KBS $-Taper

[tdk8180]

I just installed my KBS S Tapers (R+ 115g) in my APEX Raw MBs...nice flight, very straight. A bit higher than most other shafts I've played recently. Feel is great. So far so good.

[Hokie2k5]

I just got a set of 718 TMB's with $-Tapers in S+ and absolutely love them so far. Coming from C-Tapers, these are similar but launch a little higher with pretty similar spin.

[roxald]

Just got fit yesterday and after hitting just about every head/shaft combo we could, I came away with a set of AP2's with S Tapers. I had been playing x100's for the past 2 seasons and PX for about 4 seasons before that, and these S Tapers make me feel like I've been truly missing out! The feel in these is just something different. I felt like I could really load the shaft well, but it was still incredibly stable, and the numbers I was getting were just about perfect (for myself anyway). It came down to Nippon 130's and the S Tapers, but there was something about the feel through impact of the S Tapers that I just kept coming back to. As far as cost goes, it was a $240 uncharge for 7 shafts, so ~$35/each, which I was happy to pay. It's still cold as hell here in Minnesota, so I'm a ways away from getting out and hitting them outside, but I'm giddy to say the least!

 

What $-Taper flex did you get?

I’m looking for a comparison with the X100’s.

Rox

[phatchrisrules]

Just got fit yesterday and after hitting just about every head/shaft combo we could, I came away with a set of AP2's with S Tapers. I had been playing x100's for the past 2 seasons and PX for about 4 seasons before that, and these S Tapers make me feel like I've been truly missing out! The feel in these is just something different. I felt like I could really load the shaft well, but it was still incredibly stable, and the numbers I was getting were just about perfect (for myself anyway). It came down to Nippon 130's and the S Tapers, but there was something about the feel through impact of the S Tapers that I just kept coming back to. As far as cost goes, it was a $240 uncharge for 7 shafts, so ~$35/each, which I was happy to pay. It's still cold as hell here in Minnesota, so I'm a ways away from getting out and hitting them outside, but I'm giddy to say the least!

 

What $-Taper flex did you get?

I'm looking for a comparison with the X100's.

Rox

 

Likely X. The $-Taper 130 is the same weight and ball flight of the X100, it will just feel a touch smoother to load.

[roxald]

Just got fit yesterday and after hitting just about every head/shaft combo we could, I came away with a set of AP2's with S Tapers. I had been playing x100's for the past 2 seasons and PX for about 4 seasons before that, and these S Tapers make me feel like I've been truly missing out! The feel in these is just something different. I felt like I could really load the shaft well, but it was still incredibly stable, and the numbers I was getting were just about perfect (for myself anyway). It came down to Nippon 130's and the S Tapers, but there was something about the feel through impact of the S Tapers that I just kept coming back to. As far as cost goes, it was a $240 uncharge for 7 shafts, so ~$35/each, which I was happy to pay. It's still cold as hell here in Minnesota, so I'm a ways away from getting out and hitting them outside, but I'm giddy to say the least!

 

What $-Taper flex did you get?

I'm looking for a comparison with the X100's.

Rox

 

Likely X. The $-Taper 130 is the same weight and ball flight of the X100, it will just feel a touch smoother to load.

 

Initially, that was my thoughts, too,

but the $-Taper should spin less, so I was wondering if S+ would work.

My co-worker had Modus 120X Soft Stepped once and swapped them out for $-Taper S flex and they feel way smoother with similar ballflight and he’s more consistent(He wanted S+ but ordered the S by mistake and installed them anyways). He figures he could play either flex, by wouldn’t change now just because of the smooth feel and the consistency.

Rox

[pcs11]

Has anyone had any tip bending issues? I'm interested in these but don't want to mess with the tip issues that I have had in the past with the Tours and C-Tapers.

 

For $55 a shaft, they better not!!!

[Billy__Baroo]

Just got fit yesterday and after hitting just about every head/shaft combo we could, I came away with a set of AP2's with S Tapers. I had been playing x100's for the past 2 seasons and PX for about 4 seasons before that, and these S Tapers make me feel like I've been truly missing out! The feel in these is just something different. I felt like I could really load the shaft well, but it was still incredibly stable, and the numbers I was getting were just about perfect (for myself anyway). It came down to Nippon 130's and the S Tapers, but there was something about the feel through impact of the S Tapers that I just kept coming back to. As far as cost goes, it was a $240 uncharge for 7 shafts, so ~$35/each, which I was happy to pay. It's still cold as hell here in Minnesota, so I'm a ways away from getting out and hitting them outside, but I'm giddy to say the least!

