kbs tour c taper

C-TAPER LITE

$ 54.95.

MID-HIGH LAUNCH. SPIN CONTROL. PURE PERFORMANCE.

Kbs retrobuild.

The KBS Retrobuild allows you to customize every piece of your build from grip down to the label. Your clubs – Just better. Start Your Build >

KBS Find Your Fit

The KBS custom online fit tool allows every golfer to explore different shaft options based on their swing. Finding your fit just got easier. Get Started >

KBS Golf Experience

From custom builds to swing analysis to custom KBS gear – Our goal is for you to leave as a better player. Explore Now >

TAPER TIP TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Parallel tip technical specifications.

Shaft & Grip Reviews

Kbs c-taper shaft review.

Review: First let me say a couple things..first it took me a bit longer to get a Fair bit of play on FIRM ground…as its been far to soggy in the PNW lately…but I traveled over to the eastern part of the state where the ground is firm to duplicate more realistic playing conditions than the mush around Portland/Seattle!

Click here to read the discussion in the forums

Let me preface what I have been playing prior to the C-TAPERS, I play to single digit handicap, iron play for the most part has been one of the stronger parts of my game. When playing well I like to take a small divot…I have been playing PX 6.5’s for a while now and PX 6.0 prior to that for the past several years…with a couple runs of DG x100’s just to keep things interesting. I have also spent a great deal of time and money trying pretty much every brand and style of iron shafts that come around…but alway have come back to my steady eddies PX’s due to the reduced spin, flight and consistence distances. In fact my good buddies Swanry30, desallie and I did a Trackman shoot out between PX and DG recently and pretty much confirmed what I had seen in the real world for quite some time…DG just spin too much for me and where the PX don’t and hence I’m about 1 club longer with them (individual results will vary) but those are mine.

Second, the C-TAPERS are like No other shaft I’ve ever tested…and in all honesty it took me a while to get accustomed to the differences-in fact the first 5-6 times I initially hit the c-tapers I was quite perplexed as to what I was experiencing due the sound and feel even thou the results were always there and I wasn’t confidant in what I was going to write about and tell of my experience until first I got out of the SOGGY pit of the NW and hit some firm ground.

I don’t have any Trackman numbers yet (hopefully soon) so most of what I’m relating is by good ole ballflight and distance.. I hit my Satin PX 6.5 side by side the C-Tapers as the comparison.

Feel: The C-Tapers are very quiet in the feel department…meaning they are soo smooth that I really wasn’t sure I was loading the shaft this was quite a contast to the PX which has quite a ‘pop’ to them and the DG’s which you really feel the action of the shaft all the way thru the shaft. While the C-tapers are, what I would call as ‘Refined’ as it gets…the load seems to be transfers through out the shaft almost without notice…which initially I found this alarming but soon understood what was happening as the results were there.

Sound: Again I’ll use the word ‘Quiet’, as in contrast to my PX the sound of impact is very muted, soft, yet firm but certainly many decibels lower. Again I found this puzzling combine with the feel- once I became accustomed to it very pleasing. Ballflight: This is where rubber meets the road, I would agree with KBS statement about 5% lower than the competition. I found specifically the mid and long irons (6i-3i) to flight lower than the PX’s. And the short irons a bit closer to the PX flight.

Workability: The C-Tapers are definitely more workable(or rather feel more) than PX, but DG still is the king on the feel dept. when it comes to working the ball but not necessary the results. I found the actual workable part of the C-tapers could come close to hanging with DG’s even thou they didn’t necessary feel like they were..make sense? But I would say they are a great bridge between PX and DG in this category. I had a shot on a par 4(hit my 3w off the tee left on a dogleg right into the trees)…was sitting about 165yards out uphill to the green surrounded by Pine trees…but had a small window to needle thru 3 trees in front of me but had to keep the shot low …So I have to hit a low hook just to get to the fairway(which was all I was trying to do)..So I set with a 5i and the shot came out perfect and actually went about 2 ft past the green…(for those of you keeping score).I missed the putt for par!

Distance: The I would also say KBS statement is likely true again with the 5% gain in distance, this was more evident in the mid and long irons to me..I will also throw this into the distance segment…I choose the S+ set of C-tapers, imo they feel very close to flex of my PX 6.5’s Satins, however I think the X flex’s would be a better comparison in straight terms of the px.6.5 for distance, as the added spin which allows the the shafts to Be Workable also spins just a bit more and coupled with a 1/2 flex under what I should be playing makes them play just a tad shorter than what I have be accustomed to…I look forward to picking up a set of X flex’s in the very near future as KBS C-tapers have all the things I have been looking for in irons shafts.

Final thoughts: I really believe KBS has a winner with the C-Tapers, this is by far the best KBS shaft I have tried- they look awesome, the abilities to feel and work the ball is great, the ball flight is consistent and distance is good but I have since determined that the S+ are slightly too soft for my iron game, but loo forward to giving them a go again when I get the correct flex. And after all of that I really think KBS has great product here, perhaps even the best of them all-

——————————- More Information-

Inspired from tour player feedback, the KBS C-TAPER shaft is specially designed to produce a lower flight and spin rate while delivering the signature benefits of a piercing trajectory and smooth feel. By stiffening the shaft profile in the lower taper rate and early tip section, the C-TAPER is engineered to maximize shot performance for players that currently have too high a trajectory.

