Since moving to the GOLF equipment team in 2024, I’ve been on a quest to find the right driver – and I think I may finally have an answer. And it came from a place I never would have expected.
One of the best things about my job is that I get to test new equipment. Usually, it’s just to understand how the product works so I can inform you to help your game. This is what I expected when I first tested Fujikura’s new Ventus TR Black shaft with VeloCore+. But now it can be a part of the driver that I spent two years looking for.
When I got the job, I was playing the OG Fujikura Ventus Black, the same one that Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been using. win four of the last five majors (and JJ Spaun uses the updated version VeloCore+). But I’m not those guys and it wasn’t the right axle for me. When I switched gears, I was often put into Ventus Black because I’m a fast player who struggles with high release. But when I played the Ventus Black, I rolled it more because the profile was so stiff that it started early and added a lot of dynamic loft. Not only that, but I was playing battle golf, especially guarding from a lefty error.
The next two shafts I played were the Ventus TR Red and the Mitsubishi Diamana WB. Both shafts had a firm grip section and a softer tip that allowed me to feel the release of the stick. Softer profile shafts were better when I was swinging well. The release and spin were lower, and I hit them straight. But when I struggled, the lady on the left raised her head. (I hate that shot.)
These drivers were good, but they weren’t lifting my floor. Then came last weekend – snap hooks everywhere. And just because I had it with me, I decided to put the TR Black with VeloCore+ in my driver.
Boy, am I glad I did.
Fujikura 2026 Ventus TR Black Wood Shaft (Velocore+)
Built for speed and control, the Fujikura VENTUS TR Black Shaft is designed for players who generate powerful swings and seek maximum stability through impact. The shaft is powered by VeloCore+ technology, Fujikura’s advanced multi-material core structure designed to reduce twist and increase energy transfer throughout the swing. The result is a more consistent distribution that helps aggressive players maintain tighter distribution and consistent ball speeds.
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The new TR Black is the strongest and strongest profile Fujikura has ever made. If I didn’t like the original Ventus Black, there was no reason to believe I would like the new TR Black. But now I couldn’t miss my face or my target line. I could work it both ways and, more importantly, my mistakes wouldn’t go away.
So how did this suddenly work for me? I’m not sure. or The super strong profile can make me hit it more leftbut in this case it was the opposite. There is a lesson here somewhere. It’s that you, the consumer, should never be afraid to try anything and everything. Whether you’re a gadget nerd like me, or someone who just wants to find something that works, never count on anything.