 

What $-Taper flex did you get?

I'm looking for a comparison with the X100's.

Rox

 

Likely X. The $-Taper 130 is the same weight and ball flight of the X100, it will just feel a touch smoother to load.

 

Initially, that was my thoughts, too,

but the $-Taper should spin less, so I was wondering if S+ would work.

My co-worker had Modus 120X Soft Stepped once and swapped them out for $-Taper S flex and they feel way smoother with similar ballflight and he’s more consistent(He wanted S+ but ordered the S by mistake and installed them anyways). He figures he could play either flex, by wouldn’t change now just because of the smooth feel and the consistency.

Rox

I went from ss x100's to straight stiff s-tapers. I needed something to help with just a pinch higher ballflight and spin. I was leaning towards the s+, but my fitter wanted me to stick with the stiff's. Now that I've been out for a few rounds, I can see that he was exactly right. The feel is just so smooth and consistent, and they really shine when you're trying to take a little something off a shot. I hover right around 88 mph 6 iron with a fairly smooth tempo for a reference.

[roxald]

Just got fit yesterday and after hitting just about every head/shaft combo we could, I came away with a set of AP2's with S Tapers. I had been playing x100's for the past 2 seasons and PX for about 4 seasons before that, and these S Tapers make me feel like I've been truly missing out! The feel in these is just something different. I felt like I could really load the shaft well, but it was still incredibly stable, and the numbers I was getting were just about perfect (for myself anyway). It came down to Nippon 130's and the S Tapers, but there was something about the feel through impact of the S Tapers that I just kept coming back to. As far as cost goes, it was a $240 uncharge for 7 shafts, so ~$35/each, which I was happy to pay. It's still cold as hell here in Minnesota, so I'm a ways away from getting out and hitting them outside, but I'm giddy to say the least!

 

What $-Taper flex did you get?

I'm looking for a comparison with the X100's.

Rox

 

Likely X. The $-Taper 130 is the same weight and ball flight of the X100, it will just feel a touch smoother to load.

 

Initially, that was my thoughts, too,

but the $-Taper should spin less, so I was wondering if S+ would work.

My co-worker had Modus 120X Soft Stepped once and swapped them out for $-Taper S flex and they feel way smoother with similar ballflight and he’s more consistent(He wanted S+ but ordered the S by mistake and installed them anyways). He figures he could play either flex, by wouldn’t change now just because of the smooth feel and the consistency.

Rox

I went from ss x100's to straight stiff s-tapers. I needed something to help with just a pinch higher ballflight and spin. I was leaning towards the s+, but my fitter wanted me to stick with the stiff's. Now that I've been out for a few rounds, I can see that he was exactly right. The feel is just so smooth and consistent, and they really shine when you're trying to take a little something off a shot. I hover right around 88 mph 6 iron with a fairly smooth tempo for a reference.

 

That’s seems in line with what I’m thinking.

Thanks for the reply!

Rox

[toddba11]

Have not played the $ Taper, but just ordered the Cobra black utility iron with this shaft KBS $ 120, hope to receive by Friday. Based on what I am reading the shaft should be good.

[mtg]

Who is playing these on tour? I know Si Woo Kim played them for a while but has since switched to the Tour V. Braly was so confident these would be huge - not seeing it.

[nova6868]

Who is playing these on tour? I know Si Woo Kim played them for a while but has since switched to the Tour V. Braly was so confident these would be huge - not seeing it.

 

I'm not sure why they aren't more popular on tour - I think iron shafts are just hard to get going on tour in general. Majority of guys just don't want to change iron shafts.

 

As for the amateur scene, I think the $-Taper shafts would have been pretty huge if it wasn't for the pricing.

[Jagpilotohio]

I know it’s beating a dead horse, but why are they so much? Can they actually cost 50% more than KBS’s other steel shafts to make?

