Yonex Expands 'Kim Hyo-joo Shaft' Lineup as Pro Reports 12-Yard Distance Gain

Yonex has expanded the spec lineup for Kaiza Light, the shaft commonly known as the "Kim Hyo-joo shaft."

Kaiza Light is a product incorporating Yonex's unrivaled carbon technology. Since its domestic launch last year, the shaft has generated significant buzz among golfers for its outstanding performance and differentiated weight design. The product was in such high demand that shortages occurred at Yonex golf dealerships.

In response to market demand, Yonex added 4X, 4S, and 3R2 specs to the existing 3X, 3S, and 3R lineup, enabling more golfers to select specifications suited to their game. "Through this lineup expansion, we expect to provide optimal options for golfers with various swing speeds," the company said.

Yonex has continued developing products that achieve both ultra-lightweight and high strength, based on decades of carbon material research and design technology accumulated across sports equipment including badminton, tennis, and golf.

This technology has been directly applied to Kaiza Light. The shaft delivers faster swing recovery than conventional carbon materials, supporting stronger ball speed. Extremely thin carbon sheets are wound uniformly to minimize shaft thickness variation, maintaining consistent flex for stable ball control. High strength and vibration absorption enhance directional stability at impact.

The newly added 4X and 4S specs target golfers seeking slightly more stability than existing models. These are suitable for players with fast swing speeds who want to leverage the benefits of ultra-lightweight shafts. The 3R2 spec offers slightly softer flex than the standard R stiffness, expanding options for female golfers, seniors, and players with relatively lower head speeds to experience Kaiza Light's performance.

Kim Hyo-joo, competing on the LPGA Tour, has been using the 4S spec shaft since the Honda LPGA Thailand tournament this season. "My average driving distance increased by about 12 yards," Kim said. "Despite the light weight, I can maintain stable control, which has helped improve my performance."