What is it? It's the golfer's insatiable lust for speed. More speed, more distance. More distance, more fun. And let's be honest, no one's snatching their tee from the ground or admiring drives that scoot 220 yards down the fairway. But pound one out there 280 yards? Even in the rough? Velvet ropes open and champagne flows from the heavens.
And the folks at Fujikura understand our obsession with speed. You might even say they have an obsession with our obsession. So it's not surprising Fujikura designed their new XLR8 line-up of shafts for 2016 with a focus on increased club-head speed above all else.
The new Speeder Pro XLR8, Pro XLRD, and SIX XLR8 shafts take last years models and basically inject them with nitrous oxide. The only thing missing is an accelerator under your right foot and a light in front of you to turn green. And maybe the best thing about the XLR8 line-up? They're truly shafts that a large majority of players will benefit from.
The Art of XLR8
Fujikura has seriously taken engineering high-performance golf shafts to what I believe is an art form. Shafts that a majority of players will benefit from? That's a pretty bold statement. But let me explain why it's true.
The XLR8 shafts feature stiffer handle and tip sections. And the net effect is a more reactive middle, which has even been thinned out for more load in the shaft and increased energy transfer. Sounds good for most players right?
Well the stronger players, or players with quick transitions might be thinking, "Wait a minute. More reactive middle sounds like softer middle. It won't feel stable." Not to worry. Fujikura uses Cage Technology and Multiaxial Reinforcement to strengthen the outer wall of the middle section so you have still have the stability of a stiffer middle section without compromising the faster kick.
More speed and more stability for everyone? Yup. It just happened.
What's new in the Fujikura Speeder Pro XLR8?
- High Density Composite Core (HDDC) to shift weight towards the butt section of the shaft and create a counter balanced feel with higher balance point.
- Taper Design for increased loading, energy transfer, and better feel.
- Multiaxial Reinforced Mid-Section to prevent ovalization during the swing and promote a highly-efficient energy transfer.
What's new in the Fujikura Pro XLR8?
- Cage Technology surrounds graphite shaft fibers in the outer walls with a rigid cage structure to create thinner, lighter walls that have the same feel and control of a heavier shaft.
- Maximum Carbon Fiber Content to provide greater stiffness and strength compared to a conventional materials at similar weights, and allow for increased stability, distance, and feel.
- Phantium Finish reduces standard cosmetic weight by as much as 70% to further promote ideal weight distribution.
What's new in the Fujikura SIX XLR8?
- High Energy Tip (HIT) stores more energy during the downswing to release immediately before impact for optimal spin, regardless of shots hit with higher or lower trajectories.
- Cage Technology surrounds graphite shaft fibers in the outer walls with a rigid cage structure to create thinner, lighter walls that have the same feel and control of a heavier shaft.
- Maximum Carbon Fiber Content to provide greater stiffness and strength compared to a conventional materials at similar weights, and allow for increased stability, distance, and feel.
Fujikura will officially reveal their entire 2016 line-up at the PGA Merchandise Show in January. And I'll have even more for you on all their shafts when the PGA Show wraps up, as well a few reviews to let you know how they play.
You can find out about Fujikura's entire 2016 line-up of shafts by checking out Fujikura Golf, and following them on twitter @FujikuraOnTour.
And as always, if you have any questions, shoot me an email here, or DM on twitter @PGAPappas
Really like the idea Fuji is doing. At 58, getting closer to 59, but still swinging well with the S300, the new TM' irons have KBS Tour, I have been toying with moving to a stiff graphite-or graphite composite. I have been looking at Fuji's MCI shafts. when you see tham up close at the show, let me know your impression?
ReplyDeleteIt's almost become a sure bet Fujikura will engineer a shaft that breaks new grounds nearly every year Donny. And I'll definitely let you know about all their shafts during my PGA Merchandise Show coverage, as well as in a few reviews when the Show is over.
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