 

If not, then I don’t understand the marketing plan. I haven’t even chosen to try them because of price...and I try pretty nearly everything.

 

It’s really not even an issue of affording them. I just find the price offensive Without some convincing explanation as to why they need to be so much.

[phatchrisrules]

I know it’s beating a dead horse, but why are they so much? Can they actually cost 50% more than KBS’s other steel shafts to make?

 

If not, then I don’t understand the marketing plan. I haven’t even chosen to try them because of price...and I try pretty nearly everything.

 

It’s really not even an issue of affording them. I just find the price offensive Without some convincing explanation as to why they need to be so much.

 

Probably a price for the sake of the price aspect. Project X LZ's cost just as much...maybe that micro-step design is harder to manufacturer than either a smooth or a stepped shaft? I don't know, I love the all black ones and would love them in some all black heads...so I'm tempted to get the Cobra Forged Tec Blacks just for fun.

[pldbryan]

I was recently fitted for these shafts at a Club Champion fitting. It was essentially a dead even race between these and the Oban CT115. I got to thinking that these were both some of the more expensive shafts for irons out there, does anyone think Club Champion might be playing with how they fit a little bit so they sell more expensive shafts and not end up with OEM shafts? Certainly makes it harder to go out and find a used set or put them together yourself.

All that aside, I did really like the shaft and will likely put them in play on my next set of irons

[Jagpilotohio]

Haha. I do hope you’re kidding. Club Champion certainly wants to sell you more expensive “premium” shafts. No one actually “needs” Obans or $ Tapers. There are plenty of other less expensive comparable options.

[phatchrisrules]

Haha. I do hope you’re kidding. Club Champion certainly wants to sell you more expensive “premium” shafts. No one actually “needs” Obans or $ Tapers. There are plenty of other less expensive comparable options.

 

But comparable doesn't mean the same. We also don't know his budget. Maybe they want to spend the money on them. I'm far from a guy that buys brand new shafts at full pop either but even "similar" shafts can perform vastly different. For example, I fit a guy on Friday that was bombing the PX 7.0 in some 2018 X-Forged, but he told me he wanted to stick to free shafts as much as he could. We saw they only carry up to 6.5 and we tried that to terrible results. Even the 5g change in weight resulted in a huge spike in spin and uncontrollable hooks and fades. To do our due diligence, we tried X7 but he didn't like it near as much, despite how similar it is in terms of launch, spin, and feel, and coming from s300s as well.

 

It's a bit of a crap shoot and for me, I'd rather just go in knowing that it's going to be expensive, but I'm going to buck up and pay for the model that works the best. If it's only 1y farther and 1y tighter than something cheaper, forget it, but if it is really that much better, I'm buying it.

[raywutang]

so my progression of iron shafts this past few seasons have been the following: kbs tour -> S400 tour issue -> c-taper -> $-taper

 

i will say that the $-taper is the best of both worlds between the kbs tour and c-taper. like many have stated before, you get the c-taper spin with touch higher launch and kbs tour feel. for me, the c-taper had perfect spin and dispersion, but launched a little low and had a harsh feel at times. the kbs tour launched too high for me at times and the spin was on the high side, leading to control issues, but felt great. the $-taper has been taken the best of both those shafts, which im loving.

 

as for the s400 tour issue, in the longer/mid-irons, i think the static weight was a bit too heavy for me and it started messing with my tempo. i was also beginning to get some minor elbow discomfort when i switched to these. i will say the shafts were great in the wedges though.

 

as for the price point, the $-taper is definitely expensive. luckily, callaway offers them as a free custom shaft, so i didnt really have to worry about dishing out $55/shaft when i ordered my irons. at the end of the day though, it's really up to the consumer how much they are willing to pay for the performance. some will gladly dish out the $, while others might go for the cheaper, almost as good option.

[SC-TX 88]

Anyone playing these in their wedges? I’m playing CT 130X in 3-PW, and am curious how the $ Taper X would be in GW, SW, LW.

[Triplesticks]

Anyone playing these in their wedges? I’m playing CT 130X in 3-PW, and am curious how the $ Taper X would be in GW, SW, LW.

