KBS Max 80 Shaft Review - Specs, Flex, Weight - The Expert Golf Website (2024)

KBS Max 80 Shaft Review – Specs, Flex, Weight

I have always known KBS to make really accurate and controlled shafts.

I don’t game KBS shafts but I have tested a handful of them. Though I’ve tested different KBS shafts, one thing seemed constant: they were all on the heavy, stout side.

So I was really interested to see what a midweight steel KBS shaft would feel and perform like. Is lighter better? Find out in the following review.

KBS Max 80 Shaft Overview

The KBS Max 80 is a very traditional-looking shaft.

It has a polished chrome finish. It’s also a stepped shaft. KBS kept things very minimal in terms of branding.

There is a single white band in the middle of the shaft that contains the “Max” “KBS” and “80” lettering in small font.

So when you look down at address, there is nothing to distract you.

The KBS Max 80 has a low kick point just above the tip section. At 111 grams, it’s certainly not the lightest KBS shaft on the market; but it feels very fast and manageable.

The first time I took a full swing, the kick was very subtle. And even when I swung outside of myself, the club head remained stable and my path stayed true.

If you’re looking for an uber light steel shaft, this probably isn’t the one for you. The KBS Max 80 still has some heft and substance to it.

And I would describe the feel as being slightly on the stout side. So for the most part, the KBS Max 80 falls in line with the feel of most other KBS shafts.

The weight difference between 120g KBS models feels nearly minimal. Yes, the KBS Max 80 feels lighter than most steel shafts.

But there is enough weight in your hands to give you a keen sense of control and stability.

Why is the KBS Max 80 So Popular?

The KBS Max 80 was aimed at mid and high handicappers who want the precision of steel without the weight.

It certainly accomplishes this. Again, it’s not the lightest-feeling steel shaft.

But moderate swing speed players will likely be able to add a few miles per hour to their swing with this shaft.

How Does the KBS Max 80 Perform?

With the low kick point, the KBS Max 80 naturally wants to launch the ball high.

But I was actually able to flight the ball down a little bit to achieve more of a mid/high launch.

And it’s only because of the strength and stability of this shaft that I was able to do so.

If I were dealing with a noodly shaft, I would have been relegated to high launch which doesn’t agree with my swing.

My average distance with the 5-iron was 178.8 yards. With the 7-iron, it was 164.8 yards.

So the distance was pretty much in-line with what I normally hit. The spin rates were also a bit on the high side.

The spin, coupled with the naturally high launch made it easy for me to stop the ball dead on target and land it softly on the green. But it hindered my distance overall.

With a shaft this light, I should have at least picked up 5 yards with my irons. But it was more like an average of 2-3 yards distance gain over my gamers.

But what I really liked about this shaft was its dispersion. It didn’t matter how fast or slow I was swinging; the KBS Max 80 produced consistently right dispersion.

I never landed more than 8 yards to the right or left of my target.

So in the end, the KBS Max 80 affords players excellent stopping power and tight dispersion. So long as you can keep your ball out of the wind, you can’t ask for much more.

KBS Max 80 Shaft Specs

What Flexes Are Available? What Swing Speeds Do They Suit?

The KBS Max 80 is a combination shaft which means it can be trimmed to either regular, stiff or extra stiff flex – all at the 111-gram weight point.

For this shaft, I would say regular flex would be good for 75-80 MPH swingers, stiff would be good for 81-90 MPH swingers and extra stiff would work for 91-100 MPH swingers.

What Weights Are Available? What Swing Speeds Do They Suit?

No matter what flex you choose, the KBS Max 80 will remain an 111g shaft.

This weight is good for moderate swing speed players in the 75-90 MPH swing speed range.

Why is it So Good?

The KBS Max 80 is a good shaft because it will add accuracy and stopping power to your iron play.

If these are areas you have been having trouble with, you owe it to yourself to try this shaft.