KBS Tour 90 Shaft
The KBS Tour 90 shaft is the lightest steel shaft in the KBS lineup and designed to give players more spin, a higher trajectory, and greater swing speeds. Though still a firm shaft design, the Tour 90 has softer tip and higher center of gravity to help players get the ball in air with more distance. Players with lower swing speeds and smoother tempos looking for more distance are a good fit for this iron shaft. If that’s you, read on.
How Does it Feel?
Let’s not beat around the bush here – the KBS Tour 90 shaft feels extremely light for a steel shaft. This is, of course, by design to fit a certain type of player or swing. In fact, the Tour 90 is actually 20% lighter than a standard steel shaft. While the Tour 90 has a “firm shaft design,” the lighter weight and “2-Flex system” make the shaft feel a little more flexible than normal. The shaft is very smooth in its kick, but anything other than a smooth tempo’d swing will be a struggle. Feedback and response is good in your hands, but again, you need a smooth tempo in your swing. I found anything the least bit aggressive felt sloppy and out of control. Smooth and easy is the ticket here.
I want to point out that “smooth and easy” doesn’t mean you need to be slow. You can have plenty of swing speed with the Tour 90 as long as you have the right tempo. If you don’t fit that profile, this shaft could feel a bit noodley to you. Keep that in mind!
On-Course Performance
Ultimately, the KBS Tour 90 and Tour 105 performed very similarly for me. My spin was virtually identical with an average differential of only two rpms between the two shafts. On average, however, I launched the Tour 90 about a degree higher. Where I saw the biggest difference with the Tour 90 shaft compared to the rest of the KBS family was in the short irons. I launched my pitching wedge and 9 iron notably higher and with more spin than any other shaft in the KBS lineup.
In terms of “on-course performance,” my biggest takeway is that the Tour 90 is a shaft that really wants to get the ball in the air for you. If you have a more moderate-to-slow swing speed, this shaft could work wonders for you. You won’t need to put in that extra work to hoist the ball in the air on every swing. You should experience a better flight and the extra spin should help hold the ball up in the air. What does this ultimately mean to you? It means more carry and avoiding the dreaded dive bomb because you just can’t get enough power into your shot. Theoretically, you may also pick up a few yards due a little extra club speed from the lighter shaft. That combined with the better carry may give you more distance than you’ve seen in awhile.
Final Thoughts – KBS Tour 90 Shaft
In my opinion, the KBS Tour 90 is best suited for players with lower swing speeds and smooth pure tempos. If that’s you, you’re absolutely perfect for this shaft. Let’s be honest, these other 120-gram stiff steel shafts can be really difficult for a lot of players to snap into the air with good carry that ends with that high apex followed by a soft fall to the ground. Instead you see a more looping shot that creates more of a parabola and less of a triangle through the air barely getting above a low tree line. (#geometry)
If you’re looking for some help getting the ball in the air with good carry, and want to stay in a steel shaft, the KBS Tour 90 is definitely worth a swing. Seniors, I’m looking at you – albeit not exclusively.
Hi Bill, how would you compare this to say the XP95 R300 and Nippon Modus 105 R? I had the Mizuno swing analyser suggest these 3 for me – avg 7i swing speed is about 73mph when swinging smoothly
I honestly couldn’t tell you. I don’t have any real extensive experience with the other two shafts.
I am a beginner golfer and struggling using this kbs tour 90 Shaft. Any word of advice?
In what way are you struggling?
I got fit into Tour 90’ Stiff last summer despite having decent swing speed. I hit my 7 iron 165 yards, but with a smooth tempo and not aggressive transition. Mid to early release. I was skeptical since many describe these as shafts for slower swing speeds and seniors. Definitely higher ball flight, but not losing distance compared to the DG S300’s I played previously. Is this in line with your impressions Of how these might fit a player with more swing speed?
You have to remember that it’s not an exact science. There’s the “snowflake” element in that everyone has their own unique swing and will respond to different equipment differently. That’s why you really have to take any description from a product page or review at sort of a surface level. For instance, there are many low spin/launch shafts that I hit high and spin the living daylights out of while someone else might hit low knuckle balls. Know what I mean?
The reality is, it’s dialing in the combination of your speed, tempo/transition style, and natural shot to figure it out.
I think my question to you is that you’re looking back at something you were fit for a year ago. Have you been playing this shaft? If so, how has been for you? If you haven’t been, you got fit a year ago, it might be worth seeing if that’s still the right fit for you.
