Diamana B series review

[TheDailyDuffer]

So at a recent driver fitting i got the chance to hit the new Diamana B series shaft which i really enjoyed, but ended up going with something else. I remember thinking that "this shaft would be a killer in a fairway wood". So when i got the opportunity to snag one for cheap i went for it.

 

The set up: RBZ Stage 2 tour set at 14.5 with Diamana B 70x which plays 43"

 

My swing speed varies depending on the day, and im generally on the lower end of x flex shafts depending on the brand(I was probably swinging around 107 with driver during my testing). I decided to go with the 70g(77g raw) because i thought (guessed) that the 80x may give me a lower flight then i wanted.

 

The Diamana b is the 3rd generation Blue Board following up the original BB and S+.

 

Initial thoughts:

 

In my opinion this is one of the best shafts for a fairway of all the current major offerings. In the "feel" department which is the most subjective category of assessment this shaft is wonderful. The term "smooth" is used far to often to describe how a shaft feels, but ill go ahead and follow the trend and say that this is an incredibly smooth feeling shaft. this is a 350+ shaft so you're going to get some feel.

 

Now on to the thing that actually matters THE PERFORMANCE and FLIGHT The Diamana B is by nature a higher launching shaft. Similarly by nature i also tend to hit the ball pretty high (which isnt always a bad thing contrary to the wrx consensus ). Like a typical higher launching shaft the diamana b is incredibly easy to get off the ground. When the ball comes off the club it gets up incredibly fast, but i didn't get any ballooning. I would go ahead and say that the fight is mid/high but piercing. I found that i was able to carry the ball 250+ and still get a dozen yards of roll which may or may not be what you're looking for. I didn't find the shaft to be one of those High launching High spin shafts that you get virtually zero roll out with. Those are great for sticking greens, but i very rarely fly the ball to the pin with a 3w and expect it to stop on a dime. If you're looking for a shaft thats easy to get the ball up in the air, and you want the ball to stay in the air, and still get some roll out this may be the shaft for you.

 

As the Diamana B is really easy to get off the ground its also incredibly stable. With many high launch shafts i find them to be a little too easy to snap hook when you really go after the ball. My home course has a few fairly long par 5s and its not uncommon for me to grab my 3w and try to hit the ball as hard as i can. So far ive swung 100% with this shaft 2 dozen times and it has resulted in 0 snap hooks. Its kind of silly but this is really important to me.

 

Its hard not to compare this shaft to the Blue Board which is still fairly popular. I honestly think its an improvement. I think the Diamana feels a little more stable from the take back to the follow though, and i think the flight is a little bit more ideal. Is it worth the extra couple of hundred dollars you may have to spend vs the blue board? Maybe not. But that doesn't mean its not an awesome shaft. I really think Diamana has priced themselves out of most market with there being so many shafts in the 350+ range these days especially if they are most ideal for a fairway. That being said i think 99% of golfers would enjoy this in their driver.

 

Final thoughts

If your looking for a shaft thats easy to get in the air and you want it to stay in the air, while still getting a little bit of roll out this shaft may be for you. As long as your willing to spend a little bit of cash. In this mans opinion the Diamana B is the ultimate shaft for your fairway metal.

 

I really look forward to comparing this to the Aldila Atx tour blue when it comes to retail (which i bet will cost a bunch less).

[Napkin2011]

I have the shaft in my driver (also stage 2) and couldn't agree more. Smooth as can be and great trajectory. The ball just goes forever. I would love another for the 3 wood, but you're right. Current price is quite steep. Almost exactly the same swing speed as you.

[LONG&STR8]

Dayum. I don't know whether be pissed at such a high price or buy one for the looks alone!

[woods991]

I got a good deal on a driver shaft and want to put in my 3 wood any tipping/butt trimings suggestions?

[Hifade]

Guys.....how do they play to flex? Being so smooth, do they tend to be on te softer side or not?

[MAB]

[quote name='woods991' timestamp='1368188988' post='7004816']
I got a good deal on a driver shaft and want to put in my 3 wood any tipping/butt trimings suggestions?
[/quote]

Manufacturer recommends 0.5".

[woods991]

[quote name='MAB' timestamp='1368215255' post='7008182']
[quote name='woods991' timestamp='1368188988' post='7004816']
I got a good deal on a driver shaft and want to put in my 3 wood any tipping/butt trimings suggestions?
[/quote]

Manufacturer recommends 0.5".
[/quote]
fromt tip or butt

[TheDailyDuffer]

[quote name='Hifade' timestamp='1368191324' post='7005044']
Guys.....how do they play to flex? Being so smooth, do they tend to be on te softer side or not?
[/quote]
This is a hard question to answer for all the obvious reasons, but yeah i think they play true to flex. I got the chance to hit the 70s as well which i could of played ok...But i prefer stiffer shafts


[quote name='MAB' timestamp='1368215255' post='7008182']
[quote name='woods991' timestamp='1368188988' post='7004816']
I got a good deal on a driver shaft and want to put in my 3 wood any tipping/butt trimings suggestions?
[/quote]

Manufacturer recommends 0.5".
[/quote]

For a three wood they recommend .5" tipping. Check out the Manufactures website as all this info is typically listed.

