50 Words or Less
The MCA Tensei AV Raw White shaft is one of the smoothest feeling low spin shafts available. Tremendous control. Raw finish is an eye-catcher.
Introduction
This past Thursday at the Travelers Championship, Rory McIlroy was paired with Bryson DeChambeau and showed that, despite his lack of bulk, he’s still a heavyweight with the driver. His current shaft of choice? The new Mitsubishi Chemicals Tensei AV Raw White. I tested one to see why Rory and other PGA Pros trust it in their most important club.
Looks
The eye-catcher on the new Tensei Raw AV White is the butt section. An Alumnium Vapor (AV) Coated Weave is revealed by a raw finish, and the look is unlike anything I’ve seen before.
In the mid and lower section, this shaft is visually similar to its predecessors. The Tensei branding dominates one side, and the other is plain black for those that want a distraction free “logo down” installation. A thin band of white denotes which model Tensei you’re holding.
Feel
Over the last month or so, I’ve been dealing with a minor shoulder injury that has necessitated a much less aggressive transition and has cost me a little speed. With this mind, I was afraid that the Tensei AV Raw White would be way too much for me at this time. It took only a couple of swings to erase my concerns.
Despite having the stiffest tip section of the three Tensei AV Raw shafts, the White feels incredibly smooth. As in, Diamana levels of smooth. There’s nothing in this shaft that asks you to swing harder. It’s definitely not active – there’s no kick to it – but it’s as far from harsh or boardy as you can get.
What makes it exceptional is that the smoothness is paired with a very stout tip. Against my better judgement, I leaned into a couple swings and the Tensei AV Raw White just shrugged them off.
Performance
After seeing that Feel section, regular readers may be skipping this section because they know how it went. In short: amazing. The Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White is, along with the Diamana ZF [review HERE], the most impressive shaft I’ve tested this year.
Most golfers will agree that the number one thing we want is consistency, and that’s exactly what I got from the Tensei AV Raw White. Shot after shot launched in the same window, with the same spin, and the same shot shape. Because I knew exactly what the shaft was going to do, my strike locations were consistently good which meant I was regularly maxing out my smash factor and distance.
The biggest thing for me is that I knew the ball wasn’t going to hook. I know I’m capable of hitting an ugly pull from time to time, but the tip section is so stable I was never worried about that unpredictable snap hook. Having that kind of confidence on the tee provides a massive boost for my game.
The Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White is available in stiff, X, and TX at 65, 75, and 85 grams. Compared to the first generation Tensei, this adds a third weight class but drops regular flex in favor of TX.
Conclusion
While no one is likely to compare my driving to Rory McIlroy’s, we may at least have some commonality in our equipment. The Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White is immensely impressive and is a serious candidate to go into my driver for the rest of the season. If you want low spin and more shot control, visit a Mitsubishi shaft fitter to try one for yourself.
Matt Saternus
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Is this shaft worth upgrading if you play the Original Tensei pro white?
Eric,
To me, the new version feels much smoother. Whether any specific player should switch comes down to whether or not the new versions gives them better results.
Best,
Matt
Replacing the Ventus???
Not certain yet, Ventus has been shipped to Bandon, but it’s going to get a shot.
-Matt
Hi Matt
Great review. Your numbers look pretty darn impressive with this shaft. 11 yards offline, that seams incredibly accurate. Was the spin to low?
How does this Tensei AV White Raw compare to the Tensei CK Pro Orange? I am currently swinging that in my Driver and it feels like what you are stating about this shaft. A real easy smooth shaft to swing for me.
Anyway, thanks for the review. I enjoy reading them
Dean,
The spin was where I like it to be. It might be low for others.
I have a full review of the TENSEI Orange here: https://pluggedingolf.com/mitsubishi-tensei-orange-shaft-review/ and I’ll be reviewing the AV Raw Orange soon.
Best,
Matt
Great review! Did you test the S or X flex?
Thanks!
I tested the TX.
-Matt
I believe rory is actually playing the Kuro Kage xts in both driver and 3 wood right now, as of the travellers. Sim driver, sim max 3 wood. With the ck pro white in his 5 wood.
I just ordered this exact shaft . We will see how it fares. What I can’t find is any information on if better materials and a boron tip is being used in the TX flexes? In the CK lineup, the CK pro was an entirely different (and premium) shaft over the CK. The AV TX costs a good $100 more. Is it because of these better materials as a premium offering? I cannot find any info on Mitsubishi’s website
Jesse,
I don’t know, but I will ask MCA and report back.
-Matt
Reporting back: Per MCA, the TX models are designed to replace the CK Pro models. They do use more premium materials and carry a higher price because of it.
