- The Fujikura MC Putter is the second generation of the company’s putter shaft line.
- It’s available in three distinct flex profiles to fit a variety of putting strokes.
- Retail price is $250.
The graphite/composite/multi-material—whatever you want to call it—putter shaft is far from ubiquitous but things are changing. Callaway nearly made it mainstream with Stroke Lab. Bryson has 14 graphite shafts in the bag, including an LA Golf Partners putter shaft. Yours Truly is playing the BGT Tour in my putter. Mitsubishi has a couple of options, too, and the more recent addition to the growing cadre of alternatives to steel for your putter is the second generation of MC Putter shaft from Fujikura.
While it may not come with a side of fries or a plastic toy, the MC Putter is yet another option that suggests that maybe, just maybe, the future of shafts is graphite.
Why Graphite?
Before we dig into specifics, we should probably rewind a bit to talk about why you might want a graphite putter shaft.
They’re fancy. End of story.
I kid …
As you’d expect, every brand that makes a graphite putter shaft offers its own set of performance justifications. While there’s a good bit of variety across the board, a common thread is the notion that graphite putter shafts offer lower torque.
The idea is that even though the collision between putter and ball happens at considerably lower speed than it does with the driver, when off-center impact occurs, graphite putter shafts are more resistant to twisting. That keeps the putter face from deflecting, resulting in more consistent speed and starting line, tighter dispersion and possibly a higher make percentage.
Fujikura MC Putter
For Fujikura’s part in all of this, with the MC Putter the company hopes to bring more of a fitting element into the discussion. The lineup consists of three models. All are 115 grams but, like other Fujikura shaft offerings, there’s a bit of variety in the bend profiles.
Fujikura’s early data suggests that, depending on the golfer, one model will almost certainly work better than the other two. The research into understanding exactly why is ongoing.
MC Putter—Smooth
Of the three MC Putter models, the Smooth has the softest profile. The preliminary evidence suggests the Smooth works best for golfers with longer putting strokes. Fujikura says the Smooth can help improve rhythm and enhance the feel of the head during the stroke.
The key point is that the Smooth’s soft flex doesn’t bring higher torque. While the Smooth is only 307 CPM (steel runs 425-450), it has just 1.3 degrees of torque, the lowest of the MC Putter series.
For context, steel putter shafts have higher torque (2-2.5°). The LAGP offering is around two degrees, while the Stability Shaft runs a bit lower at around one degree.
MC Putter—X-Firm
On the opposite end of the MC Putter lineup is the X-Firm. At 607 CPM, it’s likely the stiffest putter shaft on the market and, anecdotally, it’s about as easy to bend as a piece of rebar.
Fujikura says the X-Firm (1.6 degrees of torque) typically works better for golfers with a short “pop” stroke or those who like the feel of a stiffer shaft.
MC Putter—Firm
The MC Putter Firm splits the difference at 454 CPM. The Firm typically works well for golfers with an intermediate stroke. It’s not as smooth as the Smooth but it should feel smoother than steel.
MC Putter Construction
The tip section of the Fujikura MC Putter shaft
To achieve the unique performance of the MC Putter line, Fujikura took a unique approach to construction.
An eight-inch section of steel is interlayed with the carbon fiber in the tip to create low torque without having to layer an excessive amount of material. The steel is balanced by copper in the butt section which creates a more centralized balance point. Finally, a rubber core is co-cured with the carbon fiber over the length of the shaft to enhance feel.
When everything comes together, you end up with swing weights that are just a bit heavier than steel and a bit lower than the Stability Shaft.
The butt section of the Fujikura MC Putter Shaft
The Soft Sell
I cant’ tell you that you NEED an MC Putter shaft. We’re only just starting to test them ourselves but it is an intriguing option, even if you’ve never considered the need for an alternative to steel in your putter.
Unfortunately, compatibility is currently limited to plumber’s neck designs (.335 or .370). Fujikura is working on an adapter to allow the MC Putter to fit into nearly any putter. While that’s certainly a significant limitation the greatest barrier to entry—as it often is—is likely cost.
The Fujikura MC Putter shaft retails for $250 which is admittedly a lot for anyone who, before right now, has never given a moment’s thought to upgrading their putter shaft. I’m guessing that’s most of you.
The MC Putter shaft is available now. For more information, visit FujikuraGolf.com.
7 Deadly Swings
5 months agoI don’t have a problem at all with the price, plenty of affordable options out there. What I have a problem with is, for a putter – or any club really, i want to try it before I commit to spending the money. I’m looking for all the help I can get on the greens but I’m hesitant to spend $250 before I even know which of their three options is the best fit for me.
