In 2005, Mitsubishi Rayon Composites introduced a mid-launching shaft that became one of the most popular shafts in history. Officially it was known as the Diamana S-Series, but golfers around the world came to know it as the “Blue Board.”

Diamana classics kept coming from MRC — the company later popularized a D-Series, or “White Board” shaft that offered a lower trajectory, as well as an M-Series, or “Red Board” shaft that offered a higher trajectory. Eleven years and many generations later, however, the Blue Board, with its mid trajectory and smooth bend profile, continues to be the company’s most popular model.

This fall, Mitsubishi Rayon has launched the fourth generation of its most premium Diamana Blue Board profile, which it’s calling the BF-Series. The new shaft is designed to replace the company’s third-generation (B-Series) Diamana Blue Board shafts.

Like the B-Series shafts, the new BF-Series shafts use Dialead Pitch Fiber in the butt section of the shaft, which is stronger than carbon fiber. It’s said to provide stability during the loading and unloading process in the transition of the swing, improving energy transfer.

For stability and strength in its tip section, MRC has introduced a new hybrid prepreg that’s never been used before. The hybrid includes boron and a new material called MR-70, which was first introduced in Mitsubishi Chemical’s aerospace sector. Boron adds strength to the prepreg, and the MR-70 material is 20 percent stronger and 10 percent higher modulus than standard carbon fibers, according to MRC.

For a laymen’s visual of what a prepreg is, think of a Fruit Roll-Up (click here for a reminder). Except instead of candy, the flat material is made of carbon fiber, boron, MR-70 and resin. That material is then rolled in specific directions around a mandrel, and baked in a really hot oven to fuse it all together.

The combination of strategically placed materials is designed to make the shaft profile smoother throughout the swing. The result? A slightly lower launch than the B-Series, with more stability, and — if it’s a fit for your swing — a tighter dispersion and more distance.

Mitsubishi Rayon’s new BF-Series shafts are available for $400 each in the specifications listed below:

• 50 (R, S and X-flex)
• 60 (R, S, X and TX-flex)
• 70 (S, X and TX-flex)
• 80 (S, X and TX-flex)

Below are the full specs, as displayed on Mitsubishi Rayon’s website.

Related: See what GolfWRX members are saying about the BF-Series shafts in our forums.