Hey,
Love your reviews, I always come here when I’m purchasing anything golf related. I am looking at the Raw White for my G410 FW. I’ve always like clubs that has the weight more towards the head of the club. Would this fit my specs? What sort of shafts should I look for? I have been using Taylormade RBZ Rocketballz Stage 2 woods with that stock shaft and really like how those feel, to give you an idea. Counter-balanced…. ? I’m new to the shaft discussion so excuse my ignorance.
Jay,
The AV Raw White is conventionally weighted so you will get a standard swing weight with it. As to whether or not this shaft will fit your swing, only a fitter working with you in person can know that.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
I just done a fitting in Paris (France) in order to have a new driver and I endend with the new TSi 3 with the AV Raw white 65 grams. I will have to wait for two more weeks in order to have it in my bag. But what I can say is that thanks to this shaft I was way more acurate and my “bad” shots wasn’t that bad. Usually when I miss It’s a like a hook, and that wasn’t the case while hitting around 50 balls at the range. I hope I will play it well on the course, will see. One more thing they put me the x stiff version, which I was afraid on being way too hard for me, but no, that was just an incredible feeling of power and smoothness. Sorry for my english, lot’s of errors I’m sure ;-) Thank you very much for your great work, it is very interesting for people like me. Take care, Best, Nico
Hello Nicolas,
Je viens de commander le tsi3 avec le tensei white 65 avec un peu d’apprehension. J’avais Les meilleurs chiffres et surtout sensations, mais à bientôt 59ans, je crains un peu l’exigence du profil de ce shaft, même si je ne souffrais pas du tout au fitting.
Qu’en est il pour toi qui avait la même crainte avec le TX ?
Hi, I’m looking to get this shaft with the TSi 3, what is your swing speed currently? Just need a comparison as I’m thinking of a x-stiff shaft also
would you say this is a similar shaft to the project x evenflow t1100
I’m currently playing the TS3 considering upgrading to the TSi3
Hayden,
Big picture, yes, they’re in the same ballpark.
Best,
Matt
Is this the same as the “stock” offering in the Titleist TSI driver range? Why would anyone pay hundreds more for the GD Tour AD upgrades??
Jay,
Yes, this is the stock offering in the TSi drivers.
-Matt
What driver head(s) did you test it in? Curious about trying it in the tsi3. Thanks.
PING G410 Plus.
-Matt
Will you be testing this in the new prototype 2.0 TX flex? The one that replaced the original AV Raw White TX. Thanks.
Adam,
Are you referring to the Tensei 1K? That’s the newest Tensei I’m familiar with. I will be reaching out to MCA about that one.
-Matt
Matt,
No. If you take a look at the AV Raw White on MCA’s website, you will see that they replaced the TX with a TX (Prototype 2.0) in early 2021.
Thanks.
Hey Matt,
What is your personal take between the Av Raw White and the Evenflow white? On paper they seem to be similar in terms of being tip-stiff and smooth feel.
Thanks
Brandon,
To me, the EvenFlow is a little more active.
-Matt
Do you think the raw white is better in your driver than the raw orange?
Craig,
If you’re asking about my personal driver, it’s very close. I like the counter balancing on the range, but I haven’t gamed a counter balanced shaft enough to know how it would hold up on the course. I’d defer to the White out of habit.
-Matt
I’m using the Tensei CK white 70 now, how would it compare to this Tensei AV Raw White
Jimmy,
They’re very similar shafts. If you’re looking to see if there’s a big difference, my advice would be to book a fitting where you can compare your gamer to the AV Raw.
-Matt
Hey Matt, I’m wanting to get a Titleist Tsi3 driver and am looking at this shaft. However I’m curious as to how it compares to the HZRDUS smoke black rdx, I’ve read that the hzurdus is way less forgiving for easier going swings. What’s your thoughts? Thanks.
Nathan,
My advice is always to get fit before buying new clubs. I don’t know what “unforgiving” means in the context of a shaft, so I can’t speak to that comparison.
-Matt
I swing a 913 in 8.5* with the rogue silver 60X and I have to take so much off my swing to keep from snapping it. I have to change the setting to max open to keep it in play. I just bought a TSi3 with this shaft in 75 X. I’m hoping this is the club for me since I’ve been a Titleist fan since the 905R days so Titleist is really the only option. The D3’s of previous models are a little open faced. Is this true of the TSi3 as well?
Dustin,
The TSi3 that I tested looked square at address to me in the A1 position.
-Matt
Matt,
When you say a shaft is “active” what exactly do you mean?
Thanks!
Tony,
“Active” is the opposite of “stout” or inflexible.
-Matt
How would you compare the AV Raw White to the Fujikura Atmos 7 Black XStiff. I currently play with this and really like it but your smooth references have me thinking.
Phil,
I have a full review of the ATMOS line here: https://pluggedingolf.com/fujikura-atmos-shaft-review/
Best,
Matt