LA Golf Shafts Trono
LA Golf Shafts has jumped into the spotlight after being found in the bags of the newer, larger Bryson DeChambeau, Rickie Fowler, Jason Dufner, and others. While their putter shafts have recently turned heads, the new LA Golf Shafts Trono wood shaft it’s something not to be ignored. Developed hand in hand with DeChambeau, LA Golf Shafts touts the Trono as a “Unicorn” of a shaft that actually launches high while maintaining low spin. That’s a combination to hit flat out bombs.
The Looks
The LA Golf Shafts Trono features a matte black, textured finish, with silver, white, and red graphics. Why a textured finish? According to LA Golf Shafts COO Chris Nolan, it has to. The Trono features specialized geometry patterns on the inside of the shaft that would show through as an uneven shaft if it had a gloss finish. Thus, they use a matte, textured finish as to not easily reveal any of their technology secrets.
To round off the looks, the LAGP (LA Golf Partners) logo is featured at the butt end. Just underneath sits the “made in USA” (all LA Golf shafts are made in the USA), LA Golf and Trono branding. There’s also a “16” stamp at the bottom of the logo-ing. This represents LA Golf’s 16-sided tooling used to create the stability and softer feel of the shaft. Overall, simplistic yet effective design yield a slick looking shaft.
How Does it Feel?
The LA Golf Shafts Trono is one of the most unique feeling golf shafts I have ever tested, and their testing backs that up. Why? For you golf nerds, it’s because the EI curve of the golf shaft is so unique. For us normal folks? The bend profile of the shaft is unlike anything else. The middle third of the shaft is stiffer than anything on the market, and up to twice as stiff as other Tour level shafts. The butt end is significantly softer allowing you to still feel the shaft loading during the swing. The tip is also softer, yet still firm enough to keep spin numbers down.
In regards to my experience, the feel was unique, but really good. In hand, you can definitely tell the shaft is very stout. However, during the swing, you still have the feel of the shaft loading, then releasing through the ball. For me, this is something that is often missing from other low-spinning shafts. I have said that shafts have felt stable and smooth in the past, but nothing has been like the Trono, and I mean that. It’s so smooth yet so stable during the swing.
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112.5 | 169.8 | 14.4º | 2040 | 287.5 | 312.1 |
When first learning about the LA Golf Shafts Trono driver shafts, Chris Nolan showed me examples of players picking up two degrees of launch, five plus mph of ball speeds, and over twenty yards of carry. I thought to myself, “sure, that’s awesome, but I want to try it for myself and see how that translates to a mere mortal”. Disclaimer: I didn’t think Chris was being untruthful by any means, but I wanted to see it for myself. It sounded too good to be true. By my third swing, I knew he was right. The numbers didn’t even make sense to me, but the results would only continue.
In terms of ball speed, while maintaining my usual swing speed, I picked up four to seven mph of ball speeds at times. What was incredible was the resulting spin and carry yardage. My spin numbers went down by about 400 RPM on average, and the ball carries forever. This all being with a “higher spinning” driver head. With the combo of the two, my misses still stayed on line, and didn’t result in balls in the woods. I will say that with a lower spinning head, my spin numbers were almost too low, which resulted in some bad misses when I didn’t hit the center of the face and less carry. Long story short: I picked up about 3º of launch and dropped a ton of spin.
Final Thoughts – LA Golf Shafts Trono
You may be thinking “well looks like Tommy is just trying to pump up LA Golf Shafts” but the numbers don’t lie. They were so good. Somehow, even with lower ball speeds at times, the carry numbers seemed to not even make sense. The Trono went straight in the bag. Remember an individual’s swing can and will respond differently to a shaft, so make sure you find the right fit for you. For me, being able to put everything I had into the swing with some extra launch and lower spin was exactly what I was looking for. Don’t think, however, you have to be a high-speed player to benefit from the Trono. Chris showed me multiple examples of folks with under 95 mph swing speeds who saw these types of improvements at first as well. All in all, the Trono is one exciting golf shaft.
Hi Tommy,
Just curious. Is the TRONO still in your bag? I play a HZRDUS smoke yellow right now but your review makes me want to hit the TRONO off a launch monitor.
Thanks,
Andy
Andy –
I 100% am. And I don’t see it going anywhere any time soon. I’m driving the ball longer and more accurately than I ever have and that’s no exaggeration. Good luck!
Thanks for stopping by,
Tommy
Is this the same Andy Singer from Fairbanks Ranch? If so we used to play and hit balls together when I was in college. Jeff Kempler….shoot me an email as I work with House of Forged Golf Shafts and they are the absolute best shafts on the planet….made by LA Golf Shafts
Have you tried the new diamana ZF? I’m curious to how this compares, as I’m looking at these two shafts and the LA Olyss.
Are you using this in your fairway woods as well? I’m looking at ordering this in the driver, but tend to keep the same shaft in my fairway woods to maintain the same feel but use the heavier version for the smaller lighter heads on the fairway woods
I have not tried the Diamana ZF or the Olyss. I also currently do not have a Trono in my fairway wood but might be testing in the future since it is so great in the driver.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tommy
How much would a stiff 65 trono shaft retail for in USD?
We don’t sell them here so you’d have to talk to a local fitter. They usually retail around $410.
Thanks!
