UST Mamiya Recoil DART Shaft
At this point, this website has more than documented that I’m a huge golf gear nerd and I love try all the equipment I can. No question. However, I’ve never spent significant time with some of the most popular graphite iron shafts ever, the UST Mamiya Recoil. So I reached out to UST and told them “I HAVE to check out the hype and tell my readers all about Recoil!” But then they followed up and said, “Bill…the Recoil is super popular, yes, but we have something new you have to see. The new UST Mamiya Recoil DART.”
DART stands for “Dual Action Recoil Technology” and is designed to be stable and long with a good feel and an optimum ball flight. Perfect for firing darts into greens! (I’ll see myself out now…) It’s worth noting that the Recoil DART is a lighter-weight shaft line ranging from 61 to 78 grams. The available flexes are Amateur, Regular, and Stiff. It’s a versatile premium shaft that will fit a wider range of “mortal golfers” looking to optimize their game. This is important to keep in mind when considering your needs and the impact they may have on your game.
The Looks
At a quick glance, the UST Mamiya Recoil DART shafts have a shiny black base with red and white graphics. The graphics are in line with traditional Recoil branding, but the DART branding has its own unique character. A closer look, however, will impress you just a little bit more than you first realized. UST Mamiya used a process called “Ion Plating” to create a more advanced finish than traditional paint. Though the process takes more time and is more expensive, it provides more consistency throughout the shaft by evenly applying the finish. The way it works is that UST puts the raw shaft into a vacuum chamber where metal ions will bond to the shaft. It’s also interesting in that the shaft feels more metallic to the touch. Like if you tap two shafts together, they almost sound metal…but they’re not. It’s a cool finish.
How Does it Feel?
“Recoil” can be defined as “to fall back under pressure” or “to spring back to or as if to a starting point“. That’s the basic concept behind UST Mamiya’s Recoil shaft family, and specifically with the new Recoil DART. The way I would explain this concept is that if you think of the shaft as a tube, it will take a more “ovular” shape under the stress of the swing and impact. How quickly the shaft returns to a circular shape will play a huge role in feel. It will also impact energy transfer and stability. So the less shape change that takes place, or the quicker it RECOILS back to shape, the further the ball will travel and your control will be better.
So how does that play into feel, Bill? Glad you asked. Let’s cover the basics first to tie it all together. Historically speaking, lightweight iron shafts can feel a little loose and plenty “noodly” making them difficult to control. In the case of the Recoil DART, yes they feel quite light, but they still feel tight. That’s because the DART optimizes “shaft hoop stiffness in the critical areas of the golf shaft”. Specifically in the middle section of the shaft where the energy transfer is taking place. So while there is a noticeable smooth kick point, the “optimum hoop stiffness” helps the energy transfer back into the ball rather than spending its energy returning back to shape. Pair this with the stable tip section and this lightweight graphite iron shaft is much easier to control.
On-Course Performance
My first time testing the UST Mamiya Recoil DARTs, I met up with a local “pal in the golf business” to hit a few buckets. It took us a little bit to adjust to the shaft, but one thing immediately jumped out to both of us. Every club the in bag was going about fifteen yards longer. As we got dialed in, we were also surprised to find that we were seeing these results with strong piercing flights and an easy draw. You see, lightweight iron shafts are typically designed to get higher in the air for more carry. Players with faster swing speeds will sometimes experience significant ballooning. Though that was what we expected, our best shots were penetrating, rising draws with notable added distance. Frankly, we were pleasantly taken aback from the experience.
The Recoil DART is unquestionably a really nice lightweight graphite iron shaft, but I personally feel there are definite player profiles that are best suited for it. My usual more aggressive tempo would often lead to chunks, overcooked approaches, and difficulty with control. BUT when I was able to just relax and smooth out my tempo, I was able to paint my shots and cover my distances easily. What I mean by that is that I could draw up “crafty” shots to find the right targets without having a problem getting there. I could be creative with shapes and not feel like I had to worry about distance. The stability UST built into the DART also made a major difference in giving me this ability.
Final Thoughts – UST Mamiya Recoil DART Shaft
The UST Mamiya Recoil DART is an easy-to-hit shaft that with a feel that will appeal to a large range of players across multiple skill sets. While I wouldn’t say the Recoil DART and my current swing are an ideal fit, the experience was extremely compelling. I’m still fixated on the UST Mamiya Recoil family and want to try more of the shafts. To reiterate, I think the Recoil DART is suited quite well for players with more moderate swing tempos looking for a smooth feel, excellent stability, and easy distance. (This shaft absolutely bombs, no question about it whatsoever.) I believe you can absolutely still have a fast swing speed, but the right swing tempo will be key in optimizing this shaft. Additionally, the Recoil DART has excellent control for versatile shot creativity.
