Earlier in the week, we debuted the THP Tech Studio and today we jump right into it.
Kinetixx Ballistic iron shafts may not be something you have seen a lot of. The brand will not be the one you see as the stock graphite option for new sets. Today we take a deep dive into the Ballastic iron shafts with testing, data and more.
In the video below, we talk about the technology in the shafts and what makes them unique. We take some swings and show you the ball flight and then we will breakdown the data and give you a summary.
What do you think about the unique look of the shafts? Thoughts on the swings taken and the data that came out of it? Would this be a shaft for you?
Really enjoyed this one and [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] breaks down the tech well.
Have these in my G-5, great shafts constant weighting and iron specific parallel tips are interesting. The specs and cpm on these are spot on.
Looking forward to diving into this later today. I think this weight range is the direction of the future for a lot of players, and I say that as one whose recently made that weight jump myself.
I got a chance to see these in person and I loved the look. It is certainly a bit different than a conventional shaft, but I think that is a good thing. You can really see come details of the underlying material structure, which creates a raw, almost industrial look. I am a big fan of it.
I haven’t seen these in person, not sure about the design itself for an iron shaft but they do seem to perform based on those numbers. I did move down to 110g this year myself. I have yet to try a lighter weight shaft other than in a driving iron but seeing them hold up well for a higher swing speed is is definitely intriguing. Also that peak height 😳
Whooooaaaaaaaaa that peak height is crazy! Very Tour like but with everything else being perfect. Why must you make me want to try them?!
[QUOTE=”Molten, post: 9470459, member: 22040″]
Whooooaaaaaaaaa that peak height is crazy! Very Tour like but with everything else being perfect. Why must you make me want to try them?!
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Get over to Club Champion and give their lineup a good run.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 9470490, member: 2320″]
Get over to Club Champion and give their lineup a good run.
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God knows I will in due time. Seeing some of those numbers was great
[QUOTE=”Molten, post: 9470496, member: 22040″]
God knows I will in due time. Seeing some of those numbers was great
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the numbers surprised me, a lot. I achieved slightly higher peak height than I am used to, which could be the combination of the shaft and head profile, but the spin numbers make it absolutely perfect to play at that peak.
Only about a 500rpm variance between great strike and fadey turd strike also impressed me.
Biggest story here for me has to be the combination of spin and overall feedback during the swing. Way better than i could have imagined.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 9470504, member: 2320″]
the numbers surprised me, a lot. I achieved slightly higher peak height than I am used to, which could be the combination of the shaft and head profile, but the spin numbers make it absolutely perfect to play at that peak.
Only about a 500rpm variance between great strike and fadey turd strike also impressed me.
Biggest story here for me has to be the combination of spin and overall feedback during the swing. Way better than i could have imagined.
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This is/was the most surprising element for me.
Although I will say using the 95s, they are definitely stable (as you pointed out).
Pretty happy with what I am seeing out of these so far.
And really enjoyed the video breaking down a bit of the tech and seeing some data.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9471064, member: 3″]
Pretty happy with what I am seeing out of these so far.
And really enjoyed the video breaking down a bit of the tech and seeing some data.
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You’re lucky the garage workstation was pulled apart the day before we recorded this… Your irons might have been missing shafts :ROFLMAO:
I’ll have to watch the video later at home, but right away I love the bright colours!
Played some Sim Golf using these and really just like the feel. Super stable, without being low launching is what I am after and these check all of the boxes.
what is the feel like in these shafts? I am seriously considering the jump into full graphite. But I want a little feel still.
[QUOTE=”NVGOLFER80, post: 9471224, member: 53139″]
what is the feel like in these shafts? I am seriously considering the jump into full graphite. But I want a little feel still.
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Dan talks about that and as a faster speed player, you might get a sense with what he describes in the video.
Great presentation on the tech of this shaft and numbers to back it up…. I will say that [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] response to his shot out on the toe differs oh so slightly than that of my normal response… just saying :mad:;):p
[USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] you stated that you typically play a hard step stiff in your irons and with the speed you generate in your swing I’m wondering what shaft weight you typically play? And, since this was a 95g shaft are you seeing even a small swing speed bump at all with what I assume is a 25g or more reduction in shaft weight?
