Nippon 105X, 120X, 125X Breakdown

[kippjr23]

Hello all,

 

I went a hit all the clubs on the track and today as I’m in process of buying my first set of custom irons. I love the feel of the Nippon Modus 3 line.

 

I hit the 105X and 120X well, however I hit the 105X better. Problem is, I like the 120 weight more, the 105X while it seems more stout is also lighter.  What are the thoughts on these two shafts and also where does the 125X fit in and play?

Edited March 5, 2021 by kippjr23

[Htk084]

Curious, which one carried farther for u?  And which one spun more?  I’m in this same situation as well. Thank you

[Ger21]

125 is similar to the 105, just heavier.

120 is very different.

[Drivingrangehero]

The Modus 120x is 120 grams 

The Modus 120s is 114 grams

The Modus 105x is 112 grams

The Modus 105s is 106.5 grams

 

I play the 105s and I found the 105x to be too stiff. I hit the 120x and 120TX and they still didn’t feel as stiff as the 105x. At the time I was playing the DG X100’s and found the 120TX to be similar. YMMV 

 

if you like the Modus 105 feel, you may  fit into a Modus 125. 

 

There is more to the equation than swing speed when selecting a shaft. Shaft weight preference, tempo and transition, play a bigger factor than flex. My swing speed with a 7 iron is 93-94 mph and I play a Modus 105s. If the criteria fits, you may find a home in the Modus 125s. The Modus 125x is going to be much like the 105x, but stiffer all the way around. If you noticed the 105x to feel more stout, chances are the 125x will feel too stout. 

[kippjr23]

17 minutes ago, Htk084 said:

Curious, which one carried farther for u?  And which one spun more?  I’m in this same situation as well. Thank you

105X carried further (1-2 yards)  honestly, don’t remember spin but the 105X had less rollout. 

[kippjr23]

4 minutes ago, Ger21 said:

125 is similar to the 105, just heavier.

120 is very different.

What is so different about the 120X?

[kippjr23]

7 minutes ago, Drivingrangehero said:

The Modus 120x is 120 grams 

The Modus 120s is 114 grams

The Modus 105x is 112 grams

The Modus 105s is 106.5 grams

 

I play the 105s and I found the 105x to be too stiff. I hit the 120x and 120TX and they still didn’t feel as stiff as the 105x. At the time I was playing the DG X100’s and found the 120TX to be similar. YMMV 

 

if you like the Modus 105 feel, you may  fit into a Modus 125. 

 

There is more to the equation than swing speed when selecting a shaft. Shaft weight preference, tempo and transition, play a bigger factor than flex. My swing speed with a 7 iron is 93-94 mph and I play a Modus 105s. If the criteria fits, you may find a home in the Modus 125s. The Modus 125x is going to be much like the 105x, but stiffer all the way around. If you noticed the 105x to feel more stout, chances are the 125x will feel too stout. 

 

This is exactly what I needed. Long story shorted I fitted into the X100 and I just did NOT like the feel I was like no I need to try something else. 
 

Hit the Nippon 105X and 120X both did fine. I have a 93-95 SS with 7 Iron as well, somewhat harsh transition so thats where the X100 came from but loved feel of Nippons. I did hit the 105X slightly better than 120X but the lighter weight wasn’t a Huge fan of (might could get past that by increasing swingweight).  I was literally thinking man if the 105X just weighed more I’d probably love it!

 

So thats what prompted this question, any thoughts from there?

[CDM]

I just got new Srixon ZX7's and was fitted in the 105s hard stepped once. The hard steep was to knock a bit of spin off as the 105X just felt to firm.  

 

I agree the 105 feels a bit more stout then the 120 but as noted it is the bend profile.   I did get a couple more yards with the 105 but it showed I was swinging it a bit faster too which would make sense.

 

On spin and not much roll out, I agree. Thing is the new ZX7 have different grooves for shorter irons then long ones, so that I think plays a big part of that I think.

 

Not enough time with them yet as I got the irons a few weeks back and the snow melted enough to hit the range this week.  One thing for sure, I came from 120 gram and the change in the weight will take some time to get used to, but so far so good.  

