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Your driver shaft is twisting — on purpose. Here’s why
For most golfers, selecting a new driver shaft comes down to two numbers: the weight in grams and the flex (S, R or X). However, there is a third, often misunderstood metric that dictates whether your ball finds the fairway or the deep rough: torque. So today, we’ll chat a bit about the Diamana Gen 6 lineup from Mitsubishi and what they have done to re-think torque for the modern golf swing — and how they can match up to your swing profile.
While “flex” describes how much a shaft bends toward or away from the target during the course of the golf swing, torque measures how much the shaft resists twisting around its center. Measured in degrees, torque is the “steering rack” of your golf club. If you’ve ever felt like your swing was on plane but the club head was “wobbly” or unreasonably open at impact, you’ve experienced the effects of a poorly matched torque profile.
What exactly is torque?
In technical terms, torque is the measurement of a shaft’s angular displacement under a standard load. If a shaft has a 3.0° torque rating, it twists less than a shaft with a 5.0° rating.
High-speed players with aggressive transition moves put immense stress on the shaft. If the torque is too high for their speed, the clubhead will lag, the face will stay open and the result is usually a high, weak slice. Conversely, a player with a smooth, deliberate tempo might find a low-torque shaft feels “boardy” or “dead,” making it difficult to square the face and leading to a loss of feel, but also a significant loss in performance.
Jake Morrow / GOLF
The Mitsubishi secret: 46-ton carbon fiber
The challenge for engineers has always been lowering torque without adding excessive weight or making the shaft feel too stiff. Mitsubishi solved this in the Diamana Gen 6 by utilizing 46-ton high-modulus carbon fiber in the angle plies.
By strategically layering these high-strength fibers at specific angles, they can “lock” the shaft against twisting while maintaining the smooth, elastic feel that has made Diamana a staple on major tours for two decades.
Jake Morrow / GOLF
Matching the lineup to your swing
The 6th Gen Diamana family — consisting of the WB, BB, and RB — offers three distinct ways to handle torque based on your specific swing profile.
1. The Diamana WB (White Board)
The Diamana WB is the ultimate “anti-twist” weapon. Designed for the “hitter” rather than the “swinger,” it features the lowest torque in the lineup. If you have a high swing speed and a violent transition, the WB stays stable, ensuring the face doesn’t rotate prematurely. It produces a low launch and low spin profile for maximum control.
Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana WB Wood Shaft
The board is back. After a few years away, the vintage surfboard always associated with Diamana™ makes its return with Diamana WB. Built on an extraordinarily popular and tour-proven platform, WB brings classic low-low performance and the legendary stability and control you’ve come to expect after two decades.
The first in the 6th Generation Diamana™ family, WB is designed with all the traditional branding that made Diamana™ so beloved, including flowers in the handle section, a surfboard behind the Diamana logo, and return to the original 53/63/73/83 weight class designations. But rest assured, the only thing throwback about Diamana™ WB is its appearance. Indeed, super high-modulus 80-ton Dialead Pitch Fiber is used in the butt section to deliver maximum stability and increased energy transfer and high modulus 46-ton fiber is used in the shaft’s angle plies to reduce torque without increasing weight for improved control and stability. Carbon fiber orientation at the tip section is optimized to further lower torque.
The classic feel of this Diamana™ profile is achieved through the use of our proprietary Xlink Tech™ Resin System and MR70 technologies. Our Xlink Tech™ Resin System increases the strength and durability of the shaft while driving carbon fiber volume up for better feel. Feel and strength is further increased through the use of our aerospace-grade MR70 fiber – our strongest fiber to date.
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2. The Diamana BB (Blue Board) The Diamana BB (Blue Board) is the second profile in the latest generation of Diamana shafts. It features the traditional branding that made Diamana popular, including a return to the original 53/63/73/83 weight class designations. This shaft incorporates advanced engineering and material innovation, making it a top choice on tour. Maximum Energy Transfer: Utilizes super high-modulus 80-Ton Dialead Pitch Fiber in the butt section.
The Diamana BB is the centerpiece of the lineup. It offers a mid-torque profile that provides that signature “smooth” feel. By utilizing an 80-ton dialead pitch fiber in the butt section, Mitsubishi ensures that even though the shaft feels active and responsive, it remains stable through the hitting zone. This is for the golfer looking for a classic mid-launch, mid-spin flight.
Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana BB Wood Shaft
Key Features:
Greater Stability: Employs high modulus 46-ton fiber in the shaft’s angle plies to lower torque.
Enhanced Feel and Durability: Mitsubishi’s proprietary Xlink Tech system increases the overall strength and durability of the shaft while enhancing carbon fiber volume for a superior feel.
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3. The Diamana RB (Red Board) Diamana™ RB (Red Board) – the third profile in the most recent generation – is designed with all the traditional branding that made Diamana so beloved – including a return to the original 53/63/73/83 weight class designations – and all the engineering prowess and material innovation that made the brand dominant on tour.
The Diamana RB is designed for players who need a bit more help getting the ball in the air. While it has a more active tip section to increase launch, the torque is still strictly controlled by the 46-ton fiber. This allows for a high-launch profile without the “loose” feeling often associated with draw-biased or high-launch shafts. A first for the Diamana brand; a lower torque profile for early release golfers.
Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB Wood Shaft
Offering a slightly higher launch angle than BB, Diamana™ RB was engineered to promote ease of launch while also maintaining control down field. Diamana RB is a classic “Red Board” profile — not available since the 2nd Generation of Diamana — that features an active tip section while still retaining the same material technology package and low-torque control characteristics as its lower launching counterparts.
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Stability is speed
Choosing the right torque isn’t about finding the “best” number; it’s about finding the number that matches your tempo. A shaft that twists the right amount for your swing allows you to release the club with total confidence. Keep in mind that weight and flex will also affect torque. Within the same profile a heavier shaft or a stiffer flex will have a lower torque rating.
As always, the best place to find the right driver shaft for you is to visit your local Authorized Mitsubishi Dealer, like your local True Spec Golf.
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