Fujikura Pro Black Shaft

Fujikura’s revival of their popular Pro series of shafts has included a new low-launch, low-spin option. The Fujikura Pro Black shares the same weight and “Advanced Bend Profile” (ABP) as the Pro Blue but in a more stout package. Leveraging the same innovative materials and insights gained from fitting partnerships, Ventus TR research, and their own enso analytics, the Black might be a better choice for golfers with a more aggressive swing or those seeking to reduce launch and spin while maintaining a smooth, stable feel.

The Looks

The Fujikura Pro Black is a little less flashy than the Blue, but shares the retro inspiration. It has the same silver sparkle base layer, but the branding and accents are all in a black sparkle. I think the Pro Black is a little less “Salt Flat car” and a little more “space ship”. The shaft label up features a somewhat modest black Fujikura wordmark, and the underside features a Black “Pro” wordmark alongside a black and red Fujikura logo.

How Does it Feel?

For the longer story of Advanced Bend Profile, take a look at my Pro Blue review here. The CliffsNotes is that Fujikura used a similar concept to targeting specific areas of the shaft like they did with Ventus TR. Where Ventus TR was setting different levels of torque throughout the shaft, ABP targets specific areas for “stiffness”. Or rather, “how it bends” as the name implies. The end result is a combination of different levels of stiffnesses throughout the shaft without sacrificing the smooth overall bend profile.

I thought the Pro Black felt pretty similar to the Pro Blue in the sense that it has a smooth, clean bend profile. The big difference is that the Black has a higher kick point and feels more stable in the tip section as a low launch/spin option. Though it’s definitely more conducive to a harder swing, the Pro Black is definitely more “swingable” and doesn’t feel tough to load and release. It was very precise and responsive in my opinion, but I felt like I could really swing away with it without sacrificing control. Or better yet, not have the launch or spin sneak up on me.

If I had to pick between the two, the Pro Black feels better with my aggressive swing. I think the Blue will feel better to a wider range of players, but the Black will feel more in control for the bigger swingers.

On-Course Performance

Like I mentioned in the Feel section, I was able to swing away with the Fujikura Pro Black without sacrificing control. From a performance perspective, I think the biggest point that stood out was that you don’t have to be superhuman to get optimal performance. But you can be superhuman and get away with it, too. I didn’t feel like I had to swing out of my shoes to optimize it (like, maybe a Ventus Black TR…), but I could definitely grip it and rip it. My dispersion was tight, and I felt consistently “contained” with my full swing.

In terms of playability, the Pro Black’s smooth and firm profile makes it easy to shape both ways and adjust trajectory. Flighting it up or down was easier than I had expected, and I didn’t feel like it was a one-trick pony. That said, the stock shot was fairly low, but not an “icey rope” that barely gets off the ground. This piercing shot, with plenty of roll, is certainly a good starting point to work from.

Final Thoughts – Fujikura Pro Black Shaft

I think the Fujikura Pro Black is a really solid option for players that seek a more “playable” low launch and spin shaft. The Advanced Bend Profile really delivers a smooth, responsive feel, while its sturdy build can handle a more aggressive swing. However, I feel that you don’t necessarily have to have a super aggressive swing to realize the benefits. The Fujikura Pro Black is a versatile low/low shaft option that may work for a wider range of players that might otherwise find this category of golf shaft difficult to play.

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