Great video Dan! Tons of info there. I recently switched to lightweight graphite in my irons to really good success and these look like a profile I could get along with! Love the looks of these things too!
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9471228, member: 3″]
Dan talks about that and as a faster speed player, you might get a sense with what he describes in the video.
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Yeah, I have not had a chance to watch just yet. But I will for sure.
[QUOTE=”Stemmy66, post: 9471254, member: 41999″]
[USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] you stated that you typically play a hard step stiff in your irons and with the speed you generate in your swing I’m wondering what shaft weight you typically play? And, since this was a 95g shaft are you seeing even a small swing speed bump at all with what I assume is a 25g or more reduction in shaft weight?
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Has been Tour V in stiff. Constantly trying things, but that’s where I always end up. They are 110g.
Do I see a bit of a speed increase? Probably a bit. I’ve never really been a 130 guy though, so the change is marginal. Enough to where I felt totally comfortable from swing #1. I like a setup that is around D3 or D4 – That seems to be more important for me than anything.
[QUOTE=”NVGOLFER80, post: 9471224, member: 53139″]
what is the feel like in these shafts? I am seriously considering the jump into full graphite. But I want a little feel still.
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Enjoying them in stiff, I felt like the ball loaded incredibly well – talked quite a bit in the video about it when you have time.
I’m trying to fathom them in x… Obviously extremely curious, but if I could get away with it I’d definitely go stiff because they held up just fine…. and it’s not your father’s graphite by any stretch. We’ve seen so many great improvements in how graphite is defined, and the durability that is introduced with these will give you plenty of what you’re looking for I bet.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 9471285, member: 2320″]
Enjoying them in stiff, I felt like the ball loaded incredibly well – talked quite a bit in the video about it when you have time.
I’m trying to fathom them in x… Obviously extremely curious, but if I could get away with it I’d definitely go stiff because they held up just fine…. and it’s not your father’s graphite by any stretch. We’ve seen so many great improvements in how graphite is defined, and the durability that is introduced with these will give you plenty of what you’re looking for I bet.
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Thanks! I am super curious about these and the MMT in the 110 and 125 X/TX flexs…
Here’s some more great info on the Kinetixx design;
[I]in addition to vacuum curing the BALLISTIC series is the only iron shaft technology engineered and manufactured of discrete length. That’s a specially engineered mandrel for each and every length, weight, flex. Nine (9) tailored mandrels per set, per weight per flex. Imagine that in volume, but the benefit to performance in terms of the stability and feel is as articulated so purely in this piece is music to our technical hearts justifying the path that guides us here in R&D.[/I]
How cool is that?
[QUOTE=”NVGOLFER80, post: 9471288, member: 53139″]
Thanks! I am super curious about these and the MMT in the 110 and 125 X/TX flexs…
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You better be very manly to go with TX methinks hahaha
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 9471295, member: 2320″]
You better be very manly to go with TX methinks hahaha
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We have not met before have we.. :ROFLMAO:
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 9471293, member: 2320″]
Here’s some more great info on the Kinetixx design;
[I]in addition to vacuum curing the BALLISTIC series is the only iron shaft technology engineered and manufactured of discrete length. That’s a specially engineered mandrel for each and every length, weight, flex. Nine (9) tailored mandrels per set, per weight per flex. Imagine that in volume, but the benefit to performance in terms of the stability and feel is as articulated so purely in this piece is music to our technical hearts justifying the path that guides us here in R&D.[/I]
How cool is that?
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Im actually borderline fascinated by this concept.
I’m fighting elbow tendinits in both arms and looking for graphite shafts for my irons to help fight it. Thanks for the review! As a high swing speed player these look like they could be a good option for me.
The only other issue is. Man these are yellow… That would take some getting used too.
[QUOTE=”NVGOLFER80, post: 9471360, member: 53139″]
The only other issue is. Man these are yellow… That would take some getting used too.
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Ha I was thinking the same but I have a yellow shaft in my 3 wood and have never noticed it once I get set to the ball.
[QUOTE=”NVGOLFER80, post: 9471360, member: 53139″]
The only other issue is. Man these are yellow… That would take some getting used too.
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It was for me at first and after about 3 swings you don’t even notice. I’m sure [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] can add more.
