GOLFWRX MEMBER TESTING: Mitsubishi TENSEI CK Blue

[Kylekoz17]

Second round out today and the shaft is just so smooth. It was fairly windy today and I was having no issues with ballooning into the wind, just a nice flat trajectory even though it's a bit higher flight than I'm used to. I'm thinking this would be a great 3 wood shaft for me as well.

I would definitely recommend to anyone looking to increase launch while keeping similar spin.

[Kylekoz17]

Trackman update:

I took all 3 shafts for a trackman session to get some numbers and see if it matched what I saw on the course. Long story short, they didn't match, but that is why I don't rely on just numbers.

I hit 10 balls with each, alternating 5 at a time. I didn't strike the ball the greatest, hence the higher spin averages, kind of low smash factors, and lower ball speeds, but good enough to get an idea.

Also of note, I had my flex on the higher spin setting for this, and when it is flipped to lower spin, you can safely knock off 2-300 rpms of spin and my launch stays the same.

Starting with the Tensei, here were the numbers:
Club speed Ball speed Smash Launch Spin Attack Carry Total
111.7 162.4 1.43 12.6 3,067 1.42 277 296
Best:
112.7 163.3 1.46 12.8 2,710 3.3 281 302

In comparison, here are the results from the Motore Speeder 6.3, which was my worst of the 3 in actual play:
Club speed Ball speed Smash Launch Spin Attack Carry Total
111.6 162.3 1.44 11.4 3,021 1.41 275 294
Best:
112.5 163.4 1.45 12 2,885 .6 280 300

And the Kuro Kage Silver, which I have found to be a solid fit:
Club speed Ball speed Smash Launch Spin Attack Carry Total
111.9 163.4 1.47 10.9 2,954 1.42 278 300
Best:
113 165 1.47 11.1 2,196 1.2 285 308

After the session, without looking at the results, my thoughts were the Tensei and Kuro were a good fit, and the speeder isn't for me. After looking at the numbers, I found the Kuro had the best dispersion, with the Tensei and then speeder behind it. These numbers also confirmed that the Tensei launched higher without spinning much more.

Going back to the course yesterday, I used only the Tensei and had one of my best driving rounds of the year. I found the Tensei to be much better on the course than on trackman. Just a nice high, straighter flight that brought some of my biggest drives in awhile. Ever since I started using it, I have seen far less curve on my standard draw which translated to me being able to aim more down the center and hit more fairways. I'm going to continue to test it against my Kuro since those numbers were the best, but for now I'm going to keep the Tensei as my gamer as I found it to be straighter without sacrificing much, if anything.

[wldchld22]

[quote name='Kylekoz17' timestamp='1446411861' post='12537480']
Trackman update:

I took all 3 shafts for a trackman session to get some numbers and see if it matched what I saw on the course. Long story short, they didn't match, but that is why I don't rely on just numbers.

I hit 10 balls with each, alternating 5 at a time. I didn't strike the ball the greatest, hence the higher spin averages, kind of low smash factors, and lower ball speeds, but good enough to get an idea.

Also of note, I had my flex on the higher spin setting for this, and when it is flipped to lower spin, you can safely knock off 2-300 rpms of spin and my launch stays the same.

Starting with the Tensei, here were the numbers:
Club speed Ball speed Smash Launch Spin Attack Carry Total
111.7 162.4 1.43 12.6 3,067 1.42 277 296
Best:
112.7 163.3 1.46 12.8 2,710 3.3 281 302

In comparison, here are the results from the Motore Speeder 6.3, which was my worst of the 3 in actual play:
Club speed Ball speed Smash Launch Spin Attack Carry Total
111.6 162.3 1.44 11.4 3,021 1.41 275 294
Best:
112.5 163.4 1.45 12 2,885 .6 280 300

And the Kuro Kage Silver, which I have found to be a solid fit:
Club speed Ball speed Smash Launch Spin Attack Carry Total
111.9 163.4 1.47 10.9 2,954 1.42 278 300
Best:
113 165 1.47 11.1 2,196 1.2 285 308

After the session, without looking at the results, my thoughts were the Tensei and Kuro were a good fit, and the speeder isn't for me. After looking at the numbers, I found the Kuro had the best dispersion, with the Tensei and then speeder behind it. These numbers also confirmed that the Tensei launched higher without spinning much more.