[Napkin2011]

[quote name='Hifade' timestamp='1368191324' post='7005044']
Guys.....how do they play to flex? Being so smooth, do they tend to be on te softer side or not?
[/quote]
I play the 60s and think it plays true to flex

[woods991]

[quote name='Bottlenosedolphin' timestamp='1368383819' post='7018032']
[quote name='Hifade' timestamp='1368191324' post='7005044']
Guys.....how do they play to flex? Being so smooth, do they tend to be on te softer side or not?
[/quote]
This is a hard question to answer for all the obvious reasons, but yeah i think they play true to flex. I got the chance to hit the 70s as well which i could of played ok...But i prefer stiffer shafts


[quote name='MAB' timestamp='1368215255' post='7008182']
[quote name='woods991' timestamp='1368188988' post='7004816']
I got a good deal on a driver shaft and want to put in my 3 wood any tipping/butt trimings suggestions?
[/quote]

Manufacturer recommends 0.5".
[/quote]

For a three wood they recommend .5" tipping. Check out the Manufactures website as all this info is typically listed.
[/quote]

thanks much!

[rpaige88]

I just got fitted for this shaft and it is truly amazing. Yes the price was high, but ive never been more consistent with my driver. My driver now has the perfect draw I used to half. It cost me a lot but I'll pay a bit more to hit it 300+ and in the fairway.

[littlechucky]

Just picked up a 70x from the BST and getting a r1 sleeve installed.

Played a Blueboard 73x and Kail'i 70x with good success in the past.

Will be giving it a run in a SLDR.

We'll see how it goes.

[jewofgolf]

I have been using my 70x for over a month now. It's awesome...very smooth and very accurate and repeatable!

[Hookshot33]

For those who have experience playing the B series, how does the feel compare to the original Blueboard and kaili?

The reason I ask is because I found the kaili to have a somewhat muted/soft/mushy feel vs the original blue. It almost feels like you are hitting a marshmallow (in my opinion). With the original Blueboard, it's smooth, yet you still get a nice, solid "thwack". Just wondering (especially in a 3 wood), how the B series stacks up to prior generations.

Thanks

[Bonesaw]

I did some drunk ebay bidding and ended up with the b 7x in a rbz stage 2 head with 11.5 loft and 3 degree open tipped .25". Have been playing I20 8.5 with ad bb 7x tipped .5". The diamana b is silky smooth and does not spin as much as I thought it might. I hit it much much higher. It goes up, you think "that's high" it goes for a few more seconds and then comes down like a meteor. Doesn't balloon. I get about 160-165 ballspeed and carried one 270 into a little wind.

It feels better than the ad bb but I think it is just different, rather than better. I am impressed by the feel and that it doesn't spin as much as I thought it might.

Great mid launcher. I think it would go well with sldr head even for some hard swingers.

[jewofgolf]

[quote name='Hookshot33' timestamp='1377443307' post='7740681']
For those who have experience playing the B series, how does the feel compare to the original Blueboard and kaili?

The reason I ask is because I found the kaili to have a somewhat muted/soft/mushy feel vs the original blue. It almost feels like you are hitting a marshmallow (in my opinion). With the original Blueboard, it's smooth, yet you still get a nice, solid "thwack". Just wondering (especially in a 3 wood), how the B series stacks up to prior generations.

Thanks
[/quote]

I have a kai li 80x in my 3 wood...yes smoother and less crisp, but not by much. Similar shafts really, but b series feels a touch more stable.

[Putterboy68]

I have one of the original Diamana Redboard shafts(63) using it with a G30 driver. I am a "Corey Pavin" size player and I can work this driver every kind of way and I can hit long sometimes. Longer than when I was in my 30s. I'll be 64 this year and I hit one on the last hole of a tough course the other day that measured 270. I have had a few of these older Diamana's in Red and Blue and this red one I have now fits me perfectly. I play 4 or 5 times a week. The Diamana's that came soon after mine were not the same. I have a 95 mph swing and I use the 60s stiff. I have a Blueboard I like and a Redbord. I like the height the Redboard gives. I would like to try their latest Redboard/Blueboard but the price is just too much.

[Red4282]

Whoa necro