Comments on Aldila VS Proto By You ?

[gocchin]

As some of you know I'm hording drivers and shafts to test out.

Can anyone comment on the Aldila VS Proto shaft? Feel, trajectory etc? How does it compare to other shafts you've used? With it's lower trajectory and specs I'm thinking it's similar to a Diamana Blueboard?

Any feedback would be great. Thanks! :)

[tickyboy]

IMO, it's basically a higher launching NV. If you like the NV you'll like it, if not, I'd avoid.

[Dan_L]

Id say tickyboy is correct. Fits somewhere between the NV and the NVS.

Probably plays close to the Diamana Red Board.

[rgk5]

Yes but in my experience, much smoother than either. In theb Rapture the "R" flex plays very stoutly.

[Carlton]

Possibly one of THE best shafts I've tried so far. It launches probably a wee bit higher than the NV but with the feel of the NVS. I liked the NV originally for its trajectory but found it lacking in feel. I liked the NVS for its feel but I hit moon balls and not to mention the amount of spin I generate with it. The VS Proto has a bit softer tip than the NV but definitely not as soft as the NVS. Hey, that would be between the NV and NVS, how about that? LOL

The VS Proto according to the VP of Engineering at Aldila said that it combines the trajectory of the NV with the feel of the NVS but with the tight dispersion of the ProtoPype. He's bang on, although I haven't hit the ProtoPype to compare it to.

One of the most consistent shafts that seems to fit almost any swing. I can really step on it to squeeze out a couple yards and it holds up. On the days where I'm a bit tired and can't swing as hard, the shaft still performs.

As RGK5 pointed out, the shaft does feel a bit firmer than rated flex much like the NV BUT surprisingly for a low torque shaft, it has great feel.

One of the best things is that it has brought down my spin rates to a much better level and whereby I used to seldom get any rollout, with the VS Proto, I can FINALLY see my ball bouncing along the fairway. The shaft is LONG (well for me anyway)!

It's great that the PING Rapture driver has this shaft as an option which means that finally my friends can go demo what the shaft feels and performs like without asking to demo my driver. I'm pretty anal when it comes to skymarks on my clubs!

Again, like any other golf shaft, it might suit one person but not another. It's a pricey shaft, retailing for $215. at GolfSmith so I'd probably recommend getting fitted first unless you have that much cash to experiment with. The only problem is that due to the price range and not being as well known (maybe PING will change that now) as the V2, Speeders, Diamanas etc, it might be tough finding a fitter with a shaft kicking around. :D

[zone555]

Demo'ed a Ping Rapture w/VS Proto at GT. As mentioned in this thread, it's very smooth. Trajectory was spot on. The only Rapture they had in stock was a 12* (yikes!), but even with this high loft I was able to keep the launch angle to 14-16* on demand! It's expensive, but a bargain compared to shafts like the Diamana and Oziks. I find you get to a point of diminishing returns with shafts.. once you pass that $200 barrier, you may get an extra 5-10% of performance, but is it worth it?

I'm basically convinced to reshaft my 585.H with a VS Proto. As funny as it sounds, putting a high-end shaft like the VS in a hybrid isn't unusual. Here's my prediction, there will be more and more hybrids coming with the VS as standard equipment. Just look at the Rapture Hybrid and now the Adams Pro Forged set. Maybe the 2007 Callaway X-Hybrid will have the VS as well.