Ventus Blue shafts

[Moonlightgrm]

My buddy purchased a Ventus Blue shaft (regular flex), a TM adapter, and installed it onto his SIM2 Max driver head. He paid $190 US for the shaft (online). He was concerned when the shaft did not say VelaCore on the tip end. He asked me to hit a few and tell him what I thought. I hit three drives from an elevated tee at sea level (95-mph SS). The hole measures 366-yards from the MGA plate where I teed them up. I hit 3 drives. The first drive was dead straight and reached the 100-yard plate. The second drive had a baby draw and also reached the 100-yard plate. The two balls were less than 5-yards apart. I am liking this shaft. It’s very stable and I am 2 for 2 hitting the fairway with good distance for me. I went after the third ball and hit a baby fade, barely missing the fairway and ~10-yards short of the 100-yard plate. I told my buddy that I liked the shaft and thought it should serve him well, as we have very similar swings. He admitted that he is not in love with the feel and he’s lost a little distance since swapping out his Mitsubishi Tensei orange shaft. 
 

Since hitting his club, I’ve looked up the Ventus VelaCore shafts and they retail for $350 US. My questions: What’s the difference between the regular Ventus Blue and the Ventus Blue VelaCore shaft? Do the possibility of “gains” make the price hike worthy? Did my buddy overpay for his Ventus shaft?

 

I am considering putting a Ventus in my M5 driver.

Edited August 6, 2022 by Moonlightgrm
Typo

[phizzy30]

Your buddy overpaid for the non velacore Ventus Blue because honestly, they're not worth more than 100 bucks IMO.  The velacore version has materials in it that supposedly give the shaft more stability hence tighter dispersion.  FYI, you can get the velacore version much cheaper than the 350 MSRP, you just have to know where to look.  😉

[Cellis]

If you’re looking shaft to shaft, the Velecore should be better because of the materials being used. You do have those anomaly cases where people get along with the non-Velecore version better. But unfortunately your buddy did overpay for that shaft.

[Jeff58]

“Velocore” is a very high modulus carbon material. What that means is that it maintains its strength and form far better when under stress/deflection. What that means in a golf shaft is that it can be designed to deflect more than normal for a given swing speed while maintaining dispersion.

 

The end result is that the higher your swing speed, and the higher the normal degree of swing variability, the greater the advantage.

 

I have 3 of the non-Velocore shafts. For me, Volecore spins about 300 rpms less than the “non” version, and that’s about it. The non versions can be easily found for around $90, usually with TM adapters. Your friend was ripped off and should look to return it if possible IMO.

 

[Hawkeye77]

Missing from the OP is whether it was advertised as a Velocore, that's the assumption being made, and I'm assuming that was the case, but it isn't stated that the advertising specifically said Velocore.

 

FWIW, I've got a non Velocore in my new Rogue LS and it was the right shaft for me, getting along nicely.  

[BYK]

Had both

night and day difference for me at least

 

and yah, your buddy got ripped

hope it wasn't sold to him as the velocore version

 

For the velocore version, they seem to be going for 220-250 here recently

[chisag]

... I have a smooth swing and transition with a 98mph swing and in my last fitting while neither fit me as well as other shafts the non velocore performed better for me than the velocore. AD-IZ and Tensei Blue were the best but neither much better than the AD-MT I am playing. I have to admit my ego was a little disappointed as really wanted to like the Blue velocore and I thought at least the Red velocore might be a good fit but I can't argue with the numbers, ball flight or feel. 

[third-times-a-charm]

1) The VELOCORE model is the premium aftermarket version which is the one subjectively worth $190+

2) The non-VELOCORE model is a made-for shaft without anything special in it and comes stock in a bunch of models, now

3) Your friend way overpaid and its worth like $70

4) The non-VELOCORE model is not inherently a bad shaft, it's just nothing special. It's made to fit the widest range of golfers and may be good for you.

[Kenbone]

Marketing is a beautiful thing.

[Red4282]

Your buddy did overpay. Id say the non velocore goes for 50-70 bucks. So is the upgrade to the velocore model worth it? In my opinion it just depends on the golfer and their speed and transition. The faster with both, will put much more torsional forces on the shaft. Velocore helps limit that torsional twist, while also keeping it at light playable weights at the same time. The non velocore is just fine for slower speeds and would see no difference (IMO)

[Valtiel]

5 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

velacore 

 

4 hours ago, Cellis said:

Velecore

Guys it's Velycore, get it together. 😅

Agreed with the above though, the version without "Velocore" is the cheaper OEM version made for Taylormade that comes stock, basically a completely different shaft. That doesn't mean it can't work for someone, but $190 is definitely way too much to pay for it as on the secondary market they're normally around $75-$125, although because of the popularity you'll lots of people overpaying not knowing the difference. 

[morgan1819]

Your buddy should be a little upset with whomever sold him the non-velicore shaft for $190.  Like others have said, they are everywhere for $60-$80.

[jimb]

I bought a Stealth driver at Dicks a few weeks ago.  It came with the TM non-Velocore Red Ventus in it.  It was a 5R model shaft.  On their simulator I compared it to the TSi2 and the Rogue ST Max.  The Stealth won out for me.  I took it to the range and hit it there several times.  I loved the feel of the head.  It just feels so solid.  The shaft felt great, I just felt it the ball flight was too high with too much spin, but the drives were pretty consistent.  But it did not feel like crap.  It felt like a quality shaft.  Bear in mind I am 73 and my carry distance is around 235-240.

 

I am coming from a Callaway Epic Speed with a GD XC in it in the SR flex (stiff-regular).  Being the nut case I am, I bought a Ventus Blue TR in 5S from Golfworks for $350, BUT it came with the grip and the adapter as part of the price.  Fuji requires Golfworks to install the tip and the grip at no additional cost.  So, I got the shaft cut to my selected length, the adapter set in relation to the shaft logo where I wanted, and the grip install in the price.  I got the shaft in about a week after ordering it.

 

Now, back to the shaft performance.  It isn't apples to apples because of the flex difference, but the TR definitely flighted lower and with less spin.  If I had picked up the Stealth with the TM Ventus version in Blue rather than Red, I don't think it would be worth the investment.  But when you are lefty buying from a place like Dicks, your options are limited.

[morgan1819]

Velacore is the birth parent version.

 

 

 

 

...

Edited August 7, 2022 by morgan1819

[Luke'sdad]

Little research before you spend that kind of money is never a bad thing. 

[buckeyefl]

If it fits its fits and is worth every penny. Very few people NEED the strongest materials so there are a plethora of shafts out there that might not have a cool name or high price that simply fit your swing. 

 

So if you buddy "paid too much" but it works, then did he really pay too much?

[phizzy30]

Just now, buckeyefl said:

If it fits its fits and is worth every penny. Very few people NEED the strongest materials so there are a plethora of shafts out there that might not have a cool name or high price that simply fit your swing. 

 

So if you buddy "paid too much" but it works, then did he really pay too much?

Yes he did.  But it works for him so the hurt isn't nearly as bad.  Imagine if he paid that much and the shaft was a total s*** show for him.  😢

[kmay__]

I use the stock blue non-velohcour (canadian spelling) version and am quite fond of it..... but I've never tested any high end stuff.