50 Words or Less
The Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue shaft is the mid-launch, mid-spin counterpart to the Kai’li White. Very smooth feel. Activates easily with a strong kick.
Introduction
Late in 2021, Mitsubishi released their first new family of shafts in several years – Kai’li. The first in that line was the Kai’li White [review HERE], a shaft with low launch/low spin performance and explosive feel. For 2022, we’re getting the second member of the family, Kai’li Blue. I tested it to see how it stacks up to its impressive older brother.
Looks
Just like Kai’li White, Mitsubishi’s Kai’li Blue is an attention getter. The ocean-inspired graphics look even more fitting in shades of blue flecked with silver. Even the branding is bold – a swooping “Kai’li” in white outlined in blue.
To keep the graphics from being a distraction at address, they stop at the shaft’s midpoint. From there to the tip, it’s solid black save for the small “MR-70” logo near the club head. If the shaft is installed logo down, that will be hidden, too.
Feel
The Kai’li White “felt Blue, but performed White” meaning that it felt more like Mitsubishi’s Blue profile but still had the tip stiffness of the White profile. This left me to wonder what the Kai’li Blue would feel like. Would it be the White’s twin? Would it be somehow more Blue?
To my hands, the Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue has the classic Blue feel which makes it very similar to the Kai’li White. It doesn’t take an all-out effort to get this shaft to activate. Even a moderate swing gets a smooth kick in the butt and mid sections. The biggest difference between the two Kai’li shafts is that the tip of the Blue feels a bit softer.
Performance
With the Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue having a very familiar, comfortable feel, it was easy to hit good shots right away. It was also easy to see the difference between the Blue and White. Mitsubishi bills the Kai’li Blue as mid-launch, mid-spin, and that’s exactly what I experienced. My best shots with the Kai’li Blue launched a couple degrees higher with about 200 RPM more spin. It flew in a higher window than my gamer (TENSEI 1K, review HERE), but the flight was still strong and unbothered by wind. If you want even higher launch, check out the Kai’li Red HERE.
Looking at the dispersion and predictability, the Kai’li Blue was impressive. Mitsubishi states that this is the “stablest and smoothest blue profile yet.” I felt like all but my most aggressive swings were handled well. I got my best results – primarily tight draws – when my swing was smoother, but even 85%-90% swings stayed in play.
I think that the Kai’li Blue is a great fit for players that are used to tip stiff shafts but want something with more pop. The Kai’li Blue has a smoother, more explosive feel without giving up the tip stability they’re used to. It can also work for those tip stiff players who need higher launch and spin to optimize their distance.
Mitsubishi offers the Kai’li Blue in four weight classes and flexes. At 50 grams, Mitsubishi offers regular and stiff. In the 60 gram model, each of the four flexes is available – regular, stiff, X, and TX. When you get to 70 grams, the regular flex is dropped. At 80 grams, only X and TX are offered.
Conclusion
The Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue impresses with the way that it balances a smooth, active feel with a fairly stout tip section. Players coming from either end of the shaft spectrum will find something here that’s comfortable and something that pushes their drives to a different level.
Visit Mitsubishi HERE
Matt Saternus
Latest posts by Matt Saternus (see all)
- TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Review - May 25, 2023
- PING G430 SFT Fairway Wood Review - May 24, 2023
- Nippon NS Pro Putter Shaft Review - May 24, 2023
Hi Matt,
Long time fan of your reviews and Mitsubishi shafts. Gaming the Sim2 driver after your stellar review with AV Raw White 65X. Used to hit Diamana for years. I felt the K’ali White was boardy compared to the AV in X. You mention that you still game the 1K. What is it that keeps you in the 1K after new AV and K’ali offerings? Thanks
Ryan,
The 1K does everything I want a driver shaft to do, and, as a rule, I don’t like changing my gamer stuff that much.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt
Is Kaili a replacement for the latest Diamana? A less expensive sibling?
Great stuff as always!
Keith
Keith,
The Kai’li is an entirely new line, separate from Diamana.
Best,
Matt
Sounds good but what’s the availability and cost? What about slower swing speeds?
Roger,
I’m not sure the retail price. It’s available now through Mitsubishi dealers.
-Matt
I’m looking for an opinion regarding changing shafts. How would I know if I should be using senior shafts? I have regular in my present set T 400 ‘s and stiff in my previous AP 1’s.
Peter,
Rather than asking if you should move to senior shafts (which is a two-step jump from stiff flex), I would recommend thinking about whether or not your current shafts are doing what you need them to do or if there’s something you want that you aren’t getting. If you want more distance, going to something lighter (and perhaps softer) could be the answer. Lighter could also be the answer if you’re getting tired during the round or dealing with pain. It could also be something like, “I don’t feel like I have control of my shot shape/trajectory/accuracy anymore.” Regardless of what you’re looking for, the way to find it is with a fitting at a high quality club fitter.
Best,
Matt
Like the Kai li blue but the R in 46-48 grams has torque over 5 . While I prefer lighter shaft but for better torque the R with 64 grams has torque of 4.2. My swing speed 95-100 which should I buy
Ronnie,
My advice is always to get fit before making a purchase. It’s cheaper in the long run than buying to try.
Best,
Matt
Is this similar profile to fubuki k series?
Sake,
Based on the description from MCG, I think the Fubuki K is closer to a White profile than Blue.
-Matt
Hi Matt
Any similarity between this and the ad-ub?
Scott,
I have a full review of the Tour AD UB here: https://pluggedingolf.com/graphite-design-tour-ad-ub-shaft-review/
-Matt
Matt-
Thanks again for the great review. In your opinion how does the Kai’li Blue compare to the Tensei AV Blue? Did you find the tip section to be “more stout” than the Tensei? Thanks for your time. And I appreciate your reviews.
Merlin,
I haven’t hit them head to head, but my recollection is that the TENSEI Blue is a little firmer throughout.
-Matt
Hi, great review. Are you able to advise whether the Kal’li blue 60 stiff 3 wood shaft is suitable for a low spin 3 wood head (i.e. cobra LTDx LS) or should I stick with Tensei raw white 75?
Have Kal’li blue in my Aerorjet LS and love it.
I’m not a particularly aggressive swinger but have decent swing speed and smooth transition?
William,
Both shafts are great and can work in a 3W, given they’re well fit. No one can tell you what shaft fits your swing via the internet.
Best,
Matt