VA Raijin Hybrid Shaft
I’m not sure if it’s fair to call this a review of the VA Raijin hybrid shaft, but more of a rediscovery. You see, I first spent time with this shaft in a previous life where I regularly wrote about my thoughts on golf gear. Fast forward around a zillion years and I was digging through the often-mentioned golf gear archives in the garage. I was looking for a loose hybrid shaft for my Sub 70 949X Pro hybrid review. I totally forgot I still had one a Raijin hybrid from a review many moons ago, but my find only got better. Much to my surprise, this wasn’t the review shaft from yesteryear! It was a totally brand new VA Raijin hybrid shaft! Surely I must have a review of it here on DRH? NOPE!
Admittedly, it had been quite a few years and my memory of the shaft wasn’t fresh, but I though “ahh, let’s just try it, should be fine.” Little did I know this rediscovery of this high-launch, low-spin beauty of a hybrid shaft would be so great. So much so that I felt like NOT capturing the experience here on this website was a severe disservice to the golfing community and my friends at VA Shafts.
The Looks
Admittedly, I’m a big time VA Shafts fan, but I think their graphics and overall looks are some of the best in the game. They do a great job of blending really slick artwork with simplicity. The artwork in the Raijin family is a colorful dragon that’s inspired by Japanese tattoo art and the Japanese God of Thunder. Just beneath the bold graphics is a simple white base that runs about two thirds the length of the shaft with black wording. It really is a great blend of elegance and a tasteful sense of utilitarianism.
How Does it Feel?
In my opinion, hybrids are the hardest club in the bag to get dialed in, followed closely by the fairway wood. Personally, I like a hybrid to have a little weight to it, a firm and direct feel, and optimal stability. Don’t get me wrong, you need a good club head for that too, but getting the shaft right is just as crucial. Maybe more crucial than the head. Frankly, the VA Raijin hybrid shaft was the perfect blend. 84 grams felt heavy enough to have a strong presence, but light enough to still get high swing speeds. The mid kick point was forceful, but nice and tight for a great kick.
I had great shot response and felt like I could execute any hybrid shot in the book with this setup. But on top of all of this, the Raijin felt incredibly smooth. I would 100% honestly tell you that the VA Raijin is one of the best feeling hybrid shafts I’ve ever used. Easily in the top 3, at the very least.
On-Course Performance
On paper the VA Raijin hybrid shaft is designed to launch higher in the air with low spin. The idea is that you’ll be able to control it and keep it in play with plenty of carry and soft landings. My experience was that, yes, the Raijin can do that, but there’s so much more. The stock shot was an easily adjustable mid launch with a piercing, yet rising ball flight. If I need to take one down low to really drive through some wind, no problem. If I need to go upstairs to ride the same wind for 240 yards, or to make a really soft landing into a 220-yard par 3, no problem. And it’s easy. Again, the Raijin hybrid shaft is versatile, easy to play, and powerful.
Final Thoughts – VA Raijin Hybrid Shaft
The VA Raijin hybrid shaft was easily some of the best control I’ve ever had in a hybrid. Simple as that. I was able to flight it any trajectory with ease and shape it just as easily. Shot response was smooth and precise in my hands, and I felt like I had total control over every shot. I don’t know about you, but that’s a HUGE relief in a hybrid. To be able to have that confidence in every shot with a hybrid in your hands is a massive relief for me. Hybrids can get real scary real fast, but I never felt that way with the Raijin in my setup. One thing’s for sure, the VA Raijin hybrid won’t disappear into the archives anytime soon.
