Setting the Bag for the 2021 Season
This time of year, every year, is when many of the winter experiments start settling in and the bag setup starts taking shape for the season. Of course, there are a few of those experiments that need some actual game play before any commitments are made, but alas, the first changes start getting made right about now. As such, the first change to my bag for the 2021 season has officially been implemented. I have installed a KBS CT Tour Putter Shaft in my gamer Scott Readman Concepts IKB2 putter.
You see, I recently reviewed the KBS Tour One Step putter shaft, as seen here. When I went to check out specs for the One Step, I saw there was a new option for the CT Tour putter shaft. It was a .355 tip shaft and a whole new color. Previously only available in chrome and black, KBS is now offering the CT in white pearl! I knew I had to have one and I knew my gamer was the perfect putter for it.
Scott Readman Concepts IKB2 Putter
First a little background on my putter. Scott Readman Concepts launched the IKB2 a couple of years ago and I’ve had it in my bag ever since. The story goes, when Scott got the first CAD drawings worked out, I told him “I want the very first one out of the box.” Scott generously agreed and got to work on it. But that wasn’t this putter. Scott decided he wasn’t happy with it, and that became another sick putter here. So Scott pulled another head out of the box and the putter pictured here is the end result. It has a lot of stuff I asked for as well as some nice Easter eggs in it. Overall, it was the perfect execution of minimal design and character. I absolutely love it and it has served me well ever since.
The KBS CT Tour Shaft
If you want the full review of the KBS CT Tour, you can check out my review here. The general idea is that steel putter shafts haven’t really evolved over the past 50 years while putter heads have. Head weights are heavier and there are shapes that Ben Hogan never would have imagined. (I’m looking at you, TaylorMade Spyder.) Given how much things have changed, it seems crazy thinking the same old steel shafts are adequate. So KBS decided to do something about it.
KBS gave the CT Tour a stiffer profile and added more stability in the shaft. There’s great feedback in the hands, but the overall feel with a modern head is more balanced and much smoother. I don’t know, maybe it’s a placebo effect, maybe it’s the real deal, but I genuinely feel like I have more control in my 350g Anser 2-style putter head with the CT Tour in it. Feeling confident is a huge part of the battle with the putter, so I’ll take it.
Of course, there’s the sick white pearl finish. Normally reserved for custom orders, KBS made this white finish available at retail to provide a third option to express your character. It has a cool faint pearl finish that catches just right in sunlight. Add in my custom white/red/grey SuperStroke grip and it’s a PERFECT combo. I love it.
Final Thoughts – My New KBS CT Tour Shaft
One last quick note to be aware of so you can’t say I didn’t tell you. This KBS shaft label is silk screened on the shaft as opposed to decals like the originals. I installed this shaft and cut it down to play at 35.25 inches. When I put the grip on, it slid over and covered a good portion of the shaft label. I personally don’t care whatsoever, but don’t panic if this happens to you too. It’s just cosmetic, and who cares if anyone knows what putter shaft you’re playing? Just make some putts with it and get their attention that way.
So far, I don’t just love how the putter looks with the sick white pearl shaft, but I also love putting with it. The feel of my beloved Scott Readman IKB2 is so much better now and I feel even more confident over the ball. I’m super pumped for this addition to my 2021 setup and I can’t recommend the CT Tour shaft enough to replace your current steel putter shaft.
