When KBS announced in 2018 that they were jumping into the world of graphite with TGI, there were a great many of us who wondered simply, why? Soon though, that answer was made apparent as the TGI, followed by the PGI in irons, and even the TD driver shaft made it abundantly clear that KBS was holding true to how they made their name and were creating truly high performing graphite options.
Already in 2023 we have seen KBS introduce the GPS, their graphite putter shaft, which you can read more about here (KBS GPS – Graphite Putter Shafts – The Hackers Paradise). Now however, they are bringing another product to golfers, the PGH, Players Graphite Hybrid shaft.
KBS PGH – Players Graphite Hybrid
With so many options in the irons and woods, it makes sense to see KBS bring another graphite hybrid option to fill out their lineup a little more. The PGH looks to do that and then some, with KBS touting that its goal is to change what people think a hybrid shaft can be by focusing heavily on providing easier launch and spin than other hybrid shafts.
The company has taken the PGI baseline and used it to create this new expansion to their fitting matrix. What is a bit of a breath of fresh air centers around KBS wanting to create an option for everyone in a club that more and more golfers are adding to their bags as time passes. The PGH is naturally a lighter option than the Tour Graphite Prototype hybrid shaft which you might have seen over the years, and there has been a heavy emphasis on weight placement to make for easier and more natural swing weighting.
You won’t be surprised to read that KBS is talking heavily about consistency and control, but you might be interested to hear that they are accomplishing that through a new graphite wrap technology. The result, according to them, is a lightweight hybrid option that lives up to the expectations golfers have of KBS through years of their steel shaft designs. They also want it made clear that while the ease to swing will certainly appeal to mid-to-high handicap players, this isn’t a release limited to that demographic, as there is something for everyone.
The new PGH Hybrid shafts are a parallel tip design which will be offered in weights from 45 to 105 grams (10 gram increments) and each weight will have various flex options. Price point for these is $135.00 and they are available now through KBS or fitters everywhere.
Very interesting here [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER]. It makes me wonder, does KBS see steel shafts becoming a thing of the past long term? I feel like they are trying to carve themselves out another niche.
I look forward to trying these out. The hybrid shaft is always one that I am constantly changing for some reason.
[QUOTE=”hadi05, post: 11580377, member: 50784″]
Very interesting here [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER]. It makes me wonder, does KBS see steel shafts becoming a thing of the past long term? I feel like they are trying to carve themselves out another niche.
[/QUOTE]
More like options are good, and there is a segment that is growing they believe that they can get a piece of.
[QUOTE=”hadi05, post: 11580377, member: 50784″]
Very interesting here [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER]. It makes me wonder, does KBS see steel shafts becoming a thing of the past long term? I feel like they are trying to carve themselves out another niche.
[/QUOTE]
Have heard Kim Braley address this. He points to a couple main reasons why KBS has developed graphite shafts and why the hybrid shaft was their first product.
The first reason is purely business related. As golfers and Manufacturers of golf equipment have been replacing long irons with hybrids that means fewer iron shafts in a set.
For a manufacturer of traditional iron shafts that equates to fewer sales and lower revenue.
The second reason is in regards to performance. As graphite shaft materials technology has improved it has allowed shaft performance to rival or exceed the homogeneous steel shaft material’s performance at the same or lower weight.
He has expounded on the topic further in interviews in regards to performance differences, cost and the different manufacturing processes.
I’ve been a fan of KBS shafts for awhile and am glad to see them continue to round out their offerings.
[QUOTE=”Browndog, post: 11580560, member: 63834″]
Have heard Kim Braley address this. He points to a couple main reasons why KBS has developed graphite shafts and why the hybrid shaft was their first product.
The first reason is purely business related. As golfers and Manufacturers of golf equipment have been replacing long irons with hybrids that means fewer iron shafts in a set.
For a manufacturer of traditional iron shafts that equates to fewer sales and lower revenue.
The second reason is in regards to performance. As graphite shaft materials technology has improved it has allowed shaft performance to rival or exceed the homogeneous steel shaft material’s performance at the same or lower weight.
He has expounded on the topic further in interviews in regards to performance differences, cost and the different manufacturing processes.
I’ve been a fan of KBS shafts for awhile and am glad to see them continue to round out their offerings.
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This is awesome info thank you!
I’m curious of the versatility here, as they’re definitely touting that it’s for all sorts of players.
I wonder how this compares to the proto hybrid?
[QUOTE=”templeton80, post: 11581045, member: 53139″]
I wonder how this compares to the proto hybrid?
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More friendly for the majority since it’s based on the PGI irons and not the TGIs
Thinking a lot about the 105 :unsure: