t need that as much in irons. Steel isn’t going away.    

KBS make 16 different iron shafts; why so many?   

Each of our profiles do different things. You may have the tendency to hit the ball low, so we have shafts designed to spin more and have a higher trajectory, and vice-versa.

For every 2.5mph of club speed change golfers need a different shaft flex, and that’s why we make half flexes. There’s also feel to consider. In our KBS Tour franchise we go from 130g to 90g in 5g increments (nine different weights), so golfers get what they need.

Whereas in a traditional three flex line-up (R, S, X) golfers get pushed into the best option available. KBS have a reputation for making good feeling shafts because golfers get shafts with the correct load at impact, which naturally feels good. Everything really does come back to fitting.

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Kbs Tour Shaft Review

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The KBS Tour Iron Shafts – Stiff Flex – .355 Taper Tip (4I – S – 120g) by Tour Shop Fresno are an excellent choice for golfers in search of reliable and compatible iron shafts. These shafts have been designed with careful consideration of technical details and customer feedback, resulting in a product that delivers exceptional performance. With precision engineering and high-quality materials, the script of these shafts ensures a responsive and accurate feel, making every swing a masterpiece. You demand the best from your equipment, and the KBS Tour Iron Shafts deliver just that.

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Key Features

Kbs tour shaft detailed review, design and technology, where can i find the best deals or discounts on kbs tour iron shafts, can i install kbs tour iron shafts on my own, or do i need to take them to a professional for installation, are there any specific club heads that the kbs tour iron shafts are not compatible with, can i customize the kbs tour iron shafts with different grips or colors, do kbs tour iron shafts come with a warranty or guarantee, how does the tour shaft compare, project x lz, kbs c-taper, n.s. pro modus 3.

Updated February 2024 to update current pricing information.

KBS is named after its owner and founder Kim Braly. KBS has worked closely with PGA professionals to build golf shafts that offer versatility and a controlled ball flight. The KBS Tour shaft was designed for players of all abilities. The KBS Tour steel shaft is a mid-trajectory iron and wedge shaft that gives the player a signature smooth feel. The KBS Tour maximizes energy transfer to give players more lift and easier launch with their irons and wedges. Amateur players will love the responsive feel of the KBS Tour and the control of this top-of-the-line golf shaft is trusted by some of the world’s best players.

• 5% lower trajectory, less spin , and more distance gives players an easy-to-hit iron shaft that matches their swings.  
• The KBS signature feel is smooth and responsive and gives players more options even at lower swing speeds .  
• The range of weight and flex options make the KBS Tour available to golfers of almost any fee preference.

The KBS Tour golf shaft is designed with every golfer in mind. With 6 flex and weight ranges, the KBS Tour shaft can be built to any playing preference and ball flight. Used by some of the world’s best golfers, KBS shafts are known for their impressive responses and smooth feel. Players looking to get their irons fit for more distance and accuracy need to be testing the KBS Tour shaft. The first thing that stood out to me during my testing of the KBS Tour shaft was the signature feel that Mr. Braly promises. The KBS Tour shaft is one of the easiest shafts to hit and didn’t require my best swing to get a controlled and accurate ball flight. Playing my iron shafts at 125-grams, I tested the Stiff+ model of the KBS Tour shafts. I thought for the majority of golfers, the KBS Tour iron shaft is a fantastic option and would not hesitate to put it into the hands of players with a variety of swing speeds. KBS delivers a golf shaft that is easy to launch and a pleasure to swing. The KBS Tour is one of the best shafts for players that swing below tour-level swing speeds but desire the ultimate control with their irons and wedges. The KBS Tour shafts are truly versatile and great for players with smooth tempos, especially with high and mid-handicaps .

The KBS Tour Iron Shafts - Stiff Flex - .355 Taper Tip (4I - S - 120g) by Tour Shop Fresno are an excellent choice for golfers in search of reliable and compatible iron shafts. These shafts have been designed with careful consideration of technical details and customer feedback, resulting in a product that delivers exceptional performance. With precision engineering and high-quality materials, the script of these shafts ensures a responsive and accurate feel, making every swing a masterpiece. You demand the best from your equipment, and the KBS Tour Iron Shafts deliver just that.

• Smooth feel and mid-launch attributes help the KBS Tour appeal to a variety of skill levels and swing speeds.
• KBS technology delivers maximum energy transfer for more distance, less spin, and more control.
• Aggressive players looking for a more penetrating ball flight may be better suited to a higher kick-point option.
• The responsive feel may seem too active for players that prefer more rigid iron and wedge shafts.
• Many sets will not come standard with KBS Tour shafts and may require an additional charge to purchase.

The KBS Tour steel shaft comes in six unique models. Increasing in weight and flex, the KBS Tour is available in 110-gram regular, 115-gram regular+, 120-gram stiff, 125-gram stiff+, and 130-gram x-stiff. Each shaft is available in lengths cut to 1 iron through sand and lob wedge lengths and can be custom fit for golfers of any height.

The KBS Tour shaft is one of the best golf shafts for players that do not swing the golf club with an aggressive style or at tour-level speeds. Low, mid, and high handicap players that want more response and a smoother feel in their irons or wedges will love the KBS Tour shafts. By giving players more energy transfer in the shaft design, KBS has created a versatile, easy-to-hit golf shaft that can help a wide range of golfer’s games.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve found the best prices for KBS Tour iron shafts at online retailers. They often offer discount options and a wider selection compared to local stores. I recommend checking out multiple online retailers for the best deals.