Incorporating signature AST technology, the C-TAPER shaft produces a smooth feel through contact while maximizing energy transfer for distance gains and better control of the ball.

See all the video reviews of all the KBS offerings here

Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 Tour Spec Review

Aldila Phenom Review

GolfWRX is the world's largest and best online golf community. Expert editorial reviews, breaking golf tour and industry news, what to play, how to play and where to play. GolfWRX surrounds consumers throughout the buying, learning and enrichment process from original photographic and video content, to peer to peer advice and camaraderie, to technical how-tos, and more. As the largest online golf community we continue to protect the purity of our members opinions and the platform to voice them. We want to protect the interests of golfers by providing an unbiased platform to feel proud to contribute to for years to come. You can follow GolfWRX on Twitter @GolfWRX and on Facebook .

Apr 12, 2018 at 7:23 am

I used DG S300’s for over 25 years now, the stiff C-Taper was indeed slightly lower and slightly longer than the S300’s. Same club head (Bridgestone J40 CB). They just feel a bit stronger yet are smooth at the same time. I’m very skeptical about shaft technology but the C-Tapers are definitely the real deal.

Jan 13, 2018 at 12:14 am

Did a 12 year old write this?

Paul Middlebrook

Aug 18, 2014 at 2:10 pm

I play the C-Taper 130X. The shafts have taken me about 1 month of pounding balls to get that close DNA connection between the swing and club. I do not kill or crush the ball but felt the 130X was perfect for feel and flight. I played the DG 300-100 and many other shafts and felt they did the job but never delivered what is so vital to the overall path of a golf ball. A shaft is like a scope to a rifle. You want to hit your target. The fit, form, and function of the C-Taper is solid and the PGA pro’s validate its exceptional return on a great swing. I have pounded thousands of balls at the range and feel take a little time to get used to. The sound sometimes does not validate the perfect contact and that is something they could enhance on. You can hit a shot and it is so quiet and the ball pierces straight to the target. I have had other watchers says wow that was a great shot but it did not sound like that swoosh off the club head. The ball flight is subjective and I ended up adjusting all my clubs to get that low piercing flight pattern. Example: Play Titleist 710 MB and standard 9 Iron is 47 degree’s. I changed it to 43 degree’s and that made all the difference. I think if you love the game and tinker with equipment without fear you will enhance to another paradigm level. Adjusting the loft and lie and going to the 130X helped me go to mid single digit.

Mar 21, 2014 at 5:00 pm

I now play the c taper S+ soft stepped. Went from dgX100 soft stepped. C taper has better feel and a ball flight that seems to plow through the wind. I don’t need my irons to be super long. As long as they fill the distance gaps. And the c tapers do that in spades, very consistent as well. Trajectory is nice. I would say its the same trajectory as the X100’s. With the c tapers the wind doesn’t affect the flight as much though. Very impressed with these shafts. They are not meant for everyone. But if they are for you, their is nothing better. Swallow your pride if your getting fit for these. You will probably play a flex lower than what you play now. I’d rather shoot par with clubs that fit me, than shooting a 85 and saying I use clubs that the pro’s use.

Feb 27, 2013 at 3:17 pm

Just got a set of AMP forged with X C-Tapers….WOW!!! Couldn’t be more excited to go out and play/pracitce!

Oct 27, 2012 at 11:40 am

I have the c taper on a set of golfsmith irons. Previously I had been playing the DG SL which performed for me but the KBS are my favorites now. They allow me to work the ball right or left and I can keep the ball down now a little easier. I have more distance but the best thing for me is they have the smoothest feel of any shaft I have tried. I also like the brushed metal look of the shaft. FYI I had to experiment with the tipping until I got the feel I was looking for.

Jun 29, 2012 at 12:18 am

I hit the c taper shaft in a taylormade mc fitting iron today. It was definitely one of the best feeling shafts I have found. For someone like me 100 mph club speed with mid/long irons, this shaft held up extremely well and brought my spin rate and launch angle down. It was also easy to work. Definitely going to be my next iron shaft

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Here’s why Jordan Spieth switched into a new Fujikura Ventus TR Blue shaft at Pebble Beach

When Fujikura’s new Ventus TR Blue shaft launched in January 2022, we learned all about the updated construction and potential performance benefits compared to the original Ventus Blue. It was unclear at the time, however, exactly who would make the switch into the new TR design on the PGA Tour.

Well, we’re starting to get some answers.

Jordan Spieth , who’s been relatively slow to change into new products throughout his career, is among a handful of names making the change. Spieth conducted recent testing with a Ventus Blue TR 7 X shaft in his Titleist TS2 15-degree fairway wood, and he put it in play this week at the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Titleist Tour representative J.J. Van Wezenbeeck, who works closely with Spieth on his equipment, said that Spieth came to the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) on Friday before the 2022 Pebble Beach Pro-Am for a check-up on his equipment. Since Spieth was previously playing Ventus Blue shafts in his Titleist metalwoods, he was intrigued by the new TR version.

As it turned out, Spieth found the new shaft to help with his transition and directional control.

“Coming from Ventus Blue, anytime they update a shaft you’re just intrigued on that, and he liked how [the Ventus TR Blue] loaded compared to the original Ventus Blue for him,” Van Wezenbeeck told GolfWRX on Tuesday. “He felt like when he mishit it, there was a little more control. So that was a good option for him…we did a little bit of internal work on the head to make sure there’s enough spin, because want to make sure his 3 wood doesn’t have too low of spin. He liked how the TR reacted on mishits where the spin didn’t drop, and it had more consistent spin from swing to swing.”

