It just me or are a lot of pros switching to Nippon Iron Shafts?

[jcfountain33]

Has anyone hard stepped the modus shafts? If so, what did you do for PW? Thanks!

 

I play 120TX I'm my MP54s and just tried 125X hsx1 in J15CB. I started to have my builder tip the PW, but decided against it. I hard stepped to make sure I had same tip stiffness as the 120TX, but comparing 6 irons the 54 w/120TX was longer and more consistent than the J15 w/120X, even though the J15 was 2* stronger (yes, I had them checked). J15 also flew higher. Same results with the 4 iron, but lofts are more similar, my 54 4 iron is 22*. Reason I'm keeping shafts is the J15 PW was a dart thrower, every time I hit it I was like, "I gotta give these irons more of a chance", PW only iron not hard stepped. I started with hard stepped knowing i could always go straight in and trim shafts. Been there done that when I wanted to hard step and shafts were too short.

 

Picked up 5-PW in MP5 and will install 125X straight in to test shafts against each other in similar irons and decide if I can play 5 and 6 in MP5, keeping 3 and 4 iron in 54s. Once I decide on set makeup and shaft, will build optimal set for me.

[Deuce78]

I just shafted up my iblade with a 120TX. Can't wait to try it.... I have 130s hardstepped, and 105x hardstepped sets as well, and also a 125x mp4 test iron....:D

[markheardjr]

I just shafted up my iblade with a 120TX. Can't wait to try it.... I have 130s hardstepped, and 105x hardstepped sets as well, and also a 125x mp4 test iron.... :D

 

Careful, you might catch up to me!

 

 

[MJL313214]

I just shafted up my iblade with a 120TX. Can't wait to try it.... I have 130s hardstepped, and 105x hardstepped sets as well, and also a 125x mp4 test iron.... :D

 

Careful, you might catch up to me!

 

 

Beautiful!!!

[scottleo]

Currently have the modus 120s in my 6i and 9i J40's to demo. Seems to be a larger shot dispersion when comparing steel fiber 110s (what I currently play). The distance is good. Any ideas on how to tighten up the dispersion? Hard step the 120s or move up in weight? Currently have the 125s in my 56* wedge and am liking the results so far around the greens and on full shots. Thanks.

[markheardjr]

Currently have the modus 120s in my 6i and 9i J40's to demo. Seems to be a larger shot dispersion when comparing steel fiber 110s (what I currently play). The distance is good. Any ideas on how to tighten up the dispersion? Hard step the 120s or move up in weight? Currently have the 125s in my 56* wedge and am liking the results so far around the greens and on full shots. Thanks.

I'd suggest 120X. 120S might be a little soft. i110 Stiff is suggested for driver swing speed over 100mph. I'd think 120S is for someone around 90mph. 120X 100-115, 120TX 116+.

 

I've had a lot of questions from Steelfiber 110 users trying to nail down something in between 105 and 120. 120 I'd go up one flex for people with a smoother transition early/mid release looking for a bit heavier than i110. 105 in same flex as steelfiber for folks with a slightly quicker transition and mid to even late release that want to go lighter weight.

[Marand]

Are there any current statistics on shaft use by touring pros? %Nippon / %True Temper / %Other

[markheardjr]

Are there any current statistics on shaft use by touring pros? %Nippon / %True Temper / %Other

Darrell survey but you have to pay to get the info. Some magazines and media outlets pay for it but mostly its the equipment manufacturers that pay for it so they can use it in advertisements.

 

I don't know offhand how many use Nippon on PGA tour. I'm pretty it is #1 on JPGA and I think #1 on LPGA. Not certain. PGA tour is like 60% DG. Nippon did a press release in March that say there were 106 sets of Nippon in use on the PGA and Euro PGA tours. They also had 7 sets in use at the Tour Championship last year out of 30 contestants. (23% of the field.)

[scottleo]

Currently have the modus 120s in my 6i and 9i J40's to demo. Seems to be a larger shot dispersion when comparing steel fiber 110s (what I currently play). The distance is good. Any ideas on how to tighten up the dispersion? Hard step the 120s or move up in weight? Currently have the 125s in my 56* wedge and am liking the results so far around the greens and on full shots. Thanks.

I'd suggest 120X. 120S might be a little soft. i110 Stiff is suggested for driver swing speed over 100mph. I'd think 120S is for someone around 90mph. 120X 100-115, 120TX 116+.

 

I've had a lot of questions from Steelfiber 110 users trying to nail down something in between 105 and 120. 120 I'd go up one flex for people with a smoother transition early/mid release looking for a bit heavier than i110. 105 in same flex as steelfiber for folks with a slightly quicker transition and mid to even late release that want to go lighter weight.

