Welcome to In Play. Each edition looks at one piece of equipment the best players in the world are using. We cover what changed, what the numbers say and whether it belongs in your bag. First up is a driver shaft switch from one of the best drivers of the ball in the game.
The Switch
At the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, Tommy Fleetwood replaced the original Fujikura VENTUS TR Blue in his driver with the new VENTUS TR Blue 6-X with VeloCore+. Fujikura confirmed the change this week.
The timing is notable. Fleetwood is No. 8 in the Official World Golf Ranking, and he made the switch at the final event of the DP World Tour season. Changing a driver shaft at that point shows how comfortable he was with it in testing.
The Numbers: Round One
These are DP World Tour stats from Fleetwood's first competitive round with the new shaft, provided by Fujikura:
| Stat | Fleetwood R1 | Field Avg R1 | Fleetwood Season Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving Accuracy | 71.4% (11th) | 63.6% | 63.9% |
| Driving Distance | 309.5 yds (25th) | 308.4 yds | 304.4 yds |
| Greens in Regulation | 50% | 69.2% | 71% |
| Scrambling | 22.2% | 56.3% | 66.5% |
| Score | 76 | 72.3 | 69.9 |
His driving was better than usual. He hit about 7.5 percent more fairways than his season average and picked up about five yards, and both numbers were above the field. The rest of his game didn't follow. Fleetwood hit only half his greens, saved par just twice in nine tries and opened with 76. He came back with a 71 on Friday and sits at 3 over through 36 holes.
That's the honest read on a gear change. A new shaft can tighten up your tee game, but it can't hit your approach shots for you. One round is also a small sample, so we'll be watching his numbers through the weekend and into 2027.
What Changed in the Shaft
The new TR Blue keeps the mid-launch, low-spin profile that made the original popular on tour and in fitting bays. In Fujikura's lineup, it sits between VENTUS Blue and VENTUS Black. The upgrade is VeloCore+, Fujikura's premium core material, paired with spread tow fabric in the mid-handle section. The goal is more stability under load, which means less twisting and a smoother feel through transition when a player really goes after it.
The shaft went to retail in January 2026 at $350. It comes in a wide range of weights and flexes, from regular through tour X-stiff, for drivers and fairway woods. For the full breakdown, see our VENTUS TR Blue launch coverage.
Fleetwood isn't alone. Fujikura was the most-played driver and fairway wood shaft brand at the DP World Tour Championship, according to equipment tracker Sporting Insights. It was in 42% of drivers and 46.7% of fairway woods in the field.
The Amateur Takeaway
Who should test it: faster, aggressive swingers who like the feel of VENTUS Blue but want a little lower launch and spin, plus more resistance in transition. If you already play the original TR Blue, the VeloCore+ version is the obvious head-to-head test on a launch monitor.
Who should skip it: players who need help getting the ball in the air or who swing with a smooth, slower tempo. A more forgiving, higher-launching profile will probably fit you better.
The fitting note: Fleetwood plays a 6-X because his speed and tempo call for it. The weight and flex that fit him aren't the ones that fit you. Use his switch as a reason to test the profile, not as a spec sheet to copy. Go to a fitter with a launch monitor and compare dispersion, not just your longest drive.
In Play is AmateurGolf.com's running look at the gear the world's best players are putting in the bag, and what it means for competitive amateurs.