Putting More Speed in Play
Two weeks ago, Mitsubishi officially unveiled their latest creation: the TENSEI 1K Pro Orange w/RIP+ Technology. The stated goal is simple: put more speed in play without sacrificing the stability and control golfers expect from TENSEI. I got excellent results from it [full review HERE], and it’s in serious contention to steal a spot in the bag for my very busy fall golf schedule.
As excited as I was by the results, the eternal question bounced around the back of my head, “Is this really that different from the previous version?” In this feature, I’m going to dive deep on that question.
A Fresh Look
The TENSEI family has always preferred subtle aesthetic changes. Relative to that history, the TENSEI 1K Pro Orange w/RIP+ Technology got a full blown makeover. What stands out most is shown above – the new graphics at the butt end. The orange checkered pattern is much more vibrant and eye-catching.
When you set the two shafts into a playing position, the other major change becomes obvious. The previous TENSEI Orange (right) has visible carbon fiber at the top, solid black the rest of the way down. For the TENSEI 1K Pro Orange w/RIP+ Technology, Mitsubishi made the carbon fiber visible in the middle of the shaft, sandwiching it between two black sections. This new version is bolder looking, but it’s still all black near the head to prevent distraction.
New Tech
The tech change in this new TENSEI is so important that it got incorporated right into the name. “RIP+ Tech” stands for Reverse Interlaminar Placement Plus. Per Mitsubishi, this “incorporates ultra-thin 20FAW material and 46T high-modulus fiber to increase tip stability and reduce shaft twisting.” The proprietary carbon fiber is touted as being five times thinner and lighter than conventional material. There is also boron fiber incorporated into the tip section to increase stiffness for better energy transfer and durability.
Another titular feature – the 1K Cloth – has been modified. In the original 1K [review HERE], this material had 90 degree plies mainly in the lower butt section. The new version has 1K material wrapped at 45 degrees across the entire middle with the goal of lowering torque.
Finally, the TENSEI Orange’s defining feature – counterbalancing – has been changed. The previous version used tungsten to create the counterbalancing. While tungsten is great for moving weight – it’s very dense – it doesn’t do anything for energy transfer. It’s dead weight. The TENSEI 1K Pro Orange w/RIP+ Technology uses “structural counterbalancing” – more carbon fiber, no tungsten – to create even more counterbalancing and better energy transfer. In my builds the new model was one swing weight lighter than the old one.
More Speed in Play?
It would be perfectly reasonable for your current takeaway to be, “New paint job, lots of tech jargon…meh.” So let’s get to the practical stuff.
I took the new Mitubishi TENSEI 1K Pro Orange w/RIP+ Technology and ran it head to head with the previous version. While the results were good with both and broadly similar, the differences were obvious. In short, the tip of the new model feels more stable, and the dispersion was tighter. A quick swing with the old TENSEI Orange would produce a noticeable pull with some draw. That same swing with the new TENSEI Orange was a smaller pull without the draw. For me, that can be the difference between the left side of the fairway and a lost ball. No upgrade could be more impactful.
What I saw mirrors what Mitsubishi has seen in their new MLAB Testing. The additional counterbalancing helped players maintain or improve their swing speed even with heavier, modern driver heads. The material improvements led to more consistent club head deliver, tighter start lines, and more repeatable impact. What’s really impressive is that the new TENSEI 1K Pro Orange showed this across multiple swing types, so this isn’t a shaft built for just one type of player.
After I’d wrapped up my testing, I started doing my reading on the Mitubishi TENSEI 1K Pro Orange w/RIP+ Technology, and I found something that shocked me. On paper, this new model has a softer profile. Per Mitsubishi, the old TENSEI Orange is Medium, Firm+, and Firm, from butt to mid to tip. The new model is Firm+, Medium+, Medium.
For me, there are two major takeaways from this divergence between the performance I saw and the specs. First, it tells me that the RIP+ Tech is real. This is a softer tip that plays more stable. Second, these results underscore the fact that you can’t fit on paper. By the specs, the old TENSEI Orange is a much better fit for me. In reality, the new one is a substantial upgrade for my swing.
Should You Try the New TENSEI Orange?
Do all these changes make the Mitubishi TENSEI 1K Pro Orange w/RIP+ Technology an essential upgrade for every golfer playing the TENSEI Orange? Not necessarily. While I think that every gear-obsessed golfer should give this a swing – the promise of more consistency with higher club head speed is tantalizing – no single piece of equipment is perfect for everyone. There are golfers for whom the previous TENSEI Orange can’t be beat. But if you want counterbalancing and a tip that’s more stable without feeling harsh, head to your Mitsubishi fitter to give this a try.
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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