Due to a new Spread Tow fabric in the butt-end section, which is essentially a checkerboard pattern of woven material, the torque on the TR version is 10 percent stiffer in the mid-to-grip end of the shaft. As a result, Fujikura says the TR shaft is designed to improve stability and consistency compared to the original Ventus Blue.

Based on Spieth’s results with the TR shaft during testing, it seems Fujikura’s case holds water.

Spieth is using a Ventus Blue TR 7 X version in his fairway wood.

Pat McCoy, Director of Tour Operations at Fujikura, spoke with GolfWRX about the new shaft, and what players are seeing in their testing out on Tour.

“Compared to the original Ventus Blue, the TR has a stiffer mid-section and lower torque,” McCoy said. “Basically what the shaft does is it eliminates some of the dynamic loft. It eliminates some of the rotation. Obviously, the Ventus Blue was a very stable shaft and one of the best launching shafts we’ve ever had. And we just made it better.

“As far as ball speed and launch and spin, I’m not going to say it’s faster, but we have seen players who have achieved faster speeds with it. It provides more consistency and the ability to turn swing speed into ball speed better. And that’s it. It’s a little stiffer than the original Blue, and it’s a little bit weaker than the [Ventus Black]. It’s a ‘tweener. It gives you something in the middle, and depending upon loft and impact location, you get a better fit.”

The fairway wood shaft wasn’t the only potential change that Spieth will make in 2022, though.

In addition to putting the new Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges in the bag, Spieth is also considering adding another option to the top end of his bag.

Typically, Spieth changes between a hybrid and long irons, depending on course conditions. During the recent session at TPI, though, Spieth took a liking to Titleist’s U-505 wide-bodied driving iron. Ahead of the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Spieth took a U-505 2-iron (Graphite Design AD-DI 105X shaft) out onto the course for testing.

“He’s experimenting with a U-505 this week (ahead of the event at Pebble Beach),” Van Wezenbeeck told GolfWRX. “He’s always gone between a hybrid and either a 2 iron, or a hybrid and 3 iron, and we brought out a 505 as kind of a third option on a week where he isn’t sure whether he should play an iron or a hybrid. The 505 being a wide body iron is kind of a blend between the two. And he was really intrigued with how high it launched on a standard shot, and he could flight it more off the tee, where as with a hybrid he can’t do.

“So on weeks he feels like there’s a lot of irons off the tee, he likes to play the iron. On weeks where there are a lot of shots into par 5s, he likes the hybrid. On weeks where there’s a little of both…he felt the 505 might be an option, so he was taking it on the golf course [on Tuesday] to see how it would react.”

While it’s unclear exactly when Spieth will break out the new U-505, it seems like it’ll certainly be in the rotation going forward. The Ventus TR Blue shaft, on the other hand, has already earned a starting spot in the bag this week.

These changes may seem minor to some, but it shows Spieth’s willingness to find small equipment tweaks to improve his game. For amateur golfers, use this as a lesson when gearing up for the new season. Go through your bag, test some of the new shaft and head options, and see where you can make improvements. Now is the perfect time to take inventory and get prepared.

MRC Shaft Shootout: Tensei CK Pro White, Kuro Kage XT and Diamana BF-Series

The Tensei CK Pro White is the latest release from Mitsubishi Rayon Composites (MRC), a low-launch, low-spin shaft with a multi-material design that the company says improves the performance and feel of the shaft. Whereas most golf shafts use between 3-6 different materials in their construction, the Tensei CK Pro White is made from 11 different materials, giving MRC engineers greater precision in the shaft’s design.

Like MRC’s Tensei CK Pro Blue shafts, which produce a slightly higher-launching, higher-spinning ball flight, the CK Pro White uses MRC’s Carbon Fiber DuPont Kevlar Weave in the handle section of the shaft. The company says it increases the strength and stability of that part of the shaft, leading to better feedback.

On the other end of the shaft, the tip section, MRC uses a boron-reinforced fiber. All low-launch, low-spin shafts have stiff-tip designs, but the addition of boron puts the Tensei CK Pro White in a class of its own when it comes to lowering launch angle and spin rate. The boron fiber also reduces torque, which can offer better energy transfer, more accuracy and better feedback — especially for skilled, high-swing-speed golfers.

Connecting and reinforcing those areas of the shafts is MRC’s low-resin content (LRC) prepreg. Prepreg is carbon fiber that’s been reinforced or “pre-impregnated” with resin, a glue that holds the material together when it’s formed into sheets and rolled into the form of a shaft. MRC says that its LRC has 15 percent more carbon fiber and 13 percent less resin than traditional prepregs, which allows MRC to make the Tensei CK Pro White stronger without adding extra weight to the shaft. MRC also uses high-modulus, 40-ton prepreg in the Tensei CK Pro White’s design, which like LRC is thinner, stronger and lighter than traditional prepregs.

The addition of boron helps MRC make the tip of Tensei CK Pro White shaft stiffer and lower in torque.

