50 Words or Less
The Mitsubishi Diamana BB shaft updates the classic Blueboard with the latest material innovations. Classic smooth Diamana feel. Works well for a huge range of swings. Consistent performance.
Introduction
For twenty years, Mitsubishi’s Diamana line has been the gold standard for quality and feel in graphite shafts. Across numerous generations, these shafts have been consistent winners on worldwide professional tours and in fitting bays.
To celebrate this milestone, Mitsusbishi is bringing back the original names and profiles. We saw the WB – Whiteboard – earlier this year, and the end of summer brings the Mitsubishi Diamana BB, the successor to the Blueboard. I tested one to see how the latest material technology can make this classic even better.
Looks
The Mitsubishi Diamana BB shaft brings back all the classic elements of the original Diamana line with its own twist. Just below the grip, the flowerband wraps around the shaft in white and silver on a matte black background. The traditional Diamana surfboard logo sits between the flowerband and the BB designation.
While the original silver base color is the classic, I like the matte black even more. It allows the blue to pop without being a “Look at me!” shaft. I also like that you can get a totally clean look if you install the shaft logo down.
Feel
The key word with any Diamana shaft has always been “smooth,” and that’s never been more true than with the new Mitsubishi Diamana BB. This shaft doesn’t have a clear hinge or kickpoint; the energy pours seamlessly from grip to club head. This makes sense given Mitsubishi’s rating of the shaft as Medium+, Medium+, Medium from butt to mid to tip. For comparison, the new Diamana WB [review HERE] is rated Firm, Firm+, Medium+.
From a feel perspective, what stood out to me is how consistent it is regardless of effort. I could dial my speed down to the high 90s and still have the smooth sensation. Going all out over 110 MPH, the feel was the same, and the shaft held up.
Performance
Building on that idea of consistent feel across speeds, the Mitsubishi Diamana BB gave me the confidence to hit all types of shots at all different effort levels. After a recent round with rental clubs, I’ve been playing with a lot of 75% driver swings, and the Diamana BB was sensational for this. It felt like the shaft was adding some extra speed without opening up my dispersion. When I turned my effort up to 100%, the BB kept up rather than asking me to fit my swing to the shaft.
Before going any further, I want to highlight the thing that stood out most: the ball speed. Mitsubishi states that the 80-Ton Dialead Pitch Fiber in the butt section maximizes energy transfer. I can’t speak to that level of technicality, but I can report that the Diamana BB gave me some of the highest ball speeds and smash factors I’ve seen at every level of swing speed. This added pop would be a major factor in giving me the confidence to take my 75% swing to the course.
Another thing that was consistent across effort levels was the BB’s preferred shot shape. Regardless of how hard I swung, the Diamana BB preferred a tight draw. For my hook-prone swing, cuts required a bit of effort. As with any equipment choice, this has its positives and negatives. While I prefer to see a cut, I felt like I could aim the Mitsubishi Diamana BB down the right edge of any fairway and not worry about losing the ball. And, as always, your results may be completely different which is why fitting is so important.
Comparing the Mitsubishi Diamana BB to the WB, the launch and spin are higher. The BB is billed as mid launch and spin, the WB as low launch and spin. While the difference is not night and day, the numbers were significantly different* and there was a visible change in the ball flight.
*The numbers in this review are not comparable apples-to-apples with the numbers in the WB review.
The Mitsubishi Diamana BB is available in five weight class designations: 43, 53, 63, 73, and 83 grams. The lightest BB comes in five flexes: R2, R, SR, S, and X. Both 53 and 63 are available in five flexes, too: R, SR, S, X, and TX. BB 73 and BB 83 are offered in S, X, and TX.
Conclusion
The Mitsubishi Diamana BB is a worthy heir to both the Diamana and Blueboard legacies. It delivers the smooth feel that this line is known for while using the latest materials to add an infusion of speed. Whether you’re a smooth swinger or an aggressive hitter, put this in the lineup during your next driver fitting.
Visit Mitsubishi Golf 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.