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Do Upgrade Shafts Provide a Significant Performance Gain?

Huffy
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Huffy Established Member

Huffy

Posted
Posted

Hello all,

I was recently fit into the Ping G440 LST, I currently game the Nike Vapor Fly Pro with a 55-gram stiff shaft (still love it). However, it's about time for an upgrade, I got fit into either the Ping Alta Blue CB 55-S or the Ventus Blue 5-S TR. My swing speed is about 110 Mph and tempo is relatively smooth. I really enjoyed how smooth the TR was with spin being more consistent between 2000-2400; while the Alta was 1700-2600, the spin being the only major difference I noticed. Are upgrade shafts (specifically the TR line) worth the cost difference? Thanks for any help.

TL;DR Are upgrade shafts worth it?

Average everyday D III golfer.

WITB:
Driver: Nike Vapor Fly Pro 5W: TM Stealth 4HY: Miz. CLK 4-P: TM '23 P7MC 52, 56, 60: TM MG3 Putter: H.F.M. 001


Typhoon92 Great Member

Typhoon92

Posted
Posted

Is the Ventus TR the Velocore model?  It will say velocore on the shaft down by the adapter.

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Huffy Established Member

Huffy

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2 minutes ago, Typhoon92 said:

Is the Ventus TR the Velocore model?

Yes, it is the Velocore, not the new Velocore+ however, not sure of those differences.

Average everyday D III golfer.

WITB:
Driver: Nike Vapor Fly Pro 5W: TM Stealth 4HY: Miz. CLK 4-P: TM '23 P7MC 52, 56, 60: TM MG3 Putter: H.F.M. 001


pganapathy Great Member

pganapathy

Posted
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The short answer is "It depends on the shaft you are upgrading from".

The best way to see if it makes sense is to hit your current gamer and the new fit club side by side and analyse the difference.  Distance and dispersion ought to be better with the new shaft but if all you gain is 2 yards for example not worth upgrading.  But if you are gaining 25 yards and better dispersion, by all means spend the money

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What's in the bag

  • Taylor Made r5 dual Draw 9.5* (stiff)
  • Cobra Baffler 4H (stiff)
  • Taylor Made RAC OS 6-9,P,S (regular)
  • Golden Bear LD5.0 60* (regular)
  • Aidia Z-009 Putter
  • Inesis Tour 900 golf ball
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Typhoon92 Great Member

Typhoon92

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The Velocore is a $350 upgrade…. Around that dollar figure anyway.  Not all upgrade shafts are better for your game.  The Velocore may have more consistent spin numbers but how were the other numbers?  Were they $350 better?  You might be rich and money means nothing, who knows.  There are also other “upgrade shafts “ that are less money that may give you close to Velocore numbers at a fraction of the cost.  For some of us, the stock shaft works good enough.  a lot of the stock shafts are actually pretty good.

 

Only you can be final judge.  I would look at more price points vs performance before I pull the trigger.

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Huffy Established Member

Huffy

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41 minutes ago, Typhoon92 said:

Only you can be final judge.

Right, I get a discount through the college I attend so it would be about $650 with the upgrade ($400 w/o), which is the only reason I would consider it, I would not even think about it at $950 for the driver.

Average everyday D III golfer.

WITB:
Driver: Nike Vapor Fly Pro 5W: TM Stealth 4HY: Miz. CLK 4-P: TM '23 P7MC 52, 56, 60: TM MG3 Putter: H.F.M. 001


OBlum Member

OBlum

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I think they are worth it if they help improve your game significantly. I also agree that if you can afford it and you like it you should get it.

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saevel25 Incredible Member

saevel25

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If the base golf shaft is like 95% optimal for you, I don’t see it worth it going for the 300 dollar up-charge.

go get fit and do a comparison.

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Matt Dougherty, P.E.
 fasdfa dfdsaf 

What's in My Bag
Driver; :pxg: 0311 Gen 5,  3-Wood: :titleist: 917h3 ,  Hybrid:  :titleist: 915 2-Hybrid,  Irons: Sub 70 TAIII Fordged
Wedges: :edel: (52, 56, 60),  Putter: :edel:,  Ball: :snell: MTB,  Shoe: :true_linkswear:,  Rangfinder: :leupold:
Bag: :ping:

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klineka Super Member

klineka

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FWIW you can find used Ventus shafts online (ebay, other forums classified, etc) for a fraction of the cost of new. It's not uncommon for used Ventus shafts to go for like $150 shipped. Plus they hold their value relatively well, so you could always order the stock setup for now, try that and if you don't like it just buy a used Ventus and then direct compare that way. 

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Driver: :titleist:  GT3
Woods:  :cobra: Darkspeed LS 3Wood
Irons: :titleist: U505 (3)  :tmade: P770 (4-PW)
Wedges: :callaway: MD3 50   :titleist: SM9 54/58  
Putter: :tmade: Spider X

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ChetlovesMer Incredible Member

ChetlovesMer

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On 5/6/2025 at 12:27 PM, klineka said:

FWIW you can find used Ventus shafts online (ebay, other forums classified, etc) for a fraction of the cost of new. It's not uncommon for used Ventus shafts to go for like $150 shipped. Plus they hold their value relatively well, so you could always order the stock setup for now, try that and if you don't like it just buy a used Ventus and then direct compare that way. 

Be careful buying Ventus shafts online. The Ventus Velocore is a great shaft IMO. I've had 3. Currently have one in my FW. If it's not a Velocore it's not nearly the same shaft. 

Here's an older but very interesting video: 

 

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My bag is an ever-changing combination of clubs. 

A mix I am forever tinkering with. 

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