Fujikura Vista Pro Shaft

Fujikura originally launched the Vista Pro shaft line in 2016 as a way to easily fit players and optimize their performance in their irons through their driver. In 2021, Fujikura has totally redesigned the lineup from the top down with new materials and shaft profiles to better fit modern club designs. Most importantly, the Fujikura Vista Pro shaft lineup is quite affordable with extensive combinations to fit players of all skill levels and swing types.

When Fujikura was launching the new Vista Pro lineup, I knew we had just the guy to test it. I reached out to my buddy and semi-regular contributor to the site, Mark, to have him put the Vista Pro through its paces. Mark takes his golf super serious, but has only recently dabbled in the world of “non-stock” shaft options for his clubs. Honestly, Mark is really a much more relatable “real world” golfer that wants to shoot better scores and is open minded when it comes to his equipment. He really was the perfect person for this job.

The Looks

I’m pretty open minded when it comes to graphics/looks in golf shafts. That said, I know a lot of people who prefer a more tame and modest appearance. I think the key is to find a way to balance character and tasteful understatement. Fujikura delivered exactly that with the Vista Pro lineup. The base is a glossy black with white and red Vista Pro branding on one side, and a red Fujikura logo on the other side. Don’t miss the subtle grid graphics under the logo for a little extra accenting.

How Does it Feel?

While getting everything lined up for this review, I asked Mark what his preferred weight and flex were in his driver shaft. He told me he was fitted for a regular flex shaft in the 40 gram range to help get a little more speed and launch. So naturally we set him up in the 45-gram regular flex option of Fujikura Vista Pro driver shaft.

Fujikura put A LOT of effort and focus into getting the feel right where they wanted it in the Vista Pro lineup. First, they used a new “multi-material bias core” which is what gives the shaft a more consistent feel throughout its entire profile. In addition to that, Fujikura refrained from using smaller plies of material to construct the shaft. By using “full-length” materials, Fujikura is able to remove a lot of inconsistencies that may normally exist in the shaft. As a result, the feel is smoother and more reliable. This makes a HUGE difference in a lighter-weight shaft as it helps make the shaft more stable as well. (A common battle in lightweight golf shafts.)

Without receiving advanced information prior to testing, Mark specifically remarked that the Vista Pro felt smooth and more stable. He felt this increase in stability was noticeable and helped him control the ball off the tee very well. This was a goal of Fujikura’s which they accomplished by making the mid section a little stiffer than normal. Mark’s club head awareness increased and he felt he was able to slot his swing nicely once he adjusted to the different profile of that shaft. One thing I’ll specifically point out in lighter-weight shafts is that I feel minor differences in profiles are much more noticeable, so be aware that it’s normal to have to go through an adjustment period.

On-Course Performance

I originally intended to make this section about comparing Mark’s performance between his gamer shaft and the Fujikura Vista Pro. As I reviewed Mark’s data for the two shafts, and really thought about the value of what that insight would provide readers, I decided to go a different direction. There were some significant differences in the sense that Mark launched and spun the Vista Pro a bit lower, but the reality is, comparing how the Vista Pro compares to another shaft for another player will always differ. So really, I just didn’t think that approach would be too helpful.

With Mark’s swing speed, there are tradeoffs to consider. The lower launch angle and slightly lower spin of the Vista Pro helped him get a more piercing flight with some extra roll out. Put that together with the stability mentioned earlier, and he also had more control for a tighter dispersion. In his other shaft, he was launching the ball a couple of degrees higher with more spin. Yes, he got more carry, but the ball was more difficult to control at times. In Mark’s case, it would really come down to how much value he puts on control versus maximum distances. One thing he consistently felt with the Vista Pro was that he was able to hit a powerful shot with a piercing flight and tight control off the tee.

Final Thoughts – Fujikura Vista Pro Shaft

What I really want to convey as I wrap up this review is the value of the Fujikura Vista Pro shaft. After spending $400-$600 on a new driver, I’m not dying to spend another $400 on an aftermarket upgrade. Fortunately, the Vista Pro provides you another option. Taking lessons from the past half decade, including concepts from Ventus and VeloCore, Fujikura made the Vista Pro an incredible value at $125. The Vista Pro is an affordable high-quality shaft upgrade that has smooth feel, strong stability, and premium performance. Oh, and the price is very affordable and a less intimidating barrier to entry for the world of club fitting. To me, that makes the Vista Pro a great option for many amateur and semi-recreational golfers on a budget.

Fujikura Vista Pro Specs

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