If you search online golf forums for 10 seconds, you’ll see several arguments centered around the idea of playing something like a Fujikura Ventus Black or a Project X Titan.
These super stiff, low release, low spin shafts are all over the forums “because that’s what the pros play”. Usually, these names include guys like Rory McIlroy, Gary Woodland, Aldrich Potgieter and other high-speed players on the PGA Tour.
But we have a new name to add to this list: Austin Kim of the LPGA Tour.
It’s very rare to see a shaft like the Fujikura Ventus Black out on the LPGA Tour. In general, the LPGA doesn’t have as much aggression as the PGA Tour, and even players who are a little more aggressive usually choose something that still gives them a little more help to launch the ball. Something like a Fujikura Ventus Red or Mitsubishi Diamana WB profile known for its softer grip and medium soft tip would be better driver shaft profiles for these types of swings.
But Kim is nowhere near the “standard” female profile. She is currently ranked fourth on the LPGA in driving distance and has a swing that most closely mimics something like Cam Young; too wide, too long and adds a little pause at the top of the swing before releasing in transition.
Auston goes for one Fujikura Wind Black Velocore+ 5-S which is one inch tip. I asked PXG LPGA Tour Manager Scotty Kim how often he tips a driver off an inch on the LPGA.
He simply replied, “Not often.”
He also mentioned, “Auston could probably play something a little tougher than this if she wanted to, but the return of the hard flex gives her a good mix to give her the feel she wants with the performance she needs.” Auston simply added, “I’m fine,” laughing.
Auston combines its Ventus Velo+ Black with one PXG Lightning Tourthe lowest rotating head in the new Lightning lineup. The combination of a shaft that keeps up with her aggressiveness and the speed and spin profile of the Tour Lightning gives her a very consistent package that helps her hit the signature cut shot she wants to see off the tee.
And she has all the speed she needs to earn that No. 1 ranking. 4 in driving distance on the LPGA Tour. Auston sits in the low 160s for ball speed, similar to me, if that’s any indication of her greatness, and she also plays with a bit more spin. I’m a big advocate of playing with a little more spin and with such a consistent shot, she’s using the stability and speed of the Lightning Tournament any way she can.
A good reminder that just because something says what it can be on paper doesn’t mean that’s what that device will do in practice. As an industry, we often get caught trying to fit equipment into speed and spin buckets. In Auston’s case, it was about consistency and shot-to-shot deflection. Something that Johnny Wunder and I both noticed during our testing of the PXG Lightning Tour in October.
Another surprising option on the LPGA Tour that is getting a lot of use is the Diamana WB. Compared to the Ventus Black, it’s a slightly softer profile, but it’s still designed as a low-launch, low-spin piece for the slightly stronger player. Something that has been in the hands of guys on the PGA Tour like Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland and Justin Rose.
You might think that a profile like the Diamana BB would be a more popular piece for the women’s game, but with athletes of all genders getting stronger and faster, the need for profiles to keep up with the most athletic fields is more apparent.
For those of you reading at home, this leads to a discussion about how important it is to find the right golf shaft for your game and then match the weight and flex of that profile to the needs of your swing.
It’s critical to make sure you’re on a profile that activates at the right time on your move. The weight and flex are there to make sure you’re squeezing every bit of performance you can.
In the case of Auston Kim, they decided to stick with a lighter weight, stiffer bent axle that they turned an inch. This tip stabilized the tip a bit while also making the grip a bit softer, which is very helpful for a wider, more aggressive swing that stays very connected. Again, think Auston, Rory, Cam Young or Xander.
They don’t fall down on the golf shaft in transition; they keep it wide and long with their relatively stable wrists and create separation to the kick.