In the EI chart below, you can see how the Tensei CK Pro White’s bend profile compares to the CK Pro Blue. The main differences are its slightly stiffer tip and mid sections, as well as its slightly softer butt section. That gives the CK Pro White a higher “kick point” than the CK Pro Blue. Generally, the higher the kick point of a shaft, the lower its launch conditions. That’s why the Tensei CK Pro White is a lower-launching, lower-spinning shaft than the Tensei CK Pro Blue.

The Shootout

Just how much lower launching and lower spinning is the Tensei CK Pro White than MRC’s latest premium driver shafts? I put it to the test against the company’s Kuro Kage XT and Diamana BF-Series, which like the CK Pro White are PGA Tour-quality shafts that sell for about $400 each. All three shafts tested were built to my spec: 70TX, tipped 1 inch at a finished length of 45.5 inches.

I tested the three shafts on Trackman 4 at the Launch Pad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. After warming up, I hit 10 drives with each shaft, and whittled my shots down to the most similar five to help illustrate the differences. Premium balls were used for the test, and results were normalized.

MRC’s Kuro Kage XT uses a stouter iteration of the company’s famed “Blue Board” bend profile, and in that regard it’s quite similar to the Diamana BF-Series. That’s what makes the shafts a little higher launching and higher spinning than the Tensei CK Pro White. The Kuro Kage XT has a much different feel than both, however, due to its use of an elastic wire made of Titanium and Nickel that MRC calls “TiNi” wire.

Related: Learn more about the Kuro Kage XT

In the Kuro Kage XT, the TiNi wire is added to the bottom 13 inches of the shaft, where it adds stability, but it also serves another purpose. Its elasticity allows the bottom end of the shaft to better load and unload during the downswing to help improve energy transfer. That’s what gives the Kuro Kage XT its more active feel, at least compared to the boron-infused tip section of the Tensei CK Pro White, which by design offer no elasticity.

The Diamana BF-Series also uses boron in its tip section, and its combined with a new, aerospace-grade fiber called MR-70 to create what MRC says is a first-of-its-kind hybrid prepreg. MR-70, which is manufactured by parent company Mitsubishi Chemical, is 20 percent stronger and has 10 percent more modulus than similar fibers, MRC says . The handle section of the BF-Series is reinforced with MRC’s Pitch Fiber, which functions to boost energy transfer like the CK Pro White’s Carbon Fiber DuPont Kevlar Weave.

Related: Learn more about the Diamana BF-Series shafts

In terms of launch conditions, the best fit for me was the Diamana BF-Series. It launched the ball a little higher than the Tensei CK Pro White, and added a little spin to help keep my drives in the air. It was also easier to swing than the Tensei CK Pro White, helping me more easily hit a draw while offering an even smoother feel due to its less rigid tip and mid sections.

To recap, if you need to lower your launch conditions, the Tensei CK Pro White is one of the most intriguing new MRC options to help you do so. Need a higher ball flight? Try the Diamana BF-Series. And if you want a radically different feel, give the Kuro Kage XT a try.

Have a question? Let me know in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to answer as many as I can.

Weights and Flexes

Tensei CK Pro White: 60 (R, S, TX), 70 (S, TX), 80 (TX)
Kuro Kage XT: 50 (R, S, X, TX), 60 (R, S, X, TX), 70 (S, X, TX), 80 (S, X, TX)
Diamana BF-Series: 50 (R, S, X), 60 (R, S, X, TX), 70 (S, X, TX), 80 (S, X, TX)

Related: GolfWRX Members review the Tensei CK Pro White

Review: KBS Tour FLT Shafts

Pros: FLT shafts use a flighted design, which helps golfers launch their long irons higher and with more spin. The FLT short-iron shafts provide a more penetrating trajectory for more control.

Cons: FLT shaft flexes correspond with weight, so golfers may not be able to match their desired shaft weight with their desired flex.

Who They’re For: Golfers who need more spin or more launch from their long irons to optimize their trajectory. Everyone from beginners to PGA Tour players can use the shafts effectively, but they’ll be most popular with golfers with moderate-to-slow swing speeds, or any golfer who generates low-spin launch conditions.

Selecting the proper iron shafts is one of the most important equipment decisions golfers make. It’s an issue of quantity. Most golfers carry about 7-8 irons in their bag, so if they choose the wrong iron shaft, they’ve made the game harder than it needs to be with half or more of their clubs.

The good news is that there’s a wider selection of quality iron shafts than there has ever been, with recent growth in models that are designed to help golfers hit their iron shots higher and farther, while still maintaining PGA Tour-quality consistency and feel.

KBS is one of the leading steel shaft manufacturers, and already offered a wide variety of models prior to its newest shaft launch. Company representatives felt KBS was lacking a product for a particular segment of golfers, however, so it developed its new FLT shafts.

FLT shafts ($31.95 each) have a flighted design, which helps certain golfers optimize the performance of each iron their bag. The long irons shafts have progressively softer tip sections, which helps golfers increase their launch angle and spin rates with those clubs. For the right golfer, the design will help them hit their iron shots farther, and stop shots on the green more quickly. In the short irons, where height and spin are easier for golfers to generate, the FLT shafts are stiffer, which creates the flatter trajectory most golfers prefer with their scoring clubs. The crossover point between the higher-launching long irons and lower-launching short irons is the 7 iron.