[Drivingrangehero]

I play my Modus 105s at D5

I played X100 for about 20 years, then played XP 115’s for a year. I liked the lighter weight, so I wanted to keep in the 115 realm. 106.5 + 3 swingweight did the trick

[kippjr23]

12 minutes ago, Drivingrangehero said:

I play my Modus 105s at D5

I played X100 for about 20 years, then played XP 115’s for a year. I liked the lighter weight, so I wanted to keep in the 115 realm. 106.5 + 3 swingweight did the trick

Do you think the Heavier Swing-weight will help with feeling on the lighter weight shafts?

 

Also, how is the 105X and 120X different in terms of profile/feel/characteristics to you?

[Cwebb]

27 minutes ago, kippjr23 said:

 

This is exactly what I needed. Long story shorted I fitted into the X100 and I just did NOT like the feel I was like no I need to try something else. 
 

Hit the Nippon 105X and 120X both did fine. I have a 93-95 SS with 7 Iron as well, somewhat harsh transition so thats where the X100 came from but loved feel of Nippons. I did hit the 105X slightly better than 120X but the lighter weight wasn’t a Huge fan of (might could get past that by increasing swingweight).  I was literally thinking man if the 105X just weighed more I’d probably love it!

 

So thats what prompted this question, any thoughts from there?

 

Possibly the 125 'X' soft-stepped once or twice

[kippjr23]

24 minutes ago, CDM said:

I just got new Srixon ZX7's and was fitted in the 105s hard stepped once. The hard steep was to knock a bit of spin off as the 105X just felt to firm.  

 

I agree the 105 feels a bit more stout then the 120 but as noted it is the bend profile.   I did get a couple more yards with the 105 but it showed I was swinging it a bit faster too which would make sense.

 

On spin and not much roll out, I agree. Thing is the new ZX7 have different grooves for shorter irons then long ones, so that I think plays a big part of that I think.

 

Not enough time with them yet as I got the irons a few weeks back and the snow melted enough to hit the range this week.  One thing for sure, I came from 120 gram and the change in the weight will take some time to get used to, but so far so good.  

 

This sounds familiar. I dont mind the “stout” 105 feeling my only problem is the weight which I guess would just take some getting used too. I want the 105X to be heavier by a few grams! Ha. 

 

Interesting how the 105x is more stout than the 120 though.

[Lemonde]

I play the 120x.  Love the shaft and not nearly as taxing as my old c tapers. I had the kbs tour v’s before in an x and I found them to be similar.  

[pioneerhockey37]

I tried the 120x and found i was losing yard ballooning shots and the soft midsection was messing with me however I loved the nippon feel.  I went back to x100 and loved the way they played and the weight but missed the nippon feel. Installed 125x and I swear they are what I’ve been looking for- feel of a 120(minus the midsection) but weight and playability of an X100. I have a similar aggressive transition and the 125x just allow me to swing smooth and the ball just goes. The 125x doesn’t feel too stout to me, I’d try one before you soft or hard step anything as they are pretty money 

[Drivingrangehero]

10 hours ago, kippjr23 said:

Do you think the Heavier Swing-weight will help with feeling on the lighter weight shafts?

 

Also, how is the 105X and 120X different in terms of profile/feel/characteristics to you?

I prefer the heavier swingweight. It helps me feel the head through my swing. When I originally hit the Modus 105 and DG 105 I thought, “these are way too light” coming from X100’s, but after playing XP 115’s for a year, the 105’s didn’t feel like as much of a jump. I still think the clubs I was testing felt a bit on the too light side when they were at D2 swingweight, but when the fitter put the regular head (Mizuno HMB) in the half inch over shaft, they felt perfect. So, that is what I went with. My clubs are D4.5-D5. 
 

