
Weight
81g
Thickness
6.9mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
154x148
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Kong Linghui Special
Butterfly Kong Linghui Special is a celebrated offensive blade named for the legendary Olympic champion. It masterfully balances speed and control, making it ideal for aggressive, close-to-the-table attackers. The unique hybrid construction of wood and Arylate-Carbon layers delivers a soft feel with surprising power, enabling precise shot-making and consistent rally performance. Known for its excellent maneuverability, it supports a wide variety of shots, embodying the playing style of its namesake.
This 3-wood + 2 Arylate-Carbon construction provides a softer feel compared to traditional carbon blades, offering enhanced dwell time and control. Outer Hinoki plies contribute to the blade's feel and touch, while inner Arylate-Carbon layers add power and stability.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Kong Linghui Special offers solid offensive speed suitable for an attacking style, balancing power with control effectively. It provides enough momentum for strong attacks, though our testing shows it may not have the explosive speed of the fastest modern blades, making it more about controlled aggression than raw power.
This blade is highly praised for its exceptional control, a key characteristic that makes it suitable for players who value precision. The soft feel and good dwell time contribute significantly to its controllability across various strokes, allowing for accurate placement and consistent play.
Arylate-Carbon plies combined with wood layers create a softer feel than typical carbon blades, offering good ball feedback and a comfortable sensation during play. This soft feeling allows for better control and dwell time, making it pleasant for touch shots.
The throw angle is medium-high, which helps in looping backspin balls and executing attacking shots with a good, consistent trajectory that supports offensive play.
The blade has decent dwell time due to its construction and softer feel, allowing the ball to sink into the blade for better spin generation and control. This is especially noticeable in the short game and during looping strokes.
While described as relatively stiff by some, the blade also possesses a degree of flexibility that aids in control and dwell time. This offers a balanced playing experience rather than being overly stiff or rigid, suitable for varied offensive play.
It has a moderate to high vibration level, contributing to its responsiveness and providing good feedback to the player about ball contact. This characteristic helps players feel each shot more distinctly.
Kong Linghui Special features very nice build quality and high-quality construction. Players report a durable blade that has stood the test of time, reflecting Butterfly's reputation for manufacturing excellence and reliable performance over many seasons.
Technology
Butterfly Kong Linghui Special features a 5-ply construction that ingeniously blends traditional wood with modern Arylate-Carbon (ALC) materials. This specific configuration, often called a 3-wood + 2 ALC structure, optimizes the strengths of each component. Outer Hinoki plies provide a soft touch and feel, while inner ALC layers contribute enhanced speed, vibration dampening, and a larger sweet spot. This combination aims to deliver the control and finesse of wood blades with the added power and stability of composites. Inspired by Kong Linghui, the design replicates a feel and performance that facilitated his precise and powerful offensive game.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Kong Linghui
Kong Linghui, the 2000 Olympic Men's Singles champion, is the namesake of this blade. Designed in collaboration with him, it embodies his playing style which emphasized precision, controlled offense, and excellent all-around capabilities. He used this blade during his professional career, leveraging its balance of speed and control for his powerful, yet precise, attacking game. The blade's characteristics are tailored to support the quick, off-the-bounce attacking style for which he was renowned.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Garaydia ALC
Butterfly Garaydia ALC has been suggested as a potential successor or rebranding of the Kong Linghui Special, sharing a similar 3+2 ply construction with Hinoki outer layers and Arylate-Carbon inner layers, and a comparable thickness. While some users noted slight differences in thickness and core material, Garaydia ALC is often considered to offer a similar playing experience, aiming to capture the blend of control and speed that made Kong Linghui Special so popular.