With the 2019 spring launch of its Ventus Blue shaft, Fujikura’s proprietary VeloCore technology tweaked the narrative around high performance (and high dollar) golf shafts.
VeloCore (velocity at its core) utilizes full-length, pitch 70-ton fiber in the bias layer, along with a more accelerated taper rate from handle to mid-section. The result is a stiffer overall shaft (Pitch 70 is 150% stiffer than T1100) which better leverages the MOI properties of drivers and fairway woods, while steering clear of the rigid or boardy feel which so often accompanies shafts with lower spin/lower torque properties.
Simplified further, the fundamental premise of VeloCore technology is that it’s designed to be more resistant to twisting over the entire length of the shaft. MyGolfSpy’s Tony Covey notes “less twisting means a face which is delivered closer to square with impact closer to the center of the face. That ultimately means more consistent ball speed, a better starting line, and tighter dispersion.”
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Ventus Blue served as the litmus test for VeloCore technology. Unlike golf clubs, touring professionals aren’t compensated for playing Fujikura’s shafts (the same holds true for most other major shaft OEMs), equipment counts, so adoption rates are more indicative of material differences in performance. “When we saw the adoption rate and performance improvements with VeloCore in the Blue Ventus,” said Pat McCoy, Fujikura’s Director of Tour Operations, “we knew we had a winner.”
Nate Lashley (Rocket Mortgage Classic) and Sung Kang (AT&T Byron Morgan Classic) both won with Ventus Blue in the bag while other notables like Lucas Glover, Jordan Spieth, and Brandt Snedeker also switched to Ventus Blue during the recently completed PGA Tour season.
BLACK & RED
A specific shaft profile can theoretically do anything, but it can’t do everything. That is to say; a shaft can’t be both heavy and light or low launch and high launch. Ventus Blue is a mid-launch/mid-low spin profile. Its stiffer butt and tip sections are paired with a comparably soft mid-section. It’s a design that addresses the performance needs of the meat of the bell curve. Feedback from tour players indicated a desire for the same stability and accuracy of Ventus Blue in additional launch/spin profiles.
Similarly to what it did in building the color-coded ATMOS Tour Spec family of shafts, Fujikura is adding two profiles – Red and Black – to the Ventus line.
Ventus Black is a touch stiffer in both the butt and tip sections and is appreciably firmer in the mid-section. It’s designed to be lower launching and spinning than Ventus Blue. Players like Dustin Johnson, Danny Lee, and Daniel Berger have recently transitioned to the Ventus Black.
Conversely, the higher launching Ventus Red is softer throughout, though the EI chart below suggests it’s a bit stiffer in the transition from butt to mid than Ventus Blue. Shaft manufacturers steer clear of describing anything as high spin. On a relative basis, however, the Ventus Red can be expected to produce the most spin of the three Venti. That doesn’t mean unplayable spin. Notably, Beau Hossler used Ventus Red while regaining his PGA Tour card for the 2019-2020 season.
The salient point here is getting fit by a professional is a must, regardless of whether you’re spending $100 or $400+ on a new shaft. Additionally, launch and spin are always going to be relative – both to the individual golfer, and the profile of the shaft. What increases launch and spin for one player, may not produce the same results for the next player. This is as true for PGA Tour players as it is for the most average 18-handicap at your club.
As an example, compared to the Cool Clubs S3 database average, the Ventus Blue is classified as a low/mid-launch shaft with stiffer butt and tip sections. However, some may conclude that because Ventus Blue sits in between the lower launching/spinning Black and higher launching/spinning Red, it’s likely to be a mid-launch/mid-spin shaft and will self-fit accordingly – and likely erroneously. As referenced previously, Beau Hossler best fits into the highest launching profile (Ventus Red) while Danny Lee requires the more stout, Ventus Black. Both are accomplished professional golfers who swing the driver 113+ MPH.
PRICING – AVAILABILITY – SPECS
All Ventus shafts retail at $350 MSRP and are available exclusively at 600+ authorized Fujikura Charter Dealers beginning September 3, 2019.
The Fujikura Ventus is available in a wide variety of weights in flexes ranging from 57 grams to 86 grams and R2 up to X flex.
For more information, visit FujikuraGolf.com.
TheRod
5 years ago
I don’t question the role the shaft plays in performance. I’ve been building my own clubs for over 20 years. Originally I used strictly component heads, but many of them have gone under. And OEM heads have become easier and less expensive to get, so I mostly now use OEM equipment. My biggest problem / concern with many of the newer shafts is $$$$. Not very many of us can afford to throw down $350 msrp for just a shaft. I bought a Wave shaft several years ago, at a cost of around $150 (I think) and I couldn’t believe I was doing it. But it was a shaft I wanted to try, and I still have it ready to go in my F7+ if I want to. I was using a 44″ driver, so it’s cut short, and I’m currently playing my driver at 45″. But there’s no way I can afford, let alone want or think about, a $350 shaft. It just isn’t going to happen.