So you wouldn't suggest hard stepping the 120s? Also are u suggesting the 105 in S or X.....thanks Mark.

[markheardjr]

Currently have the modus 120s in my 6i and 9i J40's to demo. Seems to be a larger shot dispersion when comparing steel fiber 110s (what I currently play). The distance is good. Any ideas on how to tighten up the dispersion? Hard step the 120s or move up in weight? Currently have the 125s in my 56* wedge and am liking the results so far around the greens and on full shots. Thanks.

I'd suggest 120X. 120S might be a little soft. i110 Stiff is suggested for driver swing speed over 100mph. I'd think 120S is for someone around 90mph. 120X 100-115, 120TX 116+.

 

I've had a lot of questions from Steelfiber 110 users trying to nail down something in between 105 and 120. 120 I'd go up one flex for people with a smoother transition early/mid release looking for a bit heavier than i110. 105 in same flex as steelfiber for folks with a slightly quicker transition and mid to even late release that want to go lighter weight.

So you wouldn't suggest hard stepping the 120s? Also are u suggesting the 105 in S or X.....thanks Mark.

Its possible 120S hs could work. Generally that creates a lower rising flight. Sort of a low balloon. If you're using i110 Stiff then I'd try 120X. If you think i110 stiff is as stiff as you'd go and maybe too stiff then possibly 120S hs could work. Seems many graphite users are hung up on the weight. If you are trying to force yourself into a 120S hs jsut because of the weight I think you're going about it the wrong way. Bu that's just my opinion. 114g vs. 120g. If you're looking at 105 and you play i110Stiff then my suggestion, given the caveat you think 105 is the profile for you, then 105 Stiff would be equal in flex IMO.

[MBBG]

Checking back in here to say that after nearly a year of the 125 in my irons and 125 Wedge in wedges with pro soft inserts and mid size grips I have no joint pain (knock on wood) that I usually get with steel shafts. I felt forced to composite and graphite but never found the results to be as good as steel. C tapers were always the best performing shaft for me but killed my joints by halfway through a season. These Nippon seem to be the perfect solution to great performance and fewer joint issues for me.

[webber]

Any recommendations on a wedge shaft to compliment modus 105x iron shafts? I do not have a problem spinning the ball and would like something that you can control the flight with.

 

Did some research, and it looks like some people said new wv115 or 120 stiff.

 

TIA

 

If you don't need the extra spin and want to be able to flight lower more easily you may want to look at the original WV115. The new Modus wedge has a softer lower section which gives a little extra spin. Also I feel the older models feel a bit firmer and coming from an X the new Modus line, the 115 will feel pretty soft. Like an R/S flex IMO.

 

The 115 Wedge feels soft? I was thinking of trying it because of the lower weight. I'm coming from soft stepepd X100 AMT and was going to also try the Modus 120 X

[haager831]

question for the Nippon gurus...I play the 130x in my ping I e's...I love the flight and they feel good, but a bit too heavy (especially in the longer irons). any suggestions on what to move into within the Nippon world? I also seem to spin these a little too low (4500-4800 rpm 6 iron)

 

I am a lefty so its hard to try out the other options...but I am leaning to the 120 x

 

thanks in advance

[markheardjr]

question for the Nippon gurus...I play the 130x in my ping I e's...I love the flight and they feel good, but a bit too heavy (especially in the longer irons). any suggestions on what to move into within the Nippon world? I also seem to spin these a little too low (4500-4800 rpm 6 iron)

 

I am a lefty so its hard to try out the other options...but I am leaning to the 120 x

 

thanks in advance

Tour105 or maybe 2F15 prototypes would be lighter and similar launch to Tour130 with more spin. Tour120 will be much lower and have a completely different feel. It's the opposite end of the profile spectrums.

[chuckgt3]

Looking at the RTX-3 wedges - they offer the Modus3 115 and 125. I have the NS 950GH in my Z745's and love it. Emailed Nippon and they suggested the 105 as a match for my irons but that is not offered. Any thoughts on using the 115 in the 50, 54, 58?

[markheardjr]

Looking at the RTX-3 wedges - they offer the Modus3 115 and 125. I have the NS 950GH in my Z745's and love it. Emailed Nippon and they suggested the 105 as a match for my irons but that is not offered. Any thoughts on using the 115 in the 50, 54, 58?

 

I generally don't look at or try a lot of stuff below 120g. I prefer heavier and stiffer. So I'm not able to speak to experience of being a sub-100g iron player and the wedge shafts they like.

 

IMO the Modus Wedge line feels rather light and soft. The 115 wedge is 122g but IMO it feels like 110-115g. The butt is the heaviest section too so cutting to shorter wedge length chops out a bit of that weight.