 

I play the 120 s through my 58 and I’m happy. Having played ctapers all the way through in the past( love them by the way) I find the stapers feel better on partial swings. Overall , spin difference is negligible and launch maybe a touch higher; I would classify the shaft as a smoother ctaper.

[SC-TX 88]

Anyone playing these in their wedges? I’m playing CT 130X in 3-PW, and am curious how the $ Taper X would be in GW, SW, LW.

 

I play the 120 s through my 58 and I’m happy. Having played ctapers all the way through in the past( love them by the way) I find the stapers feel better on partial swings. Overall , spin difference is negligible and launch maybe a touch higher; I would classify the shaft as a smoother ctaper.

 

Thanks! That’s exactly what I was shooting for, better feel on partial swings.

[FirePro]

I know it’s beating a dead horse, but why are they so much? Can they actually cost 50% more than KBS’s other steel shafts to make? If not, then I don’t understand the marketing plan. I haven’t even chosen to try them because of price...and I try pretty nearly everything. It’s really not even an issue of affording them. I just find the price offensive Without some convincing explanation as to why they need to be so much.

I would say they cost so much because they are a shaft that a lot of people have been asking for feel of the tours and spin of the C-tapers. it only makes sense for a manufacture to capitalize on a product that the market was asking for

[eddiebigeddie]

I know it’s beating a dead horse, but why are they so much? Can they actually cost 50% more than KBS’s other steel shafts to make?

 

If not, then I don’t understand the marketing plan. I haven’t even chosen to try them because of price...and I try pretty nearly everything.

 

It’s really not even an issue of affording them. I just find the price offensive Without some convincing explanation as to why they need to be so much.

 

Probably a price for the sake of the price aspect. Project X LZ's cost just as much...maybe that micro-step design is harder to manufacturer than either a smooth or a stepped shaft? I don't know, I love the all black ones and would love them in some all black heads...so I'm tempted to get the Cobra Forged Tec Blacks just for fun.

Do it, you won't be disappointed. I ordered the Black Forged Tec with the Black $ Tapers and they've been awesome this past month. Point and shoot for me! Plus they just look so damn SEXY in all black.

[ecfritts]

I have them in a set of Nike Vapor Pro Combos and they are great. Didn't really want to like them because of the Nike heads but man do they feel awesome. The flight is a little high but doesn't balloon, I have been really impressed.

[FirePro]

I have them in a set of Nike Vapor Pro Combos and they are great. Didn't really want to like them because of the Nike heads but man do they feel awesome. The flight is a little high but doesn't balloon, I have been really impressed.

I was worried about ballooning as well as I too hit these quite high but they launch high and keep going

[spooky]

Has anyone compared the 120 to the 130 in these and also comparisons against the C Taper Lite would be welcome.

 

I'd been playing Nippon 130S for a while and decided to try something different with my 919 Tours. During fitting the C Taper Lite X seemed to be best. My favourite shaft prior to the Nippon was a C Taper in S, but during the fitting I was given the X in the C Taper to try and was surprised to find that it felt great.

 

My only concern with the 120 S Taper (after only one round) was that a couple of shots that I flushed seemed to come up shorter than I was expecting, making me think it might be playing a bit soft for me. I'm toying with the idea of trying the 130 S Taper or going with the C Taper Lite that was recommended.

 

Feel from the S Taper is great.

[ezimman]

Just thought I'd share this graphic from KBS...as folks have been talking about how the $-Taper slots into the KBS lineup.

[spooky]

I was hoping for C Taper with Tour feel but they seem to be the Tour with maybe a few rpm less spin. The chart seems to support that.

 

I wonder if 130 in these would drop the spin down and retain the nice feel or if it's simpler just to go back to C Taper and be done with it.

[getitdaily]

Seems that if I really like the ctapers but want a touch higher flight in my 3 and 4 irons that the $tapers would be a good option there?

[spooky]

Seems that if I really like the ctapers but want a touch higher flight in my 3 and 4 irons that the $tapers would be a good option there?

 

Or soft step or drop down to a lower weight if that floats your boat?

[baudi]

Yes. It could be an option. The longer iron shafts are slightly counterbalanced.

A different option is the ctaper lite which is feelwise much closer to c-taper than the $-taper.

 

I play $-taper s in my regular set and c-taper s in my spare set. Love both.