50 Words or Less
The OBAN Kiyoshi Purple has a huge kick, standout looks, and consistent performance.
Introduction
Some shaft manufacturers create a series of shafts that are different only on a spec sheet. OBAN’s Kiyoshi series, however, truly covers the entire spectrum of feel and performance. We recently reviewed the OBAN Kiyoshi Black, a stout, low-spin shaft. Today, we examine the Kiyoshi Purple which resides on the other end of the spectrum: it’s a shaft with massive kick for players seeking higher launch with controlled spin.
Feel
You are not likely to find a shaft with a more pronounced kick than the OBAN Kiyoshi Purple. Even when you move up a flex or make a very smooth pass, the Kiyoshi Purple has a deep load and kick that makes you feel like the ball may never land. Where the Kiyoshi Purple separates itself from other “active” shafts is in its consistency. Because OBAN uses some of the best materials available, they’re able to offer this big explosive feel without losing the feel of control.
Looks
The Kiyoshi Purple is the sharpest-looking shaft in the OBAN family and one of the biggest eye-catchers in the industry. It all stems from the color OBAN chose. There are certainly other purple shafts, but none that are this bold and vibrant. As with all the Kiyoshi shafts, the graphics and branding are kept near the grip so that they don’t distract at address.
Performance
In the past, I’ve found that shafts with a lot of kick can be difficult to control and inconsistent. What sets the OBAN Kiyoshi Purple apart is that it manages to have a huge kick and good consistency. Swing after swing, I felt that I always knew exactly how it would load and unload as long as I put a decent swing on it.
OBAN bills the Kiyoshi Purple as being high launch and mid spin. While I found that the spin was higher than the Kiyoshi Black, the launch was actually lower for myself and another tester because the large kick tended to promote a draw. Obviously that is largely a matter of how the shaft matches my swing, and your results may be very different. If you look around on tour, you’ll see that the Kiyoshi Purple is a favorite in fairway woods because many players find that the big kick helps them to launch their low-lofted clubs onto great trajectories. As always, the key is fitting and matching the shaft to your swing.
All testing for this review with done with the help of Club Champion.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a shaft that can deliver consistent results with great feel, the OBAN Kiyoshi Purple is worth a long look. You will have a hard time finding a shaft with more kick, and that may be the key to you hitting a draw or launching high bombs down the fairway.
If you’re interested in trying the OBAN Kiyoshi Purple or any other OBAN shaft, you can schedule a fitting with Club Champion, an authorized OBAN fitter.
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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26 Comments
matt i have a oban purple driver shaft 03 flex 55 grams i have s speed 90 to 92 i tend to hit the ball quite low what head do u thing would fit this shaft i play off ten
David,
You really need to get a fitting. It’s a disservice to you for me to make blind recommendations. It would be nothing more than a guess.
Best,
Matt
I’ve played kiyoshi prp what shaft do you like better the diamana b series or the kiyoshi purple.
Jake,
I prefer the B Series. I love the feel of the Purple, but it’s a little too lively for me. The B Series hits that sweet spot between feel and stability.
-Matt
Have you tried the new kuro kage xt shaft?
Not yet, no.
Have you tried any of the Miyazaki shafts?
Yes, quite a number of them.
-Matt
What’s your preference between the Oban Purple and Diamana whiteboard and why?
I prefer the feel of the Purple, but if I had to play one, I’d play the Diamana Whiteboard because the results are better.
-Matt
Looking forward to receiving articles about the latest golf tech. I’m a huge tech geek!
I currently play the Oban Kiyoshi Purple with an R15 tour issue head. I love the feel and flight of the Oban’s in general. I play the Oban Revenge in my 3 wood and two hybrids. The color of the shafts are amazing and for me give me the extra boost of confidence of not only a great product in my hands but also makes a great looking club!
Matt,
Have you ever played the UST Mamiya The Attas 10th generation, Fubuki V series, UST ProForce V2, and/or Graphite Design Tour AD DI? If you have what did you like better between those and the Oban Purple? Which is your favorite out of those shafts, and then all shafts on the market
Sam,
Of the shafts you’ve listed, I’ve reviewed the AD DI here: https://pluggedingolf.com/graphite-designs-tour-ad-di-shaft-review/
Best,
Matt
I find that getting fitted for a shaft is most likely the shaft that comes with the head they are selling. I actually don’t know where you can go to get fitting on different shaft. Ping heads is always ping shafts and so.
I live in Olympia, Wa.
Thanks Bob
Bob,
That is often the case if you get “fit” at a big box, which is why you need to work with a real fitter like Club Champion. They have a location in Seattle.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
What if you only swing 86 to 90. Would the shaft inprove my distance. Plus I am 70 and 12 handicap.
Us players are always looking for improvement.
Thanks Bob
Bob,
As long as you match the flex and weight of the shaft to your swing, you’ll see benefits. Again, that’s where the fitter comes in.
Best,
Matt
What is it a stiff flex shaft or x stiff
Matt,
I have noticed that OBAN Shafts then to be slimmer circumference wise throughout the whole shaft than other brand names, have you noticed that as well especially in the OBAN Kiyoshi Purple shaft?
David,
I haven’t noticed that, but I also haven’t tested an OBAN shaft in quite a while.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
Thanks for the quick response. I recently received an Oban Kiyoshi Purple and instantly noticed it was quite slimmer throughout than other brand name shafts so I was quite puzzled by that. However it does perform well and I haven’t seen any counterfeit Oban Kiyoshi Shafts anywhere, I guess I’m just being paranoid. Thanks for the help.
Matt, Was trying to compare a few shafts I have accumulated and couldn’t find what the TIP Flex and Butt Flex
were on the Oban Purple 55 gm Stiff shaft? Oban site doesn’t list that info. Have played my Purple shaft for a while off and on,
but switch just recently to a Fujikura Vista Pro 55 Stiff. Seems to launch higher. My driver swing speed is around 97 mph on a good day.
I am 68 years old with a 6.7 index. Also have played a Fujikura Pro 2.0 6S. Didn’t like it as much for some reason. Also have an older Atmos
Red 5S that I was thinking about getting an adapter installed on it so I could try it with my Callaway Epic Flash Driver. How do these shafts compare. I am looking for a mid to high launch with mid to low spin. I was fitted for both the Vista Pro and the Purple Oban by a very reputable fitter here in town. Does the Tip Flex and Butt flex have much impact on the launch and spin.
Steve,
Yes, the way a shaft bends in the butt and tip will impact launch and spin.
As for shaft comparisons, I have reviews of each of those and you can find them on the site. I’ve never hit any of those shafts head to head, so I can’t offer any direct comparisons.
Best,
Matt
Matt hi, how this differ from AD DI? You tried both, can you share the main differences you experienced? thanks!!
Freddie,
There’s not much I can add beyond what’s in the two reviews: https://pluggedingolf.com/graphite-designs-tour-ad-di-shaft-review/
-Matt