 

But that is still significantly more than the 98g 950GH you're playing. May be helpful to try a few wedges out there with a 120g-ish weight shaft and see if you think it's too much or not. Generally most people play a heavier wedge shaft, but 24g heavier is quite a bit.

 

Then again, a lot of people play S400 wedge shafts and never think otherwise. Hopefully some folks can chime in. Might get more responses in a different thread all about 950 and Modus wedge shafts or in the JDM forum.

[hardcaliber]

Been following along for a while and now its time to take the plunge...

 

I'm driving myself crazy deciding whether to go with a 125 Stiff straight in or soft step it.

 

I'm one of those tweeners that is stuck between regular and stiff but has typically stuck with regular. Recently had a chance to demo the 125 stiff and it felt amazing. I felt like i could feel the head at all times throughout the entire swing, which gave me confidence to really go after it. The thing is that the 125 stiff is heavier and stiffer than anything I have played in the past, so I'm afraid that the carriage may turn back into a pumpkin and leave me with a shaft I can't load on days that my swing is struggling. I thought soft stepping might be a good compromise but I don't want to ruin that crazy awesome feel I had during my demo.

 

For background, here is some stuff I have played recently:

 

1150GH Regular hard stepped 1x - These worked pretty well. Performance and feel were decent, but the overall feel was just a little vague, like potentially there were just a touch soft or the balance was off or something. They were probably my favorite shafts I have played, they were just missing a smidge of crispness.

 

950HT - Yuck, didn't hit a good shot the whole time I owned them. Couldn't fell the head or any other part of the shaft during the swing.

 

1050GH Stiff - Performed ok but nothing memorable. I didn't get along well with the setup mostly due to the heads.

 

PX Flighted 5.0 - These were ok. They were a little harsh and boardy but the precision both in the feel and dispersion were very confidence inspiring.

 

DG Pro R300 - Current gamers. They are pretty good but its kind of a similar story as the 1150GH I had. Performance is good but feedback throughout the swing could be a bit crisper and tighter for more confidence to go at it hard and to help me keep in sequence a bit more. Probably should have gone with stiff.

 

DG R300 and S300 - Never owned them but hit them in a lot of demos. The S300 fells heavy and dead, probably too stiff. The R300 feels playable but not great. I've been wanting to get my hands on S200 out of curiosity.

 

Anyone have any thoughts for me? I'm leaning toward playing getting the stiffs straight up and not overthinking things with the soft step. I guess my mind is mostly made up but I could use a pat on the back from some you experts.

[avguy]

I have enough SS to game S in irons, but due to elbow injuries over the years as a lefty who golfs righty, I usually go softer in irons than the rest of the bag.

 

So, I relate well to your past resume of iron shafts ;)

 

PX 5.0 Flighted - one of my current gamers for 5yrs; Crisp and accurate, I know exactly what the ball is going to do before my head comes up to follow it towards target. At 115g, doesn't feel like rebar for me.

 

DG R300 - gamed for 2-3yrs. Had elbow issues with a too armsy swing in these, so the Indian more the culprit than the arrow. But, very solid and heavy. I didn't like long range sessions in those at 127g.

 

Recoils F4 125 - Current mostly range set which feels half way between the two above. Heft for solid feel, but still crisp enough for an accuracy feedback. 122g.

 

Nippon Modus 125 R - Current gamers which I can't get enough of. The heft of 124g is combined with so smooth of a feel. I can't hurt myself again here, I forget they weigh well over 120g.

 

I think you can SS the 125 S and do very well there. Nippon keeps their wts. pretty consistent among this line in flex.

[jcfountain33]

I just went through something similar. Play 120TX and wanted to try 125's. Was debating whether to hard step them. I started out with them hard stepped b/c I knew if I didn't like it, I could always shift the shafts down a club to go straight in. Would just have to buy another shaft and trim length. You can always step softer after install, but stepping harder after install your irons will be half inch short. If it was me, I would try them straight in and if you don't like it buy another shaft and soft step.

[hardcaliber]

I just went through something similar. Play 120TX and wanted to try 125's. Was debating whether to hard step them. I started out with them hard stepped b/c I knew if I didn't like it, I could always shift the shafts down a club to go straight in. Would just have to buy another shaft and trim length. You can always step softer after install, but stepping harder after install your irons will be half inch short. If it was me, I would try them straight in and if you don't like it buy another shaft and soft step.

 

Thanks for the replies. I had thought of that myself as well, easier to soft step it if it doesn't work out than move the other way.

 

I guess the bottom line is that i'm looking for something between stiff and regular but maybe a little closer to stiff. Going of Mark's statement that Modus 125 is 1/4 to 1/2 flex softer than DG, I think the soft step will be too close to a regular and the stiff straight in will be what I'm looking for. Hopefully I can handle it.