MT
5 months agoAll graphite putter shaft is $250 anyway right? I’m using stability tour shaft and loving it. It gives me more confidence and my putt has improved by a lot compared to the old steel shaft.
Joann Campbell
5 months ago$250.00 come on! Golf is expensive enough. I have better things to do with my money. SMH. Maybe they are starting to drink the Kool Aid of Bryson
Steve
5 months agoAgain it proves…..golfers will fall for anything
Steve Sheppard
5 months agoCan’t believe a $250 shaft is going to make enough difference to warrant its cost. Everyone is skeptical. Let’s see what you say when you test it.
Mike
5 months agoAppreciate the article but when you folks write articles where +90% of the comments are in the “get real, another overpriced item”, maybe you should rethink if that article worth printing. Or maybe it’s just a “slow news day” as folks in the business used to say. But let me do some math here. $250 for the shaft w/ NO guarantee I’ll make 1 more putt than I do now. Or, $25 for a ball retriever & I’ll find enough excellent condition, premium balls this season to last me the next four.
Geno
5 months agoI tried graphite shafts in a couple of putters 20 odd years ago and really didn’t notice a big difference. I used a pulled Aldila HM50 shaft that had 1.8* of torque so the low torque was definitely there. It did feel okay but not $250 worth of okay. Seems like a pure money grab to me. Two thumbs down
Bill Bunger
5 months ago$250?? I track my putts (RARELY 3-putt) with an average of 34.2 putts a round.. Will this shaft guarantee me 30 putts (or better) per round? If not, maybe a $50.00 putting lesson appears to be a much better input for my game and is far cheaper to boot! (Note: I do enjoy your input reviews whether I get to take advantage or not.)
Chris
5 months agoHmm, $250 for a putter shaft or $250 for more rounds of golf. No brainer, more rounds of golf.
Ariff
5 months agoFor $250, I could get a brand new Odyssey Strokes Lab. Price it at around 20% more than steel putter shafts and people might give it a try.
I miss, I miss, I make
5 months agoAs the move is on to make golf more inclusive we now have the $250 golf shaft for a putter.. The only thing worse than these shafts being another thing to waste your money on is the possibility that that actually are measurably better. Just what the game needs. I could actually and easily afford the shaft at my time in life but what about juniors and others trying to get into the game?.
Lou
5 months agoOnly at MGS will you find readers who are willing to fork out $250 per putter shaft. It makes me wonder who your reader profile is you’re writing for? I get the sense that your reader target is a very well off youngish guy who is single and has not much better to do with his excess cash than spend it on the highest price golf equipment money can buy. It either buys him a better game or more bragging rights among his friends. What ever happened to the “average” golfer?
Mike
5 months agoIs there really that much expected demand that this putter shaft would warrant a “review” (or, a free plug)?
MarkM
5 months agoSaw retail price $250 … that’s all I need to know
Steve S
5 months agoCall me skeptical. No way are the forces impacting the putter face will result on more “twist” in a steel shaft than in a graphite. The lightest steel shafts have a torque less than 3 and the heavier steel much lower. Show me high speed photography that shows the actual defection for each. Chances are it’s no more than a tenth of a degree. I’ll bet I can make a steel shaft even better at a seriously cheaper price point. More golf marketing to spend your hard earned dollars.
Chi F.
5 months agoInteresting read that has me thinking about the Sigma 2, Tyne 4 that’s currently in my bag. The adjustable shaft, while a cool feature that I’ve had fun playing around with, must certainly come with increased torque “penalty”. Any idea where I might find the torque specs on that shaft?
Imafitter
5 months agoBottom line, if you can’t read the green, and have a feel for it’s speed, you won’t make the putt.
Joe McManuis
5 months agoWhile graphite putter shafts may become mainstream, lower pricing will be needed and clear evidence of potential for better performance. I’m not sure of either- of course there will always be those who will fork out $250 in search of lower scores.
Steve
5 months agoPublic patchy greens….250 putter shaft…..perfect fit
Doug Hansen
5 months agoPutting lessons would be a much greater value in my opinion. Perhaps P.T. Barnum shafts would be an approprite moniker at this price point. But I will check with my pro who is a putting coach to at least one winning PGA tour pro.
Greg S.
5 months agoI love the idea of the graphite shaft in the putters, but for those select “special “ cases that rock the arm lock we are hosed. Unless there is something that I’ve missed?
Hamid kuri jr
5 months agoThats a bowl of ” s**t . Where’s Cris Carter with a ” C’MON MAN ” ….
Hamid kuri jr
5 months agoThats a bowl of S**t . Where’s Cris Carter with a ” C’MON MAN ” !!!