New Level 1126 vs Bridgestone JGR CB/J15 CB

[Murdock]

Can anyone compare the NLG 1126 to the Bridgestone JGR CB or J15 CB, specifically the head length/size and offset? They honestly look pretty similar, except the 1126 has lower offset in the 9/PW, but has a equal or higher offset in the 4-8 range (quite a bit more in the 4 and 5 iron). I have the JGR CB and I love them, except the offset in the PW/GW is insane and I'd like to get back to a club similar to the Srixon 5x5 series (less offset in the wedges), except a 1 piece forging. I'd love to see some dimensions between the two, but I can't seem to find that anywhere.

The NLG 902's look awesome, but that smallish head has me a little leery coming from the longer Bridgestone/Srixon clubs. But once again, I can't actually tell how 'small' the head is via photos; although I did see one review on GolfWRX with a side by side comparison to another club (Hogan model maybe?), but I'm not familiar with the comparison club. I don't feel like I mishit a ton of irons, but then again I'm playing with a glorified hockey stick with the JGR's.

[Golfermanjim]

In a way I’m having the same dilemma that you are. I just went through a fitting and I’m debating between a split set of NL 902’s 8-PW with 1126’s 5-7 or just a straight set of 1126’s. I’m concerned with the offset in the 5-6 of the 1126’s as well. I’ve corresponded with Eric Burch of NL and he plays the 1126’s himself and said that the offset isn’t that bad. I’m soon to be 57 and I know that I can’t handle the 902’s in 4-6 irons and even though I was fit into some Mizuno MP 20 MMC’s 5-PW I know that 5 iron could be a bear if I wasn’t swinging well. I’m going to place an order with New Level and I’ll be speaking with Eric to finalize the set makeup. He seems to be a very nice guy and he will respond to an email ASAP

[Murdock]

Sure would be nice to put a set of eyes on the clubs, wouldn't it? Probably solve both of our issues immediately.

[Nixhex524]

Following this as I am always looking for what's next after the J15s... best irons I have ever played and will be sad when I have to retire them...

[Golfermanjim]

Yes it would. I’ve done a lot of research on New Level and have gotten a lot of good information here on Golfwrx , from a lot of knowledgeable people who have had a positive experience with them. I’ve decided to take a chance with New Level and will hopefully be placing an order with them either this afternoon or tomorrow. I had planned on getting some Demos but they have a 10% off sale on their irons through 2-09-20. Plus they have a 30 day money back guarantee as well.

[Murdock]

I have the JGR CB's and, although I have never seen nor hit the J15's, they look pretty similar...but newer. I really don't have any complaints about them, except the offset on the PW and GW looks wonky at setup. I'm just looking around for something new and different. All the newer Bridgestone offerings are either musclebacks, or 2 piece forgings. The J40 series looked pretty good too, but was prior to the JGR CB's (and after the J15's I believe). Probably can be had for pennies on the dollar nowadays

[Murdock]

I'd like to know your thoughts on them, once you get them. I've done a ton of research as well, and from everything I gather, they are a top flight company that stands behind their stuff. The only issue is figuring out which models :)

[Jroc12]

I have been playing a set of 1031 irons with a 4995 4 iron as well as 49 and 54 M wedges. I find them to be of very high quality. Like them very much. Eric is a perfectionist and a really good guy. Very knowledgeable and responsive.

 

[Murdock]

Is the 1031 blade length similar to the 902 or more along the lines of the 610/1126? What other clubs could you compare the head size to, if possible?

[Jroc12]

I demoed the 902 and, if I remember correctly, the 902 is a smaller head. The 902 head size reminded me of Ping's S55, but this might have just been me associating the overall look of the S55 to the 902. I think the 1031 is similar in size to the Srixon 565, but I never actually compared the two. I had a 565 4 iron and 765 5-A irons. While many would say the offset on the 1031 is more than they would like to see, it does not bother me at all. I do like the offset progression. I like the fact that the 5-7 irons have the same amount of offset with the 7-W having less offset, but again the same amount for each iron, 7-W. The blade size of the 610 was larger. I preferred the 902 and 1031 over the 610.

