Equipment
First Look: KBS S-Taper and Tour Hybrid prototype shafts
This week at the Shriners Hospital for Children’s Open, we spotted two new prototype shafts from KBS: an S-Taper iron shaft (steel), as well as a Tour Hybrid shaft (graphite).
We reached out to KBS to learn more about each of the new offerings. Read about each the new shafts below, and click here to see what GolfWRXers are saying about the new shafts in our forum.
S-Taper iron shafts
The new S-Taper shafts are an extension of the KBS Tour line, and are made with the same bend profile. The difference between the two models is that the S-Taper’s step patterns have been elongated to lower spin, while maintaining a similar launch angle to the KBS Tour shafts.
KBS plans to launch the shafts at the PGA Merchandise Show in January, and they’re expected to be available in five weights/flexes: 110 (R Flex), 115 (S Flex), 120 (S+ Flex) and 125 (X Flex).
KBS Tour Hybrid Prototype
The KBS Tour Hybrid prototype graphite shaft was made using E.I. Data from the KBS Tour shafts, or in other words, it has a similar bend profile as the KBS Tour shafts. That means the hybrid shafts will blend more seamlessly into your set, from irons up to the woods. And since they’re built more like iron shafts, you can expect a tighter dispersion from your hybrids, and more stability through the hitting area, according to the company.
Look for a soft launch of the new shafts on November 15, and a full launch to follow at the PGA Merchandise Show. The shafts are will be available with a 0.370-inch diameter and in the following specs: 65 grams (R, S, X flexes), 75 gram (R, S, X), 85 grams (R, R+, S, S+, X) and 95 grams (S, S+, X).
Related: For more discussion and photos on the KBS Tour shafts, click here.
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
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Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
BB
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:56 am
Is this Graphite Hybrid Shaft another High Dollar shaft with a made in Bangladesh sticker on it?
Pingback: First Look: KBS S-Taper and Tour Hybrid prototype shafts – Swing Update
Teaj
Nov 3, 2016 at 2:09 pm
I wonder if you will be able to shave down the tip of the hybrid shaft to .355 to fit a driving iron? Also the thought of the lowing spinning KBS Tour is a great idea to me as it is the only reason I went to the C-Taper, I found the tours ballooned on me.
KD
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:00 am
You’re scaring me
Teaj
Nov 10, 2016 at 10:30 pm
please do explain your fright?
Tom
Nov 3, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Expect tighter dispersion patterns from hybrids is good news.
NLS
Nov 3, 2016 at 11:02 am
About time they made Fwy wood and Driver shafts.. if they can replicate the quality of their iron and wedge shafts, it’d be a winner
Teaj
Nov 3, 2016 at 2:11 pm
where do you see Fairway and driver shafts?