In the world of pro gear, finding the right shaft isn’t about chasing a brand name—it’s about matching the motor to the driver (player).
The shaft is the primary timing mechanism that dictates the feel and delivery of the clubface to the ball. Currently, Fujikura is riding a wave of historic momentum, as Ventus Black has been the shaft of choice for the winner of the last five consecutive championships on the men’s tour. It has become the ultimate choice for the best players in the world.
If anyone has seen my Instagram or YouTube action, you know I have a ton of moving parts. I peel it in, go over it a bit and then pretty much jump out of the way to shallow it. It’s almost a fading pattern as you try to get evens. It’s ugly, but I’ve been playing a ton of good (albeit inconsistent) golf over the past few years. In my experience, really strong and – in most cases – heavier parts have worked for me.
I judge all shafts by my ability to hit the center of the clubface. Ventus Black with VeloCore+ it has yet to fail me there, and even more so, it has traveled from driver to driver. Long Completely suitableall my gear resulted in the Ventus Black VeloCore+. Never happened to me before.
Today, with the last one the launch of the new TR line with Velo+I wanted to see if I could actually improve that performance.
Maximizing center-to-face contact
The most critical metric in any matchup is hitting consistency. As setter Ryan Massicci noted, “If you’re not hitting the center of the face, you’re not maximizing ball speed.”
While the standard Wind Black VeloCore+ provides excellent stability, the VeloCore+ upgrade—which uses a re-engineered multi-material bias core—strengthens the delivery even further. During testing, I recorded a shock factor of 1.51 (!!). Because the technology reduces head “twist” during transition and impact, I found the center of the face more often, allowing us to focus on speed gains rather than simply fixing a mistake.
Structural stability in the handle with TR Velo+
My “jumping” motion on the ball puts tremendous stress on the grip area. When I tested the TR Blue, I felt the shaft hit too early, causing me to lose my sense of head position. TR offered the same battles with that “hit” coming at the end. In my case, it’s one more “thing/variable” to manage. No thanks.
of TR Black addresses this specifically integrating Spread Tow carbon fiber into the handle. This increases torsional stiffness exactly where an aggressive pulling motion requires it. It provides the stability to swing hard to the right – eliminating misalignment – without the axle feeling dead. It’s a beefed-up feel that allows for maximum speed without the fear of the shaft “running out” or sticking behind my hands. Obviously, head setup is a big part of this; all must move.
Raising the level of performance
Fitting isn’t just about your best car; it is for your worst. As I’ve mentioned ad nauseam, I want a HIGH floor.
During the session, I hit a few high heel shots. Normally, this is a shot that blazes straight and misses a significant amount of distance. However, the TR Black VeloCore+ kept those mistakes extremely online, with some finishing just inches from the target line. By tightening the shot distribution off-center, the shaft ensures that even with my “ugly” swing, a weak shot still keeps me in the game.
Jack Hirsch
Profile comparison: Ventus Black Velo + vs. TR Black Velo +
When choosing between these two high-performance options, the differences come down to how much “load” you put on the club.
of Wind Black VeloCore+ remains a low-release, low-revving powerhouse with an ultra-stiff top section. It offers a smooth, linear and “solid” feel that appeals to fast and aggressive players.
of Ventus TR Black VeloCore+by comparison, it pushes launch and spin into an “ultra-low” category. By reinforcing the handle section with Spread Tow material, it feels even more “closed” and more stable than the original. This is designed specifically for extreme speed and high load transition golfers who need the strongest grip profile Fujikura has ever produced.
Ventus Black Summary: Regardless of the sub-model, the Black profile is built for Stability. It is the lowest-launching, lowest-spinning member of the Ventus family. Using an ultra-stiff tip section to prevent the face from twisting at impact, it has become the ultimate “anti-lefty” weapon for the world’s fastest players.
This is where it gets really interesting and where the video shows just how personal shafts are. YES, on paper the Ventus Black in any form is a low release, low spin piece. However, for me, it’s the shaft that not only puts me in the best spot from a shot quality and confidence standpoint, it’s the shaft that keeps me in the perfect launch and spin window. It’s not even because I’m so fast and strong, because based on my birth and everything else going on, Ventus Black gives me the best chance to hit in the middle of the face.
Honestly, folks, that’s all that matters.
Final specifications
Johnny’s previous setup
Fujikura Ventus Black Wood Shaft (Velocore+)
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- Head: TaylorMade Qi4D 9@8.5° (Stand setting, 1.5˚ sleeve)
- Weights: Front and back, 11g heel / 5g toe
- Axis: Fujikura Wind Black VeloCore+ 6-X
- Tip: 5/8″
- Length: 45″ EOG
- Swing weight: D3
- Data: Ball Speed 163.8 mph / Launch 11.9° / Spin 2390 RPM
New configuration
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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- Head: TaylorMade Qi4D 9@8.5° (Stand setting, 1.5˚ sleeve)
- Weight: Front and back, 11g heel / 5g toe
- Axis: Fujikura Wind TR Black VeloCore+ 6-X
- Tip: 0″ (Straight in)
- Length: 45″ EOG
- Swing weight: D3
- Data: Ball Speed 164.9 mph / Launch 10.7° / Spin 2398 RPM
In all honesty, the way I’m choosing to set up my bag to only reach pull-ups is more survival than anything else. With summer coming and a ton of golf to play, I needed to find a swing and some clubs to complement it to cruise through the summer, keep a high floor and make solid golf within reach. Do I think I’ll be a Ventus Black guy forever? No. But the cool thing is that Fujikura has five other Ventus options to choose from, and I know no matter where my action takes place, they have a whip to make him sing.
For more information on VeloCore+ technology, visit FujikuraGolf.com or custom build your own setup at FairwayJockey.com.
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