50 Words or Less
The Fujikura Ventus HB hybrid shaft is a fitting counterpart to the wood shaft. Extremely consistent and accurate. Black version is very low launching and spinning.
Introduction
For over a year, the Fujikura Ventus Black [review HERE] has been locked into my driver. I’ve flirted with other shafts, but the comfort I have with Ventus Black has been hard to replace. Now, as the season winds down in Illinois, Fujikura has released the Ventus Hybrid shaft. I was extremely excited at the prospect of having as much control over my hybrid as I do over my driver.
Looks
The Fujikura Ventus HB Hybrid shaft looks identical to the Ventus wood shaft. It has a black or blue base color, depending on the profile, with silver wraparound graphics just below the grip. That’s followed by the futuristic Ventus branding. Near the tip, there is only the VeloCore graphic – the mark of authenticity that it’s a “real deal” Ventus.
Feel
I tested the Ventus HB Black, the low launch/low spin version of the Ventus HB. The feel is exactly what I expected: stout, consistent, and impossible to overpower. It’s not harsh – impact feels solid, even on mishits – it’s simply not going to be impressed by your swing speed.
Performance
The thing the frustrates many golfers about hybrids is getting a result that they are surprised by. It’s what keeps some golfers from playing one. Whether it’s a hook or a moonball, it’s aggravating to make a swing, expect X, and end up with Y. After spending some time with the Fujikura Ventus HB, the thing that stood out most was the lack of surprises. This is a “you get out what you put in” kind of shaft.
The Ventus HB Black is billed as low launch, low spin, which it certainly delivers. No surprises there. You can hit the ball high, but it takes an intentional effort. This shaft wants to hit strong, boring shots.
In terms of direction, again, you get out what you put in. When I was swinging fairly well, the dispersion was incredibly tight, better than I can remember with any other hybrid. When my wrist started aching from my recent injury and the swing went downhill, pushes and pulls came into the picture. It is worth noting, however, that due to the low spin I never saw much hook or slice.
Another thing that’s worth noting about the Ventus HB is that Fujikura prescribes its use in utility irons, too. I was only able to test this shaft in a hybrid, but, if you’re trying to get more distance from a utility iron, the Ventus HB could allow you to drop some weight without losing any control.
The Fujikura Ventus HB is available in two profiles: Blue for mid launch and mid/low spin and Black for low launch, low spin. Ventus HB Black is available only in 90 and 100 grams, both in TX. The Ventus HB Blue is offered from 60 grams to 100 grams. At 60 grams, R2 and R (regular) flexes are available. At 70 grams, you can get regular and stiff. 80 grams has stiff and X. 90 grams and 100 grams have one flex each – X and TX, respectively.
Conclusion
If you want predictability in your hybrid, you can’t go wrong with the Fujikura Ventus HB shaft. Plug this into a hybrid or utility iron, and you’ll see a stronger ball flight that’s extremely consistent. If you want that consistency with a slightly higher ball flight, visit your club fitter to try to Ventus HB Blue.
Matt Saternus
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How does the Ventus line compare to the Modus Gost in terms of:
1. Forgiveness/dispersion
2. Distance
3. Price?
Bradon,
1 & 2 depend on fit.
I believe the GOST is $250, the Ventus HB is $200.
-Matt
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your good work.
Are the shafts coming with the SIM hybrids as standard offer, are the same than the line you tested?
Thanks,
Guy C.
Guy,
My understanding is that the stock shafts are not “real deal” Ventus shafts as they do not have the VeloCore logo near the tip.
-Matt
Great review. It was recommended to not tip the Ventus driver shafts. Is it the same for the Ventus Hybrids? Thanks
Grant,
I’m not sure, I would recommend asking your club builder.
-Matt
On the question of tipping (previous poster) … Fujikura does not recommend any tip trimming until you get down to about a 5 or 7 hybrid length, and even then only about .5 inches.
On utility irons … Yes, I have the Ventus Blue HB in a Mizuno HMB 2 iron and it’s excellent. Incredibly straight and consistent.
Matt,
How do the Ventus hybrid shafts compare to the Mitsubishi Pro White Hybrid?
Also, as long as I am writing you, concerning the Ventus driver shafts, how would you describe the feel and performance differences between the Ventus Black S flex and the Ventus Blue X flex?
Thank you,
Joe Lane
Joe,
Are you referring to the Tensei Pro from MCA?
-Matt
matt,
I finally bit the bullet and put a ventus black 7x in my driver and after a could rounds Im in love with it (darn weather in the northeast keeping me from more rounds). I am now toying with putting an HB in my tour edge CBX 17.5* hybrid. I guess my question to you would be did the 9 tx feel in line with the old x you had in your driver? IDK why but for some reason the T part of tx is concerning to me but looking at the specs on Fuji’s webpage it seems like it shouldnt concern me. Despite our spin profiles differing (you low vs me high) our swing speeds seem very similar and many of the clubs that work for you seem to work for me so I always appreciate your input. I guess im also curious about the blue HB……idk if you have had a chance to hit that after this review at some point. Thanks as always.
cheers
Seth,
I have not hit the Ventus Blue HB.
The 9-TX is very stout, but it’s not unmanageable if you like the X in the driver.
-Matt
Matt,
How do the Ventus hybrid shafts compare to the Mitsubishi Tensei Pro White Hybrid shafts? Sorry! I should have wrote Tensei above the first time.
Thanks,
Joe
Joe,
The Ventus Black is similar in that both are tip stiff and low spin.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
I put the Ventus blue Velocore HB 9x into a Titleist T200 and found it ballooned up in the air, felt the shaft was more of a stiff flex rather than the X flex I was looking for.
Gonna try something else in it next week to try and get that low flying flight that hits the deck and runs.
John