To me, when coming from the X100’s to the Modus 120, I thought they felt great, and the Modus 105 were too light.  The Modus 120s and 120x I could not notice a difference in feel. I did draw the 120S slightly more, which is my natural shot shape. I did notice the jump from 120x to 120TX. The 120TX felt more like my X100’s,  I could work them and flight them easily like my X100’s. My problem with the DG X100 and Modus 120tx is that I feel like I have to step on everything to get the proper load or feel. It just felt like too much work for being 44 and having back issues (arthritis + disc) I felt the same way with the Modus 105x. I felt like I had to jump on them to get them to work properly, and 3/4 shots were not great. I feel like a could have soft stepped the Modus 105x ss/x2 and got a better feel and the weight would be nice. The Modus 105s I felt like I could jump on if I wanted and not lose stability, I could work both ways, flight easily and my natural tempo was a fit. I play my Modus 105s at 1/2 over length hs/x1 and at D5.  I found that at D5 I was able to find the middle better. The 105s at D2 I would hit 1/2 a ball towards the toe, not any loss in performance, but not perfect either, so the higher swingweight helped move that 1/2 a ball toe side, towards the middle. The 1/2 over didn’t make a difference in moving the ball towards the middle. I hit the 1/2 over with the lighter head (D2) and same results, a 1/2 ball toe side. It was the swingweight which made the difference. 

 

 

Edited March 5, 2021 by Drivingrangehero
Typo

[bitt03]

14 hours ago, Lemonde said:

I play the 120x.  Love the shaft and not nearly as taxing as my old c tapers. I had the kbs tour v’s before in an x and I found them to be similar.  

This is why I love responses from people that say if you play c-taper you won’t like the 120’s. I’m in the same boat, went from c-taper s hard stepped to modus 120x and love the feel and trajectory i get. A shaft won’t drastically change ball flight,

I think may feel slightly different and have a small effect but it’s not like you will all of a sudden go from high to low ball flight or high to low spin.

[Cwebb]

2 hours ago, bitt03 said:

This is why I love responses from people that say if you play c-taper you won’t like the 120’s.

 

The general statement is that if you fit well into shafts like the C-taper and Project X...and like the feel of their stout overall profile, then expect a completely different feeling and performing shaft.  Of course if someone didn't fit that great into those shafts, there's a good chance they'll get better results with something different

[bitt03]

I think the point being is I fit well In to both shafts with the ball flight being quite similar but they certainly have a very different feel.

[edryer3]

Have you thought about the 115? I believe they are coming out soon or already out. Similar profile to the 125s just a little lighter. 

[Drivingrangehero]

2 hours ago, bitt03 said:

I think the point being is I fit well In to both shafts with the ball flight being quite similar but they certainly have a very different feel.

Some are affected by shaft bend profiles more than others. 
 

I am a sweeper/ picker. I have a deliberate tempo, easy transition and later release, I’m not affected much in the way of dispersion and don’t feel like my timing is really ever off. My launch and spin seem to vary with different profiles and flexes, but nothing that puts me in “unplayable” territory. I even warmed up with the club that was left in the bay.... some Callaway iron with a PX Catalyst 5.5 60 gram shaft, and hit it decent. I wasn’t looking at numbers, but it felt fine to me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 
 

Some are better fits than others I suppose. I play a very small draw. I found the C-Taper 130x was decent, I just wanted a bit more spin, but I could flight and shape them fine. I liked the KBS tour for feel and performance better though. With the Modus 120s I had a more pronounced draw, but the launch/spin window was good. I feel like I had a harder time shaping them left to right, so it was not for me.  I think it felt better than the Modus 120TX, but I could shape the TX both ways better. Seemed like my old X100’s.  Too much effort for my aging arthritic body. 
 

I find feel usually equals performance, at least for me anyways. I could play the KBS Tour 120, the PX 5.5 or 6.0, the TT Elevate tour, the DGs300, or Modus 105s and probably score similar. I prefer the Modus 105s. 
 

Some guys with quick tempos and harsh transitions seem to be more affected by bend profile and flex, A friend of mine went to get fit recently and told me he straight up pull hooked the first ball and then shanked a PX LZ 6.0. He is a decent player that can get a bit loose off the tee, but a good ball striker at a 5 handicap He hated the Modus 120s. He was coming from PX 6.5 and heard the PX LZ was softer and like me, he’s getting older (44) The profile definitely affected him. He ended up liking the KBS tour 120 and PX 6.0. Hasn’t decided yet, but was thinking of getting PX 6.0 possibly ss/x1.  After mentioning the Modus 125, he said he was going to try them out. Thought they were just heavier version of the Modus 120 so never thought of hitting them. 