Eric sold me a 4995 prototype 4 iron. While it looks just OK to me, I absolutely love the club. My 1031s and the 4995 are holding up very well in terms of wear. I highly recommend New Level and Eric is very good to work with. You might consider calling him if you haven't already. He was very straightforward and helpful.

[Murdock]

I actually hit him up on Twitter and he responded in less than an hour. Now that's some excellent customer service. Very refreshing in a day and age where most 'customer service' is an outsourced call center in another country, that can't answer any questions.

He told me that the 1126 is shallower and longer than the 902 and that the 1126 head size is comparable to the Srixon 545/565/etc.

[Marco Colo]

I believe the 1031 is the gi iron

[Golfermanjim]

He’s like that all of the time. He runs the company from top to bottom. Social media, making the clubs, I don’t know when he sleeps. I’ve spoken with him on the phone and he will talk to you as long as necessary. If you have a question about clubs or what shaft to use he will have a solid answer for you. I’ll be ordering my set tomorrow, I’m just deciding on what shaft to go with.

[dokodiy]

About to start my build. Hope the pictures show the deltas between the two. So far, 1126 has high chance of replacing the J15CBs.

[P]

[7 iron]

[Nixhex524]

Those NL look great! Hard to tell but do they have a pre ground leading edge at all like the J15cb? Blade length looks a little longer as well?

[dokodiy]

Yeah leading edge grind is very similar but marginally less on 1126.

[Murdock]

Thanks for those pics! Kind of hard to tell but do the 1126s have more or less offset than the J15? Looks pretty close either way....

Those black irons look so sharp! What shafts are you going to use with them?

[Murdock]

Actually the offset comparison isn't apples to apples for me because I just read that the JGR CB has 75% more offset than the J15 CBs. So without a doubt the 1126s have less offset than my clubs, at least I'd assume that's the case.

Keep us updated on your build, I'm super curious to see what the final product is....thanks!!

[dokodiy]

Steelfiber black label, to match murdered black haywoods :)

[Golfermanjim]

Just to give you an update I did end up ordering a set of the 902’s, 5-PW along with 3 wedges 50,54 and 58, and just for good measure a 4 Utility iron. I had planned on Steelfibers or Accra graphite but Eric recommended the TT Elevate shafts. He said that they would help my elbow and hand issues even more than the other two shafts, plus it was cheaper as well. Very nice guy, and it has been mentioned before, he is extremely knowledgeable about the entire fitting process. They will ship this Thursday and I should have them sometime next week. I will provide pictures and hopefully will be able to hit a few. Of course that is all dependent on the weather here in the Midwest.

[Murdock]

Congrats!!

[sm_watts]

Just curious to revive an old thread- anyone still playing these? How did the black finish on the 1126’s hold up?

[wam78]

I’m interested to hear more as well.  Those 1126’s look pretty good.

[sm_watts]

1 hour ago, wam78 said:

I’m interested to hear more as well.  Those 1126’s look pretty good.

Especially the black heads that you can still get new on ebay, 4-PW for $405.

[Nixhex524]

2 hours ago, wam78 said:

I’m interested to hear more as well.  Those 1126’s look pretty good.

 

Dude, we definitely need another set of irons... 🤣

[wam78]

2 hours ago, Nixhex524 said:

 

Dude, we definitely need another set of irons... 🤣

haha...when DON’T we need them?!...

[sm_watts]

I had to scratch the itch... bought an 1126 head off ebay just to see it.  It is almost identical size to Mizuno 900 Forged.  Same toe height, blade length, sole width, but the 1126 6-iron had a touch more offset.  I put it in a KBS Tour 110V shaft and hopefully have a chance to whack it tonight.  I've read that the offset decreases significantly in the 1126 line as you get closer to the PW.  Can anyone confirm that?  I still can't stop looking at those satin black heads...

 

EDIT: forgot to mention that the 1126 has a noticeably thinner topline than the 900 Forged.

Edited May 4, 2021 by sm_watts

[dokodiy]

Not the best pictures, but hope this helps. Keep in mind that the mileage is short on these due to Covid.

Edited May 4, 2021 by dokodiy