Fujikura Pro Blue Shaft
Often heralded for its smooth feel, impressive performance, and general versatility, the Fujikura Pro line has been a favorite to many over the years. Through many critical learnings from their fitting partners, Ventus TR research, and their own enso analytics, Fujikura delivers the latest version of their Pro line featuring an “Advanced Bend Profile” (ABP) with newer materials. This combination results in Fujikura’s best Pro series to date. The two shafts offered are the Fujikura Pro Blue for players seeking a mid launch with mid-low spin, and a low/low Black profile.
The Looks
I really like the looks of the 2024 line of Fujikura Pro shafts. It gives me a sort of retro Sci-Fi, yet still very contemporary vibe. If I had to pick a favorite in terms of looks, I’d definitely go with the Fujikura Pro Blue. While both shafts have a silver sparkle base coat, the blue accents and graphics really pop. The blue Fujikura on the “label up” side looks like it could come right off a 60s Salt Flat car (they’re practically spaceships…). On the reverse side is a “Pro” logo and the signature white and red Fujikura emblem, as well as the weight and flex notation.
How Does it Feel?
Follow me on a small journey here. When Fujikura was developing the Ventus TR, they figured out that the shaft performed best with different torque “profiles” in different areas of the shaft rather than “one uniform torque” throughout the whole shaft. Fujikura brought this same concept to the 2024 Pro shafts via the Advanced Bend Profile. This allowed Fujikura to target specific areas of the shaft to “alter stiffness” without affecting the overall bend profile.
For instance, the Fujikura Pro Blue has significantly less stiffness in the lower portion of the mid section to increase speed. However, the tip section maintains more “stiffness” for more stability so you don’t lose control. From my experience, this was pretty spot on. The bend profile was very smooth overall and reminiscent of the classic Pro models. The difference is that I felt a little more “tightness” in the shaft that allowed me to really go after the ball without feeling like I was losing that smooth feel and control. It also provides better feedback than its predecessors which improves your club awareness. In short, the Fujikura Pro is firm in all the right sections, and a little softer where it needs to be.
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 114.7 | 170.9 | 13.8º | 2561 | 286 | 292.8 |
A major appeal of this new Fujikura Pro line is that these shafts will fit a very wide range of players between the two models. The mid-launch, mid-low spin Fujikura Pro Blue does exactly what it says it does. With my normal, fairly aggressive swing, my spin was definitely in the medium range with a comfortably medium trajectory. Though I averaged 13.8º of launch, I found it fairly easy to elevate when necessary. Flighting it down wasn’t difficult, but not as “automatic” for me.
I also spent a lot of time swinging the Fujikura Pro Blue with a much easier tempo. (Something I’m working on with my swing right now.) So much so, you might argue it to be a fair comparison of two different golfers. My distance and control were just as consistent. I typically struggle to “switch between tempos” with a golf shaft. The end results are generally a loss of speed/distance and major inconsistencies in terms of dispersion. I didn’t experience any of this with the Pro Blue which leads me to feel pretty confident that it will be plenty playable for a variety of golfers. I wouldn’t mind seeing a little less spin, but that’ll be addressed in the Pro Black review. (Check back later!)
Final Thoughts – Fujikura Pro Blue Shaft
The Fujikura Pro Blue shaft is a flat out fun golf shaft. Its “Advanced Bend Profile” and new materials deliver a smooth feel, impressive performance, and versatility that caters to a wide range of golfers. Its mid-launch, mid-low spin characteristics make it a solid choice for players seeking a controllable and consistent launch and ball flight. The Pro Blue’s ability to accommodate different swing tempos further enhances its appeal in my opinion, making it a versatile option for golfers of varying skill levels. If the Pro Blue’s spin rates, and even launch, may not be as low as you desire, the Pro Black may be the better option for you.
Bill, I read your review of the Speeder NX Blue three years ago, and it seems to me that Fujikura’s “Variable Torque Core” back then and its new “Advanced Bend Profile” seem to be different labels that are aimed at the same purpose: tweaking the torque profiles in different sections of the shaft. Do you have a sense of how those two technologies are different? (Maybe it’s more of a branding thing, since I think the Speeder NX lineup is primarily aimed at the Asian market?)
On paper, the Speeder NX Blue and the new Pro Blue sound like they’re in the same ballpark. I have the Speeder NX Blue in a 3W and love it. Do you think these two are comparable? I’d similarly be curious about Speeder NX Green and Pro Black, but I don’t know if you’ve tested them.
Short version, it’s a similar concept, but the Pro is focused more on bend (in the name) and the Speeder NX was focused more on torque. The comparison with the Speeder NX is really probably closer to the Ventus TR’s implementation of torque in different areas.
So not a branding thing. It’s been awhile since I’ve swung a Speeder NX so would be tough for me to really give you an A/B comparison. Similarly, I haven’t ever swung a Speeder NX Green so I won’t be much help there. Pro Black review will be posted in the near future.