For the better part of the last year and a half or so, the Fujikura story has been primarily ATMOS driven. With 3…now 4 distinct TOUR SPEC models, ATMOS routinely accounts for more than 30 of the driver shafts in play each week on PGA Tour. That’s impressive given that trends - even on tour - favor the latest and presumably greatest.
With ATMOS maintaining and even gaining steam, Fujikura has recently released PRO 2.0, which as its name should make plenty obvious, is the second generation of Fujikura’s PRO series.
The original PRO, in one form or another, found its way into OEM lineups, got plenty of play on tour and sold well in the aftermarket. PRO was and remains a good design, but armed with insights gleaned from its proprietary ENSO system, Fujikura felt it could build on the PRO platform and make it even better.
“Easy Loading”
While we’re accustomed to shaft manufacturers speaking in terms of launch and spin, the primary performance characteristic of PRO is increased shaft load. Using ENSO, Fujikura has determined that about 3.5 inches of load at the point of maximum deflection (generally in transition) is ideal. Most amateurs, especially those with swing speeds in the 70-MPH range, produce only about 1.6-2.2 inches of deflection.
To help get your 1.6 closer to 3.5, PRO and now PRO 2.0 is designed with a softer, easier loading handle to help golfers create and store more energy and produce greater clubhead speed.
Described in general terms, PRO 2.0 has a soft handle with stiff middle and tip sections. 2.0. It uses the same materials as the original but for 2.0 the company has softened and extended the loading zone. Mid and Tip sections are described as stiff and the torque has been lowered to produce greater stability.
The TOUR SPEC version is appreciably stiffer to flex (see below), and while still described as a soft handle offering, it’s more suitable to harder, more aggressive swingers.
While both PRO and PRO 2.0 are classified as LOW/MID offerings within the Cool Clubs S3 system, according to Fujikura, the 2.0 can be expected to produce a bit less spin than the original with the TOUR SPEC offering even lower spin.
A secondary selling point for PRO 2.0 that not get much attention is that its swing weight is a little lighter. We’re not necessarily talking about counter-balancing, but the distribution of weight gives fitters and DIYers more flexibility to move weight around the head without much risk of the club feeling heavy.
Fujikura describes the PRO 2.0 shaft as offering effortless power, and what that really means is golfers don’t have to work as hard to load the shaft. While that can mean more speed (head and ball), there’s also an element of fatigue reduction in play. When you’re getting into holes, 16, 17, 18, and starting to feel a little tired, easy loading means you’re less likely to find yourself fighting the shaft in the home stretch.
FUJIKURA PRO 2.0: The Cool Clubs S3 Comparison
"S3 Technologies utilizes the most advanced shaft testing technology in the industry. The Shaft Simulation System (S3), which was developed in 2013, is a fully-automated, all-in-one shaft profiling machine. In a matter of minutes, the S3 determines the following shaft specs: (Straightness, Consistency Profile, EI Profile, CPM Analysis and Torque. While some of the aforementioned specs can be obtained from shaft manufacturers, a lack of industry standards prevents that data from being used for accurate apples-to-apples comparisons. S3 Technologies, solves this challenge by testing all of our production in-house using the S3. This gives S3 Technologies a unique and in-depth understanding of the quality and performance of the industry’s shafts."
Not only does S3 give us standardized quantitative information about the shaft(s) being reviewed, the data we share will provide you with a much better sense of how those shafts compare with similarly spec’d offerings on the market today.
We've included comparisons of both the PRO 2.0 and PRO 2.0 Tour Spec in our charts, as well as S3 data for the original Fujikura PRO Shafts.
FUJIKURA PRO 2.0 Launch Characteristics
In the 60-gram range, both the PRO 2.0 and the PRO 2.0 shafts are classified as LOW/MID launch within the Cool Clubs S3 Database. S3 measurements suggest that both models should launch slightly higher than the previous model.
FUJIKURA PRO 2.0 ZONE EI
The following chart compares the stiffness of the PRO 2.0 to the original in the butt, mid, and tip sections. Measurements are based on the stiff flex versions in the 60-70g range.