Ha, I guess its just my ego looking for some validation. I have been playing these shafts over the past year, and now that I have settled in and learned to stay smooth, I have been hitting my irons so much better. My ball flight is surprisingly higher, but I’m hitting my irons just as far, if not further than the old shafts. To your point, everyone is unique in their swing, and it’s not always about how fast you swing it, but how you swing it fast. The proof is in the pudding, so I should probably not second guess it so much. I should be happy to hit Ladies flex if it meant better golf shots!
It sounds like you’ve been playing them pretty well for a year. I don’t think you need any validation unless you’re looking to improve something. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take the clicks on the posts all day! But don’t go back second guessing a good shaft for you unless you’re actively looking to improve, fix, or change something.
I have the kbs tour 90 r regular shaft on my mizuno hot metal 919 irons ..I feel like every club is going too high and losing distance ..my p 9 8 seems to all be going same distance about 100-125 which is short for me and 5 6 7 distances are all inconsistent ..could this be result of too light or shaft not stiff enough ???
Could really be a wide range of things. It sounds to me like it’s too light for however you swing the club. Were you professionally fit for this setup?
Also might be worth verifying your lofts and lies.
Hi Bill,
Would these be a good fit for me. Im looking at the mizuno 921 irons. My swing speed is only 80/90mph and just started playing & im off 24.
If could help be great. Can get a set from my pro shop but they have kbs tour.
Hi Mark,
Hard to say without seeing how you actually hit the ball with it. In theory, they should be easier to launch higher with a smooth and easy swing.
I wouldn’t consider your handicap as a determining factor here, fyi. Handicaps can be based off of many elements within your game let alone how an iron shaft is affecting your ball flight.
Hopefully that helps.
Could you tcompare with Project x flijghted 5.5 and KBS 90 S?
I haven’t hit the flighted PX in so long in general, and never in a regular flex. I couldn’t even begin to make that comparison for you.
This is a really good review and fits what my club fitting found. A question, do you think the shafts should go through the SST Pure Process? Is this really worth the extra $30 per club?
That’s sort of a tough one that I can see from every direction. I personally think PUREing a shaft is a great option if this set is a long-term investment. If you’re going to play these clubs for up to 10 years, may as well go all out and do it right. If you’re a regular switcher, that’s a lot of money.
Modern shafts are arguably better constructed and the seams on the shaft aren’t as impacting. Different people have different opinions here, thus my use of “arguably”. At the end of the day, it is a lot of extra money so it sort of comes down to the point above for me.
I will say, I have had some shafts PUREd where I’ve absolutely noticed the difference, and others where I haven’t. I 100% believe in PUREing, but I think experience will vary from player to player and shaft to shaft.
I am reshafting irons for my kid, he is 13 y/o, He´s been using accra 50i for a year and a half but 1 month ago he´s been struggling with the accras. Bought this shafts kbs 90 in stiff flex but I will put them soft stepped, what´s your opinion? swing speed in irons 84 mph average.
Tough to say without any real sense of how he physically responds to them. Yeah, it’s a lightweight shaft, but pretty apples to oranges with the ACCRA he’s currently using. There are a variety of reasons the ACCRA could be causing problems with him. Shaft profile, flex, weight, etc. Sort of have to narrow that down through testing to really advise on next steps. I think I would ask, how do you know a soft stepped stiff is the answer? Why not a regular flex? Or not a “regular stepped” stiff? Regardless, the shift you’re looking to make likely isn’t out of the realm of possibilities, but would need much more data to really have any opinions. It’s basically the concept of getting fit for the gear.
thanks for your comments, Basicallly he grew up almost 8″ the past six months, he is going to be growing up and increasing speed (slowly I know), That´s why I am not buying new irons, just reshafting their callaway apex cf19 that came short in lenght and speed. Sort of anticipating he will need gradually stiff in the short time, the soft stepping will be an approach to stiff without being stiff.
Don’t get me wrong, I can fully understand a growing boy will need to make some gear changes. For sure. I’m just saying, I think there are a lot of variables to consider if you don’t want to just take a shot in the dark. He may just literally get along with the shaft because it just isn’t a match for how it feels in his hands, know what I mean?
I know what you mean, that´s why I thanked your comment. We are going with that shaft and in certain point it is a shot in the dark or definitively it is, but we are in Mexico, traveling to USA is almost impossible due to pandemia and it is the real and one solution that I have in this moment. Sincerely I really appreciate your opinion.
Certainly understandable.
Out of curiosity, what is the fitting industry like in Mexico? Would be interested to know!
really bad and expensive. Most fitters work like staff pros, mainly taylormade, the others work without trackman and there are some of them working professional but in these pandemia conditions orders of new clubs are taking 8 weeks or more. We have some tournaments ahead and have no time to wait that amount of time.
