Project X Driver Shaft Review

True Temper Project X & Project X PXv Driver Shafts

By Russ Ryden, A Golf Digest America’s 100 Best Clubfitter
Fit2Score, Dallas Fort Worth, Texas

The Project X brand name came from Royal Precision. Royal Precision, an iron shaft only company, was acquired by True Temper in 2006. The Project X brand name was part of that purchase. Project X branded driver shafts appeared soon after that purchase.  They use the same stiffness designation as the Project X irons shafts, numbers, rather than letters.  The 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 & 7.0 numbers designate stiffness.  The original numbering scheme was formula based and came from frequency and length.  The numbering system on the Project X driver shafts, like all other driver shaft stiffness designations I have seen are based on both weight and stiffness.  A heavier 6.0 shaft will also be a stiffer 6,0 shaft.

TTPX Composite Ei.fwI looked at four versions of the Project X driver shaft, the original Blue, the lighter weight Black, the newer, PXV Tour52 and the PXV.

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UST Mamiya ATTAS3 and ATTAS4u Golf Driver Shaft Review

UST Mamiya ATTAS3 & ATTAS4u

By Russ Ryden, A Golf Digest America’s 100 Best Clubfitter
Fit2Score, Dallas Fort Worth, Texas

TourSPXTransparetLogo.fwThe UST ATTAS3 and ATTAS4u driver shafts are ultra premium models made from ultra-high modulus, low resin content materials. This is the trend in professional quality driver shafts. The material cost and the price of this class of golf shafts is well beyond the retail price of stock drivers.  The MSRP on these shafts is $560, they are only available from UST TourSPX dealers. At this price, you would not want to invest in a shaft that had not been tested with your swing by a professional, launch monitor equipped fitter.

UST Mamiya ATTAS4U

USTMamiya ATTAS4u ImageUSTMamiya ATTAS4u EiGj

The model number, 5, 6, 7 & 8 accurately represent the weight of the shafts when cut to installed lengths. The balance points ranged from 24″ to 25″ not putting these into the category of counterweighted designs. Torques measured in the same range as the UST VTS Silver, marking this as a mid torque design. When I use that term, I am discussing torque in the range found in ultra premium golf shafts. That range is entirely different from what is typically found in off the rack golf clubs. Off the rack driver shafts start beyond what is found at the high end of the range of tour quality driver golf shafts.

The measurements of the ATTAS4u revealed two distinct profile patterns. The ultra-lite 5 is a different design than the rest of the models.  This is not an uncommon practice.  Ultra-lite shafts are used by a different swing speeds and styles. They should fit that style and the manufacturers are wise enough to model the designs to the player most likely to use them.  This shaft features a stiff mid, found by UST research to control dispersion.  Our testing found it to me a mid launching design with slightly lower spin than the companion ATTAS3.

UST Mamiya ATTAS3

USTMamiya ATTAS3 ImagecUSTMamiya ATTAS3 EiGj

The UST Mamiya ATTAS3 looks like a sibling of the ATTAS4u, the graphics are identical, only the color changed. Torque values are about one half a degree higher through the model when compared to the ATTAS4u.  We see multiple designs in the different weights. The ATTAS3 4 model is the first from UST in a premium ultra-lite driver shaft. The raw shafts weighted 48 grams, putting them around 45 grams installed. In this weight range, tip and butt torques of 3.1 and 5.1 set a new standard. This can only be accomplished with high modulus graphite fiber.

Balance points are the same as the ATTAS4u. It should be noted that the radial quality of these shafts is outstanding. Several of the review samples showed NO difference between hard and soft plane stiffness. At this price, one would expect no less. These shafts ooze quality.

USTMamiya ATTAS 34u7X.fwWe took the 7X versions to the range for testing by Mark Maness, Mark will be one of our shaft testers in future reviews. Mark was a PGA Tour member in 1988 competing in 28 events including the US Open. He is the Director of Golf Instruction at the Golden Bear Golf Center in Carrollton, Texas. Mark is a PGA Class A instructor and active in the North Texas PGA chapter.

USTMamiya ATTAS3 impact

We use Markit spray on the golf club face to document the impact pattern. High and low strikes will influence the launch and loft of the ball flight. A driver face rolls from top to bottom, changing loft as it does so. Most testing is done with a robot to get consistent ball strikes on the center of the club face. Mark Maness is every bit as good as a golf robot.  He has the additional advantage of being able to describe the feel, balance and responsiveness of the golf shaft he is testing.  The image shown above documents his 7 strikes with the UST Mamiya ATTAS3 7x.  As you can see, one was a little high, one was a little low, but the other 5 were dead center. Mark Maness, our own living and breathing ‘iron byron’.

FlightScope Reports

USTMamiya ATTAS3 TR
USTMamiya ATTAS4u TRA review of the best 5 of 7 strikes using range balls with a 45 degree left to right cross wind, coming  into Mark’s face shows a slightly lower launch lower spin from the ATTAS4u compared to the ATTAS3. This is consistent with what I was told to expect from the UST Mamiya fitter/tester at their Fort Worth US Headquarters.  Mark’s comments:
ATTAS4u “I feel a soft tip, my rhythm is too quick for this shaft, it would be a great shaft for a slower tempo swing”
ATTAS3 “I like the feeling I am getting from the tip. The weight of the club feels centered, that is how I sense the shaft loading.  I can feel it load from the center”

Remember when looking at these results, this is one golfers fit. Everyone interacts differently to these profiles and the only way to find the right shaft for your swing is with a professional fitter that understands golf shafts and is equipped with a wide range of shaft fitting options.

