50 Words or Less
The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black shaft makes modest technical changes to one of the most successful shafts of the last decade. Low launch, low spin, and total control of your shots.
Introduction
Since its launch five years ago, the Fujikura Ventus Black has been a favorite among aggressive swingers in search of lower launch, lower spin, and control [review HERE]. It had a place in my driver for a time, and it’s been a frequent visitor to the winner’s circle on professional tours worldwide. The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black takes it place this year, powered by the new VeloCore+. I tested one to see how the performance has changed.
Looks
Much like the 2024 Ventus Blue, the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black makes very modest changes to the look of the original. And there’s no reason to change. Most tour pros – and golfers in general – don’t want something totally wild looking, but the geometric design below the grip is instantly recognizable to any gear nerd.
The two aesthetics changes are the finish and the Ventus branding. The 2024 Ventus Black has a matte finish in contrast with the shiny, polished finish of the original. Additionally, “Ventus” is now printed in a more subtle outlined font instead of a solid one.
Check out the higher launching 2024 Ventus Red HERE
Feel
“Hello darkness, my old friend.”
Having gamed the original Ventus Black for a while, the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black felt immediately familiar. This is a shaft that isn’t going to do anything extra – for good or ill. It can stand up to the most aggressive swings without doing anything weird, but it’s not going to put any extra juice into your modest efforts. There is very little kick and no feeling of twisting or torque.
The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black is rated as “Ultra Stiff” in the butt and tip and “Stiff” in the midsection. This differs from the 2024 Ventus Blue in the handle, which is “Firm” [Blue review HERE]. That is two full steps softer, which I think it about right – I found significantly more action or sensation in the Blue.
Performance
Throughout my testing of the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black shaft, I remembered why it was that I gamed the Ventus Black for so long…and why I stopped. On the plus side, this shaft is the prototype for what a low launch, low spin shaft should be. There may not be a shaft that produces more satisfying shots on your best swings. When you pure the ball, you know you earned every part of that good shot: the squared face, the centered contact, and every ounce of energy. And the shots that are created are gorgeous: cannon blasts that look like they would laugh at gale force winds.
That virtue – being responsible for every bit of the result – can also be a vice. When you don’t give this shaft your all, the ball speed can be mediocre. If you get lazy with a swing, you can expect to find the ball in right field. But, back on the positive, it’s hard to hook this shaft. Actually, I found it fairly hard to curve the ball either way – I hit pushes, pulls, or straight shots almost exclusively.
This shaft does live up to its low launch, low spin billing. As a low spin player, it was rare for me to see a spin number over 2,000, and the launch was visibly lower than my normal ball flight.
Comparing the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black to the original, the new model feels a little more stout. The differences are minute, but the 2024 is a little closer to the Ventus TR Black [review HERE] than the original was.
The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black shaft is offered in five weight classes. Stiff and X flex are available at 50, 60, and 70 grams. The heaviest versions, 80 and 90 grams, are offered only in X flex.
Conclusion
Much like the new Ventus Blue, the Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black preserves everything players loved about the original while adding a little extra stiffness. This is a true low launch, low spin shaft that will help high spin players find more distance and more fairways. As always, make sure to visit your local Fujikura fitter before deciding to put one of these in the bag.
Visit Fujikura HERE
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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8 Comments
“The Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black is rated as “Ultra Stiff” in the butt and tip and “Stiff” in the midsection. ”
This doesn’t make much sense to me. Everything I’ve seen from a bend profile perspective (EI profiles) shows the Black as the softest butt of the Ventus+ line. The Blue has the stiffest Butt section and the Red next and then Black being the softest. The Black definitely has the stiffest mid and tip sections.
From stiffest to softest:
Butt Section
Blue
Red
Black
Mid Section
Black
Red
Blue
Tip Section
Black
Blue
Red
Hit the link above and see what Fujikura says about the bend profile. Are you saying they don’t know what they are making?
All 3 versions of ventus blue have had the softest butt section
Having played this shaft for last year with an Sim 1 head I totally agree v hard to hit left. Surprising very good on toe strikes.
Interesting tha the Red and Black both have Ultra Stiff Handles, kind of an interesting mix of bend profiles that one might not expect based on the color of the shaft IMO.
Bend Profile
MODEL
VENTUS RED
VENTUS BLUE
VENTUS BLACK
TIP
STIFF
ULTRA-STIFF
ULTRA-STIFF
MID
Firm
Stiff
Stiff
HANDLE
ULTRA-STIFF
Firm
ULTRA-STIFF
Matt,
Like you, I have a swing speed in the 105 to 109 range too. My tempo and transition down are harder/ more aggressive than yours based on how I have heard you describe your swing over the years. I wish I could be smoother too, but that is just not me. Darn it!! Based on your test of the 2024 Ventus Black, Mitsubishi WB and Graphite Design VF, how would you rank them as in 1,2,3 in terms of smooth feel/ not feeling so stout/boardy.
Also, ranking them 1,2,3 as far as lowest spin and launch to highest spin and launch. Lowest being the 1.
Thank you as always for your detailed reviews and smart advice!
Joe
Joe,
To me, the Mitsubishi WB is in a different class in terms of feel, the other two are unapologetically stout. Spin and launch will vary from player to player, but I would expect the Ventus Black to be the lowest for most.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt!!