I can definitely do a DIY installation of KBS Tour Iron Shafts. It’s relatively straightforward with the right tools and instructions. However, if you’re uncertain, a professional installation could ensure optimal performance. When comparing costs, check online retailers for the best deals.

I can install KBS Tour Iron Shafts on my own, but I need to ensure compatibility with specific club heads. It’s essential to check compatibility and consider professional installation for optimal performance. The shaft customization process should also consider warranty implications.

Yes, you can customize the KBS Tour iron shafts with different grips and colors to fit your preferences. However, it’s essential to consider how these changes may impact the shaft performance.

Yes, KBS Tour Iron Shafts come with a warranty. The warranty coverage ensures product guarantees. You can be confident in the durability and quality of these shafts, knowing that they are backed by a warranty.

The Project X LZ packages Project X performance and control into a smoother, easy to manage golf shaft. The Project X LZ is designed with Loading Zone Technology to give players better energy transfer and more distance. A thinner middle section allows golfers to launch the Project X LZ higher without losing control of their golf ball. Golfers of all abilities and swing speeds looking for a mid-launch iron or wedge shaft with improved feel and control should be testing the newest steel offering from Project X in the LZ model.

Project X LZ Shaft Review

The C-Taper is a perfect complement to the KBS Tour golf shaft. The C-Taper was designed from Tour player feedback to give players a more penetrating trajectory and greater shot control. Players looking to bring their ball flights down into more controlled windows can look to the C-Taper shaft to give them better distance and accuracy in a crisp feel. Aggressive players with a quick swing tempo can get better results with the C-Taper from KBS.

Kbs C Taper Shaft Review

The Modus 3 is a complete golf shaft offering from Nippon Golf. The Modus 3 line of shafts uses a tier system to give golfers more options in their custom fit. Matching a swing weight and flex profile to golfer swing styles, release patterns, and club head speeds give Nippon an unmatched array of custom fitting options. No matter what your feel, ball flight, and weight preferences are, Nippon has created a Modus 3 shaft designed to help you play better golf. The widest range of weight-to-flex ratios help make the Modus 3 a club fitter and serious golfer’s dream.

Nippon Pro Modus 3 Shaft Review

Videos: Kbs Tour Shaft Review

As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry. 

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TAPER TIP TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Parallel tip technical specifications.

TESTED! KBS PGI Shafts Review

Last month KBS added to their shaft lineup with something they called Players Graphite Iron, or PGI for short. The idea behind this is to have the feel, consistency and control of steel, with the benefits of a composite shaft.

Today we are in the THP Tech Studio for another episode of TESTED! Where you see the swings and get a full breakdown of the data on this new set of KBS graphite shafts. The video below starts off with some technology talk, then hops into the hitting bay for some swings. Finally, we will walk you through the information that the Foresight GCQuad presented and give you some final thoughts. 

For the sake of testing, we have paired the KBS PGI shafts with a Tour Edge Exotics C721 iron head and if you missed our full review of that iron set, you can find it here .

This episode is full of information and data. Can the graphite hold up and offer control in the lighter weight? Do they feel stable enough or is there some shutter? We cover all of it in this review of the Players Graphite Iron shafts from KBS.

After watching the THP TV video above, what are your initial thoughts on the PGI shafts?

For more information on this specific shaft or any of the other shafts from the KBS lineup check out their website at  www.kbsgolfshafts.com .

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Review: KBS Tour FLT Shafts

Pros:  FLT shafts use a flighted design, which helps golfers launch their long irons higher and with more spin. The FLT short-iron shafts provide a more penetrating trajectory for more control.

Cons: FLT shaft flexes correspond with weight, so golfers may not be able to match their desired shaft weight with their desired flex.

Who They’re For: Golfers who need more spin or more launch from their long irons to optimize their trajectory. Everyone from beginners to PGA Tour players can use the shafts effectively, but they’ll be most popular with golfers with moderate-to-slow swing speeds, or any golfer who generates low-spin launch conditions.

Selecting the proper iron shafts is one of the most important equipment decisions golfers make. It’s an issue of quantity. Most golfers carry about 7-8 irons in their bag, so if they choose the wrong iron shaft, they’ve made the game harder than it needs to be with half or more of their clubs.

The good news is that there’s a wider selection of quality iron shafts than there has ever been, with recent growth in models that are designed to help golfers hit their iron shots higher and farther, while still maintaining PGA Tour-quality consistency and feel.

KBS is one of the leading steel shaft manufacturers, and already offered a wide variety of models prior to its newest shaft launch. Company representatives felt KBS was lacking a product for a particular segment of golfers, however, so it developed its new FLT shafts.

FLT shafts ($31.95 each) have a flighted design, which helps certain golfers optimize the performance of each iron their bag. The long irons shafts have progressively softer tip sections, which helps golfers increase their launch angle and spin rates with those clubs. For the right golfer, the design will help them hit their iron shots farther, and stop shots on the green more quickly. In the short irons, where height and spin are easier for golfers to generate, the FLT shafts are stiffer, which creates the flatter trajectory most golfers prefer with their scoring clubs. The crossover point between the higher-launching long irons and lower-launching short irons is the 7 iron.

