NS Pro 1030H vs. NS Pro 1050GH vs. NS Pro 950GH?

jfann1 · October 9, 2013

I started a thread here a couple of weeks ago looking for new irons looking for higher launch and higher spin. I got a lot of great recommendations and narrowed it down to a couple of iron shafts including the KBS Tour 90 and the Nippon NS Pro 950GH. I recently went to a nearby Golfsmith thinking I wanted to use their Mizuno Shaft Optimizer and unlucky for me, it wasn't working. However, the salesperson was nice enough to let me try a Mizuno head with a number of different shafts including the two listed above. I was able to compare the numbers against each other on their launch monitor. Even though I'm not so sure I trust the numbers exactly for what they say they are (it had me hitting a 6 iron 208 when in reality I can't hit it past 180 even on a good day), I was able to compare them to my own 6 iron on their monitor. According to their monitor, I was hitting the NS Pro 950GH about 4-5 degrees higher launch and with extra spin as well compared to my own 6 iron with Project X Flighted shafts. This was by far my best result.

I've been scouring the web looking for irons with these shafts in them but it's difficult to find ones in my price range (sub $350), being a lefty doesn't help either. I did, however, find a set of Cobra irons with NS Pro 1030H stiff shafts. Browsing the web, I've seen some people say that the 1030H was a made for Cobra shaft that is somewhat comparable to the 1050GH but I don't know how reliable that is. So my question is, how comparable is the 1030H to the 950GH and the 1050GH? I wasn't able to try the 1050GH at Golfsmith because they didn't have it but I'm assuming I'll get somewhat similar results (maybe a tad lower/less spin due to the extra weight). Am I making too much of a jump saying that the 1030H will play like the 1050GH and that the 1050GH will play like the 950GH? The results from the 950GH were so much better than with the other shafts that as long as the 1030H plays somewhat similarly, I think I'd have a winner. Also, are there any other weird considerations I should be making since it was a made for Cobra shaft and not their own shaft?

Thanks for any help!

Vintage1976 · October 9, 2013

Just my non-scientific experiences here, but for me I have found the 1050's to play lower launch and spin than the 950's (not lots lower, just a touch lower) and also feel a touch firmer to me than the 950's. I play some 999GH right now and I cannot tell a noticeable difference compared to the 950's. My guess is that the 1030's will feel and play between the 950 and 1050. Both of which I would take over 99% of the other shafts I have tried. I have not experienced any of the "made for" disappointment with steel iron shafts from any set or brand.

WanLefty · October 10, 2013

I can only chime in for the 1050's - I've been playing these in my MP68's for a long time and had the same in my AP2's prior. The are a terrific shaft. Much better for ME than either DG or PX.

Lefty also so I feel your pain!

jfann1 · October 10, 2013

[quote name='heavybladed' timestamp='1381377254' post='7979403']
Just my non-scientific experiences here, but for me I have found the 1050's to play lower launch and spin than the 950's (not lots lower, just a touch lower) and also feel a touch firmer to me than the 950's. I play some 999GH right now and I cannot tell a noticeable difference compared to the 950's. My guess is that the 1030's will feel and play between the 950 and 1050. Both of which I would take over 99% of the other shafts I have tried. I have not experienced any of the "made for" disappointment with steel iron shafts from any set or brand.
[/quote]

Yeah, I'm hoping that the 1050 will play similar to the 950 and that the 1030 is basically either like the 1050 or better yet, between the 1050 and the 950. The numbers i got for the 950 were so much higher launching and higher spinning (which I really need) than my current shafts that even if the 1030 were slightly lower, they'd still be a big improvement for me so I'm crossing my fingers.

[quote name='WanLefty' timestamp='1381383867' post='7979705']
I can only chime in for the 1050's - I've been playing these in my MP68's for a long time and had the same in my AP2's prior. The are a terrific shaft. Much better for ME than either DG or PX.

Lefty also so I feel your pain!
[/quote]

Yeah being a lefty is so difficult if you just want to experiment with stuff in a store.
Are you getting noticeably higher flight in your 1050s than you did in the DG or PX that you had tried in the past?

5hort5tuff · October 10, 2013

If I was you, I would just wait it out. If you like the tour 90s or 950ghs just a) keep searching for a nice set with them b). Take the next closest, kbs 90s and roll with then, much easier to find. I've use both and prefer the nippons myself

jfann1 · October 10, 2013

[quote name='mcarrejola' timestamp='1381441994' post='7983377']
If I was you, I would just wait it out. If you like the tour 90s or 950ghs just a) keep searching for a nice set with them b). Take the next closest, kbs 90s and roll with then, much easier to find. I've use both and prefer the nippons myself
[/quote]

Yeah the KBS Tour 90s are much easier to find on Ebay. There are a few Taylormade and Adams sets floating around that have 'em installed on them. Haven't decided yet if I'm going to pull the trigger on the Cobra irons. I like the way they look and they're a very good price so they may win me over but I am worried that the shafts won't play like the 950ghs at all (why I started this thread to ask). This is one time being a righty would really have helped me out, the selection is just so much better. I have some time to mull it over so if anyone else has any feedback about the 1030h (whether it plays like the 1050gh or 950gh) or about the 1050gh (whether it plays like the 950gh), I would love to hear from you!

WanLefty · October 11, 2013

[quote] Are you getting noticeably higher flight in your 1050s than you did in the DG or PX that you had tried in the past? [/quote]

I'm only finding the additional height in the longer irons - 3,4 and 5. Which I find good, no loss of distance, just more height.

Aside from that the feel between the PX and Nippoin is night and day, it will take a lot for me to switch away from Nippons...

Wan

is1ander · October 11, 2013

950GH is super spinny and more appropriate for graphite players IMO. I lost distance and consistency with the 950GH S hardstepped vs KBS tour R+. You might want to hit it on a range first before going all in.

jfann1 · October 11, 2013

[quote name='WanLefty' timestamp='1381469202' post='7985493']
[quote] Are you getting noticeably higher flight in your 1050s than you did in the DG or PX that you had tried in the past? [/quote]

I'm only finding the additional height in the longer irons - 3,4 and 5. Which I find good, no loss of distance, just more height.

Aside from that the feel between the PX and Nippoin is night and day, it will take a lot for me to switch away from Nippons...

Wan
[/quote]

Additional height on the long irons is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. I struggle with getting the ball a reasonable height off the ground with my longer irons but I don't have the same problem with my mid/short irons. Hopefully the 1030h plays like the 1050gh.

[quote name='is1ander' timestamp='1381472074' post='7985567']
950GH is super spinny and more appropriate for graphite players IMO. I lost distance and consistency with the 950GH S hardstepped vs KBS tour R+. You might want to hit it on a range first before going all in.
[/quote]

Wish I could hit them on a range but being lefty and trying to find a single iron that I can try with these shafts on them on a range is impossible. I am looking for higher launch/spin so maybe ballooning for you will be just right for me? I sure hope so.