Like all KBS shafts, FLT models have a constant weight, which means that long iron shafts and short iron shafts will be roughly the same weight through the set. Shaft weight is dependent on flex, however, as softer-flex models are lighter than stiffer-flex models. So if you’re looking for a really heavy, regular-flex shaft or a really light, extra-stiff-flex shaft, these aren’t for you.

Keep in mind that KBS shafts do not have reinforced tip sections like many other iron shafts, which gives them a slightly higher balance point and can decrease swing weight by 1-2 points. I personally like the feel of KBS shafts and their slightly higher balance point, but some golfers won’t.

For this review, I tested the new FLT shafts head to head against KBS Tour shafts of the same flex and weight (130X) in 4 irons, 6 irons and pitching wedges. Each of the shafts were installed in Callaway’s Apex Pro ’16 irons , and were built to my specifications (standard grips, standard length, 1-degree strong lofts, 1-degree flat lie angles).

I performed my testing at the Launch Pad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where I hit the 4 irons, 6 irons and pitching wedges on Trackman IV with premium golf balls. I hit 3-6 solid shots with each iron, and then removed the outliers from the final data in an attempt to compare only the most similar strikes. Results were normalized.

As you can see from the data, there was a significant difference in the flight of the 4 irons with the two different shafts, but less of a difference with the 6 irons and pitching wedges.

As expected, the FLT shafts caused 4 iron shots to launch higher (0.8 degrees) and with more spin (729 rpm) than the KBS Tour shafts. I’m not a low-spin player, which is one of the target audiences for this shaft, so the added launch and spin of the FLT shafts caused my 4 iron shots to fly shorter. Golfers who launch their irons too low or with too little spin, however, will likely see a distance increase when using the FLT shafts.

As I moved closer to the short end of the set, the two shafts started to perform more similarly. Theoretically, the 6 iron shots with the FLT shafts should have launched slightly higher and spun more than 6 iron shots with the KBS Tour shafts, but I actually saw a slightly lower launch angle (0.5 degrees) with the FLT. The spin was higher, though, by 211 rpm. With the pitching wedges, the results were again quite similar. The FLT launched 0.9 degrees higher, but actually spun 271 rpm less than the KBS Tour shafts.

Stepping back from the numbers, I was impressed with how similar the feel was between the KBS Tour and FLT shafts. Yes, I could feel that the FLT shafts were more active in the tip with the 4 irons, but they felt nearly the same in the 6 irons. By the time I got to the pitching wedges, the two shafts were indistinguishable. The KBS Tour is considered one of the better-feeling iron shafts currently available, so KBS’ ability to replicate that feel in the FLT will be a plus for the majority of interested golfers.

Looking more broadly, trends in shaft design tends to go hand-in-hand with trends in club head design, and the FLT shafts are no exception. Equipment manufacturers continue to strengthen the lofts of their distance irons; they have to in order balance the launch equation, as their faster ball speeds create a higher launch angle and more spin.

While the improvements to iron design have allowed golfers to hit their mid and short irons farther, many golfers continue to struggle to hit their long irons high enough or consistently enough for them to be effective. And based on my testing results, it’s clear that the FLT shafts can make long irons more playable for certain golfers, and maybe even keep long irons in a golfer’s bag that might otherwise be kicked out for higher-flying hybrids or fairway woods.

As always, I recommend that golfers get properly fit for iron shafts, which means visiting a reputable club fitter in your area. So if you’re in the market for new irons or iron shafts, you can get started by going through KBS’ Online Fit System , which upon completion lists KBS-certified dealers in your area.

The Wedge Guy: Golf mastery begins with your wedge game

Tour pro calls Anthony Kim a ‘f*****g idiot’ following Instagram comeback post

Insider photos from Tiger Woods’ launch event for his new “Sun Day Red” apparel line

Brandel Chamblee outlines what his tough road back to PGA Tour would look like for LIV pros

This Rory McIlroy post-round ‘The Match’ moment is going viral…but all is likely not what it seems

Anthony Kim WITB 2024 (February)

Tour Edge unveils new Hot Launch 524 Series of golf clubs

Scottie Scheffler WITB 2024 (March)

Tiger Woods opts for veteran caddie to loop for him this week at Riviera

Anthony Kim’s speculated LIV Golf sign-on fee may surprise you

David Ford WITB 2024 (March)

David Ford WITB accurate as of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Project...

Carl Yuan WITB 2024 (March)

Carl Yuan what’s in the bag accurate as of the Cognizant Classic. Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (9 degrees)...

Taylor Moore WITB 2024 (March)

Taylor Moore what’s in the bag accurate as of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees @10.25)...

WITB Time Machine: Jordan Spieth’s winning WITB, 2015 Valspar Championship

It’s hard to believe Jordan Spieth’s season of glory was nine years ago… At the 2015 Valspar Championship, three strokes...

Photos from the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational

The total sum that Sergio Garcia needs to pay in fines if he wants to return to DP World Tour revealed

Joaquin Niemann names 3 PGA Tour events he’d love to play each year ‘in a perfect world’

‘Seems suspect’ – PGA Tour pro hits out at decision to hand Adam Scott and Webb Simpson Bay Hill sponsor exemptions

Spotted: Bettinardi irons at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Plugged-In-Golf-White-on-Blue-e1597419240829

Get plugged in…

KBS C-Taper Lite Shaft Review

50 Words or Less

The KBS C-Taper Lite is very different than the standard C-Taper. High launching with mid spin but feel similar to the original C-Taper.

