Diamana and Tensei: What Makes These Shafts Such a Success for Both Amateurs and Professionals Mitsubishi Chemical has consistently made some of the best-performing shafts over the past two decades....
Diamana and Tensei: What Makes These Shafts Such a Success for Both Amateurs and Professionals
Mitsubishi Chemical has consistently made some of the best-performing shafts over the past two decades.
Proof of its success can be seen in the fact that it notched up its 500th professional victory in 2021.
So what makes Mitsubishi Chemical shafts so good?
In Mitsubishi Chemical’s own words, it's down to the fact that every element from the production of raw materials to the final finishing is done in-house.
This gives Mitsubishi Chemical full control and freedom of design to create shafts that perform to the highest standards of performance, feel and consistency.
Two shafts that define Mitsubishi Chemical
Our focus for this article is on two shafts that encapsulate these standards of performance and quality.
The Diamana line was introduced in 2005 and quickly gained a strong following with its iconic Whiteboard, Blueboard and Redboard shafts.
The Tensei shaft range was introduced in 2015.
Tensei also gained a strong reputation with multiple successes across the major tours.
The standings when Mitsubishi Chemicals notched up their 500th win was Diamana leading the way with over 270 wins with Tensei second with 80 wins.
So now we know a little bit about the background of the shafts let's delve into what makes these shafts so successful.
Mitsubishi Diamana
The current range of Diamana shafts is the 5th generation of the line that started in 2005.
There are three models in the current lineup:
Diamana Technology
As we stated at the outset, a major advantage Mitsubishi Chemical has is that it produces its own raw materials that are ultimately used in the production of its shafts.
Key technological features of the Diamana series are:
MR70
MR70 sits within the core of the shaft and is a new form of carbon fibre material that is 20% stronger than any other competitor in the field.
Boron Fibre
Normally used in military applications, boron fibre is similar in stiffness to carbon fibre but with better compression properties.
As a result of this, it makes an excellent material to reinforce the overall structure of the shaft
Xlink Tech
Xlink Tech employs epoxy and non-epoxy elements producing a carbon-rich structure that bonds resin and fibre together more effectively.
This process creates stronger and lighter flags/plies which are the sheets used in making the internal structures of the shaft.
Ion plating
Ion plating sees the shaft placed in a vacuum chamber where it is subjected to chrome or silver ions being fused to the shaft to give it a premium finish.
Consistent Feel Design
The goal of Consistent Feel Design is to give the player the same feeling in the shaft whether they are using a 50-gram version or an 80-gram version of the Diamana TB shaft.
This is a big advantage in the fitting process where a golfer might like one weight in a shaft but if they switch to a lighter or heavier version of the shaft it feels completely different.
The Diamana TB is designed to enhance the custom fitting process.
There are 20 different variations available ranging from:
The Diamana PD shafts offer a slightly different profile by promoting a lower ball flight.
The PD range comes in heavier with weights ranging from 45 to 84 grams but offers the same flex options from R2 to TX.
The Diamana GT sits between the PD and TB and offers mid-launch and low-spin characteristics.
Mitsubishi Tensei
Tensei which translates into English means “transformation’ and comes in two options.
Tensei 1K Pro series
There are four variants in the 1K Pro series:
Sharing the same boron fibre and Xlink Tech as the Diamana shaft range the Tensei 1K Pro also adds 1K carbon fibre.
1K carbon fibre is 3 times thinner than carbon kevlar which helps to create a tighter more consistent weave.
The Tensei 1K Pro Black is designed for more aggressive swingers of the club and was offered as a stock option with the launch of the Titleist TSR range in late 2022.
A new addition recently added is the Tensei 1K Pro Blue.
The 1K Pro Blue features a slightly softer tip but it's strengthened with the addition of Boron.
Boron enhances the tip section to make it incredibly stable whilst helping maximise ball speed.
The 1K Pro Blue also offers the lightest shaft option in the range starting at 52 grams and going up to 84 grams with a range of flexes from R to TX.
The 1K White shaft offers exceptional feel which is typical of any Mitsubishi shaft but offers a little more flexibility in the butt end of the shaft compared to the 1K Pro Black.
An additional shaft in the range is the 1K Pro Orange shaft which differentiates itself as being a counter-balanced shaft.
The 1k Pro Orange and White offers a range of weights from 54 grams up to 88 grams
The 1K Black series starting weight is 67 grams reaching a peak weight of 90 grams which suits the profile of the shaft being better suited to a more aggressive swing profile.
Flexes in all shafts start at regular in the 1K Pro White and Orange shafts going up to TX.
The 1K Pro Black starts in stiff flex.
Tensei AV RAW series
There are three options available in the AV RAW range:
The “ AV RAW” element in the title refers to the finish that Mitsubishi Chemical applies.
Aluminium vapour (AV) is applied to the fibre in the manufacturing process which adds additional stability making the weave lighter and thinner.
The ‘exposed’ weave can be seen in the butt end of each shaft giving them a very distinctive look.
The profile for the AV RAW Blue is marginally softer in the tip of the shaft to give it more of a mid-launch profile compared to the White and Orange.
The AV RAW Blue introduces Straight Flight Weighting (SFW) providing strategic weighting under the grip to help promote straighter ball flights.
So if your tendency is to push drives to the right, this shaft will help straighten the flight creating tighter dispersion in the process.
The AV RAW Blue will cover the widest range of player profiles being offered in weights from 55 grams to 86 grams.
The AV RAW Blue also has the widest flex range offering from R2 to TX.
The AV RAW White could be considered the option best suited for players with more aggressive swings.
Designed with a stiffer tip section, the AV RAW White promotes a lower launch and lower spinning profile giving a more penetrating trajectory.
The nod towards better players with faster swing speeds can be seen in the weight options for AV RAW White with the lowest weight coming in at 66 grams and going up to 89 grams.
In addition to this, the softest shaft rating for AV RAW White is stiff.
The AV RAW Orange is a counter-balanced shaft.
This counter-balancing places more weight in the grip section of the shaft but also provides a tip stiffness not too dissimilar to the AV RAW White.
The AV RAW Orange is available in a variety of weights ranging from 57 grams to 82 grams with shaft flexes from regular to TX.
Tensei AV series
The new AV series will ultimately see the phasing out of the AV RAW shafts and features the same technology as the AV RAW with the addition of Xlink Technology we’ve highlighted previously.
Currently, two models are available:
The AV Series White is the stronger of the two shafts offering low launch and low spin characteristics.
The AV Series Blue shaft is suited toward mid-launch and low-spin.
In the Diamana and Tensei, Mitsubishi Chemicals has produced some of the most successful shafts over the past two decades.
At the heart of the success is Mitsubishi Chemicals’ focus on the custom-fitting process to achieve maximum performance for any golfer from high handicap to tour professional.
We are very pleased to offer options for both Diamana and Tensei through our custom fit options which is in keeping with how Mitsubishi Chemicals’ philosophy of custom fitting for their shafts will achieve the best results.
Book a fitting session with us or alternatively, if you know exactly what you are looking for you can look at the custom-fit Mitsubishi Chemicals Diamana and Tensei options online.
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