Various Recoil models have always been a popular shaft option for hybrids and utility irons. While we didn’t talk about it in this review, don’t forget about the DART as a possible option there. I imagine the Recoil DART will fall right into place with its Recoil heritage. The smooth feel, easy launch, and added stability are well suited for this area of the bag. Again, just be aware of available weight and flex options depending on your personal hybrid/utility needs.
*I used Sub 70 639 CB/MB combo irons to test these shafts for this review. You can read my review of the 639 CB here and the 639 MB here.
Can someone comment about the Recoil Dart 65 F3 being 5.2 torque vs Recoil 760 ES F3 being 4.1 torque? Will that affect shots worse?
I can try and help out, but need a little more clarification. Can you clarify what you mean by “affect shots worse”?
In general, torque is really more the rigidity of the shaft and the carbon weaver’s resistance to twisting…aka keeping its shape. So the lower torque shafts tend to have a more stable and rigid feel.
I have played both Recoil 760 and 780 es. I am 68, 11hc and have plenty of power. 780 is most definitely heavier and results (for-me) in lower launch and less distance. My driver speed is 90. I am switching out of 780 as it is too heavy. Zero dispersion issues with either of these shafts. Good review on the Dart. I’m going to refit my i525s with this shaft.
Jm, your and my swing speed are almost identical. Was wondering if you had switched shafts, dart 65 or 75′ in what flex and your thoughts.
Thanks Alot
Bill,
How was your dispersion with this shaft ? I have been heard that it plays stiff to flex even though lightweight – would you agree
Dispersion is really relative to how well your swing mixes with the component, if that makes sense. While I didn’t experience any real major dispersion deviation, that could vary between players. As far as playing stiff to flex, I didn’t particularly notice this. That could be because of the lighter weight taking precedence, but it may just be the actual case as well.
Hallo,
I have got new Callaway APEX Hybrid 5. The shaft is Recoil DART H75 F2. My tempo is smooth and swing not very fast, so Senior flex is OK. But I did not find if weight is 70g or 75g. I have read that there is an option with the same shaft but lighter, about 60 g. Is it right? ….. Would it better for me?
Thanks for opinion.
I would say the difference between 70 and 75 grams will be fairly unnoticeable. The point is that it’s still the “70 gram weight class for that shaft”. Going down to 60 gram would be difficult to recommend without knowing how you hit the two of them. Are you hitting the 70 gram option a certain way? Are you looking for different performance?
From the Netherlands , I got the new Callaway apex hybrid ,, with the Dart . Good not hit a baseball ! Play of 12 the club gept turning in my hands .checkt that out ,, the shaft was put in 2/3e turned . Now , for Callaway and there price . Not pleased . The club fitter of my club put every part off the shaft and put it in the way it shoot . It is a very good shaft . Excuse my for my whiting. Keep up the good stuffff
Have you tried and reviewed the UST Mamiya Recoil 760 ES Smacwrap IP shaft and how does it compare to the Apex Dart which was a pleasant read and informative–I have played with Callaway 2016 Apex in the Senior F 2 460 shaft–the Apex 19 with the Senior F2 460 Shaft–the 2021 Callaway Apex Irons with Dart F2 and the Callaway Apex DCB Recoil F2 760–I find the 760 will produce a mid high trajectory and the Dart Shaft a mid trajectory–I would love to hear from you on this review–thanks Dikadee
I’ve never hit the other Recoil you mentioned, sorry.
how did you find the flex of the dart 75 ? on the stiff side, or other? I personally think they play stiffer than expected.
I can’t say that I noticed them to play particularly stiffer than expected, but it’s been awhile.
I am 72. Swing speed is 63 mph with irons. Which shaft, Recoil Dart F2 or Recoil ES760 F2 SmacWrap.
Please help!
Phil P
I don’t have any experience with the SmacWrap so I can’t really help with a comparison, but I think the DART fits the area you’re looking nicely.
I just purchased a set of wilson dynapower irons. The shafts are RECOIL DART 65 A-FLEX .370. Are these regular, stiff or senior flex?
Based on that info alone, I would classify it as “amateur flex” most likely and probably lines up with a flex less than regular. Whether or not that’s senior, ladies, etc…it comes down to marketing.