Like all KBS shafts, FLT models have a constant weight, which means that long iron shafts and short iron shafts will be roughly the same weight through the set. Shaft weight is dependent on flex, however, as softer-flex models are lighter than stiffer-flex models. So if you’re looking for a really heavy, regular-flex shaft or a really light, extra-stiff-flex shaft, these aren’t for you.

Keep in mind that KBS shafts do not have reinforced tip sections like many other iron shafts, which gives them a slightly higher balance point and can decrease swing weight by 1-2 points. I personally like the feel of KBS shafts and their slightly higher balance point, but some golfers won’t.

For this review, I tested the new FLT shafts head to head against KBS Tour shafts of the same flex and weight (130X) in 4 irons, 6 irons and pitching wedges. Each of the shafts were installed in Callaway’s Apex Pro ’16 irons , and were built to my specifications (standard grips, standard length, 1-degree strong lofts, 1-degree flat lie angles).

I performed my testing at the Launch Pad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where I hit the 4 irons, 6 irons and pitching wedges on Trackman IV with premium golf balls. I hit 3-6 solid shots with each iron, and then removed the outliers from the final data in an attempt to compare only the most similar strikes. Results were normalized.

As you can see from the data, there was a significant difference in the flight of the 4 irons with the two different shafts, but less of a difference with the 6 irons and pitching wedges.

As expected, the FLT shafts caused 4 iron shots to launch higher (0.8 degrees) and with more spin (729 rpm) than the KBS Tour shafts. I’m not a low-spin player, which is one of the target audiences for this shaft, so the added launch and spin of the FLT shafts caused my 4 iron shots to fly shorter. Golfers who launch their irons too low or with too little spin, however, will likely see a distance increase when using the FLT shafts.

As I moved closer to the short end of the set, the two shafts started to perform more similarly. Theoretically, the 6 iron shots with the FLT shafts should have launched slightly higher and spun more than 6 iron shots with the KBS Tour shafts, but I actually saw a slightly lower launch angle (0.5 degrees) with the FLT. The spin was higher, though, by 211 rpm. With the pitching wedges, the results were again quite similar. The FLT launched 0.9 degrees higher, but actually spun 271 rpm less than the KBS Tour shafts.

Stepping back from the numbers, I was impressed with how similar the feel was between the KBS Tour and FLT shafts. Yes, I could feel that the FLT shafts were more active in the tip with the 4 irons, but they felt nearly the same in the 6 irons. By the time I got to the pitching wedges, the two shafts were indistinguishable. The KBS Tour is considered one of the better-feeling iron shafts currently available, so KBS’ ability to replicate that feel in the FLT will be a plus for the majority of interested golfers.

Looking more broadly, trends in shaft design tends to go hand-in-hand with trends in club head design, and the FLT shafts are no exception. Equipment manufacturers continue to strengthen the lofts of their distance irons; they have to in order balance the launch equation, as their faster ball speeds create a higher launch angle and more spin.

While the improvements to iron design have allowed golfers to hit their mid and short irons farther, many golfers continue to struggle to hit their long irons high enough or consistently enough for them to be effective. And based on my testing results, it’s clear that the FLT shafts can make long irons more playable for certain golfers, and maybe even keep long irons in a golfer’s bag that might otherwise be kicked out for higher-flying hybrids or fairway woods.

As always, I recommend that golfers get properly fit for iron shafts, which means visiting a reputable club fitter in your area. So if you’re in the market for new irons or iron shafts, you can get started by going through KBS’ Online Fit System , which upon completion lists KBS-certified dealers in your area.

Review: Single-length Sterling Irons

Review: TaylorMade M2 Fairway Woods

300 Yard Pro

Jun 27, 2016 at 4:36 pm

KBS are yesterdays news.

Canadian Smizzle

Jun 26, 2016 at 10:11 am

I use a set of flighted shafts (project x). And i love them. Definetely helps my 4i get up more. I always hit a low ball so i like the extra launch and spin.

Jun 26, 2016 at 7:52 am

So basically the same what a joke.

Scotty Johnson

Jun 26, 2016 at 9:02 am

How is it a joke? Seems logical….updated version of the old rifle flighted…..instead of decending weight it’s constant weight. With KBS signature feel a stability and step pattern…And I’m sure the bent tip jokes will be coming at some point. But I’ve enjoyed the set I have especially with my PXG irons.

Jun 27, 2016 at 7:12 am

Look at the real life numbers for the 6 iron and pw.6 iron was meant to go higher and pw lower but both didnt. Thats why its a joke.

Jun 27, 2016 at 11:31 am

From the description it’s designed for people who have issues launching the ball with longer irons and lower with the shorter irons. Obviously the writer isn’t the target audience and stated that. So your ignorance is the joke and why it’s important to get fit. Instead of being a know it all like yourself.

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Accessory Reviews

Insider photos from tiger woods’ launch event for his new “sun day red” apparel line.

On Monday evening, inside the swanky, second-story “Coach House” event center in the Palisades Village, just minutes down the road from the 2024 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, Tiger Woods and TaylorMade officially announced their new apparel/footwear/accessory line, called “Sun Day Red.”

