KBS Tour Prototype Graphite Hybrid Shaft Review

kbs_hybrid_prototype-uai-258x258KBS Tour Prototype graphite hybrid shafts are the first graphite shafts offered by KBS.  The shafts are designed to follow the same profile as the KBS Tour shaft so there is an easy transition from the steel iron shafts to a lighter weight graphite hybrid shaft.

Overall, our testers rated the Tour Prototype 4.8 out of 5 based on the following:

Appearance:  Matte black finish with red KBS label.  Nice look.

Flexes and Weights Available:

  • 65g (R,S,X)
  • 75g (R,S,X)
  • 85g (R,R+,S,S+,X)
  • 95g (S,S+,X)
  • Raw Length 42″
  • Tip Diameter .370″

MSRP:  $175.00 USD

Availability:  KBS, qualified fitters, and select retail golf stores.

Weight Consistency:  4.9 out of 5.0

Butt Stiffness (CPM):  Consistent increase in CPM from R through X.   As weights increase the flexes will play stiffer.  As an example, the S flex in the 95 will play two flexes stiffer than the S flex in the 65 and a flex stiffer than the 85 and 75.  Still will be able to build to very stiff flexes for stronger players in the 85 and 95 gr weights.

Tip Stiffness:  Medium – Soft

Mid Stiffness:  Medium – Firm

Balance Point:  Will yield an average swing weight.

Torque:  Good transition of higher torque in R flex to lowest torque in X flex.  Low torque rating overall.

SQI (Shaft Quality Index):  91.1 out of 100  ( Average).  The S and X flexes are the highest quality.  The test samples we received were not as consistent in the R flex.

Trajectory:  Launch angle is mid-high.

Spin:  Mid spin.

Feel:  Solid feel for all testers.  More of a firm mid section feel that some other hybrid shafts

General:  This is a great introduction of a graphite shaft to the KBS marketplace.  The 65 and 75 will be good complements to the Tour 90 while the 85 and 95 will work with the rest of the KBS Tour steel shafts.