Introduction

Every golf equipment nerd has unrequited love for some piece of gear. Whether it’s a blade iron that your handicap just won’t let you play or a driver that looks great but goes nowhere, we battle to reconcile our wants with our needs. For me, one of those pieces of gear is the KBS C-Taper shaft. I love the feel, and I love the accuracy, but the launch conditions just aren’t meant for me. Thankfully I’ve found a better match in the C-Taper Lite.

The C-Taper Lite has the same stepless, brushed steel appearance as the C-Taper. To the extent that any steel shaft looks cooler than another, I like this look. There’s no glare, and the stepless look has always appealed to me. Beyond that, the C-Taper Lite can be identified by KBS’s trademark red label.

The feel of the original C-Taper kept it foremost in my thoughts despite the fact that it’s not a great fit for my swing. Some people found it to be rigid, but it made me feel like I could hit the ball down a hallway.

The C-Taper Lite keeps most of that feel while adding a little more kick. This shaft still gives me the sense of being very accurate and stable because of the stiff tip section, but there’s a little more action in the butt section . Whether you liked the feel of the original C-Taper or not, I think the C-Taper Lite could suit your tastes.

Performance

I was fit for the C-Taper Lite during my recent iron fitting with Club Champion . As I mentioned earlier, the C-Taper – a low launch, low spin shaft – is not a good fit for me, so I was surprised when I was handed the C-Taper Lite. Though the two shafts share a name, they are on nearly opposite ends of the fitting spectrum. The C-Taper Lite produces high launch and mid-spin , which is exactly what I needed to gain distance.

My favorite characteristic of the original C-Taper – the accuracy – is still present in the C-Taper Lite. No matter how hard I swing, this shaft holds up and produces accurate shots. I feel like the C-Taper Lite gives me the exact results that my swing deserves, which is everything I want in a shaft.

There are significant weight changes in the C-Taper Lite depending on flex and whether you use parallel or taper tip shafts. In taper tip, the X-flex is 115 grams with the stiff and regular at 110 and 105, respectively. The raw weights of the parallel tip shafts are significantly heavier at 125, 118.5, and 108.5 in X, stiff, and regular. Make sure that you work with your fitter to find the right weight and flex for your swing.

If, like me, you love the feel and accuracy of the original C-Taper but need less weight or more air under the ball, try the KBS C-Taper Lite . While the feel is similar to the C-Taper, the performance is entirely different, launching the ball high with moderate spin. Best of all, it maintains the C-Taper’s trademark accuracy.

59 Comments

I made the switch a couple weeks ago from graphite and love the C-taper 105. At almost 60 years old, I was concerned about the feel on my elbows which had taken a real beating fromother steel shafts. So great to see an article on these. More senior players may want to look at this option. I feel like I have more consistency with this shaft. Thanks as always for the great articles.

Matt, how would you say this shaft compares to the Modus 105 in stiff

Outside of being in a similar weight class, the two don’t have much in common.

Can you expound on the difference? Thx

I have a full review of the Modus 105 here: https://pluggedingolf.com/nippon-modus-3-tour-105-shaft-review/

I find this interesting. The Mizuno Swing optimizer put me into the C-Taper Lite Stiff followed by the Modus3 105 X Stiff (ended up gaming the Stiff flex Modus3).

I found both shafts to perform the same on the simulator. Launch was within one degree. Both had the same carry, dispersion, spin numbers. I would happily game either shaft. Personal preference was to go with the slightly lighter shaft. (Had the KBS Tour 120 previously)

surely the graphite is the material for light shafts and certainly would be better for the elbows

Patrick, I may have missed it in the review, but what makes you believe these shafts will be easier on your elbows than graphite? I too, am just “north of 60” and leaning strongly toward graphite irons in the near future, just to tame the beatings on my elbows, especially when I am forced to hit balls off of a mat. Thanks.

Great review as always.

Do you find the c taper lite plays stiff to flex?

For 95 mph driver swing speed I’m on the fence as to regular or stiff in these.

No, if anything I would say they’re a bit soft to flex. At least that’s how they feel to me.

C-Taper Lites are my favorite shafts. Played them and kept getting pain in my elbows at 35 and couldn’t figure out why til I read other threads. I regrettably had to make the switch. I went to the Steelfibers and the pain went away.

That’s not good to hear. I’ve recently had a little pain myself (age 34), but I can’t really point to the shafts because I’ve hardly played. It is something I’ll keep an eye on – I appreciate the heads up!

How would these shafts compare to the Project X or more specifically the Project X LZ , have been playing Mizuno 900 Forged LZ in stiff but have been hitting ball way too high an am thinking about switching to a slightly lighter shaft (to regain about half a club length distance lost) and slightly lower launching (to stop ballooning my short irons) … Would these or perhaps the regular CTapers be a better fit than the X or X LZ and given that you think they play a little soft to flex, a stiff or perhaps even XS ?

To be blunt, you’re throwing together a lot of shafts that don’t belong in the same conversation. The Project X and the C-Taper are similar – heavy, low launching, tip stiff. The PX LZ – which I don’t have much personal experience with – and the C-Taper Lite are much more active and higher launching.

I think there’s a lot of merit to dropping weight – I’ve done so myself recently – but I would do it with the help of a club fitter like Club Champion or True Spec rather than through self-guided experimentation.

