VA Shafts Slay Shaft
The VA Shafts Slay is the high-launching option in the VA lineup. Typically a higher launching shaft will also have a higher spin rate to it as well. Well, Victor Afable being the shaft-design genius that he is created a design that still keeps the spin relatively low. As one should expect, the Slay has great feel and premium performance.
The Looks
The VA Shafts Slay looks pretty amazing. Bright blue paint against the black mid section with the signature dragon heads gives the Slay a ton of personality and certainly makes a statement. As a followup to the tamer white and black Raijin, VA came back with a much bolder look in the Slay. While yes, it is a much bolder look, the Slay is still tasteful and won’t scream “look at me!” too bad on the golf course.
How Does it Feel?
Active, active, active! The very first swing with the VA Shafts Slay felt like a jet shooting off of an aircraft carrier. During the backswing and transition, the Slay felt very normal, but at impact the energy just exploded and launched the ball. Even with that much action in the shaft, the kick was still very distinct and controlled. Remember, the Slay is the high-launch shaft for VA. It’s almost as if you can feel the shaft releasing a little extra to give you a couple extra degrees of launch.
Further testing proved the Slay was not the best fit for me, but damn, it was sure fun to hit because of that kick in it. It’s very difficult to really explain unless the person listening has hit it too. I’ve honestly never felt a shaft kick like this and still feel so under control.
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110.6 | 165.9 | 14.9º | 2696 | 285.3 | 305.2 |
Out of all three VA shafts I’ve reviewed, the Slay was definitely the highest launching of the group. That said, my range was 13.8º to 14.9º across the three shafts so it wasn’t a massive difference. What’s worth noting though is that I consistently had drives in the 15º-16º range and getting the ball launched came with ease. With the Drago and the Raijin, I never sniffed a 16º launch angle. With the Slay in my driver I never had to fight to get a ball in the air. If you struggle to hit up on the ball with the driver, the Slay can definitely help you out. If you’re looking to hit low bullets, the Slay may not be the shaft for you.
Another performance characteristic worth noting is the spin rate of the Slay. Out of the three VA shafts, the Slay was the middle of the pack. For me, I wouldn’t classify 2696 rpms as exactly low spin, but I also would usually see something similar to 3500 rpms with that kind of launch. Victor’s design controls the spin to a reasonable amount that will keep the ball from ballooning and still produce a good amount of roll with higher launch characteristic.
Final Thoughts
I think the VA Shafts Slay is a great design and pretty perfectly executed. Of course, we will always recommend (as would VA Shafts) getting fit for this shaft first. Given the Slay is a higher launching shaft, you want to make sure you are properly dialed in so you don’t lose yards. If you’re a good match for the Slay, you’re going to find getting driver in the air is easy. Even better, the reduced spin may help you unlock distance you haven’t seen from other high-launch shafts in recent history.
I absolutely love this shaft. I have it in my F8+ 3W and it is just such a secure feeling shaft. (I also have the VA Slay in my hybrid too).
Question: I’m considering getting a 5W, same F8+ head to swap out for my hybrid. Without going into too much detail, is there really any reason to get fit again and put a different shaft in the 5W? Or just put in the VA Slay shaft into the 5W (tip another 0.5″) and smile on?
The proper answer: yes, always best to get fit and test. I hit a 5 wood a lot different than a 3 wood.
What I do: you’re probably fine using the Slay in a 5 wood as a good jumping off point. Why not try it?
Yes, getting fit is always the best option. But in absence of that, seems like getting the same shaft for both 3W and 5W makes sense. I’ve never had a 5W, so I’m not sure what to expect. Here’s to tinkering!
Definitely a case of tinkering! If I’m flying totally blind, I typically start with the same shaft in both of them and then work down from there.
Except now. Now I just immediately put a VA Drago in both fairway woods.
Haha makes sense. Figures it makes sense to put a shaft I know into a new head to then give it a proper compare to the hybrid I have (a trifecta of slays.. love me that softer/active feel). Thanks for the help!