KBS C Taper S vs. S+

[gg38]

I recently went in for a shaft fitting. Currently in PX 6.0 and was ballooning quite a bit particularly in long irons.

 

For context, fit club was a 6 iron and was sitting between 95-100mph swing speed throughout the fitting. Don’t plan on swinging any harder than that.

 

Far and away best fit was the C Taper S 120. Tightened dispersion, much better ball flight, feel was better for me. Tried the 130x but felt a bit too much for me. Fitter said he wishes he had the 125 S+ as he thought that would be another option worth trying. Unfortunately he did not.

 

Anyway, planning on making the switch but hoping for some thoughts on the S vs. S+ before I make the order. 
 

Have previously played S300 before the PX 6.0 and those were fine. But the C Taper was best feel I’ve had yet.

 

Typical miss with irons on the current 6.0 is a left pull on 6i down. 4i and 5i I’ll get a ballooned fade. 
 

Would probably make the same change in my wedges for consistency unless anyone has better ideas. BGT is looking nice right now…
 

Much appreciated!

[phizzy30]

I had the S+ and it was stout but manageable.  Tested the X and could've easily played it but I didn't like the feel of rebar and spin was starting to get on the low side of optimal in long irons.  With that being said, since you did well in the S, I would suggest going with those especially if your numbers were in the optimal range.  It's always better to err on the side of a shaft being a little on the softer side rather than the opposite where you can't get enough spin and dispersion suffers.   

Edited November 24, 2022 by phizzy30

[gg38]

7 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

I had the S+ and it was stout but manageable.  Tested the X and could've easily played it but I didn't like the feel of rebar and spin was starting to get on the low side of optimal in long irons.  With that being said, since you did well in the S, I would suggest going with those especially if your numbers were in the optimal range.  It's always better to err on the side of a shaft being a little on the softer side rather than the opposite where you can't get enough spin and dispersion suffers.   

That’s my gut feeling as well

[gg38]

To follow up, would I expect better dispersion on the 125S+?

 

Ive always been a high spin player and play Ventus black in woods. Not sure if it correlates. 

[phizzy30]

Just now, gg38 said:

To follow up, would I expect better dispersion on the 125S+?

 

Ive always been a high spin player and play Ventus black in woods. Not sure if it correlates. 

I gamed the Ventus Black when it was first released for the better part of 8 months.  C-taper compliments it for irons.  As far as dispersion goes, there's no definitive answer.  You would literally have to test them.  However, I will say this.  When I play shafts that don't spin enough for me, my dispersion suffers. 

[gg38]

28 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

I gamed the Ventus Black when it was first released for the better part of 8 months.  C-taper compliments it for irons.  As far as dispersion goes, there's no definitive answer.  You would literally have to test them.  However, I will say this.  When I play shafts that don't spin enough for me, my dispersion suffers. 

Another vote for 120s!

[gg38]

I keep going back and forth with this. With the swing speed chart from KBS, it sounds like I should be going S+…

 

ANALYSIS PARALYSIS 

[phizzy30]

Just now, gg38 said:

I keep going back and forth with this. With the swing speed chart from KBS, it sounds like I should be going S+…

 

ANALYSIS PARALYSIS 

You can always hard step them once or twice. 

[gg38]

19 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

You can always hard step them once or twice. 

That will just increase the stiffness? And make it lean closer to S+?
 

Also, I play at +1 if that makes a difference. 6’ 5”

[getitdaily]

You're splitting hairs. At your speed, I'd go s+ but if you're worried then just soft step the s+.

 

Put 130x 8i in your gap/sand/lob wedges. You'll thank me later.

[phizzy30]

It increases stiffness a bit and changes feel.  It should feel a little more stout.  Just remember that S+ could work out great for you.  Or you could totally hate the feel and it could throw off your delivery. 

Edited November 27, 2022 by phizzy30

[gg38]

13 minutes ago, getitdaily said:

You're splitting hairs. At your speed, I'd go s+ but if you're worried then just soft step the s+.

 

Put 130x 8i in your gap/sand/lob wedges. You'll thank me later.

Will do that for wedges, that’s an area I’m not as concerned about going bigger. Thanks!

[gg38]

14 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

It increases stiffness a bit and changes feel.  It should feel a little more stout.  Just remember that S+ could work out great for you.  Or you could totally hate the feel and it could throw off your delivery. 

love paying for a fitting only to not have all the options!

[getitdaily]

Here you go. Now you can choose based on flex comparison to what you've hit before.

[tssgj65]

I have tried the S 120s, the S+ 125s, and the X 130s.  Felt I had to work too much in the X, and dispersion is better with the S+ over the S.  I have always been a high spin player.  I game a Ventus Black 6X in the driver and Ventus Blue 8X in the fairway.  I don't think you can go wrong with the S or the S+.  I'm very satisfied with the S+.  I will say the S+ was a little less available during the last year or two with KBS supply chain issues.  Hopefully if you go with the S+ you won't have to wait too long.