Without holding and addressing the ball with the shaft installed, I really like the unique design. I think I’d like them in hand as well and would love to give them a try someday.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9471382, member: 3″]
It was for me at first and after about 3 swings you don’t even notice. I’m sure [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] can add more.
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Yeah at least the bottom ~3rd is grey’ish. That could be enough.
I have been playing the 95 in regular even though I have been in stiff forever, great shafts and I will be trying the 110 in the next few weeks just to see if the numbers get better.
[QUOTE=”NVGOLFER80, post: 9471395, member: 53139″]
Yeah at least the bottom ~3rd is grey’ish. That could be enough.
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Its possible. Looking forward to your thoughts when you get a chance to watch the video. Some good stuff in there.
Man, I get so focused on the club head and the ball that I never even thought to worry about that.
Maybe it’s because I had a bright yellow shaft in the bag for the last couple years?
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9471528, member: 3″]
Its possible. Looking forward to your thoughts when you get a chance to watch the video. Some good stuff in there.
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Watched it. I am even more interested…
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 9471532, member: 2320″]
Man, I get so focused on the club head and the ball that I never even thought to worry about that.
Maybe it’s because I had a bright yellow shaft in the bag for the last couple years?
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This is me to a T. I see the color, but once setting up I don’t even notice it.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9471616, member: 3″]
This is me to a T. I see the color, but once setting up I don’t even notice it.
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Even if I did, I kind of love it.
Obviously a conversation starter… and for a company who promotes a solid fitting/commitment to get into their product, I think most would be eager to talk about them to anyone willing to listen haha
For those following we also have one of the new Mizuno wedges shafted up with this line. The entire combination is very good and we have a video coming up on that from the tech studio soon.
[USER=22040]@Molten[/USER] I don’t know what kind of mat you use in your sim, but I can say these feel great and offer some joint relief with a ton of swings indoors.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9472279, member: 3″]
[USER=22040]@Molten[/USER] I don’t know what kind of mat you use in your sim, but I can say these feel great and offer some joint relief with a ton of swings indoors.
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Hitting mat is a CCE but that’s the reason I only play graphite or something with VSS in it these days. I like to practice and my wrist can only take so much due to previous sports injuries. You REALLY have me wanting to try these and see if I could game them.
The tech story is fascinating. The graphics are bold, but I kinda like it. Definitely would benefit from custom ferrules! At $80 dollars a shaft, its not something I would just try without being fit for them first.
[QUOTE=”J.B. Cobb III, post: 9472356, member: 50607″]
The tech story is fascinating. The graphics are bold, but I kinda like it. Definitely would benefit from custom ferrules! At $80 dollars a shaft, its not something I would just try without being fit for them first.
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Darn right. That’s the main reason I haven’t ordered a set. Steep to find out I don’t love them.
[QUOTE=”Molten, post: 9472364, member: 22040″]
Darn right. That’s the main reason I haven’t ordered a set. Steep to find out I don’t love them.
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so many shafts like that now. And even to get in to a place like CC it can be a somewhat steep cost.
[QUOTE=”J.B. Cobb III, post: 9472356, member: 50607″]
The tech story is fascinating. The graphics are bold, but I kinda like it. Definitely would benefit from custom ferrules! At $80 dollars a shaft, its not something I would just try without being fit for them first.
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And they have a number of options, so finding the best one is crucial. I’m becoming a big fan each time I use them. Clearly they hold out to multiple swing types as [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] and I are not only different speeds but deliver it differently s
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9472369, member: 3″]
And they have a number of options, so finding the best one is crucial. I’m becoming a big fan each time I use them. Clearly they hold out to multiple swing types as [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] and I are not only different speeds but deliver it differently s
[/QUOTE]
Seeing it hold up to a swing at least 10mph faster than mine gave me a lot of hope in the weight and profile.
$115 installed by Club Champion is not terrible since they are $90 + off the rack, as long as you don’t PURE them which would be silly to do with the quality of these shafts.
[QUOTE=”Molten, post: 9472374, member: 22040″]
Seeing it hold up to a swing at least 10mph faster than mine gave me a lot of hope in the weight and profile.
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I think that is one of the biggest things we wanted to show in the video. We have done similar with Danny Le, who also plays 95g shafts and swings fairly fast.
they are haunting me now haha