I also was fit into C-Taper lites. Interestingly, I am almost always an S Flex guy, but I was fit into X Flex for the C-Taper lites. They have been great and feel about the same stiffness to me as previous DG S300s. Not sure if that is just feel or whether the lighter weights are actually less stiff within each flex.

I recently got fitted.the Mizuno DNA shaft optimiser. First choice was Project x lz 5.0 shaft…..second was the KBS c taper lite tour 105 regular…..Third was modus 3 105 stiff. Strange that Matt reckons my second and third shaft choice are not comparable…not true according to my fitting.

I switched to C Taper Lites and really liked the performance but after a few months playing with them, by the 6 – 7 hole my elbows hurt to the point that I couldn’t play. I’ve never had that problem before with Dynamic Golds, KBS , etc. It hurt to the point that I played the next few rounds with my other sets with KBS Tours and DG300s and the elbow pain was nonexistent. Switched my gamers to KBS Tours and never had elbow pain again. Might not a problem for sweepers but if you’re a digger like me, stay away from these shafts.

I am looking at either the MP 18 fli hi 3 iron or Srixon Zu65 3 iron for approach shots from around 220, so I am looking for a shaft that is as high launch/spin as possible for stopping power. (not a fan of hybrids)

Would you say this is it? if not what would you recommend?

The C-Taper Lite is not as high launch and spin as possible, but it is higher launching. What weight are you looking to be around?

I currently play project X 6.5 rifle shaft in 4-pw, so ideally looking for something a little lighter than those to increase SS?

Thanks for responding! Tom

You might look at the True Temper AMT Red or the XP models. I haven’t tried the Red but the DG AMT was impressive to me.

Hello Matt. I have recently purchased a set of PXG 0211 irons with kbs tour c taper lite 110 stiff. So far so good. Consistent and very accurate. What are your thought on using the same shaft in my driver. Presently I’m using Aldila nv 65 s.. Opinion would be appreciated

You’re talking about putting a steel shaft in your driver? I’m not sure KBS makes any shaft long enough for that.

Matt, i play the C taper lite 105r, What would be your thoughts for wedge shafts to match? 54 and 58 degree. I have read about soft stepping a 8 iron shaft but i would like your thoughts. Not to much out there that i specific. Thank you

I just play the wedge shaft. It’s worked well so far.

Matt, what would you say is the iron shaft that would promote the highest launch? Steel and graphite?

That’s going to depend entirely on the fit to the individual and the weight you want to be in. Nippon has some great higher launching options, True Temper has the flighted Dynamic Gold series now, KBS has some good options. If you need more launch, make an appointment with a good fitter to find the best option.

Hi Matt, I am playing the KBS Tour 120 gr. Which for me gives me a good dispersion. Getting older, I would like to play a lighter shaft. I tried the KBS c taper lite stiff and loved the fell. They have more kick that the KBS Tour for me. I have a quick transition and I do not want to increase dispersion. I know that you always like heavier shafts in past. Now you are doing well with the 115 gr. Did you have to adjust to them or it was easy? Are they as precise that the Heavier kbs shaft?

The transition from a 120+ shaft to 115 was not a big deal for me. For me, the C-Taper Lite has been as accurate as any iron shaft I’ve played.

HOLA MATT , ES UN PLACER CONTACTARTE, TENGO EN MIS MANOS UN EQUIPO MIZUNO Y LA VARILLA ES KBS TOUR C – TAPER LITE 110 S , MI HANDICAP EN 13 Y MI EDAD RONDA LOS 55 , SI PUDIERA DARME UNA OPINION YO LOS SIENTO MUY RIGIDOS Y PESADOS, GRACIAS.

I’ve recently being fitted for KBS C TAPER 120 S in new MIZUNO 919 Hot Metals. They are what i would consider very heavy compared to what i previously played….. Project x 5.5 rifle. 3 prizes won in 3 weeks….Great…. but here’s my problem….I am hitting 7-PW brilliantly but longer irons 6, and especially 5 & 4 iron, heavy and very poorly compared to the shorter irons., so my question is do you think i would benefit from C Taper lite S 110/115 X in the 4,5 &6 irons….? They are a higher launching shaft with more kick in them yes…?

Yes, the C-Taper Lite is higher launching and lighter than the standard C-Taper. As to whether or not that will solve the long iron problem, there’s no way to know without testing them. If you’re inclined to tinker, you could buy one C-Taper Lite and put it into your 4I and see what happens. If not, I’d suggest meeting with a fitter to figure out if the Lite is a fit.

KBS C Taper 120 S too heavy query. Hi Matt, Happy St Patrick’s Day from Ireland, and thanks for your response. In fairness to the shop where I was fitted they said any problems, then come back and they will work through any issues so I think maybe your advice on the 4 iron might be the way to go..? Or I suspect they’ll try c taper light in a 7 iron..(that’s how I was fitted , on trackman). I like to feel where the clubhead is in my backswing but in the longer irons its like I can’t feel where it is…? I really haven’t been fitted ever before, bar my driver, so I’m no expert. Driver swingspeed is 104mph and 7 iron is 84mph with the C Taper 120 S….at the fitting. Up from 81mph with project X 5.5 in my previous set. (Not fitted for those) . Thanks again for responding to my question. Regards, Ray

Pingback: KBS MAX Graphite Iron Shaft Review - Plugged In Golf

Hi Matt, Thanks for your precise review of c taper life shafts. What would be the expected swing speed or carry distance on 5 iron for regular flex shaft ? I have setup my mind to get a set of constant taper shafts like KBS lites. I like the feel and response of this design Please advise Best regards

Swing speed and resultant distances are totally player specific Nagesh.