[gg38]

Alright, feeling pretty good about going with the S+ straight in. Now for wedges;

 

Some thoughts - full swings on 50, 55. Only partial with 60. Currently have the matching PX 6.0. Flight VERY high. 50 often take full swings.

 

Option 1: 610 Wedge Shafts (S or S+) in 50 - 60

Option 2: 610 Wedge Shafts in 50, 55. High Rev 2.0 in 60

Option 3: 8 iron CTaper X shafts 

Option 4: C Taper S+ in 50 (for full shots), some combo of above for 55, 60

[gg38]

12 hours ago, gg38 said:

Alright, feeling pretty good about going with the S+ straight in. Now for wedges;

 

Some thoughts - full swings on 50, 55. Only partial with 60. Currently have the matching PX 6.0. Flight VERY high. 50 often take full swings.

 

Option 1: 610 Wedge Shafts (S or S+) in 50 - 60

Option 2: 610 Wedge Shafts in 50, 55. High Rev 2.0 in 60

Option 3: 8 iron CTaper X shafts 

Option 4: C Taper S+ in 50 (for full shots), some combo of above for 55, 60

 

Went with 610 125 S+ shafts in the 50, 56 and High Rev 2.0 S 125 in the 60. 

 

Figure the 60 is more of a specialist wedge for me...

[phizzy30]

Just now, gg38 said:

 

Went with 610 125 S+ shafts in the 50, 56 and High Rev 2.0 S 125 in the 60. 

 

Figure the 60 is more of a specialist wedge for me...

My setup with wedges is similar.  610 S+ in 54* and KBS Tour 125 in 58*.  58* launches lower and spins less with higher bounce and 58* launches higher and spins more with lower bounce. 

Edited November 28, 2022 by phizzy30

[gg38]

1 hour ago, phizzy30 said:

My setup with wedges is similar.  610 S+ in 54* and KBS Tour 125 in 58*.  58* launches lower and spins less with higher bounce and 58* launches higher and spins more with lower bounce. 

 

That was my logic exactly, hopefully this all translates!

[pdaero]

I'm looking for something less spinny than DG AMTs, and am looking at $-Taper S+, C-Taper S+ and PX 6.0 - anyone able to help?

Edited March 17, 2023 by pdaero
misspelling

[phizzy30]

Just now, pdaero said:

I'm looking for something less spinny than DG AMTs, and am looking at $-Taper S+, C-Taper S+ and PX 6.0 - anyone able to help?

C-taper should spin less than the AMT X100 on paper and did for me.  I found the other shafts you listed to be very much mid spin similar to the AMT X100. 

[pdaero]

19 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

C-taper should spin less than the AMT X100 on paper and did for me.  I found the other shafts you listed to be very much mid spin similar to the AMT X100. 

Thank you for your help sir - I actually found and ordered a 6 iron identical to mine but with the C-Taper S+ and look forward to trying and comparing. If I found that something in my swing was the issue and I could save hundreds by keeping what I've got, I would love it. I just don't know if that's the case though. 

[bdubs3316]

15 hours ago, pdaero said:

I'm looking for something less spinny than DG AMTs, and am looking at $-Taper S+, C-Taper S+ and PX 6.0 - anyone able to help?

 

Look at the KBS Tour V as well.  It'll keep the launch, yet drop the spin so it wont balloon.

[Pepperturbo]

On 11/23/2022 at 7:57 PM, gg38 said:

I recently went in for a shaft fitting. Currently in PX 6.0 and was ballooning quite a bit particularly in long irons.

 

For context, fit club was a 6 iron and was sitting between 95-100mph swing speed throughout the fitting. Don’t plan on swinging any harder than that.

 

Far and away best fit was the C Taper S 120. Tightened dispersion, much better ball flight, feel was better for me. Tried the 130x but felt a bit too much for me. Fitter said he wishes he had the 125 S+ as he thought that would be another option worth trying. Unfortunately he did not.

 

Anyway, planning on making the switch but hoping for some thoughts on the S vs. S+ before I make the order. 
 

Have previously played S300 before the PX 6.0 and those were fine. But the C Taper was best feel I’ve had yet.

 

Typical miss with irons on the current 6.0 is a left pull on 6i down. 4i and 5i I’ll get a ballooned fade. 
 

Would probably make the same change in my wedges for consistency unless anyone has better ideas. BGT is looking nice right now…
 

Much appreciated!

First, the guy that designed PX line and the guy that designed KBS C Taper line are one and the same.  He used to work at PX before TT bought them, left to found KBS. 

 

I played PX 6.0 for 15+yrs and have a set of C Taper S, only they didn't last long, in storage.  With PX, the ball rises quickly to max trajectory then travels the distance, then drops.  DG rises over the distance to apex, then drops.

 

Anyway, If you like PX 6.0 120g shafts, I would stick with 120g shafts in C Taper line.  IMO PX 6.0, though same as 120g C Taper S weight wise, flex wise there's a slight difference in that PX 6.0 is in between C Taper 120g S and 125g S+.

 

It's surprising you were ballooning fade long iron PX 6.0 and not C Taper, since they are very similar profiles.

Edited March 17, 2023 by Pepperturbo