In their never-ending quest to improve, golfers need to upgrade their equipment (along with their skills) continually to stay on top of their game. If you’re one such golfer in the market for better gear, you might have come across Mitsubishi’s offerings. The Tensei and Kuro Kage shafts are good options, but which is better for you?
The Tensei is a better shaft than the Kuro Kage. While both are good shafts, the Tensei wins as it’s geared towards professionals and has a premium feel with the performance to match. Still, Kuro Kage shafts are quite good and can be a better budget-friendly beginner option.
Both shafts are Mitsubishi-made, so you can’t go wrong. I’ve got you covered if you’d like a slightly deeper dive into each. Let’s learn more about the Tensei and Kuro Kage shafts and find out which is right for you.
Tensei and Kuro Kage Compared
Below is a handy table comparing the differences between the shafts:
| Specifications | Tensei | Kuro Kage |
| Types | Woods, Drivers, Hybrids | Woods, Drivers, Hybrids |
| Notable Materials | Graphite | Graphite, Titanium Nickel Wire |
| Weight | 54-107 g (1.90-3.77 oz) | <80 grams (<2.82 oz) |
| Price | $50 – $500 | $200 – $500 |
Tensei Golf Shafts
Tensei is the Japanese word for transformation. Brands sometimes go off the deep end with their naming, but Mitsubishi has struck gold here as the name is very apt. Tensei shafts are made from up to 11 materials, compared to the 3-4 of most other shafts.
This has proven to be an excellent decision as the shafts feel quite premium, generating good power on your swing without sacrificing accuracy to torque.
Still, that premium feel comes with a premium price tag to match. Top-of-the-line Tensei shafts will cost you upwards of $300- $400.
If you’d like a recommendation, the MCA Golf Mitsubishi Tensei Pro White 1K (from Amazon.com) is one of the best shafts you can get. It’s an upgrade over the previous CK and AV variants which featured Carbon Kevlar and Aluminium Vapor, respectively.
Instead, the 1K pro uses Mitsubishi’s 1K material, three times thinner than kevlar. This gives you a much better grip, reduces torque, and improves control.
Kuro Kage Golf Shafts
Kuro Kage shafts are a marriage between Mitsubishi’s Low Resin Content and Titanium Wire technologies. With these, you get a good middle ground between heft and performance.
Mitsubishi has achieved this by using less resin in the shaft which in turn has allowed increased graphite content in the shaft. If you’ve tried Mitsubishi’s Kai’li, you’d likely feel at home with the Kuro Kage.
This comparison is also a key selling point for many people. Kai’li shafts can cost quite a lot, so the Kuro Kage offers a similar feel at a much lower price. You can find a Kuro Kage for under $70.
However, unlike the Kai’li, the Kuro Kage has a slightly stiffer tip with the exact soft middle. This generates more power on your swing but still gives decent feedback from your hit.
The Verdict
Between the two offerings, Tensei is the clear winner based on performance. If you’re really serious about taking your game to the next level and improving, they’re a much better choice. On the other hand, Kuro Kage shafts can be more affordable, so they’ll fit a budget better. Its increased flex also makes it a decent beginner option.
Remember, getting your form and swing right is a much more efficient way to improve. So, get a club that matches your strength and swing style, and work on maintaining a consistently good swing.