50 Words or Less
The Mitsubishi Diamana ZF shaft is the blend of the “blue” and “white” profiles that Diamana fans have always been waiting for. Superb feel.
Introduction
In the world of golf shafts, there are very few constants, but the Diamana name is one of them. Over four generations of product, Diamana has become synonymous with quality, smooth feel, and a mountain of Tour usage and wins.
But even the most storied brands need to evolve, so, for the first time, Diamana is adding a fourth profile to the family. The new Diamana ZF Series is already in the bags of Justin Thomas and other PGA Tour players, and I was eager to see why.
Check out the updated version of the ZF, the Diamana GT, HERE
Looks
If, like me, you’re a fan of Diamana’s beautiful, understated graphics, you’ll love the look of the ZF Series. The ZF has a shiny silver base color that stands out in a world gone matte. Its graphics are identical to the other Fourth Generation Diamana shafts – the signature flower band near the grip and Diamana branding below that. One pleasant surprise was the iridescence of the graphics. It’s subtle (and hard to capture in photographs), but it’s a visual kick when the sun hits it just right.
Feel
The Diamana ZF-Series is billed as taking the BF-Series (review HERE), and pushing it “in just the right places.” As you can see in Mitsubishi’s graphic below, that means that the ZF is stiffer in the butt and tip with slightly more action in the mid section. Comparing it the DF-Series (review HERE), the ZF is much stiffer in the butt but softer in the middle and tip.
Testing the ZF-Series shaft in a 60-TX, my first swing reaction was amazement at how smooth and active it felt, even in that TX flex. As you can see in the chart, the stiffness falls off sharply under and near the grip, and I absolutely felt a hinge and an explosion in that area. This is contrasted with a tip section that feels very stable.
Performance
Among golfers who play Diamana shafts, blue vs. white has been a longtime debate. The introduction of the ZF-Series may break down those divisions. With a smooth, explosive feel and great tip stability, it has something for every player.
The real world results that I saw matched the feel precisely. My ball speed ticked up slightly, the flight was mid-launch and very strong, and the dispersion was excellent. I was turning the ball over a little more than normal, but there were no hooks, only draws.
While it’s hard to point to one aspect of the Diamana ZF as my favorite, what stands out most is the way it handles all types of swings. Some shafts that are very active encourage you to swing within yourself but get loose if you don’t. Other shafts only activate when you stand on them. The ZF has plenty of kick when you swing smooth, but it can also handle your 110% swing.
The Diamana ZF shaft is available in weights ranging from 40 grams to 80 grams. In the lightest weight, they offer R2, R, and S flexes. At 50 and 60 grams, MCA offers R, S, and TX (there is no standard X in the ZF). The heaviest versions, 70 and 80 grams, are available in S and TX. This is the first fourth-generation Diamana shaft to be offered in the 40 gram weight class.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a long time Diamana fan or a newcomer to the brand, the MCA Diamana ZF-Series shafts are absolutely worth a trip to your local fitter. It blends an active feel with a solid tip and wraps it all in Diamana’s signature smoothness. The Diamana ZF is going to be a serious contender to go in my driver in 2020.
Matt Saternus
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Gorgeous ION plating too. I wonder what gen my Diamana S “Blueboard” shafts are. I’m still gaming the 63 and 73 in my driver and 3 wood respectively. I had to buy pulls about 9 years ago because they were at least $300 new. Maybe mine are the original 1st gen, theres a few “original and very rare” just like mine listed for $189 on the bay right now. I’ve read nothing but good things about the ZF. Then again the Diamana series are legendary and always will be. Just ask Tiger.
I notice that lots of tour pros play shafts that are 60TX. How would you compare a shaft like that to one in the 70X range, which seems to be pretty standard for stock x stiff offerings. I’ve always felt like a low 70 gram x stiff feels a little heavy and might be costing me some distance, but the x stiffs in the mid to low 60 gram range feel too whippy. In the big box stores you never see TX shafts on the fitting carts, I guess because no manufacturer offers them as a stock option. I can’t really justify turning a 500 dollar driver into an 800 dollar driver, so I just roll with the stock shaft that fits best and take stabs in the dark when I find ebay deals.
Brandon,
Manufacturers vary in how a 60TX will relate to a 70X, but generally the stiffness does step up a bit when you move up in weight.
Best,
Matt
A mid 60g X is whippy? Dang Brando, you strong like bull!
Back when I wrote that I was benching 315 and deadlifting about 500. That was before Gavin Newsom said nobody was allowed to go to the gym anymore. Now my mid 60g X flex work just fine. In fact I played a round with my Cobra LTD Pro recently that came with a stock Rogue in like 65S or something and absolutely loved it. Soft cuts all day. Now I’m all confused.
Hi Matt – are you to comment on how this compares to the D Plus Ltd? Thanks David
David,
Not at this time, but I’m hoping to test the D Plus later this season.
Best,
Matt
Sounds ideal. Having hit the White and the Blue, I assume like many, found the White too boardy (although did get good results) and the Blue too loose, although it felt nicer. Matt, any vague comparison to the EvenFlow Black you liked a little while back?