[NorthStar7]

I’ve played 105S and 120S over the past few years. I feel the 120 is more stable in the tip, and I like the feel of the handle.
 

I could play either, but I don’t like feeling of the tip bending too much...so I prefer the 120.  From a weight perspective they were only 7 grams apart, so not monumentally different.  I fought hooks a bit with the 105. Not nearly as much with the 120.

 

[GolfNPizza2]

I played 105x, then went to 120x. I have enjoyed both and played well with both. I have a fitting come up in a couple of weeks and I might end up going back to the 105x, unfortunately I don't think they will have the 115 to try.....although the mmt105tx has my most interest

[NRJyzr]

On 3/4/2021 at 8:33 PM, kippjr23 said:

What is so different about the 120X?

 

The 120 is a somewhat exaggerated take on the butt soft/stiffer tip profile.  It has an even softer butt section, and slightly softer mid section, before stiffening in the tip.

 

It also has a profile a flex softer than same flex rating DG.  The profile of 120 stiff is *very* close to DGR, and 120X is close to DGS.

 

[Nixhex524]

OP, what did you not like about the X100?  The overall feel?  The weight?  If you were fit into the X100, you could grab some Prosoft inserts and throw those things in them, it will drastically improve feel but if the shaft is just too heavy then that is a whole other concern.  

[Rick_Golf17]

I am currently between gaming DG TI X100s and Nippon Modus 120TX myself for the upcoming season. I am very interested to hear what has been found between these two shafts as well! 

[ScottSwanson22]

On 3/4/2021 at 6:31 PM, Drivingrangehero said:

The Modus 120x is 120 grams 

The Modus 120s is 114 grams

The Modus 105x is 112 grams

The Modus 105s is 106.5 grams

 

I play the 105s and I found the 105x to be too stiff. I hit the 120x and 120TX and they still didn’t feel as stiff as the 105x. At the time I was playing the DG X100’s and found the 120TX to be similar. YMMV 

 

if you like the Modus 105 feel, you may  fit into a Modus 125. 

 

There is more to the equation than swing speed when selecting a shaft. Shaft weight preference, tempo and transition, play a bigger factor than flex. My swing speed with a 7 iron is 93-94 mph and I play a Modus 105s. If the criteria fits, you may find a home in the Modus 125s. The Modus 125x is going to be much like the 105x, but stiffer all the way around. If you noticed the 105x to feel more stout, chances are the 125x will feel too stout. 

Question for you.  I have played the PX 6.5 for the last 10-12 years.  Age is catching up with me and I’m also playing less than I used to.  I’m a Titleist Homer and have played the AP2, then CB then back to AP2.  Looking at the T100’s now.  Thinking of going with Modus 105x as I still want the firmness of an X but want a bit lighter.  I’m a high ball hitter and the 6.5 brought that flight down just a touch.  Thoughts?

[Drivingrangehero]

I went from X100’s that I was never fit into. I probably should have been playing PX for the past 15 years honestly. 
 

I can’t give you any info in regards to your swing, only how it relates to my swing. That being said, I find the PX 6.5 too stiff, the PX 6.0 are much nicer and the PX 5.5 hs/x1 are just right for me. Weight/Tempo/and Transition have different affects on “feeling” a shafts stiffness. 

 

For me the Modus 105X felt way to stiff for me. I’d have to soft step them 1 or 2 times and add headweight to soften the feel. It “felt”  comparable to being between a PX 6.0-6.5 to me anyways . It’s hard for me to tell amount honestly, but they felt stiffer than the Modus 120x and possibly as stiff feeling as my X100’s which I was trying to move away from. 
 

Some interest data on the Modus line I read a few days ago, below especially between the Modus 105 and Modus120x 

 

https://exactgolf.com/pages/iron-shaft-comparison

 

As far as flight, you could custom order lie adjustments to influence launch and spin. If the shaft is too light, adding weight to the head can bring launch down a bit as well. Which I just learned yesterday from Stuart’s posting about that 👍

Edited March 16, 2021 by Drivingrangehero
Added info