Very interesting. So referring back to your previous comment, in non-COVID times, do you guys usually travel to the US for this kind of stuff?
yes we do very often, in fact last time we fitted at club champions and irons were assembled in LA
Crazy! Thanks for the insight, I love learning about how this game operates outside of the US! Thanks for stopping by and the comments!
thanks Bill for your comments and your expertise about shafts, made me hesitate haha
what´s your opinion between the kbs tour 90 and the kbs tour flt series 110 gr?
Hmmm. I’m not particularly sure. Been awhile since I’ve hit either and couldn’t really fairly compare them now.
For me, 20 grams is a fairly significant weight difference. Nevermind anything else with the shaft design.
Hi,
I was fitted a year ago with Mizuno JPX 919 forged irons and the KBS tour 90 regular shafts. WOW, what a difference, even from other KBX shafts.
Bottom line is I 100% agree with you that a professional fitting is the ONLY way to go. As soon as the lockdown is over in my part of Canada, I am going to get fitted for driver thru rescue.
Thanks so much for the excellent reviews!
Hi,
I tried these today on a Forged Tec 7iron. I like a lighter shaft and have 100-110 swing speed. Carry was on average 165-170 and it landed soft with minimal roll and sometimes backspin. Had 4.5k-5k spin and was just really liking the feel.
Judging by the description though, I feel like I should be looking at something else?
Would you have any pointers to something else I should try or I should just gun for it?
Thanks
Eric
I mean, if everything you’re experiencing with it says “good to go”, who cares what it says on a piece of paper about what’s supposed to happen? Everyone has a unique swing and response to equipment. What you just experienced is the exact reason why it’s important to test/fit and not just buy based on what a description says.
I have been playing the KBS Tour 90 Stiff (102g) in 2016 Titleist AP1, for five years.
The positives: These shafts feel absolutely wonderful to me. I have an average swing speed and a moderate to smooth tempo, as described in the review. I’m 55 years old, average build, and I hit a well struck 7i about 155-160 yards. They feel really smooth to me, and easy to swing (as opposed to TT DG’s and PX’s, which I hit straight as an arrow, but have to work my butt off with to make good, consistent contact). I have tried them in multiple other iron heads (Mizuno JPX Forged and HMP, Callaway Apex, Taylormade P790), and I hit all of those irons basically the same with that shaft. They don’t all “feel” the same because the heads are different, but I get similar ball flight with all of them with this shaft. It’s obvious, this shaft fits me.
The negatives: There are times on the range (but rarely on the golf course), when I feel like the short irons are ballooning a little. They still travel appropriate distances, but they go very high. This is especially problematic when I play or practice in the wind. Mostly, the PW and 9i. I can bring rain with my PW on some days. But, I think that may be my swing, since some days I hit my blade Cleveland gap wedge a mile in the air on the range, as well. I am in the market for new irons this spring, and I have a Club Champion fitting in April. I plan to start with the Tour 90 in the new irons, and then try the lightest flex Tour 105 (I think it’s about 110g) to see if I can bring that short iron ball flight down a little without killing my middle and long iron flight, which is quite good now.
What is the weight for KBS 90 Regular shaft and Siff shaft ?
Take a look on KBS’s site. They should have those specs. If not, they will be able to provide them if you reach out to them.
Have a 16 son who can hit it 240-250 (good drive) so I would say above average swing speed but not crazy. He has a very old “set” of DCIs…thinking about Takomo which use these shafts.
Generally speaking, these KBS in a stiff probably would be a reasonable fit?
Hard to say based on just the information you provided, but in theory, he should have the swing speed to get a KBS 90 through. Stiff flex could give room for growth, but also possible he will also get bigger and stronger in the next few seasons and need a heavier shaft. Also possible he won’t. If you can do any testing/fitting, you absolutely should for his benefit.
Hi Bill I bought a set of Honma’s TW737P irons, they have the extra stiff Vizard shaft which is way to stiff for me, I was told the KBS tour 90 shaft would be a good fit, I’m 62 still in good shape, swing speed. 95 to 100, I hit the ball high already should I look at a heavier shaft in the KBS tour shaft line up or just try the KBS Tour 90, I would greatly appreciate your input.
Tough to say with just that information, but I would guess if you’re swinging driver around 95-100, already hit the ball high, KBS 90 might not be ideal. That’s based off of limited information and a blind guess, but it’s going to be a higher-flight shaft on paper. The ultimate best thing to do is to get fit and see how your particular swing responds to specific equipment combinations. That interaction is generally unpredictable and why testing/fitting is so important.
Great review. I had A flex graphite shafts with my old set. I hit the ball much more consistent with the KBS 90 steel shafts. Great for my slow swing speed. Smooth tempo does help alot, Sometimes I tend to rush. Thanks