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.
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
Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf
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.