Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC vs Butterfly Maze Advance: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC | Butterfly Maze Advance | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| feel | Soft — flexible ALC gives a more wood-like feel than other carbon blades; high dwell time | soft, controlled, slightly stiff for an all-wood blade |
| handle | Shakehand (FL, AN, ST options); shorter anatomic handle than Viscaria | FL |
| plies | 5 wood + 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — 7-ply construction with koto outer layers and inner arylate-carbon fiber | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | OFF (Butterfly rates Reaction 118, mid-fast; equivalent to OFF/OFF+ class) | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.7mm | 6.7 |
| weight_g | 84-87g typical (Butterfly spec approx 87g) | 85 |
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These Butterfly blades target very different players. The Lin Gaoyuan ALC is an OFF arylate-carbon blade with a soft, wood-like feel, a large head with a forgiving sweet spot, and strong spin, built for advanced attackers who want carbon power without losing dwell. Note the shorter anatomic handle and that it is now hard to source.
The Maze Advance is an all-wood blade prized as a first proper blade: light, low in vibration, and exceptionally controllable, with coach-level consensus for developing players. Its thicker build plays a touch stiff and its speed ceiling is modest.
Choose the Lin Gaoyuan ALC if you are an established attacker ready for an OFF carbon blade and can find one. Choose the Maze Advance if you are stepping up from a pre-made bat and want maximum control while you build your strokes.
FAQ
Which suits a beginner?
The Maze Advance. It is light, controllable, and coach-recommended as a first blade. The Lin Gaoyuan ALC is an OFF carbon blade aimed at advanced attackers and is not beginner-friendly.
Which is faster?
The Lin Gaoyuan ALC, with its arylate-carbon construction, is clearly the faster OFF-class blade. The all-wood Maze Advance is slower with a more modest offensive ceiling.
Is availability a concern?
Yes for the Lin Gaoyuan ALC, which is discontinued and can be expensive to source. The Maze Advance remains a widely available, affordable option.