The Sun Day Red website officially launched on Monday night during the event, and the products are set to go on sale starting May 1.

The “Sun Day Red,” or “SDR” name will be self-explanatory for most golf fans, since he’s been wearing a victory-red shirt on Sunday’s for his entire professional career, but Woods explained the meaning of Sun Day Red at the launch event:

“It started with mom. Mom thought – being a Capricorn – that my power color was red, so I wore red as a junior golfer and I won some tournaments. Lo and behold, I go to a university that is red; Stanford is red. We wore red on the final day of every single tournament, and then every single tournament I’ve played as a professional I’ve worn red. It’s just become synonymous with me.”

The Sunday Red outfit has worked to perfection for his 82 PGA Tour victories, including 15 majors, so why not make an entire apparel line based on the career-long superstition?

As I learned at Monday’s launch event, the new Sun Day Red line includes much more than just clothing. To go along with a slew of different golf shirt designs and colorways, there were also windbreakers, hoodies, shoes, hats, headcovers, ball markers and gloves on display.

The upscale event was hosted by sports media personality Erin Andrews, with special guests David Abeles (CEO of TaylorMade) and Tiger Woods himself.

As explained by Abeles, the Sun Day Red brand is an independently-run business under the TaylorMade umbrella, and is based in San Clemente, California (rather than Carlsbad, where TaylorMade headquarters is located), and it’s run by a newly-formed, independent group. Brad Blackinship, formerly of Quiksilver and RVCA, is the appointed president of the new brand.

As for the logo itself, obviously, it’s made to look like a Tiger (the animal), and is comprised of 15 tiger stripes, which correspond with Woods’ 15 major championships. While the logo may need a 16th stripe if Woods adds a major trophy to his collection, it makes perfect sense for the time being.

The golf/lifestyle line is meant to combine premium precision and athletic comfort, while still having plenty of wearability and style off the course. Like Woods said on stage at the event, he wants to be able to go right from the course to dinner wearing Sun Day Red, and that was exactly the aesthetic on display at the event on Monday.

Following the official announcement from Woods and Abeles, they revealed multiple pieces of clothing, accessories and footwear for the event-goers to ogle (and photograph). Check out a selection of product/event photos below, or head over to our @GolfWRX Instagram page for video coverage…OR, head into our GolfWRX Forums for even more photos and member discussion.

Enjoy this exclusive look at Tiger Woods’ new Sun Day Red apparel lineup below.

See more photos from the Sun Day Red launch event here

Titleist launches new Vokey WedgeWorks 60 “A” grind wedge

The menu of grind options just got more expansive for Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks consumers, with the addition of a “60A” wedge to the lineup.

Previously, Vokey offered seven main grind options for players with various needs :

• T Grind: The narrowest sole option, which is widely used by PGA Tour players, and has low bounce
• L Grind: The lowest bounce option, with heel, toe and trailing edge relief for maximum versatility
• F Grind: An all-purpose grind that’s best for full wedge shots played with a square face
• S Grind: A neutral grind, best for full shots played with a square face
• M Grind: A versatile grind that’s for players who want to open and close the face for various shots
• D Grind: A higher-bounce wedge that’s for players with a steep swing angle, but want to play shots from various club orientations
• K Grind: The highest-bounce wedge option, with heel, toe and trailing edge relief for versatility

Titleist has now added the “A” grind, which has actually already been played on the PGA Tour by golfers such as Tom Kim, who used an A-grind to win three times on the PGA Tour, Wyndham Clark, who won the U.S. Open using an A-grind, and Max Homa, who used an A-grind at the 2023 Open Championship.

According to Titleist, the Vokey WedgeWorks 60A wedge is a low-bounce option that’s for golfers with a shallow angle of attack, and who play in firmer conditions. It has a “smoothed-out” sole for a faster feel through the turf, helping some golfers slide under the ball easier at impact.

“The most important club for me, probably in my bag, is this A grind,” Clark said, according to a Titleist press release. “I use the SM9 60-degree A grind, which is a low bounce 60 that is very versatile. I’m able to – on tight lies, rough, wet lies, firm lies, whatever it is – hit the shot I want, and with the amount of spin I want, trajectory and everything.”  

Apparently, Geoff Ogilvy played a large part in the A-grind coming to life.

“I spoke with Geoff (Ogilvy), and we got on the topic of Australian golf courses and how they compared to courses in America, and around the world,” said Vokey Tour Rep Aaron Dill, in a press release. “I asked him some specific questions, which resulted in an idea to design another lob wedge grind option that complemented the firm links-style conditions that players face – not just in Australia and Europe – but globally. Geoff has always been a low bounce player in his 60-degree, so I took his 60.04L wedge and removed the ribbon, resulting in a grind that moves through the turf quickly with very little resistance.” 

The new Vokey A-grind will be available on Nov. 7, selling for $225 each. Custom options include up to six toe engravings, 10-15 character stamping options, the Flight Line alignment feature option, and custom shafts/grips/ferrules are available.

Click here to read more about why the bounce/grind of your wedge actually matters

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GolfWRXers put the Full Swing KIT’s accuracy to the test

Last month, four GolfWRX forum members traveled to The Grand Golf Club at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, California, to test the Full Swing KIT launch monitor and to see how it stacks up against other launch monitors. If you’re not familiar with the Full Swing KIT , development began when Tiger Woods requested a launch monitor he could trust on the range as much as he trusted his Full Swing simulator in his own home. Later, the KIT earned Tiger’s seal of approval and has been seen with him at every tournament he’s played in since its release.

