Project X vs. KBS

[MuscleBack Sauce]

I was ready to get a set of new Project X shafts into my irons when my friend (a pro golfer) told me about KBS shafts which are apparently the new craze on tour. So now I want to look into them and see what they are all about before i go buy.
Here's the deal, I already know I like the Project Xs so is it even worth me researching? Is there anyone out there with first hand info on any advantage on either side

[Big_M]

if you just want to use what is most popular on tour you shouldn't even be considering Project X... they aren't all that popular... the vast majority play DG. Regardless, why base what you play on what others use... hit clubs w/ different shafts and see what YOU like.

[jorruss]

I have hit the KBS Tours in a set of the new Adams Idea Pro Black irons. I play the Dynamic Gold X100 shafts and the ones in the Adams were a stiff I think. To me the KBS shafts seemed to launch the ball very high. I felt a noticeable kick at impact, so I'm assuming it was because the shafts were just too soft for my swing.

If you like the Project X shafts I would stick with them. They are a great shaft and you can't go wrong. What you could do is find a matching 5 iron for your set used on ebay and throw a KBS in there to test them side by side with your current set. The PGA guys get their clubs for free, but for us it gets a bit pricey to change shafts on a whim...

[MuscleBack Sauce]

thanks jorruss, yea i think that "kick" you feel is undesireable for me. I have a stiff V2 in my hybrid and i hate it because i feel that kick that you are describing.

p.s. Big M ^^ I would appreciate it if you didn't put words in my mouth considering not once did I say I wanted either shaft because the cool tour players were using them. If that were the case I'd be playing nike woods

[SALUKI LEFTY]

I remember Phil M went from Proj X to KBS and back to Proj X this year. Anyway know why he took the KBS shafts out besides that he was playing poorly at the time?

Being an equipment junkie, I'd like to try KBS's out if they are similar to DG's, but if they play similar to Proj X's, I know they are not for me.

[Laxplayer201092]

I gamed a set in some scratch SB-1's for a round..

spin- much more than the proj X
distance- i gained right on ten yards..freaky (no i wasnt just hitting pure shots that day)
the whip? yes it was there, but it was a powerful feeling, not at all like swinging a regular flex shaft wheny ou should be swinging a stiff.

[MuscleBack Sauce]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to roll with the Projext Xs. After I go through my insomniatic binge for finals this weekend I will begin my 2009 summer golf season

[skigolf33]

I work for a major club company as a demo rep ..The KBS do launch high ,but the  KBS c-taper 130 launches lower with lower spin ..I like Nippon shafts (lite) before you go to graphite ...They now have a wedge shaft  ,

[Justforgolf]

i just had the kbs tour shafts put on my clubs because when i got fitted they did perform better than the old dg's i had on my set, but again that is from personal experience and your should be determined by trying them out yourself. Whats good for me can be the worst for you.

[WUTiger]

Here is a comparison chart from more than a year ago which compares KBS and PX shafts, among others.

Basically, Project X is a half-step stiffer (see FCM)  than KBS shafts with same flex rating. FCM stands for Frequency Cycle Matching, a metric used to compare shaft stiffness across different OEMs (because there's no industry standard on R or S flex).

The two shafts also have slightly different trajectory patterns (how quickly the ball rises, flattens during flight). Also, KBS lists a shaft balance point , rather than a kickpoint or bendpoint. Check out the two web sites for details.

[skigolf33]

WU tiger :

The number don't lie ..Do you happen to have a list of shafts and manufactures spec which compare different shafts as to stiffness  ,because as stated all companies stiff are not the same .

I was surprised that KBS was so soft compared to PX ,as a rule KBS tour series launch high . I like Nippon as being lite and responsive ...Do you think DG is the most popular steel and most used by amateurs ?   Thanks Rich

[Zeph]

Try them all and pick whichever you prefer. I've been playing Project X for a long time, but after trying Dynamic Gold X100 in my recent iron fitting, I'm changing. It felt so much better during the downswing. You can't really look at specs to find the right shaft, you have to try them out and find one that match your swing, ball flight etc.

[M2R]

If you are interested in that type of information the 2013 Shaft Fitting Addendum to The Modern Guide To Shaft Fitting is a decent place to start.

Originally Posted by skigolf33

WU tiger :

The number don't lie ..Do you happen to have a list of shafts and manufactures spec which compare different shafts as to stiffness  ,because as stated all companies stiff are not the same .

I was surprised that KBS was so soft compared to PX ,as a rule KBS tour series launch high . I like Nippon as being lite and responsive ...Do you think DG is the most popular steel and most used by amateurs ?   Thanks Rich

[WUTiger]

Originally Posted by Zeph

... You can't really look at specs to find the right shaft, you have to try them out and find one that match your swing, ball flight etc.

As Zeph says, you have to try the shafts out before you select one. But, the specs can get you near where you need to be.

If you have a driver clubhead speed of 82 MPH, and hit your 7 iron 135 yds. with DG R300 shafts, you don't want to waste time on Project X 6.0 - medium heavy and very stiff. There are dozens of models of steel shafts out there, and it would take you forever to try them all.

Driver speed + 7.iron can help you narrow it down to a half-dozen shaft types. Then, if you have unusual swing characteristics on the Trackman, the clubfitter can suggest options.

[soloredd]

I have KBS Tour shafts on my irons from when I got them fitted. But I've been thinking about trying some other options as they do hit pretty high. I have hit PX before and the heft was noticeable, which I did not like.

[WUTiger]

Originally Posted by soloredd

I have KBS Tour shafts on my irons from when I got them fitted. But I've been thinking about trying some other options as they do hit pretty high. I have hit PX before and the heft was noticeable, which I did not like.

Went to a Golf Galaxy demo day at my home course on Saturday. (A side "advantage:" It was like a free trip to Scotland, misting rain all afternoon).

Anyway, I got to hit the Callaway XHot irons in a Speedstep 85 gr. shaft, and the X.Hot Tours in a PX 95  shaft.

The PX 5.0 95 Flighted shaft is similar to the PX 5.0 rifle flighted I have in my X20 Tours. But, 95-gram is lighter, and the club seemed to "jump" through the ball more consistently than with my X20s.

The PX 95 weight 101 grams raw, but trims out on average at about 95 grams. This plays about 10 to 12 grams lighter than the old PX shafts I now have.

The PX 95 Flighted  has flexes in 5.0 through 6.5. (In flighted shafts, the longer irons have a lower kickpoint to help get the ball launched better, and the short irons a higher kickpoint to prevent ballooning.)