If you watch any YouTube golf, you will probably already have seen this distinctive shaft in the irons of George Bryan, and maybe even more notably, in the bag of former world number one Jason Day. When you consider that Day used to play what is maybe the godfather of heavy, stiff iron shafts in the Dynamic Gold X7, this sudden switch to graphite certainly raised my eyebrows.
KBS has long established itself in the premium shaft market by utilizing manufacturing processes that prioritize consistent, elite-level performance in traditional steel. However, with the TGI (Tour Graphite Iron) shaft, the brand is branching out. I was incredibly excited to put this shaft through its paces to see if it could finally tempt a long-time steel user over to the dark side.
KBS TGI Tour Graphite Iron Shaft Review: Technology
The TGI distinguishes itself immediately in its core engineering and mission statement. KBS explicitly states that this is its first graphite shaft to play exactly like KBS steel, developed with optimized weight and stiffness profiles to maximize performance. According to the brand, it is designed utilizing the exact same E.I. curve as the renowned KBS Tour Steel shafts, aiming to provide that familiar tour-level trajectory and spin control in a composite package.
Available in both taper tip and parallel tip options, the fitting range is impressively vast. With weight options scaling from a lightweight 60g up to a robust 110g, and flexes ranging from R all the way to X-Stiff+, there is an abundance of options to fit every golfer, from juniors to seasoned Tour professionals.
Before we even get to the swing, I have to mention the aesthetics. Maybe this point shouldn't matter, but it does to so many of us; I absolutely love the look of them! The premium matte black finish paired with the distinctive red TGI banner is brilliantly executed. I genuinely couldn't stop looking at them, and they somehow visually elevated any clubhead I paired them with!
KBS TGI Tour Graphite Iron Shaft Review: Performance
While KBS states that it is actively trying to retain the same playing characteristics of steel, I am not sure I would entirely agree that I saw that in my game. This is no criticism, by the way; on the contrary, I actually found the differences both very obvious and highly beneficial.
For my testing, I utilized the taper tip 110 model. During my rounds, while the elite control and consistency I usually expect from my trusty Dynamic Gold X100 shafts remained completely intact, my peak height popped up a little, giving me a beautifully optimized ball flight. Furthermore, my consistent mishit - which tends to be a slight thin - felt significantly better by the time the composite material had filtered away some of the horrible vibrations I would normally experience.
In terms of in-swing feedback, I would put the TGI on the 'boardier' end of the spectrum of the graphite irons I have tested. They feel much more akin to the firmer Fujikura Axiom rather than the Mitsubishi MMT, which I found a touch smoother. But for some reason, this firmer sensation perfectly suited the overall performance of the shaft and gave me immense confidence not to have to babysit this shaft through impact.
KBS TGI Tour Graphite Iron Shaft Review: Verdict
If you are a long-term steel shaft user looking for your very first flirtation with graphite irons, then this may well be the perfect place to start - the ultimate gateway shaft, if you will.
At just $71.95 per shaft, the price tag also compares very favorably to many of its premium competitors in this rapidly growing market. By combining stunning aesthetics, vibration-dampening forgiveness, and pinpoint control, the KBS TGI is a stellar performer.