GolfWRX members on the KIT’s accuracy

zap311: “The Full Swing team seems obsessed with accuracy when it comes to the KIT – The team talked about how this product officially shipped about 18 months ago and they are already on firmware release #20. They said they are regularly releasing updates (overnight via WiFi) to continuously improve accuracy and performance. That is pretty awesome and it’s nice to hear that they are not a company that “ships it” and moves to the next thing. I think they are on the right track since I saw virtually no differences in the data when testing vs. GCQuad and Trackman today.”

double or triple?: “In some cases the difference was less than half a degree on launch and less than 50 rpms on spin.”

hatrick11: “The differences were statistically nonexistent. I think it’s hard to believe for a lot of people when you think about the huge price disparity, but I can’t state enough how close the Full Swing was to trackman every single time, for each of us.”

“Outside, the data is just really really accurate. I know my numbers and know this particular range very well and the KIT was spot on all day. I also had some very variable quality golf balls in the bucket I hit and there was really only one spin rate in the whole session that had me raising my eyebrows at all.”

SwingBlues: “The GolfWRX Full Swing/WRX Experience showed Full Swing KIT produce numbers the same as the GC Quad (GC4) and the Trackman4. Dollar wise, both LMs are easily north of KIT, so this is HUGE to stand up there with the bigger boys on the Podium. For me, it seems more “apples to apples” to compare KIT to GC3. My own testing validates what we saw at the Experience. It shows critical data points like spin, carry, ball speeds are dead on or almost dead on for 40 yards and up on both GC3 and KIT.”

More on the Full Swing KIT

zap311: “The versatility of viewing data is impressive – Depending on usage, everyone has different preferences for viewing data. You have on-device, phone, tablet, monitor, smartwatch, or audio/headphones. I’m pleased to say that Full Swing covers all of these. You can use the app on iOS devices (they said Android is planned for the future). This includes viewing your last shot on the Apple Watch with a few options and turning on audio playback of your preferred metrics following each shot. I’ll post screenshots of this later. You can also choose between 4 data points or 1 data point on the device itself. It was easy to use the app to customize the top 4. For example, I was able to quickly change from launch angle on irons to swing path on driver.

“The KIT was very easy to use – Once you spend a few minutes learning the app and settings, it is very simple to select a club, line up the target line, and fire away. You don’t have to use a level or a laser to line up. KIT uses the built-in camera to tell you where to line up within the app or on-device screen. I was also able to boot up the KIT in less than a minute and drop it down on the tee box for our on-course trial today. Because of this simplicity, I can see it being more practical to bring to the course…

“The Full Swing team really thought through usability for the KIT. You can see up to four data points on the device’s OLED screen. You can see all 16 data points on your iPhone/iPad along with a video replay of the shot, you can view one primary metric from your Apple Watch, and you can enable audio playback for any of the 16 data points. For me, this was a dream as a full iOS user. One other feature I like is that you can star a particular shot to save it. You can also send shot data + the video recording to your coach if you want.”

double or triple?: “I was able to meet the teaching pro at the range I’m using for testing – PGA teacher/member Ryan Kolk. He and his team have 4 units amongst themselves and use them both personally and with their students during lessons. Ryan spent time dialing in his knowledge of the range balls vs proV1x (gamer) to better understand the FSK and he believes the consistency is there with the FSK and within trackman and GC/Foresight models. His preference is to use FSK while testing shafts and new product before using them in his personal playing bag which as a GolfWRX member is 100% appreciated. For his better students, he believes the information like Face to Path and Club Path that FullSwing Kit offers is great to help them understand what their swing is doing and use that information to better themselves.”

hatrick11: “It’s nice to know I can get super useful practice sessions in at my house, and can do in in ~20 min stints; with two little kids at home I can’t just go out for frequent or lengthy range sessions, so this is super valuable and I think will help me keep my game from degrading and allow me to spend my limited free time enjoying the occasional round with friends. In particular with the KIT, as opposed to the cheaper monitors or the other “mid tiers” like GC3, seeing path and face-to-path data is the key item that makes my practice sessions useful…when I am grooving it my path is almost always between 0-2* out to in, with face control being the main thing I need to work on. When my game goes sideways I start coming more in to out, and combined with face consistency being an ongoing issue, that brings the bad left miss into play. Previously I have struggled getting real use out of net practice, because the feels don’t always match reality. This data and video evidence really helps keep me honest, so it was great to see that I was eventually able to get that piece dialed in with KIT.”

SwingBlues: “One feature I am really starting to like is how easy to see the video of each shot. My buddy was not hitting it well, we went to the video and we could see the takeway was too far to the outside.”

“Using the app, it will display all 16 data points. Below is an example of one of my iron shots. Pretty impressive data captured by KIT. On KIT itself, the launch monitor display can be configured to show a single data point, or it can show a grid of 4 data points where the golfer choose which ones to display!”

Head over to the thread for more comments, reviews, and future updates as our members continue to test the Full Swing KIT. Don’t forget to become a member today for future opportunities like this, plus product member testing and giveaways!