Aldila 44 Magnum Golf Shaft Review

ALDILA 44 MAGNUM

By Russ Ryden, A Golf Digest America’s 100 Best Clubfitter
Fit2Score, Dallas Fort Worth, Texas

Aldila_44Magnum

The Aldila 44 Magnum is the first ultralite driver shaft from Aldila.  Fitter take note, the R & S profiles are different from the X and Tour X.  When I look at the specs on the R& S verions, I see a shaft I used to love, the Mitsubishi Bassara Hawk which was a light weight Diamana White Board.  The Magnum 44 torque for the R & S is however 1.5 degrees more than the Hawk.  You can expect a low launch when properly fit.  If you like light weight shafts, and over power them, this will move to a boring mid launch trajectory.  Those higher torque numbers are a concern if you over power these softer flex versions.

The X and Tour X versions have some additonal stiffness in the tip area, and butt torque at 4.8 and 4.3.  With 3.3 and 3.1 tip torque, These are respectable numbers in a 49 gram shaft.  I am planning some range testing on a stack of light weight shafts that have been accumulating.  Radial quality is excellent, the shafts are suitable for rotating hosels.

Aldila_44Magnum_EiGj


Aldila _44Magnum_Specs

 

Mitsubishi Bassara Golf Shaft Review

MITSUBISHI BASSARA ULTRALITE

By Russ Ryden, A Golf Digest America’s 100 Best Clubfitter
Fit2Score, Dallas Fort Worth, Texas

Mitsubishi Bassara UltraLite Series W

Bassara Series W
The lightweight Bassara Wyvren was introduced in 2011. Like the Griffin, it has elastic titanium fiber reinforcing the tip. It has a unique color scheme, resembling the Griffin. It is appropriately red, Bassara W-Series, as it is now called, profile is the same as the ‘ilima. Look for a high launch with low spin from this shaft. The golf shaft is now referred to as the Bassara Series W. The shaft to shaft consistency and smoothness of the profile is among the best I have measured. The overall torque of the Bassara W-Series ranges from 6.1 in the 43L to 4.3 in the 53TS. This is consistent with the general torque range of the Mitsubishi Rayon Family of shafts if one compares the torque of the 53 Bassara W-Series with the 60g R’s of the other products. Three and four degree TIP torques are outstanding in this weight range of shafts.
Bassara W EiGj

Mitsubishi Bassara UltraLite Series G

Bassara Series G
The lightweight Bassara Griffin is unique. Introduced in 2010, it has elastic titanium fiber reinforcing the tip. Mitsubishi is unique in the shaft business; they make all the critical shaft raw materials, monomer, acrylic fiber, carbon fiber, resin and prepreg. When they decide to make a unique product, they have few restrictions. The Griffin is one such product. In the hands of a slow swinging, yet skilled golfer this shaft delivers the head consistently. Originally branded as the Griffin, it is now referred to as the Bassara G. It is the higher launching, higher spinning design of the 2012 Mitsubishi ultra lightweight driver shafts The overall torque of the G -Series ranges from 5.6 in the 43L to 4.0 in the 53TS. This is consistent with the general torque range of the Mitsubishi Rayon Family of shafts if one compares the torque of the 53 Bassara G-Series with the 60g R’s of the other products. Three and four degree tip torques are outstanding in this weight range of shafts. In light weight shafts, higher torques are needed to create feeling in the hands of the golfer.

Bassara G EiGj

Mitsubishi Bassara UltraLite Falcon

Bassara Falcon The lightweight Bassara Falcon has been in the lineup for a long time. Formerly known simply as the Bassara UltraLite, its EI profile is similar to the Diamana Blue Board. It was a great feeling shaft for lower swing speed players that benefit from a light weight golf shaft. The elastic titanium fiber used in the tips of the Bassara W and G series created a new generation of lightweight designs. The Bassara Falcon was discontinued in 2012. I am fitting the few I have left at a close out price. It is a great senior shaft. The are consistent from weight to weight and flex to flex. The torque ranges from 5.1 in the 43L to 4.1 in the 53S. The radial profiles are excellent; the shaft can be used in any orientation. The profile will be brought back in 2013 in a stock club.

Bassara F EiGj

Mitsubishi Bassara UltraLite Hawk

Bassara Hawk
The lightweight Bassara Hawk was a Diamana White Board on a diet. I never cease to be amazed at the range of players that simply crush balls with this shaft. The raw shafts weigh between 46 – 55 grams. For a skilled swinger that does not have the strength to load a White Board, this is a great alternative. Like all Mitsubishi Rayon golf shafts, the profiles of the Basara Hawk are consistent from weight to weight and flex to flex. The torque ranges from 5.1 in the 43L to4.1 in the 53S. The profiles are consistent from weight to weight and flex to flex. The radial profiles are excellent; the shaft can be used in any orientation. Discontinued in 2012 a similar profile is found in the JavlnFX Y.
Bassara H EiGj