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Fujikura Ventus TR Blue Shaft review – Club Junkie Reviews

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Fujikura’s Ventus TR line of shafts weren’t built to replace the wildly popular original Ventus but as additional profiles to fit even more golfers. Fujikura used their Enso high-speed camera system to analyze how their shafts were performing and found that they could further enhance stability. So, the Ventus TR was born, and the main difference is that Fujikura added a lightweight Spread Tow carbon fiber near the handle section for more reinforcement.

Ventus TR offers three profiles, just like the original, and the Ventus TR Blue offers mid-launch with low spin.

Fujikura Ventus TR Blue Shaft review

Fujikura added a little flair to the Ventus TR Blue graphics with a slightly lighter and more metallic blue paint. While the metal flake isn’t bass boat heavy, I love the added shimmer from the paint in the sunlight. The silver Ventus graphic near the handle is unchanged, as is the VeloCore near the tip, but under that, you get to see the weave of the Spread Tow fabric as the shaft fades into black. The only other difference would be the gold “TR” logo next to the Ventus text on the underside of the shaft. Installation is very straightforward, and no tipping is required for drivers, just prep the tip and glue on your adapter.

I am lucky enough to have this shaft in my driver as well as my 7-wood and the shaft performs great in both applications. The TR Blue has a much different feel than the original Ventus Blue, even though they are both mid-launch options. Ventus TR Blue has a stouter, more stiff feel and a tightness I was never able to feel with Ventus Blue. I have a quicker tempo swing, that I am trying to fix — it is a little over the top with a shut face. So my miss is typically a hook and a ball that starts left of target. As you take TR Blue back you can immediately feel that reinforced handle section as the shaft has less give to it. As you start the downswing the TR Blue loads with a little more effort but you can still feel the sensation easily.

At impact, the shaft kicks well and it feels like most of that is coming from the midsection of the shaft. This shaft gives you a mid/low launch that is a little flatter and more boring. Even though Fujikura lists the TR Blue as mid-launch, for my swing it launches just a little lower than that. The stiffer profile also makes it a little harder to turn over and takes a little draw out of the shot compared to Original Blue. Ventus TR Blue still is easy to square up and will allow those draw players the ability to do that still. For players like me who are looking for a mid-launch shaft that takes some of the left out of the equation, I think the TR Blue fits that bill nicely.

The shaft also has really good stability when you don’t hit the center of the face. The driver head doesn’t feel like it is twisting much when your strike is out on the toe or down on the heel. Toe shots will still have some curve to them but stay in play and the low spin seems to help keep some distance on those shots. For me, the TR Blue is a low spinning shaft as I routinely see my driver spin rates around 2,500-2,600 RPM.

Overall the Fujikura Ventus TR Blue has been a great addition to my bag and has been my gamer shaft for most of this year. I found that the combination of control, distance, and mid-launch have really helped my driving game. If you are looking for a mid-launch shaft with low spin and great accuracy, then the Ventus TR Blue is definitely worth talking to your fitter about.

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I have been an employee at GolfWRX since 2016. In that time I have been helping create content on GolfWRX Radio, GolfWRX YouTube, as well as writing for the front page. Self-proclaimed gear junkie who loves all sorts of golf equipment as well as building golf clubs!

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Brian

    Jul 15, 2024 at 7:43 pm

    Is the Red for slower swing speeds?

  2. Bob

    Oct 25, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    How about a comparison between the Black, Blue, and Red?

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Whats in the Bag

Michael Johnson WITB 2024 (July)

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Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max (8.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 60 TX

3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 70 6.5

7-wood: TaylorMade Stealth (21 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 90 6.5 TX

Irons: PXG 0317 CB Raw (4-9)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: PXG Sugar Daddy II (48-10S, 50-12S, 56-12S, 60-07)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (50-60)

Putter: Odyssey Ai-One #5 DB
Grip: SuperStroke Pistol Lock 1.0

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

See more in-hand photos of Michael Johnson’s clubs here.

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New Callaway Opus, Opus Platinum wedges announced

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We spotted Callaway’s new Opus wedges on the PGA Tour in May. The design, however, in its “S6” incarnation, has been present in pros bags for much longer, game by the likes of Jon Rahm, Yuka Saso, and Xander Schauffele.

Today, Callaway is officially announcing the retail launch of its Opus and Opus Platinum wedges and pulling back the curtain on the most tour-tested, tour-validated wedge in company history in the process.