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KBS Tour Lite Shaft Review – Specs, Flex, Weight

According to KBS, the KBS Tour Lite shaft is the lightest steel shaft in their lineup.

If you have ever tried the KBS Tour shaft but it didn’t fit your swing speed, the KBS Tour Lite is a shaft that should be on your radar.

KBS claims that the KBS Tour Lite is as much as 20% lighter than the wildly popular KBS Tour steel shaft.

But that’s not the whole story with this shaft – we should know, we actually tested it.

Just because a shaft is lightweight doesn’t mean you should automatically order it if you have a slower swing speed or a higher handicap.

There are a lot more considerations to make – especially with this particular shaft.

So if you are in the market for a new shaft for your irons, pay close attention to the following review as we will be telling you everything you need to know about the KBS Tour Lite.

KBS Tour Lite Overview

To quote the company further, KBS makes the claim that the KBS Tour Lite plays 9% longer than competing shafts in this category.

We’re not sure how they got that figure but when we tested the KBS Tour Lite, we pretty much had to concur with it.

Most of our testers found that the KBS Tour Lite played about a club longer for them – at least in terms of carry distance.

What that means is that the KBS Tour Lite will likely give you the distance of a 5-iron even if you’re using a 6-iron.

Another thing we really liked about the performance of the KBS Tour Lite shaft is that it enhances (or in some cases simply maintains) good spin rates.

Our testers were also noticing better roll distance from their long irons with the KBS Tour Lite shaft as a result of this robust spin.

And while the shaft does indeed feel pretty light in the hands, it’s not so light that you can’t load up on it.

One downfall of this shaft though is that it sometimes makes it seem that you hit a ball better than you actually did.

This is a testament to how smooth and pleasant this shaft feels overall. When you mis-hit, you aren’t punished by jarring vibration.

It gives you a good amount of damping capability; but again, this can sometimes work against you.

Why is the KBS Tour Lite So Popular?

One of the reasons the KBS Tour Lite shafts are so popular is that they are accessible to more players.

The KBS Tour Lite shafts come in regular, stiff and extra stiff flexes.

Compare that to other steel shafts in this category like the True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 shaft which is only available in stiff flex and you see that the KBS Tour Lite was designed with a broader range of players in mind.

And of course, the KBS Tour Lite shaft is, well, light.

It has appealed to a number of slower swing speed players because they don’t need the extra stiffness to combat twisting due to a high velocity club head speed.

How Does the KBS Tour Lite Perform?

On the course, the KBS Tour Lite offered all-around performance.

We were especially smitten with the consistency and tight shot dispersion. And as we mentioned, the KBS Tour Lite will likely result in a whole club of distance gain.

Our testers noted steep angles of descent around the green which made it easier to stick fast greens.

Carry distance was great and roll distance was also pretty good thanks to the consistently above average spin rates.

The KBS Tour Lite shafts have a gradual kick point that rests just under the grip. This is part of what makes these shafts launch so naturally.

Overall, the performance of these shafts were marked by effortless launch, excellent distance, surprising spin rates and consistency.

KBS Tour Lite Shaft Specs Table

What flexes are available what swing speeds do they suit.

The KBS Tour Lite comes in regular, stiff and extra stiff flex.

The Regular flex will be better for people with swing speeds under 80 MPH.

The stiff flex would suit players with swing speeds in the 90 MPH range and the extra stiff flex is for 100+ MPH swingers.

What Weights Are Available? What Swing Speeds Do They Suit?

The KBS Tour Lite shafts are available in 95, 100 and 105 gram versions.

You will want a lighter shaft if you have a slow to moderate swing speed and a deliberate swing tempo.

If you load up heavy on the shaft, you would do well with the 100 gram version of the KBS Tour Lite shaft.

Why is it So Good?

In our opinion, the KBS Tour Lite is a good shaft because of the incredible strength to weight ratio.

They feel light in the hands and on the backswing; but they also have a fairly strong feel at impact.

KBS Tour Lite First Impressions

The first thing we noticed about these shafts was that they were incredibly light for steel shafts.

Key Features & Performance

The weight is the key feature here. It allows for improved club head speed without losing any accuracy.

KBS Tour Lite Wedges Review

We weren’t huge fans of the KBS Tour Lite on wedges because they covered up a lot of our mis-hits.

KBS Tour Lite Irons Review

The KBS Tour Lite is perfect for irons. It will tighten up your shot dispersion and help increase club head speed.

KBS Tour Lite Driver Review

There isn’t enough substance for the KBS Tour Lite shafts to be viable for drivers.

KBS Tour Lite Pros & Cons

• Lightweight
• Smooth feel
• Good vibration dampening
• Good for a variety of players
• The smooth feel sometimes covers up his-hits

Overall Score:  95/100

Check out more reviews here:.

Who Should Buy it?

The KBS Tour Lite would be a great shaft if you make fairly consistent contact but need a shaft that will add distance to your shots.

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KBS Tour FLT Iron Shaft Review

More in shafts:.

50 Words or Less

The KBS Tour FLT iron shaft is a close relative of the KBS Tour steel shaft, but with higher launching long irons and lower launching short irons.

