Playing different shaft models in my irons and wedges? (Nippon Wedge 125 vs. Dynamic Gold S400)

[FlopShotGang]

Wanted to know how playing a different shaft in my irons and wedges may effect my game? I did an iron fitting recently and with the Mizuno shaft optimizer I eventually settled on Nippon Modus 120 Extra Stiff (120g) shafts for my 5-PW. I never considered a wedge fitting and don't really want to do a fitting for wedge shafts at this point and would rather tinker myself with help from complete strangers on Golf WRX. 

 

Over the last year I've bought a bunch of different wedges off the rack at RD which obviously came with different stock shafts and lengths (Mostly TT DG S200, S300 or AMT). After practicing and playing a lot recently I've decided I'm going to move into heavier wedge shafts since my current wedges are feeling too light and I prefer a heavier swing weight now.  After testing a DG S400 shaft in a buddy's Vokey SM8 56.12 I really liked the feeling on full swings, chips and pitches and visually noticed more spin and control. Interestingly, I already have a Vokey SM8 56.10 in the stock DG S200 shaft so this has driven me to make the change and am considering putting S400 in all my wedges besides the set PW of my new irons. Ultimately, I feel like a heavier shaft will make me more consistent because I was better able to feel where the club head was when I used the S400. Also worth mentioning that I want to make my GW, SW and LW all the same length at 35.75". What typically happens when moving into a heavier shaft weight with wedges- can I expect a lower launch angle with this increase in weight? Changes in yardage gapping? 

 

After reading up on this topic I noticed that players often keep a similar shaft model in their irons and wedges albeit sometimes a lighter flex. Please excuse my language but the consistent and piercing ball flight I get from my Nippon Modus 120 extra stiff gives me a massive golf boner every time I pure one onto the green with my irons. But those are almost always full swings and I'm thinking this isn't how I utilize my wedges because I like to get weird with my GW, SW, and LW wedges and pretty much use them all in a variety of ways. The only difference is I rarely hit full shots with my lob wedge and mostly use it for pitch shots and chips. Since I like having that versatility in my game, I'm thinking of going with the DG S400 (132g) or the Nippon Modus wedge 125 (128g) shaft instead so that it blends more with my irons. I haven't demoed the Nippon Wedge 125 shaft because I couldn't find it at my local golf store but after reading up on it it's pretty similar to the DG's which are low launch and low spin. The reason why the Nippon wedge shaft sparks my interest is because it is also advertised as having good control and stability throughout a variety of short game approach shots which is what I'm looking for.

 

After writing this novel of a forum post I'm ultimately asking if I should go on a limb and get the Nippon wedge shaft so I have Nippon shaft all the way to my LW or go with what classic DG S400? Does anyone reading play with shafts from completely different companies in their irons vs. wedges?  Thanks in advance for any advice or insight you guys and girls have to say.

 

 

[Doaner84]

I play the nippon modus 125x in my irons and dg120 x100 in my wedges. I consider my irons and wedges as two different parts of my bag so my ocd with having to have everything the same is kept at bay. lol.  I did try the regular 125x in my wedges but I just like the feeling with partial shots, pitches and chip better in my wedges with the x100s.  I felt I had better control with those half shots compared to the 125x.  I have not tried the nippon 125 wedges shaft and have heard very good things but I don't want to mess with my short game right now.  I do feel that you should find a way to try the nippon wedge though.  It will be better peace of mind to get one installed and try it then have to buy it later after you've already bought the s400s because it is still in the back of your mind.  

Edited January 15, 2021 by Doaner84

[VCGolfer79]

Heavier weaker shafts in wedges is the norm I would say. Choke down on the club more and mostly partial shots compared to the rest of the irons that are usually full shots. Ever swung hard with a lob wedge? Doesn’t really feel right doing that. Club gets loose in the swing because of the different shaft characteristics. 

[scooterhd2]

Typically you want heavier and lighter flex. Either one of those checks the boxes. 

[phizzy30]

I would also recommend KBS 610+ 125.  Lower launch and spin compared to the stock offerings that come with off the rack wedges.  They also have better feel compared to the DG offerings IMO. 

[Pepperturbo]

Yes, to your question. 

 

I am a feel golfer - Though shaft weight can be different, I like shafts to have the same bend profile.  My 52* SW has the same shaft as PW and the rest of my irons.  My LW, however, has DG S-200, 129g, slightly softer tip, and it's been lengthened to 36" and E0 SW. 

 

Because my SW is used for many full and some 3/4 shots having it feel like PW is important.  LW is seldom used for full shots, lots of creative open face, variable back swing shots.  

 

The prevailing belief with wedges is slightly heavier weight or match irons, but slightly softer tip.

[FlopShotGang]

1 hour ago, Pepperturbo said:

Yes, to your question. 

 

I am a feel golfer - Though shaft weight can be different, I like shafts to have the same bend profile.  My 52* SW has the same shaft as PW and the rest of my irons.  My LW, however, has DG S-200, 129g, slightly softer tip, and it's been lengthened to 36" and E0 SW. 

 

Because my SW is used for many full and some 3/4 shots having it feel like PW is important.  LW is seldom used for full shots, lots of creative open face, variable back swing shots.  

 

The prevailing belief with wedges is slightly heavier weight or match irons, but slightly softer tip.

 

What was the swing change like when you lengthened your LW to 36? I’m 6’2 and even though I’m pretty confident with my shorter clubs I don’t really like the hunched down feel of chipping with SW (35.25) and LW (35). I quite like the length of my 50° Gw which is 35.75 hence why I want them all about that length. 
 

 

[FlopShotGang]

5 hours ago, Doaner84 said:

I play the nippon modus 125x in my irons and dg120 x100 in my wedges. I consider my irons and wedges as two different parts of my bag so my ocd with having to have everything the same is kept at bay. lol.  I did try the regular 125x in my wedges but I just like the feeling with partial shots, pitches and chip better in my wedges with the x100s.  I felt I had better control with those half shots compared to the 125x.  I have not tried the nippon 125 wedges shaft and have heard very good things but I don't want to mess with my short game right now.  I do feel that you should find a way to try the nippon wedge though.  It will be better peace of mind to get one installed and try it then have to buy it later after you've already bought the s400s because it is still in the back of your mind.  

Good point. I’ll have to try other golf stores to give the Nippon wedge a try before I make any final decisions. 

[Pepperturbo]

On 1/15/2021 at 12:23 PM, FlopShotGang said:

 

What was the swing change like when you lengthened your LW to 36? I’m 6’2 and even though I’m pretty confident with my shorter clubs I don’t really like the hunched down feel of chipping with SW (35.25) and LW (35). I quite like the length of my 50° Gw which is 35.75 hence why I want them all about that length. 
 

 

For 25+ years my LW, SW and PW were all the same 36" (9i) length.  The added length is all about feel for me.  The heavier E0 swing weight of LW was a benefit, due in part to heavier head weight of Vokey LW.  Only recently when having new shafts installed is when I had PW adjusted back to stock and had SW adjusted to match 35.75 PW - they still feel new but that's more about new shafts.  Adjusted length has been noticeable, which is good in my hands. 

 

LW is set up for feel shots mostly under 75yds.  I am not tall like you, only 5'10", but my physical build is muscular so a bit more upright on shots just feels more natural to me.  Stock 620 MB PW length is 35.75", Vokey SW is 35.50" and Vokey LW is 35"  -

 

No biggie having extensions installed to make them longer.  If you do, I suggest steel extensions, not graphite.  If you don't like how they feel in play, just have extensions removed.