Comparable Driver Shafts to Kuro Kage Proto TiNi 2013?

[TheSecondZ]

I've tried doing some research on the Kuro Kage Proto TiNi 2013 shaft, but there isn't a lot of literature out there on it.

I was fit in 2014 by Club Champion for the 70X version of the KK Proto shaft (before TiNi was added to other Kuro Kage shafts) in a 10.5-11* driver head. As far as I understand, it's a relatively rare and exclusive shaft, which seemed cool at first but honestly just makes it harder to find replacements. I believe it's much closer to the Kuro Kage Black profile with more of a mid launch, mid/low spin as compared to the ubiquitous low launch/low spin Kuro Kage Silver, which I see everywhere for sale.

Due to a negative angle of attack and I guess just my general swing, I've found I can't elevate low/low shafts (like the Whiteboard, Kiyoshi Black, etc...) for the life of me, plus they feel like rebar to me. For reference, I fit 2nd and 3rd best into the Fubuki K 70X and Kiyoshi Purple 65X, but not nearly as well as the KK Proto 70X. In casual self-fitting, I've also hit other mid shafts like the old Motore F3, UST Axivcore Red (counter-balanced), and Diamana S+ fairly well. For irons, I've had success with Nippon Modus 120X, KBS Tour X, and even the DG S300. Project X feels terrible to me, and I struggle to elevate the DG X100 in long irons.

I swing decently hard, but nothing crazy. Driver swing speed is about 115-120mph, and I think I have a fairly normal tempo and transition (so I probably won't be able to load a super stable/boardy shaft). Not sure if there's anyone out there with similar launch characteristics and/or experience with the KK Proto. Suggestions would be helpful, as it's been extremely difficult to find any other copies of the shaft for backup/testing. Or if anyone by chance happens to be trying to offload one, that would be a fantastic coincidence too.

[Poolparty]

The KK line is confusing but I believe the KK XM the the gold letters KK DC in TX are the same profile at the proto

[TheSecondZ]

Are you referring to these two? I'm still a bit confused. I also noticed the Kuro Kage XM doesn't show up on Mitsubishi Rayon's website if you search their shafts, only if you directly click on the link from a Google search.https://www.mca-golf.com/products/xm-0https://www.mca-golf.com/products/silver-dual-core-tini

[Poolparty]

Yes the first is the XM and the second is the DC. The DC has two different versions that are TX only. The white letters TX is the XT/XD profile and the gold letters are the XM/proto profile

[Poolparty]

"Some shafts are simply too good to change. The Mitsubishi KuroKage Proto TiNi is one such shaft. The new KuroKage XM is the KuroKage Proto with new graphics and a wider range of weights. It is promoted as a mid launch – mid spin shaft. I view launch and spin as a propensity not an absolute. Your angle of attack, the club head loft,  where you strike and how the shaft, interacting with your loading and release, deliver the head are all part of the launch and spin equation. The XM, in the right hands, is not what I would define as mid launch / mid spin. But, shaft companies have to fill in those words for the golfing public."

https://www.golfshaftreviews.info/mitsubishi-kurokage-xm-driver-shaft-review/

[Valtiel]

@Poolparty is correct based on current information. The Proto TiNi 2013 shaft went on to become the XM model, which is still somewhat readily available on eBay. There is also the gold lettered Dual Core TX which is supposedly a Dual Core version of the XM. The line does indeed get confusing there because there were a number of models that didn't really get fully committed releases.
The Proto TiNi 2013 / XM shaft is an interesting profile as it exists very much between your typical low/low "White" profiles and mid/mid "Blue" profiles. The Blue profiles tend to be softer in the midsection and stiffer in the tip, whereas the the White profiles tend to be softer in the butt. It is basically a more linear "mid/mid" profile with a stronger midsection, similar to something like the 62g HZRDUS Red.
I also have the same Proto TiNi 2013 in 70x is you're interested as I am not using it. It is very clean and has an SLDR era Taylormade tip on it and plays about 45" installed. PM me if you're interested!

[woods991]

Great shaft one of my favorites of all time but Mitsubishi has made it very confusing to track the kk line way to many options. But after a long search and research the xm model is the one that is closest to the 13 Proto.

[TheSecondZ]

Thanks a bunch! This was exactly the info I was looking for.

A follow-up question is how the Dual Core version of the XM (DC TX) compares to the regular XM. Is it just simply a slightly lower version? And how does the DC TX compare to the regular DC?

[Valtiel]

Unfortunately there is only anecdotal testing information on the Dual Core TX shafts as the "premium" version never made it to a full retail release. All we know for sure is that they increased the amount of TiNi fiber in the tip section and likely made some tweaks to the profile. It is pretty universally considered to be a very "low/low" shaft with a neutral balance point and it never really caught on on tour. Sergio used it briefly and I think there is the odd heavier fairway version in a few people's bags. Either the performance was similar enough to the XT that guys like Rory, Adam Scott, Jason Day etc did not feel the need to change, especially without any incentive or pressure to support a retail release, or the changes that were made did not appeal to them. Some of the feedback seems to indicate that the Dual Core TX was a bit smoother feeling, which may have not appealed to the tour guys who generally prefer stability, and might explain why the follow up XD model was firmer all the way around.

The regular DC shaft, the one available as stock in all the non-TX flexes, was your standard "OEM" version in that it was made with cheaper materials and had a softer overall profile to better suit the average golfer.

I have Dual Core TX, XD, and XTS models in the closet that are built up and ready for testing once the world returns to some semblance of normalcy. The Dual Core TX that is in my three wood now has only seen limited testing and as a primarily right to left club, I have yet to dial it in as well as the Aldila Rogue Black 80TX I was using previously.

[IL2AZ]

I have experience with the gold letter Dual Core TX and the 2013 Proto in X flex and I would say the gold letter Dual Core TX played and felt stiffer although it was tipped a .5 inch more. Apparently the Dual Core TX is very sensitive to tipping so that may have had something to do with it.