Introduction

KBS has a strong reputation for irons with good feel and control, but almost all of their shaft lines have had very specific performance characteristics.  While it’s very difficult to make equipment that has a widespread appeal and benefit in the golf market, KBS attempted to make an iron shaft that would work for a broad range of golfers ranging from the amateur player to Tour pro.  That shaft is the KBS Tour FLT which is designed to make 6 irons and up higher launching and softer landing while the 8 iron and down will have a lower, more penetrating flight.

Interestingly, the feel of the KBS Tour FLT is very similar to the  KBS Tour shaft .  To be honest, if it wasn’t for the differing performance, I’m not sure I would be able to tell the difference.  I thought the standard Tour shaft was fairly smooth, and you could feel distinct action toward the middle of the shaft throughout the set.  With the FLT I found that it seemed the action (kick point) shifted lower and higher to accommodate the intended performance design of the shaft set.

Performance

To test the KBS Tour FLT shafts, I got on the launch monitor with the Tour FLT, the KBS Tour, and a third set of shafts (my control set in the experiment, my gamers).  Sure enough, I was hitting the Tour FLT long irons with an apex about seven feet higher than the other shafts , and I found the results to be consistent.  As a result of the added height, I got a little more carry and a little more distance.  With the shorter irons, I didn’t have the same gap, but there was a clear difference.

With the Tour FLT, I saw an apex about three feet lower than my other shafts, but that small of a difference doesn’t have me totally sold on whether it was me or the shafts.  That said, the principle of changing flight characteristics throughout the set is definitely there and the Tour FLT shafts performed as advertised for me.

Whether or not the KBS Tour FLT is good for you can only be discovered through work with a qualified fitter.  What I will say is that if you love the feel of the KBS Tour shaft, but you’re looking for a different ball flight, the KBS Tour FLT is definitely worth a try.

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The shaft band on my steel shaft irons says KBS Tour FLT but does not say what the weight is or what flex it is.

If you’re asking how to tell what flex or weight the shaft is, there may be something printed on the shaft under the grip. You’d obviously have to remove a grip or two to see that.

Hi ( i am french also i am sorry for my english ^^) i made a fitting for taylormade p770 and the man told me that kbs tour flt 120 will be good for me. But my current shaft is DG S300 (130g) so i would like to know if the flt 120 is not to light for me. I am playing on a golf course where there is always 30knots of wind. I am 4 handicaper. I hope that i have success to be understood. Thank you for your answer.

Your fitter is providing you better in-person information than I can from my seat. If that’s what you were fit for and you were hitting well, it seems reasonable to go with their direction.

I had a set of irons with kbs 90 shafts. They fit me perfectly. What does the 90 stand for. Also I’m considering kbs tour flighted regular. Is this shaft similar to the kbs 90 regular? Help ! Thanks Harry

The 90 refers to the weight. The KBS Tour Flighted will be much heavier.

How does the scale work im.about to buy tour fly x 130 shafts . Are they stiff and made of steel ? How does the scale work ?

What scale are you referring to?

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KBS TGI Tour Graphite Iron Shaft Review

Kbs tgi tour graphite iron shaft.

The KBS Tour steel shaft – one of the highest regarded steel shafts in golf history.  Smooth feel and strong performance raised the bar in steel shafts for good.  Well, KBS is at it again.  They’ve brought that classic smooth Tour feel, performance, and playability to a new graphite shaft – the TGI Tour Graphite Iron shaft .  Though this isn’t the first graphite shaft ever produced by KBS, it’s the first in terms of irons.  KBS offers the TGI Tour Graphite in eight different weights for players ranging from Juniors, to Women, to Tour Professionals.

A deep flat black finish and bold red shaft label give the KBS TGI Tour Graphite Iron shaft a slick look.  The black look is subtle, but it’s super sleek and the red KBS label really pops.   Regardless of how you hit the ball, your irons are going to look pretty sweet with TGI shafts in them.

How Does it Feel?

I would argue the hallmark of the KBS Tour steel shaft is often its smooth feel.  Man, if you think that shaft feels smooth, wait until you try the KBS TGI Tour Graphite Iron.  I’ve hit graphite iron shafts before, but these are easily some of the smoothest I’ve ever felt.  There is a gradual kick point with very little vibration in the shaft regardless of how you hit the ball .  It’s almost startling how little a thin shot stings your hands.  You feel you hit the ball low on the face and brace for the sting…and nothing.  It just feels a little harder than normal, if that makes sense.

The TGI is definitely a lighter shaft and that is something to consider.  If you’re a faster swing speed with an aggressive transition, you will need to adjust a good amount.  That may be an added benefit, however, to get you striking the ball more pure and smooth out your tempo.  Should you have a smoother tempo, regardless of swing speed, your adjustment will be minimal.  Your tempo is the key to success with the KBS TGI shaft.

On-Course Performance

This is a fairly obvious and intuitive statement, but your performance experience with the KBS TGI Tour Graphite Iron will vary depending on your game.  Profound statement, right?  In my case, the biggest gain was in consistency .  In the interest of transparency, I lost a bit of distance with my irons due to slowing my normal swing down for a smoother tempo.  (Let’s face it, that’s largely a result of my skill set.)  What I lost in distance, I made up for in control and accuracy.  I felt the key to success was to always make a smooth and consistent swing, and try to avoid jumping on it.  When I would try and really jump on a shot, it almost always resulted in a poor shot.  This was easy to address by simply not having too much pride to club up if necessary.

