Weight
87g
Thickness
5.7mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Lin Gaoyuan ALC
Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC is a premium offensive blade co-developed with Chinese star Lin Gaoyuan. Its 5-wood and 2-ALC fiber construction delivers a masterful balance of speed and control, offering a softer, more responsive feel than many composite blades. Designed for aggressive, spin-oriented play, it provides excellent dwell time and ball feedback, making it ideal for powerful loops and precise placement from all distances. This blade suits intermediate to advanced players seeking a dynamic, high-performance instrument that excels in modern attacking rallies.
The construction follows a symmetrical 7-ply build: wood/ALC/wood/wood/wood/ALC/wood. This classic Butterfly configuration places the ALC fibers close to the outer plies. This placement provides a unique blend of elasticity and stiffness, enhancing speed and spin while maintaining excellent ball feel and dwell time, resulting in a characteristically softer feel for an ALC blade.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Lin Gaoyuan ALC is a very fast blade, rated for offensive to offensive-plus play. Our testing shows it delivers significant speed for powerful drives and attacks, particularly from mid-distance, but it is not excessively fast. This measured pace allows it to maintain an excellent balance with control, making it a versatile weapon for aggressive players who still value precision.
Despite its high speed, this blade is praised for its excellent control. This is achieved through its significant dwell time and the softer, more elastic feel of the ALC composite, which allows players to feel the ball deeply and make precise adjustments. It supports consistent execution across a wide range of strokes, from powerful loops to delicate short-game touches.
Lin Gaoyuan ALC offers a medium-soft feel, often described as softer than other popular ALC blades. This softer touch provides excellent ball feedback and enhances dwell time, allowing players to sense the ball sinking into the blade before it's launched with controlled speed and heavy spin.
It produces a medium-high throw angle, which is beneficial for aggressive, looping attacks. This trajectory helps the ball clear the net with a good safety margin and land deep on the opponent's side, applying consistent pressure.
The blade provides significant dwell time, a key feature for spin generation. This longer contact allows the ball to sink into the blade, giving players more time to impart heavy topspin and control the shot's trajectory, which is particularly advantageous for looping and counter-looping rallies.
Lin Gaoyuan ALC exhibits a medium level of flexibility. This flex allows it to pocket the ball effectively for spin creation while retaining enough stiffness to generate substantial speed on powerful, direct strokes, achieving a good balance between power and control.
Vibration is present and provides clear, informative feedback on ball contact. It is generally considered medium-high—noticeable and connected, adding to the player's feel without being excessive or uncomfortable during play.
Crafted in Japan, the Lin Gaoyuan ALC exemplifies Butterfly's world-class craftsmanship. Players report exceptional build quality, durable construction, and a premium feel. The precision in material selection and manufacturing results in a blade that is not only high-performing but also consistently reliable, living up to the brand's renowned reputation.
Technology
Lin Gaoyuan ALC utilizes Butterfly's advanced Arylate-Carbon (ALC) fiber technology. This composite material is integrated within a wood core to create a unique playing character. The ALC fibers provide a blend of elasticity and stiffness, strategically placed to enhance dwell time and the blade's ball-holding capability. This design prioritizes superior spin generation and control without sacrificing the power needed for offensive attacks, representing a sophisticated application of material science in table tennis equipment.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Lin Gaoyuan
As the namesake and co-developer, Lin Gaoyuan has used this blade extensively. His aggressive, close-to-mid-distance style, built on fast forehand attacks and a strong backhand, leverages the blade's ideal blend of speed, spin, and control for powerful loops and precise shot placement.
Zhou Qihao
Zhou Qihao has also been seen using this blade. His game, which often involves playing from a greater distance and relying on powerful forehand attacks, can utilize the blade's consistent power, spin, and large sweet spot for effective long-distance counter-attacks and rallies.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Viscaria is frequently mentioned as a very similar blade. Many players find the Lin Gaoyuan ALC offers a slightly softer feel and more dwell time, while the Viscaria might be perceived as a touch faster or stiffer. Both are top-tier outer ALC blades favored by advanced offensive players.
Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC
Zhang Jike ALC is another popular blade with comparable ALC construction. Our analysis suggests performance is similar, with the Lin Gaoyuan ALC often providing a slightly better feel or control for some players. The differences typically come down to nuanced preferences in feedback and weight balance rather than major performance gaps.