Going back to the course yesterday, I used only the Tensei and had one of my best driving rounds of the year. I found the Tensei to be much better on the course than on trackman. Just a nice high, straighter flight that brought some of my biggest drives in awhile. Ever since I started using it, I have seen far less curve on my standard draw which translated to me being able to aim more down the center and hit more fairways. I'm going to continue to test it against my Kuro since those numbers were the best, but for now I'm going to keep the Tensei as my gamer as I found it to be straighter without sacrificing much, if anything.
[/quote]

Nice review! When you say KK silver that is the one with TiNi correct?

[Kylekoz17]

[quote name='wldchld22' timestamp='1446419544' post='12537932']
Nice review! When you say KK silver that is the one with TiNi correct?
[/quote]
Thanks! It is the original silver, actually. I tried both the tini along with the original and had identical numbers so I went with the cheaper one.

[joey2aces]

solid reviews and looks like a solid shaft. I love the look of it as well. Not too busy.

[Puppetmaster]

Thanks for the in-depth review, Kyle. Nice numbers you're getting there too. There's a lot to be said about optimal numbers on Trackman vs what's comfortable playing on the course, where it really matters, so I like your take on that.

[Kylekoz17]

[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1446650267' post='12551520']
Thanks for the in-depth review, Kyle. Nice numbers you're getting there too. There's a lot to be said about optimal numbers on Trackman vs what's comfortable playing on the course, where it really matters, so I like your take on that.
[/quote]

Thanks! The course is where it matters. Luckily got out today in a rare 70 degree November day and was absolutely striping my driver. I was paired up with a decent player who grabbed my driver from me about half way through the round and started asking what that thing was. It is tipped perfectly for me and I have all the confidence in the world going after it and it stays with me, while keeping the smooth feel. I like it more and more every time I use it.

[MMB1500]

Any more updated reviews from the member testers?

[Fade to Black]

So everyone seems to report higher launch. Are you seeing higher spin rates too?

[Kylekoz17]

[quote name='Fade to Black' timestamp='1447119606' post='12576734']
So everyone seems to report higher launch. Are you seeing higher spin rates too?
[/quote]

Yes, but not much more spin at all. I have definitely picked up some carry with the higher launch, but it's the same flat flight, no ballooning.

[Golf815]

These have all been great reviews! I've been particularly interested in the comparison to the AD-DI. I'd love to see someone compare it to the Rogue 125 msi 70TX if possible. Would those shafts even be in the same category? Anyway, this has been great! Thanks to all the contributors thus far!

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='Kylekoz17' timestamp='1447120557' post='12576822']
[quote name='Fade to Black' timestamp='1447119606' post='12576734']
So everyone seems to report higher launch. Are you seeing higher spin rates too?
[/quote]

Yes, but not much more spin at all. I have definitely picked up some carry with the higher launch, but it's the same flat flight, no ballooning.
[/quote]

Launch was a little higher than my Kai'li and spin seemed to be higher as well. Not a huge amount, maybe 300-400 rpm.

As Kyle said, I picked up a little more carry, but I lost some roll. The CK Blue was about 5-8 yards shorter for me on most drives (some were fairly close), mostly because of the lack of roll.

I'm going to take it out again this weekend for some more testing.

[Kylekoz17]

Still going strong with the Tensei. Such a good feeling shaft and I'm hitting more fairways now than I have at any point this season. And it doesn't hurt that it looks awesome!!

[Puppetmaster]

Gary Woodland trying one of these out in the Shark Shootout, or whatever the tourney is called now. I'm guessing they made him a 80 or 90 gram version of it.

 

 

 

[ladahl]

^ Just saw that.. Interesting...

[wldchld22]

Still going strong with the Tensei. Such a good feeling shaft and I'm hitting more fairways now than I have at any point this season. And it doesn't hurt that it looks awesome!!

 

How is it still going? Tried the version that came on the NIKE drivers. Shaft felt a little soft to me but did what you said. Higher launch with same spin. Also felt really good.