Shot shaping was easy, and trajectory control was great.  The balance of the TGI shaft is virtually perfect so it’s easy to control the shaft throughout the swing.  As a result, hitting a wide variety of shots as needed comes with ease.

Final Thoughts

As KBS states, the TGI Tour Graphite Iron is designed for the player looking for “maximum steel like play-ability, shot control and performance in a graphite shaft.”  My testing of the TGI indicates that KBS was dead on with its design.  Yes, the TGI doesn’t feel exactly like the steel counterpart, but the smooth profile and playability is very similar.  Let’s face it, if you wanted the graphite shaft to be exactly the same, you would be happy sticking with the steel shaft!  In my opinion, the KBS TGI is great for players that are good ball strikers, but need a lighter-weight shaft due to more moderate swing speeds but demand versatile performance .

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21 Comments

This article was very helpful. Am excited about my new Mizuno MP18 irons with the KBS TGI 60 shafts.

I am currently playing kind tour 110 c tapered in my Taylormade tp mb. I am 67 years old. What advantages will I have with kbs this 90 with p790 irons. Thank You. Eddie

Eddie, I feel like you’re comparing apples to oranges and not providing enough data for me to really answer that. You’re comparing a stout shaft with an extremely unforgiving blade with a lightweight smooth shaft and an extremely forgiving larger club head. Do you know how your own swing will respond to those different variables?

So, The TGI 80 would be considered a Stiff Shaft?

That’s what it looks like from some Googling.

Im currently playing the Aldila Rip 115 X on my callaway x forged and have been thinking of getting the new titleist CBs with the TGI 110 since the rips got discontinued. My driver swing speed is around 113 mph. You think the tgi 110 will perform similarly to the aldila rip 115??

That’s an apples to oranges comparison, I couldn’t tell you. It all depends on how you physically respond to the shaft with your swing and the equipment. You’re talking about switching up all of the elements in the club, so it’s hard to really make a blind assessment.

Additionally, a driver swing speed in relation to your iron shaft isn’t enough data – it would be a shot in the dark. For instance, Brandt Snedeker plays a 95 gram graphite iron shaft, but I bet you his driver swing speed is somewhere around yours or even a little higher.

I am looking at a golf set and I am trying find a shaft for a very slow swing speed does the kbs tgi 70 sr work for seniors

I wouldn’t say any shaft is a case of “work for seniors by default” but the right weight and flex will work with a slower swing speed. It will depend on a lot of factors based on how you swing the club.

I currently have the Aerotech steel fiber fci85 in my irons. Looking at a new set of irons how would these compare?

I haven’t hit any of the Aerotech shafts in a long time so I’m not sure I could really compare for you. Sorry.

I’m looking to switch to graphite for arthritis issues and reduce overall fatigue on my hands and elbows……but don’t want to change much regarding KBS feel if that makes sense. I currently play KBS Tour 90 steel. The closest weight in the TGI would be the TGI 100. Is this the way I should be looking at the shaft switch? In other words will the 100g for basically 100g switch from steel to graphite basically respond the same? From what I’ve read they “should” be very similar but nobody addresses this outright and with a commentary on weight (not really looking to go lighter but want similar performance)

The KBS TGI 90 isn’t the 90 gram option like the KBS Tour 90 is the 90 gram option in steel?

Hi Bill, this is the very shaft I have been considering. I have developed golfers elbow and am somewhat of a range rat. I have played the Modus 120 Stiff for some time and really like the feel and weight. The graphite shafts I have swung have all been light 95g and under and don’t care for the feel. Are you able to compare and contrast the TGI 110 to the Modus 120? Thanks!

Apples to oranges. You won’t mistake the KBS for the steel Nippon I my opinion.

Looking to buy a new set of Taylormade irons, probably the P770. Have been to several pros for advice and they recommend an A flex set and I”m looking at the KBS TGI graphite , probably a 70G with a low kick point. Driver swing speed is between 79 to 83 mph without trying to kill the ball. I”m 72, fair shape but with minor shoulder and arm pains for my profession as a plumbing contractor. Any advice ????

I’m not fully clear on what exactly your asking. Can you clarify the question?

I am planning on replacing my graphfite shafts in a Miura set of irons. My swing speed in 6i or 7i is around 80. I am considering the Mamiya Recoil 460 ESX F3 versus the KBS TGI tour 80 gram shafts. My principal goal is to lower the dispersion of my shots. My current shaft is a Matrix Radix S iv . Please comment Thank you Brian

Unfortunately I won’t be of much help. It really comes down to how your specific swing responds to the equipment and much more needs to be considered than swing speed. You won’t be able to determine which shaft gives you a tighter dispersion on paper.

hi, I am looking toward d9 forged…stock shafts are kbs lite or recoil dart…I am 50, 90mph driver speed. I thought also considering TGI 70, any help ? thanks a lot

Unfortunately I can’t really guide you there. Age and driver swing speed aren’t enough to go off of. You’re most likely to swing your irons a good bit different than your driver and most of it is going to come down to personal swing characteristics. Realistically, you need to get a fitting, or at the very least, test different combinations and see which feels best for you and produces the best results. Without doing those things, anything I’d suggest would just be a blind guess.

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