Because each shaft manufacturer defines zones a bit differently, it's not unusual for S3 measurements to deviate from OEM descriptions. In this case, we see the softer handle section described by Fujikura, however, the mid and tip zones (as defined in S3) of the 2.0 are also slightly softer than the original. The frequency measurements (not shown), suggest that, at equivalent weight and flex, the previous version is approximately 1/2 flex stiffer than the 2.0.
FUJIKURA PRO 2.0 BALANCE POINT
The following chart compares the balance point of the PRO 2.0 to the original. Measurements are based on the stiff flex versions in the 60-70g range.
The S3 data suggests that the balance point in the standard model has been raised slightly, while the change is much more pronounced in the Tour Spec model.
As you may recall from our Golf Geeks Story on Shaft Performance, a higher balance point allows for more head weight without drastically impacting the swingweight. For golfers seeking more distance (admittedly often at the expense of accuracy), this allows drivers to be built to longer playing lengths.
FUJIKURA PRO 2.0 Swing Speed Recommendations
The chart below provides swing speed recommendations for the entire PRO 2.0 and PRO 2.0 Tour Spec lineup.
As we noted previously, the new models are approximately 1/2 flex stiffer than the previous model. Also note that the Tour Spec model is nearly half a flex stiffer than the standard model. This is reflected in the recommendation chart where, for example, the PRO 2.0 TS 6 (stiff) can be expected to fit someone who swings from just over 100 MPH to just under 120 MPH, while the standard model in stiff flex is better suited for someone who swings just over 90 to just under 110 MPH.
These recommendations are based on the full range of Cool Clubs' building and fitting capabilities, including factors such as tipping and build length which can cause a shaft to play either softer or stiffer.
To simplify things a bit, you may wish to narrow these ranges. The sweet spot from a fitting perspective begins 25% from the slow end of the range. As a general rule, players with faster tempos, particularly in transition may fit into a stiffer flex, while smoother swingers often fit into a softer flex.
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Advice from the Cool Clubs Fitting Team
The design of Fujikura's new Pro 2.0 transfers energy very smoothly and efficiently in the loading zone creating the potential for more clubhead speed at impact. At the same time, they have increased the torsional stiffness slightly for a more controlled shot, tighter dispersion, and lower spin rate.
The Pro Series 2.0 shaft is offered in 3 different weight classes: 50, 60, and 70, along with 60, 70, and 80 for the Pro 2.0 Tour Spec. Flexes range from R2 to X in the Pro 2.0 and S and X in the Tour Spec. We will focus on the 60 gram S flex models.
For players with swing speeds between 95 and 105 mph with a moderate tempo, the Pro 2.0 6S shaft will work well. Players with swing speeds between 105 and 115 with a more aggressive tempo the Pro 2.0 Tour Spec 6S will work well.
Relative to similar shafts on the market in the neutral to mid launching category, the Pro Series 2.0 will launch marginally higher. Relative to the original Pro Series shafts, the butt section is slightly softer (feel), the midsection is slightly stiffer with a very similar tip section. Overall, this results in a slightly higher launch angle, more boring ball flight, and very consistent shots.
Ideal for golfers of all skill levels, the lower loading section can help return that club head to a square position at impact.
Information is based on test results of the 6S flex Pro 2.0 and Pro 2.0 TS shafts from Cool Club’s S3 Shaft Explorer with over 3200+ shaft profiles for comparison.
Similar Shafts - Pro 2.0 (6-S)
- A little heavier and a little softer, Mid launch (vs Mid/Low)
- A little lighter, ~1/2 flex stiffer, stiffer butt section
- Same launch profile & mid and tip region EI
Similar Shafts: Fuji Pro Tour Spec 2.0 6-S
- Slightly higher launch (Mid/Low to Mid)
- Similar in most regards, except for a softer butt section
Pricing
Retail price for the Fujikura PRO 2.0 and Fujikura PRO 2.0 Tour Spec is $250. For more information visit FujikuraGolf.com.
WHAT'S NEXT?
As we mentioned in an earlier post, this is a new way for us to review golf shafts. Please continue to let us know what you like, what you don't like, and what suggestions you have (we've already implemented some of them) for future S3-Powered reviews.
Also, if there's a specific shaft you'd like to see us review next, please let us know.
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