[Kylekoz17]

Still in my driver and probably will be until the Tensei white is released. It is very straight for me and the feel is great. Mine is tipped an inch (which is probably a quarter inch too much) so maybe they aren't tipped at all in the vapor fly.

[wldchld22]

Still in my driver and probably will be until the Tensei white is released. It is very straight for me and the feel is great. Mine is tipped an inch (which is probably a quarter inch too much) so maybe they aren't tipped at all in the vapor fly.

 

My SS is less than yours. 100-105 so maybe an inch tipped is what I need to look into. Love my Rogues but this shaft feels so nice and I need a slightly higher launch.

[Kylekoz17]

Still in my driver and probably will be until the Tensei white is released. It is very straight for me and the feel is great. Mine is tipped an inch (which is probably a quarter inch too much) so maybe they aren't tipped at all in the vapor fly.

 

My SS is less than yours. 100-105 so maybe an inch tipped is what I need to look into. Love my Rogues but this shaft feels so nice and I need a slightly higher launch.

 

Yeah I think it would be worth trying out if it feels a little loose

[Puppetmaster]

From the initial WM Open galleries, Gary Woodland playing an 80 TX and Justin Thomas playing a 70 TX. Looks like these shafts are gaining some popularity on Tour.

 

And I think Stricker and Rose were also seen with them in previous tournaments, to name a couple more.

[RonSwanson]

From the initial WM Open galleries, Gary Woodland playing an 80 TX and Justin Thomas playing a 70 TX. Looks like these shafts are gaining some popularity on Tour.

 

And I think Stricker and Rose were also seen with them in previous tournaments, to name a couple more.

 

All of these guys are playing what will be released as the Tensei CK Pro. Higher grade materials and more of them throughout the shaft. Lower torque, overall same bend profile, just a step up in stiffness throughout.

[Puppetmaster]

Thanks for the info. There was another one spotted with a white band, is that a different profile?

[Hot Rod 71]

I took mine out for some more testing a few days ago. Conditions are swampy at best, as we've had some snow (20" in two days) and rain over the past couple of weeks. Some warm weather in the 50s and 60s sent the snow packing, but left a swamp as a result.

 

I really can't wait to get it on the course in warm, firm conditions. When I received the shaft back in October, conditions were a little better then than now, but it was still cool and the course was wet.

 

The Tensei definitely launches higher than my Kai'li and the Kuro Kage Black TiNi that came in my new BB 816. Carry is longer for sure. I carried a couple of bunkers that I normally land in if I take that line. Impressive to say the least in 50* weather.

[MMB1500]

Thanks for the info. There was another one spotted with a white band, is that a different profile?

 

I know there are more profiles on the way. I'm guessing the one with the white band is going to be lower launch and spin i.e. the Whiteboard equivalent

[jslatts14]

Any info on the Tensei pro? See them on mrc website but no specs yet

[scratchswinger]

Any info on the Tensei pro? See them on mrc website but no specs yet

 

I heard there is a few versions coming out... I am hoping to test them soon.

[chicagolongball]

Any info on the Tensei pro? See them on mrc website but no specs yet

 

Tensei Pro is supposed to be a lower spin version of the Shaqx profile. It's on my list of must tries. That's the shaft Woodland is playing.

[masterssunday]

Any info on the Tensei pro? See them on mrc website but no specs yet

 

Tensei Pro is supposed to be a lower spin version of the Shaqx profile. It's on my list of must tries. That's the shaft Woodland is playing.

Shaqx has been a profile that has been around and very successful for a long time. Updating it with Tensei Pro could mean better ball speed I would expect as well.

[mrlongball]

may be a long shot, but does anyone have this in a 3w length they tested and some feedback as a fairway shaft? Also, Can anyone make a comparison to the Matrix line specifically the smoothness of them.

 

Cheers

[Kylekoz17]

may be a long shot, but does anyone have this in a 3w length they tested and some feedback as a fairway shaft? Also, Can anyone make a comparison to the Matrix line specifically the smoothness of them.

 

Cheers

 

Limited experience in the matrix line, but definitely smoother than the black and white tie I've tried. This is more comparable to an ad di. Haven't tested it in 3 wood length, but would imagine it plays similar to ad di as well if you've tried that one. Similar profile and feel