If you are comparing shafts like the True Temper XP95 and the KBS Tour 90, there are many things to consider. Both shafts are great, however they are great for certain players. It is important to consider their differences and how those differences may impact your game. To help you figure out which one is best for you, I took a look at the most important factors when it comes to comparing golf shafts:
- Flex
- Length
- Weight
- Trajectory
By the end of this article, you should have a much better idea as to which shaft is right for you in your golf game.
What are the differences between the True Temper XP95 vs KBS Tour 90? The True Temper XP95 is anywhere from 36.5” – 40” long, whereas the KBS Tour 90 is 41.25” long. Additionally, the True Temper weighs anywhere from 93 grams to 95 grams, whereas the KBS Tour weighs anywhere from 101 grams to 102 grams. The KBS Tour also offers lower trajectory options, whereas the True Temper XP95 does not.
| True Temper XP95 | KBS Tour 90 | |
| Flex | Regular and Stiff | Regular and Stiff |
| Length | 36.5” – 40” | 41.25” |
| Weight | 93g – 95g | 101g – 102g |
| Trajectory | High | Mid-High |
Flex: True Temper XP95 vs KBS Tour 90
One of the similarities between True Temper XP95 and KBS Tour 90 is that they both have the same amount of flex. More specifically they both have regular and stiff flex. For those that don’t know, flex is the amount of bend that a shaft has. The less flex that a shaft has, the less it is going to bend and vice versa.
As mentioned above, True Temper XP95 and KBS Tour 90 both have the same amount of flex, but what is each flex good for?
- Regular Flex: 80 – 95 mph swing speed
- Stiff Flex: 95+ mph swing speed
It is important to choose the right kind of flex. By choosing the correct flex, you are able to improve the way the shaft conforms to your swing. If you get a shaft that is too stiff, you will likely lose distance on your ball. If you get a shaft that has too much flex, you may lose a bit of control over the ball.
Fortunately, both shafts offer the same flex options. So you do not have to worry about whether or not one of these shafts has better flex for you.
Length: True Temper XP95 vs KBS Tour 90
The first difference between True Temper XP95 and KBS Tour 90 is in the shaft length. True Temper XP95 has a shorter length than KBS Tour 90. A short and long shaft both have their benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to understand what you want from your shaft.
- Short shaft: lower speed, higher accuracy
- Longer shaft: higher speed, lower accuracy
With a shorter shaft like True Temper XP95, you have a shorter arc to your swing, which means you won’t be able to generate as much speed. However, a shorter shaft will allow you to square the face of the club more quickly, meaning it is easier to hit the center of the club face.
With a longer shaft like KBS Tour 90, you have a longer arc to your swing, which allows you to generate more speed. However, it makes it a bit more difficult to square the club face, ultimately making it more difficult to hit accurate shots.
So, if you are looking for more distance, then KBS Tour 90 is better for you. However, if you are looking for more accuracy, then True Temper XP95 is better for you.
Weight: True Temper XP95 vs KBS Tour 90
The second difference between these two shots is in the weight. True Temper XP95 has anywhere from 93g to 95g of weight, whereas KBS Tour 90 has 101g to 102g of weight.
In other words, KBS Tour 90 is heavier than True Temper XP95. Both will impact your game in a different way. Below is a quick breakdown of how heavy and light shafts may impact your game.
Heavier shafts:
- More control over shots
- Lower launch angle
Lighter shafts:
- More swing speed
Below is a more detailed breakdown of what each of these means.
More Control Over Shots
A heavier shaft means that it is less prone to wobbling and moving out of the swing path. Because there is more weight on the shaft, it is much harder to move, therefore it is a bit more difficult to torque or twist the club. This will lead to a higher consistency of accurate shots.
Lower Launch Angle
A heavier shaft is a bit more difficult to pick up at the end of your swing, which gives you a lower launch angle. This launch angle means that you will not be able to get as much height on the ball as you would with a lighter shaft.
More Swing Speed
And surprisingly, you are more likely to generate more swing speed with a lighter shaft. This is due to the fact that there is less weight to bring around allowing you to generate more speed. This increase in swing speed will likely lead to more distance on your golf shot.
So if you are looking to get better control over your shot, and don’t mind hitting your ball at a bit of a lower launch angle, then KBS Tour 90 is a better option.
If you want to generate more swing speed, then True Temper XP95 is a better option for you.
Trajectory: True Temper XP95 vs KBS Tour 90
Another difference between the two shafts is the trajectory. True Temper XP95 offers high trajectory while KBS Tour 90 offers mid to high trajectory.
The trajectory is just another word for the launch angle. Both shafts offer a high launch angle, however KBS Tour 90 has an additional mid launch angle option.
If you are looking to get a lot of height on the ball, both options are good for you. However if you want a shaft that will get you a bit more distance, however with less height, then KBS Tour 90 will offer you that option.
Final Thoughts: True Temper XP95 vs KBS Tour 90
So, after looking and comparing the similarities and differences between these clubs, it should be a bit easier to know which one is better for you and your game. It could also never hurt to go down to your local shop, and test each shaft out. But with these differences in mind, it will be easier to make the decision on which one you will end up picking.