2024 Callaway Opus wedges: What’s new, key technology

Spin Gen Face Technology

Callaway engineers combine three elements for what they’re calling “Spin Gen Face Technology.” More grooves are present on the face thanks to decreasing the distance between each groove. As with previous designs, engineers also leverage offset groove-in-groove design for more spin, particularly on open-face shots. Finally, the face has been aggressively blasted with quartz to create additional roughness. The sum total of all these elements? More spin, particularly from the rough and in wet conditions, as well as lower launch.

Tour feedback

As a result of extensive testing and input from tour professionals, Opus wedges feature a higher toe peak, refined leading edge radius, and smooth hosel transition for what the company calls its “best wedge shape ever.” Owing to professional input, Callaway offers Opus wedges with a full range of grinds.

2024 Callaway Opus wedges: Additional model details

Opus Platinum wedges

In addition to the standard Opus wedge, Callaway is also unveiling premium MiM (metal injection molded) Opus Platinum wedges. The wedges feature 17 grams of tungsten bonded high in the topline of the club for lower launch with more spin as well as a proprietary blend of metals in the body of the club for optimum feel and performance.

What Callaway says

On the name…Paul Winterhalter – Product Manager: There is an art to the game, and we really felt this quote summarized what this product really meant: where the art meets science. So, with that, introducing the new name for our franchise of wedges is Opus. In general, the name has an air of elegance to it. There’s a sense of beauty, and especially as you look at the product and we get these in your hands, you’ll see that there really is just a new look, just a beautiful sense to them. They’re quite elegant…for us, there was a ton of time and effort put into this product, and we really felt that the product was befitting of the name Opus.

On the different design mentality…Brian Herr – R&D Manager, Wedges: “We started with a different mentality this time. We didn’t design a wedge and then bring it out and see what they thought. We started from the ground up, we started with shaping. We had multiple different shapes that we brought out and showed, we got their feedback, we iterated, we got their feedback, we iterated again. So, we really let the Tour players design this product to a shape they wanted. And then after we got a shape that we loved, we started on the sole grind. So, there’s notes here all over of what Dean tested and what he built and how he went about making products for players and getting their feedback. But really, it was 18 months in the making of going and testing and then iterating and then going back out, getting as many players as feedback as we could and helping them to have them help us design it.”

On the available grinds…Paul Winterhalter: “Looking at the grind offerings, as wedges go, this is crucial for us. On the right-hand side, we have the S and W grinds where we do the lion’s share of sales. The S is our standard everyday grind with a standard sole, while the W has a wider, more forgiving full sole…We also wanted to create a product that’s a better fit for better players, so we introduced the T grind, which is new, and the C grind.

Brian Herr: The T grind is narrow and sits low to the ground, incredible for open-faced shots, particularly for players who pick the ball cleanly without taking a divot. On the other hand, the C grind is a departure from what we’ve done before, designed to keep the leading edge low when opening the face, suitable for versatile shot-making from various lies. The wider sole in the C grind provides better feedback through the turf compared to the T grind. Both grinds cater to skilled players who want to make any shot around the green.

On the Opus Platinum wedge design…Paul Winterhalter: The Opus Platinum looks super premium with MIM (Metal Injection Molding) lines in the back and elevated curb appeal. As a quick elevator pitch, we have the Spin Gen face technology as with Opus and Tour-validated shaping so those are kind of baked into the product. But what we’re doing to take it up another level is that trajectory control using tungsten. And then that unique MIM construction. We’ve talked about this already but through a large amount of tungsten being bonded into that topline to help the CG placement…and the next piece of that is the Metal Injection Molding – it’s not caste, it’s not forged, it’s kind of something new for us.

Brian Herr: MiM is a different way to manufacture, it’s more precise, and it also provides better feel. We’ve done extensive testing on MIM versus other manufacturing methods. MIM dampens better than other materials even the same material in different methods. MIM is a better dampener, so you’re going to notice a premium good, soft feel.

Pricing, specs, and availability

  • Price: Opus ($179.99), Opus Plantium ($229.99)
  • Pre-sale: 7/19
  • At retail: 7/26
  • Opus finishes: Brushed chrome, black shadow
  • Opus Platinum finishes: Blue, chrome
  • Stock shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold MID 115 grams (steel), UST Recoil DART HDC 65 grams (graphite)
  • Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet +2 Gray

Full Callaway Opus specs

Callaway Opus

Callaway Opus Platinum 

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (7/15/24): TaylorMade MySpider X L-Neck putter

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that 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, there is a listing for a TaylorMade MySpider X L-Neck putter.

From the seller: (@Need4spd): “TaylorMade MySpider X L-Neck. Asking $315 • Plays 33.5” • Dead mint condition • SuperStroke Pistol Tour (used for four rounds) – It’s the black and white one, pic won’t upload for some reason. • New and unused MySpider headcover included.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade MySpider X L-Neck putter

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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