NB. Picking up on your responses to comments on the Mizuno ST200 Driver, for once I was a little disappointed in your response. PIG has an audience beyond just the US. I’m in Oz and been very regular PIG read for many years. If the commentary/advice becomes US centric your overseas readers may drop off. Not suggesting you research every possible market but even the fact that options between say US and Europe are different is in itself news on the product. Just saying.
How does this compare to the DF?
I have a full review of the DF here: https://pluggedingolf.com/mca-diamana-df-shaft-review/
-Matt
Hi Matt,
I was looking at your numbers with the ZF test, and it says club head speed is 106mph, have you hit the stiff compared to the TX? I thought 106 was closer to the stiff range. I loved my blue board, but the white board is like hitting rebar. My swing speed is 107mpg on avg, but if I smooth it I am around 105mph and if I go after it I get to 110mph. As much as they cost I would like to know which one I should go with. Our shop in town doesn’t carry any of the new Diamana shafts. Thanks for your help
Jake,
No, I just tested the TX.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt my question is about the Mitsubishi Diamana ZF Shaft in TX flex. I read your review and was wondering if you’d recommend S or the TX. My driver SS IS 108 similar to yours and my concern is the TX being too stiff. I always use X flex but have never tried a TX model and just don’t want it to be too stout. Thanks for any advise.
David
David,
With the caveat that feel is subjective, I find the TX very smooth.
-Matt
how does the 5s compare to the ventus blue 5s
Nolan,
I have a full review of the Ventus Blue here: https://pluggedingolf.com/fujikura-ventus-shaft-review/
-Matt
Matt, between diamana zf and tensei av raw blue, which of the two has a higher launch profile?
Thanks alot
Markus,
It’s going to depend on the player. On a robot, I think the AV Blue might be slightly higher.
-Matt
I just swung the ZF today for the first time. My normal gamer is a ventus black 60g XS. With the ventus I have found my dispersion to be predictable with good numbers. My first impression on the ZF was that it does feel more active but I cant let off the gas at all compared to my ventus swing, with both shafts I definitely have to crank it to see good results. The ZF does feel a bit “easier” to swing and it seemed like my ball speed ticked up a couple notches. Will have to do a few more comparisons before I can decide if dispersion will be as tight compared to ventus black. Is the increase in swing speed I saw with the ZF due to shaft profile or me subconsciously loosening up a bit due to that smoother feel? Both? I think I will have a hard time deciding which shaft to stick on my Epic Speed LS….
Hi logan, thanks for the input… would you say the ZF was pretty easy to turn over? still the smooth feel like a raw blue? thanks!
There is an X flex FYI. It was exclusive to the Japan/Asia market. I have one. Much better than the boardy TX.
Hey Matt,
On the MCA website it goes from S to TX flex but, on Taylormade’s custom shop there is a X flex. Is this a typo or is it legit?
Thanks!
Bran,
I’m not certain. I do believe that when the ZF was originally introduced there was not an X. That may have changed and MCA has not updated their site.
-Matt
Kind of late to the party here, but I absolutely love this shaft. I think I got lucky a bit by buying it before trying, but I was looking for exactly what this shaft is described to be.
I play Tensei AV Blue 75X in the fairways and those numbers are optimized for launch and spin but using a blueboard shaft on my driver usually resulted in a bit higher launch and spin than was ideal. I felt like I was searching for kind of a unicorn. I’ve tried the white board Tensei White/Ventus Black/Diamana DF/PD shafts, but those were always a little too stiff feeling and low launching and also struggled to find the center of the face – timing was not right for me so I stuck with the blue board in the driver.
Since replacing Tensei AV Blue 65X in my SIM2 head with Diamana ZF 60TX I’ve been hitting the best drives of my life, probably gaining 10-15 yards through launch condition optimization. No data to back it up but anecdotally the stiffer tip seems to be helping with dispersion as well as FIR percentage has gone up a few points.
In regard to Matt’s comments, it feels a bit softer even at the TX flex than Tensei blue to me, but timing is similar, so it immediately worked. I also agree it feels like a shaft I can swing easy and still feel it react or really go after it and get similar predictable results. I only picked up the TX flex because that’s what I could find but have absolutely no complaints about playing this flex. For reference my driver head speed is around 110-112 so definitely not a traditional recommendation for TX flex.
I recently purchased a zf 60x. You mentioned in the article it only come in R, S, TX? Is my x flex counterfeit?
Gregg,
Where did you buy the shaft from? The best way to avoid fakes is to buy from authorized dealers. It’s also possible that Mitsubishi expanded their offerings since the review was written.
-Matt
Greg,
To ID a fake I would start by comparing the graphics and colors of the photos in this review with your shaft and verify they match EXACTLY.
To follow up further, remove the grip and carefully pull back the grip tape near the end of the butt to reveal the manufacturer codes label. Call MCA to verify them. This isn’t always successful but worth a try if you really want to know if you were ripped off.
OTP
MCA now lists X flex Diamana ZF in all weight classes.
They can be found on Tourshafts.com or eBay.