Why are OEMs staying away from and discontinuing Nippon 950GH and NEO

[hd.softail]

Mizuno has pulled the 950GH NEO from its fitting cart.

PGA Store told me today, Mizuno isn't going to carry the 950GH or 950GH NEO anymore even in custom.

The NEO used to be stock in the Srixon ZX4 and Hot Metal and was now replaced with the KBS Tour Lite.

Srixon doesn't offer either shaft anymore even on custom.

 

Anyone know why? I can see not offering as stock if margin is tough, but to not offer in custom also for what has been such a popular shaft for 20 years has me wondering. The 950GH is still easily the most popular shaft on the LPGA.

[skraly]

Maybe Nippon is getting ready to discontinue those shafts for something new.

[hd.softail]

possible for the OG 950GH but definitely not the 950GH NEO, that's only 3 years in the market tops. And they released the 850GH NEO this year.

 

 

[pjc]

Last time I checked Srixon does offer the 950gh with an upcharge.  Not sure on the NEO though.  Maybe they have taken it out now, IDK.

[NRJyzr]

Guessing it's a company negotiation that didn't work as both sides wished.  Not everyone offers every company in their shaft options, after all.

 

[pjc]

It's just very strange that both Srixon and Mizuno who both have very close ties with Nippon, they always have, plus all are Japanese companies.  Mizuno used to be the only one who offered the Nippon 1150 tour, not anymore.  Srixon is very close with Mitsubishi as well.  Something else is going on here in my opinion.

[WristySwing]

19 hours ago, hd.softail said:

Mizuno has pulled the 950GH NEO from its fitting cart.

PGA Store told me today, Mizuno isn't going to carry the 950GH or 950GH NEO anymore even in custom.

The NEO used to be stock in the Srixon ZX4 and Hot Metal and was now replaced with the KBS Tour Lite.

Srixon doesn't offer either shaft anymore even on custom.

 

Anyone know why? I can see not offering as stock if margin is tough, but to not offer in custom also for what has been such a popular shaft for 20 years has me wondering. The 950GH is still easily the most popular shaft on the LPGA.

 

I think you got some bad information.  I am seeing 950 NEO on Mizuno's website as an option.  The Nippon 950GH is old as the hills, I am surprised they even make it still.  The NEO is the replacement for that, so it doesn't surprise me to see the 950GH slowly being dropped out of catalogues.  I think we can all start to worry a little bit when Modus product disappears right now.  I know Nippon had a really rough go of it during the middle/late of last year trying to turn around 950 NEO product, they had extensive backorders across all models.  If anything, this might be Nippon's own doing because they couldn't get the product out the door.

[Sakman]

@markheardjr has always had solid Nippon postings. Maybe he can chime in.

Edited February 1, 2023 by Sakman

[autronicdsm]

I feel like because of covid a lot of product been out of stock or discontinued. Trying to order some Shimada shafts from Japan for a long time and no luck.

Could be the same thing for 950GH, just shortages so OEMs deciding to not list something they can't get.

[lyonnes]

   Probably because Nippon was having a hard time getting steel for the shafts , & their heating process after the shaft is pulled to get the stiffness & softness where they want it in said shaft is another step which adds a few more $$$.

   KBS , is designed by Braley , but manufactured by FST , which is a subsidiary of FEMCO in Taiwan , so they might have been able to come in at a cheaper price & with enough product.

   I know I had to wait quite awhile to get some Modus from Golfworks up here in the Great White North.

  Speaking of FST , anyone have a line on their shafts , they seem to have disappeared , they made one of the best wedge shafts I have ever played , iron shafts were pretty nice as well , & didn't break the wallet

[Thayneil]

20 hours ago, lyonnes said:

   Probably because Nippon was having a hard time getting steel for the shafts , & their heating process after the shaft is pulled to get the stiffness & softness where they want it in said shaft is another step which adds a few more $$$.

   KBS , is designed by Braley , but manufactured by FST , which is a subsidiary of FEMCO in Taiwan , so they might have been able to come in at a cheaper price & with enough product.

   I know I had to wait quite awhile to get some Modus from Golfworks up here in the Great White North.

  Speaking of FST , anyone have a line on their shafts , they seem to have disappeared , they made one of the best wedge shafts I have ever played , iron shafts were pretty nice as well , & didn't break the wallet

FST shafts were put on the back burner due to increased demand for the  KBS line and the  reduction in  supply.

 

the   FST 90 and 115 are great shafts and value  but will we ever see them again?

[ode]

The GH Tour line is super and by today's standards affordable.  I hope they keep producing them.  The 1150 is $ for me!

[denkea]

22 hours ago, lyonnes said:

Probably because Nippon was having a hard time getting steel for the shafts

Really?  They are owned by Nippon Steel.  I'd think they'd get shafts before anyone else in a supply shortage economy.  

[lyonnes]

10 hours ago, denkea said:

Really?  They are owned by Nippon Steel.  I'd think they'd get shafts before anyone else in a supply shortage economy.  

    Yes , but I would think the steel for shafts would be different than the other sort of steel produced by them , so possibly they did not do the runs for shaft steel as often as they did to keep up with other orders from their customers

[Jc0]

On 3/6/2023 at 7:41 AM, denkea said:

Really?  They are owned by Nippon Steel.  I'd think they'd get shafts before anyone else in a supply shortage economy.  

 

It's all about profit. Just because they make the shaft doesn't mean it's the most profitable thing they could put the steel towards.