Tommy
Hi Tommy,
Unforatunately I am not able to find a fitter to find me into one of these shafts. I switched to a spinier head recently and need to know if LA Golf Shafts – Trono model would compare to the Ventus Velocore Black (MOI boosting shaft). Sounds like this one is too. They are are the same price, which one should I go with? I have the Ventus Velocore Blue in my SIM TI woods and they work nicely as I wanted high launch for when I go for those par 5’s in 2.
Ron –
Hard to say as everyone’s swing is different. I’ve personally never hit the Ventus black. I have the ventus blue in my 3w, although I want to try a trono in it. Can’t really give a recommendation based off of the info you gave alone, but I will say both are amazing shafts. See where your closest Club Champion is. They have a ton of locations and should stock both.
Thanks for stopping in
Tommy
i just played with these 2 shafts yesterday. my bud has both. i will tell you i decided on the trono for me….so did he…the velocore is great as well. the trono went dead straight on 4 straight drives, where i had a bit harder time timing the 6s velocore ventus black.
Tommy:
I saw your SS was 112mph, (mine is 105-115 depending on variables) but didn’t see anything stating what weight/flex you demoed. I’m wondering if my SS would be able to properly load the 65X and unlock the potential benefits of this shaft, after coming from some great success with the Olyss. Any input/opinion you could provide would be helpful. In the meantime I’ll continue on my Ventus BLK.
Hey BJ –
Check the first image out. 65x is what I’m playing. The TX in this shaft is a LOT to handle so stuck with a standard X flex.
Enjoy!
Hi Tommy,
I’m curious if you’ve hit a hzrdus black hc or Accra TZ5 and how you think they compare to the trono.
What shaft and heads have you played in the past? I’ve been through RIp Alpha, matrix black tie, grafalloy blue, hzrdus black so like it pretty heavy and x flex in general. Just trying to get a picture of if it would suit me.
DJ –
I have hit the hzrdus black HC. I liked the feel and overall performance of the Trono much better, hence why it’s in the bag. They’re also very different. Trono launches high, the hzrdus is a low launch shaft.
In the past I’ve played too many combos to remember. My most recent gamer (for the last two years) was a Ping G400 Max with Tensei CK pro white or a Ventus.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tommy
Thanks for the great review! I’m giving the Trono a shot this season. I’ll post feedback in here once I get it! (Custom Radspeed ordrr about to hit the shop floor).
Hey so I tried the Trono in the 60X, and it felt like cracking a whip wasn’t boardy at all. However, I was wondering did the driver head feel light to you while testing it? I had a hard time feeling the driver head thought it bumped down the swingweight so I checked that and it actually bumped it up to D9 from D4. Was wondering if you tried the X just straight or had it tipped any? I noticed the torque is quite high at 4.0 so I’m thinking of tipping it a half inch to start.
I did not tip it, just did a standard install
Hey Tommy,
Thanks for such a great review. Do you think 108mph driver swing speed is enough to handle the 65 x?
Adam –
On paper I’d say yes. However I’d try to find somewhere to hit both and check numbers since it’s a pretty stout shaft.
Thanks for stopping in!
Tommy
im at 108 smooth transition, can get up to 112. the trono 65s fit me perfect yesterday for 9 holes i played with the epic speed….
It’s a great shaft. Enjoy
Tommy, you think there’s much difference in the 65 XS vs. S? Kind of prefer that 7 gram lighter weight and assume it won’t affect results much and will be just as stout.
I think the different flexes will play very differently. For a shaft with this price tag, I’d try them out first and see what fits your game better.
Tommy! Just installed a 65 TX in driver and 75 TX in my two fairways—so impressed with this shaft. Are you still gaming the Trono? How are you getting along with it on the course?
Hey Austin,
Glad you’re enjoying the Trono, it’s an amazing shaft. Absolutely still in the bag and not going anywhere, any time soon!
Thanks for stopping in!
Tommy
Tom, I’m currently debating purchasing the Trono 75x driver shaft that would probably need to be 46” long. I’m 6’9” tall and have an average CH speed of 123-125 mph and am capable of hitting 130. All I would potentially purchase is the shaft and insert that in my callaway mavrik SZ 9 degree head set on 8 degrees currently. What would your recommendation be?
Wes,
It seems you gave all of the info you need? What is it you’re looking for me to recommend?
Thanks!
Tommy
I think my main question is should I be looking at the 75TX or the 65TX trono driver shaft? The biggest miss for me off the tee is a hook. I feel that if I purchased the 65 TX it may be too light and I may continue to miss left and then try and compensate and miss right also which is the situation I battle now. If I had the trono 75TX, perhaps I could limit some of the hooks and even miss more right which wouldn’t necessarily bother me. How stiff is trono? Do you think it’s one of the strongest shafts available? Because that’s the route I may need to go
Wes –
Without knowing or seeing your swing, I couldn’t make a recommendation. While a heavier version may help with a hook, it also may not. The best advice I can give is head to a local fitter that carries the Trono, and try the two out to compare. What works for some may not work for another. Not to mention, it’s only a 10g difference. Not going to be completely game changing.
Yes it’s a very stiff shaft but still feels smooth. It’s thicker than most as well but the internal geometry gives it great feel. Not sure how strong vs stiff are different? Again my best advice is to go to a fitter where you can try them both out. What works for some won’t always work for others.
Thanks for stopping in,
Tommy