When I think of driver shafts, and more specifically, driver shafts on Tour, for some reason I always think of UST Mamiya. The more I think about it the more I realize it’s because it’s the shaft I seem to see the most when watching tournaments. Now, there are a few reasons as to why UST has the presence they do. They have an incredible catalog of driver shafts. In fact, I believe they have a shaft for every type of golfer out there, from your beginner to your Tour Professional. I also think they do a great job of getting their product out there to the masses. If you watch enough golf or the Golf Channel, you will see an advertisement for UST Mamiya shafts. I think this is a good thing and UST Mamiya was kind enough to send two shafts to THP for testing: the Attas T2 and the MP5. Two totally different shafts, aimed at two totally different consumers.
About UST Mamiya
Since 1991, UST Mamiya graphite shafts are favored by recreational and competitive golfers worldwide. In 2009, UST (U.S.) and its parent company, Mamiya-OP (Japan), combined operations, including research, development, production and materials-sourcing talents. Distributed in 30-plus countries, UST Mamiya provides shafts to consumers, retailers, club-fitters and original equipment manufacturers Adams, Bridgestone, Callaway, Cleveland, Cobra, Mizuno, Nike, PING, Taylor Made, Titleist, Wilson and more. Company R&D and manufacturing facilities are in the U.S., Japan, China and Bangladesh. UST Mamiya advisory staff includes renowned instructors among GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100” and at Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.”
TECHNOLOGY
MP5
The MP5 Micro Ply Lite provides extreme power, excellent feel and total control to your game. Using advanced aerospace micro ply technology with 38 Micro-Ply layers for improved feel without sacrificing performance. The low torque to weight ratio – 52 grams at 3.7 degree torque delivers the punch needed for today’s high-tech heads.
ATTAS T2
For the player seeking a mid launch, with tight dispersion and penetrating ball flight.
The ATTAS-T2 is the next generation shaft in the ATTAS product line utilizing UST Mamiya’s Linear EI (LEI) Technology. Taking this technology to the next level, UST Mamiya engineers have designed the ATTAS-T2 with reduced ply inserts and maximized full length layers in order to create a better balance between torque and flex, resulting in more efficient shaft loading and a smoother bend profile (EI Curve). Constant taper design offers players a precise feel of more energy transfer to the ball for instant player feedback with greater distance. The use of Ultra-High modulus, low resin content materials improves feel and allows the shaft to maintain its shape and recover more consistently for tighter shot dispersion. Just like the original ATTAS, tighter tolerances ensure product consistency resulting in the most consistent performing shafts in golf.
What I learned in my research is that UST Mamiya is one of the most premier carbon fiber tubing manufacturers in the world. They produce many other carbon fiber tubes for a plethora of goods but where they really shine is in golf shaft manufacturing. Using carbon fiber to the extent that they do, allows the folks at UST to produce lighter and stronger products than much of their competition.
LOOKS
You really can’t ask for two totally different looking driver shafts. The deep, enriched Navy color of the MP5 is good looking in a simplistic, traditional manner. While the black infused with white and red offering of the T2 definitely draws the eyes in a bit more naturally. The traditionalist in me loves the MP5 shaft. It’s simple, it’s not over done with graphics, and it’s a color that looks good in any driver. The T2 screams technology to me. It’s hip, it’s new age, it’s modern, well, it’s 2011! Visually the T2 lends itself to a consumer that would just be into aftermarket shafts, and I happen to be one of them. I also think the T2 has more grip color options due to its color, and while that might not be a big deal to some, it’s something that I often think about.
Once installed in my R11 driver, the T2 shaft, with the white driver head, and a white GP Tour Wrap grip, looked complete. Almost like all three components were made for one another. Conversely, the MP5, in the same driver head, with the same grip, looked just as good, but almost in a “throwback” kind of way.
On pure aesthetics, I liked the T2 combination the best, it gave me a sense of style, modernity, and a bit of a cockiness that might spill over when standing over the golf ball on the tee box.
TESTING
In testing the MP5 and the T2, I used an R11 head at 9*, with the FCT set to “higher” and the ASP set on “neutral”. I did not change or alter the settings at all and both shafts were butt trimmed to 45’’, gripped with Golf Pride’s Tour Wrap (in white), and both shafts are Stiff flex. There were at least 10 range sessions and 6 rounds of golf played to conduct this testing. On course testing took place locally, on a variety of different grasses in a variety of different conditions. The main constants being the driver head, shaft length, shaft flex, grip, and golf ball (Bridgestone Tour B330RX). I am currently playing off a 4.7 hcp and would consider the strength of my game out of the fairway and on/around the greens. My current driver clubhead speed average is around 111 mph.
I mentioned earlier in the review how having a driver/shaft combination that looks good can often inspire a cockiness or confidence and I immediately felt comfortable over the ball with both shafts. There is something psychologically positive about being the guy on the tee box who has aftermarket shafts in his driver. Both shafts didn’t really disappoint either. It became very clear to me early on that the MP5 was going to be a bit of a struggle. Weighing it at 52grams, it felt a bit light for my liking. I have always preferred a heavier shaft in my driver but there was some great feedback from the MP5. Naturally, I was seeing a higher ball flight than I would prefer but the one thing that really stood out about the MP5 was just how consistent it was. It was literally the same flight pattern every single time. I have no doubt that if a golfer was looking for a higher launching, light weight, and extremely affordable shaft, the MP5 could be a real winner.
I was extremely optimistic about the T2. The previous years’ ATTAS shaft from UST Mamiya was phenomenal so for me, the T2 had some big shoes to fill. The T2 was very different though. Right from the get go it just felt “whippier” to me, especially during waggles or pre-shot routines. The T2 felt much smoother and easier to load, yet at impact, it was right there with me, which was a bit of a surprise based on the “whippiness” I was experiencing. The T2 provided me with a fairly new and distinct feeling for such a smooth shaft and the word that kept popping back up for me was “POWER”. Almost as if the T2 stores all that energy on the backswing and then just releases it right at/through the impact zone. My only concern was the ball flight. For me, it was a bit higher than what I would want but so many other variables about this shaft are right.
On the course, I definitely saw a decrease in distance out of the MP5, mostly due to the ball flight but the dispersion was much better than I thought it might be out of a “light weight” shaft. The T2 was good in so many aspects for me, mostly in the feel department, but I just couldn’t get the ball flight down to where I need it to be to be fully effective. Both shafts are incredible, but not perfect for this golfer. They definitely cater to an audience and that’s the most important part.
CONCLUSION
UST Mamiya has an incredible catalog of driver shafts. They have a huge presence on tour and it was a pleasure to test a couple of their products. The MP5 and the T2 were impressive shafts. They perform as advertised and I believe for the right golfer, could be absolute difference makers. Aesthetically, these shafts are pleasing to the eye and I believe that in itself is a great start. They don’t quit there though, and in my opinion, the performance and presentation is blended beautifully.
For more information on UST Mamiya’s shafts visit their website here. They also have a really cool interactive shaft fitting system that can be found here.
Check it out, let me know which shaft is recommended for you!
-TC