[jcfountain33]

I just went through something similar. Play 120TX and wanted to try 125's. Was debating whether to hard step them. I started out with them hard stepped b/c I knew if I didn't like it, I could always shift the shafts down a club to go straight in. Would just have to buy another shaft and trim length. You can always step softer after install, but stepping harder after install your irons will be half inch short. If it was me, I would try them straight in and if you don't like it buy another shaft and soft step.

 

Thanks for the replies. I had thought of that myself as well, easier to soft step it if it doesn't work out than move the other way.

 

I guess the bottom line is that i'm looking for something between stiff and regular but maybe a little closer to stiff. Going of Mark's statement that Modus 125 is 1/4 to 1/2 flex softer than DG, I think the soft step will be too close to a regular and the stiff straight in will be what I'm looking for. Hopefully I can handle it.

 

I hard stepped the 125X to make sure tip stayed as stiff as 120TX, but didn't like them. May have been the head? Played Mizuno for 10 years, but wanted to try B'Stone J15 CB. Comparing 6 irons, even though J15 was 2 deg stronger I hit it higher and shorter than MP54 w/120TX. But every time I hit the J15 PW it was like throwing darts and I wanted to give the J15 another shot. PW is the only club not hard stepped, so I picked up a mint set of 5-PW MP5's and installing straight in.

[ghill85]

The majority of players I see are still using DG X100.

[markheardjr]

The majority of players I see are still using DG X100.

 

Thanks for stopping in completely random guy trying to get to 75 posts for BST. Troll.

[zmosnot]

Question for Mark...I've got a set of apex pros with modus 120 with in stiff. 6 iron swing speed is about 87mph. I'm not terribly happy with the feel of these. I also had a set of irons with c tapers in stiff that didn't feel right. The c tapers were boardy and I feel like the 120s seem a bit tight in the tip. Like I gotta work too hard for great contact or they are just not jiving with my swing. I came from DG SL in my mizuno irons and loved em. I'm thinking modus 105s might be the ticket, but should I go stiff, X or X soft stepped.

 

I should note that I went to Golfsmith and hit some mizuno mp5s with the 1150gh in stiff and they felt great. A little torn and looking for advice. I'm eyeing a new set of mizunos and would love some input per the above.

[markheardjr]

Question for Mark...I've got a set of apex pros with modus 120 with in stiff. 6 iron swing speed is about 87mph. I'm not terribly happy with the feel of these. I also had a set of irons with c tapers in stiff that didn't feel right. The c tapers were boardy and I feel like the 120s seem a bit tight in the tip. Like I gotta work too hard for great contact or they are just not jiving with my swing. I came from DG SL in my mizuno irons and loved em. I'm thinking modus 105s might be the ticket, but should I go stiff, X or X soft stepped.

 

I should note that I went to Golfsmith and hit some mizuno mp5s with the 1150gh in stiff and they felt great. A little torn and looking for advice. I'm eyeing a new set of mizunos and would love some input per the above.

 

From what I'm reading I'm thinking 105S. 105X is in the hands of tour players. 105S is just slightly softer than a DG S300 IMO. It is light, but it stays pretty strong. If you're not loading the shaft a ton at that 87 may want rethink the X.

[scottleo]

Whats the major difference/s between the 120 and 105?

[jcfountain33]

Whats the major difference/s between the 120 and 105?

 

Bend profile and weight. Take a look at the Nippon website, they have charts for bend profile and flight. 105 is mid launch, mid spin. 120 can be higher or lower depending on your swing. 120 is an odd profile and is very swing dependent. Also feels soft to flex but very stiff tip. I play 120TX currently, but testing 125X. I hit 120TX lower than I did C-taper X.

[Z1ggy16]

I got fitted with the Mizuno DNA fit thing recently. Suggested I use the 1150GH...However, Mizzy doesn't offer this shaft anymore in the JPX 900 series.

 

Is the Pro modus 3 105 going to give similar flight? I know it's about 8 grams lighter or so, but the Nippon's were just so much better than anything else. Next best was the C Taper Lite, but I'm not sure how I feel about a non flighted iron shaft... I'm just not used to that visually.

[golfdad907]

Whats the major difference/s between the 120 and 105?

 

Gonna guess here, about, approximately, somewhere around 15 grams?

[jcfountain33]

Whats the major difference/s between the 120 and 105?

 

Gonna guess here, about, approximately, somewhere around 15 grams?

 

Wow! It always baffles me how people on here love to display their lack of knowledge and intelligence for the world to see!?

 

Sorry, but your "smart" answer is wrong. The number is the model number, not the weight, although the higher numbers are higher weight. There is actually only 8g difference in shaft weight in the same flex and each flex within a model is a different weight. Not to mention vastly different bend profile and balance point.

 

Thanks for your meaningless contribution though...