– Meeks

How would you compare these to the tour v and $ taper lite?

Both of those shafts have a more active feel than the C-Taper Lite.

Can you compare the normal C-taper 120s to C-taper lite 115x ? I’m currently using C-taper 120s but thinking about moving to lite version but stiffer which is 115x

We have a complete review of the C-Taper here: https://pluggedingolf.com/kbs-c-taper-iron-shaft-review-1/

I cannot find anything on where the KBS Tour C-Taper Lite 105 R. In a Tour Regular, is that in between an standard Regular and standard Stiff? I used to play Project X 5.5, is this similar.

2nd item, the Nippon 105 Regular, how does that lay out compared to standard Regular and standard Stiff.

Thanks in advance!

Yes, Tour Regular is between Regular and Stiff. With regard to Nippon, are you talking about the Modus?

I hit 7 i with 83 mph, and mizuno dna came back with c taper lite X 115 , as TT 120 S300 any tips what you think, is the X not too harsh? john

I don’t find the X harsh. If you’re buying new irons, I would suggest trying both options in a fitting.

Loved the C Taper Lites in my Mizuno’s, but gave them up because of the extreme elbow pain. Now playing the Modus 3 105 without any elbow pain, but liked the KBS shafts better. Must be a lot of vibration in that shaft, but loved the way it felt.

Regarding the comment on elbow pain and vibration in the shaft, a good way to stop vibration and to slightly stiffen the shaft is to fill the shaft with silicone, this dampens the vibration and adds very little weight to the shaft.

Years old thread worth a shot.

Originally fit into elevate tour stiffs. Preformed well but 3 have broken and I’ve read this happens a lot.

I am considering the c taper lites in stiff, would you say they are comparable with launch?

It will depend on the player. For me, they’re not that close.

Your initial review here for the KBS C-Taper Lite was from 2018. These became your gamers.

Several of the commenters said they used this shaft but developed elbow pains from it. While in your bag, did you develop a similar issue?

I ask because of the review you did of the True Temper Elevate Tour were you compared it to the KBS C-Taper Lites. I have liked the TT Elevate on Callaway APEX Pro’s and just bought a used set of Ben Hogan Ft. Worth White with the C-Taper Lite shafts with a 30 day refund. Developing elbow pain will take longer than that to discover.

No, I did not develop any elbow pain as a result of using these shafts.

Good to hear, and thank you for the response.

I love your reviews (and others here on Pluggedingolf) and that they remain available for historical reference. Very informative.

Matt I happened to stumble upon your review of the c taper light and just had a question. I just got fit for irons, I went in with a very open mind and figured I’d settle on what was best for me, spin, dispersion, distance, feel, etc. I got fit for c taper lite 115 xstiff. My concern is the more I read, the more I’m worried these r not the right shafts for me. I hit them very well in my fitting, the best out of the 15 or so shafts i tried… but I’m about a 6hcp with a 100 average swing speed with a 6 iron… would you be concerned or should I trust my fitter? I have not received the clubs yet as I just had my fitting I just was looking for an opinion. Thanks Tom

As a rule, I do not second guess fitters. If there’s a reason that you don’t trust the fitter’s work or what you saw in the fitting, by all means explore another fitting, but nothing in your comment indicates that.

Matt: I went to a fitter and really like the C-Taper Lite. However, the regular and still shafts give me nearly the same results. I swing my 7 iron in the 83-86 range and am a fairly fit 70 years old. Any suggestions as to which flex I should choose for the Srixon SX5? Thanks. Mark

Did you have a preference for the feel of one over the other? If not and all else equal, I’d say go softer and lighter as they’ll work better when you’re a bit tired.

Is this a steel shaft or a graphite shaft? Everything I am reading makes it out to be a steel shaft, but it certainly looks and feels like a graphite shaft.

It’s a steel shaft.

Plugged In Golf

Do You Like Free Golf Gear?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and not only will you get the latest reviews, instruction, and more delivered directly to your inbox, you’ll also be entered into regular giveaways for golf clubs and more.

IMAGES

KBS Tour C-Taper Steel Shafts
New-Uncut-KBS-Tour-C-Taper-125-gram-Stiff-Flex-6-Iron-Shaft-355-Taper
KBS TOUR C-TAPER 90 STIFF FLEX STEEL IRON SET SHAFTS PULLS 4-PW .370
"KBS Tour S+" Vs "KBS C Taper 130 X"
KBS Tour C-Taper Shaft (.370 Tip)
KBS Tour C-Taper Lite Steel Shafts

VIDEO

[KB] The Positions World Tour: Concert Film (Official Trailer)
KCR on Tour
試打リング KBS S-TAPER 120 × PR202
Jolana Basso 9: худший бас Чехословакии?
【KBSにATTASに日本シャフト】各メーカーさんにそれぞれ特徴を聞きながらバンバン打ってミタ【ミタナラバコウタロウ】ゴルフテック by GDO
Iron shaft fitting KBS Tour C Taper 120 S VS True Temper Dynamic Gold X 100 VS KBS Tour 130 X