QUESTION: Hi,

I was fitted for the 950 series with Taylor Made clubs.  6 iron swing speed is
86 mph.  Should I use the new 999 shaft?

Thanks, Donald

ANSWER: Hi Donald,

The NS PRO 999GH is made on the same design scheme as the 950. Both are ultra-light steel models with mid-hi launch profiles. However, the 999GH has an aggressive ascending weight shift when moving from the longer irons to the shorter irons.

For golfers who like a similar swing feel throughout the set, the 950 constant weight system is recommended.

For golfers who like the lightweight power in their long irons, but prefer more balance, rhythm and feel in their mid to shorter irons, the 999 ascending weight system is recommended.

The 950 model is available through the Taylor Made company or any of our Authorized Nippon Shaft Installation Centers.

The 999GH model is available only through our Authorized Installation Center Network, yet, more of the major companies are becoming open to the idea of providing many more custom shaft options in the interest of helping golfers find their best equipment.

The NS PRO 999GH Ion-Plate is a wonderful new design, and is also a cost upgrade, but I recommend contacting the Taylor Made custom department or one of our Authorized Centers for more information.

Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi, I have over time been losing yardage and trajectory with my irons while my woods have not changed much at all.  I have always used Dynamic Gold S300 shafts
in my irons.  I have tried the Project X shafts and hated them so went back to the Dynamic Gold.  What would be a good shaft to help me regain my yardage and my trajectory in my irons?

Thanks, Kirk
ANSWER: Hi Kirk,

You are one of the thousands of golfers who hasn’t been exposed to some of the wonderful shaft options that exist. You are in for a great ride.

Drivers and wood clubs have received hotter faces and lighter shafts, so you have been able to maintain distance and trajectory with these clubs. However, you are using a heavy steel shaft model that first came to prominence in 1950. Ouch!

The Dynamic Gold is still a wonderful shaft model and still wins a great many times on the PGA Tour, but for us normal golfers, who are losing a bit of power and height, there are other great options.

One of the best shaft geometries for more distance and higher flight is our award-winning NS PRO 950GH iron shaft. This model weighs in at 95 grams, which is considerably lighter than your 125 gram Dynamic Gold, but still heavier than your typical 75 gram graphite shaft.

The tricky part in this shaft selection thing is to find a shaft that is light enough to get you more speed in your swing, but heavy enough to give your body adequate feel and a stable swing. This is why we also offer a couple of shaft models, (750GH and 850GH), even lighter than the 950GH, and several models heavier than the 950GH, (1050GH, 1150GH, NS PRO SP Orange).

We now also offer the NS PRO 999GH, which is an ascending weight shaft model, with lighter shaft weights in the longer irons for speed, and heavier shaft weights in the shorter irons for feel and stability.

My best recommendation is to contact one of our Authorized Installation Centers for help with the proper selection and installation. My guess is that you will fall into the 950GH, 1050GH or 999GH categories.

Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi Mark,

I read on the golfwrx forum about Nippon Shaft’s Ion Plate. Is this different than chrome? Thanks, RJ

 

ANSWER: Hi RJ,

The real issue is about the PROCESS and the RESULTS that it produces. We have developed a very special shaft model called the NS PRO 999GH. We wanted to make it look special and wear special, so we utilized the high end PVD process (Physical Vapor Deposition), also called Ion Plate.

“Ion Plate” and “Chrome Plate” are actually golf industry termed methods of plating a shaft. A traditional chrome product is plated using an electrical charge in a bath so as to cover the shaft. 

Our NS PRO 999GH is plated with Chromium/Nickel using the bombardment of ions to affix the cover to the shaft. This process results in a different cover in that the membrane is thinner, yet more durable.

This process is often used for premium tools, and other specialty metal products.

Of course the process is much more expensive, but the premium appearance and durability is commensurate with the design performance of the 999GH shaft.

Best regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi,

I was able to see some of the new Mizuno models, and liked their MP-52 model. Do they offer this model with your 999 shaft? I am currently using the 950 in a stiff, and hit my 6 iron 160 yards. Thanks, Reid

ANSWER: Hi Reid,

The new Mizuno offerings are great in that they offer the same forged feel and Mizuno look that they are famous far, with even more variations in their head designs.

The NS PRO 999GH is not on the list as a custom offering by the Mizuno Company, however, it never hurts to ask. Many of the larger equipment companies will offer an shaft that receives enough requests.

The 999, because of its unique balance and weight structure, is ideally suited for installation by our Authorized Installation Centers as it combines the ability to include Hybrids, Irons and Wedges in the installation mix. Also, each shaft may need individual swingweight attention.

Regards, Mark

QUESTION: I have a new set of Mizuno MX-25 (5-7) and MP-57 (8-pw)irons. The shafts are Mizuno’s Nippon NS Pro - 950GH in Regular flx. My specs are 1/4″ longer than standard and 2 degrees upright. I want to get a set of Mizuno MP-T chrome wedges — 51, 56 and 60 degrees. They are listed as coming with the Dynamic Gold Wedge shaft.

Does Nippon make wedge shafts? If so, which Nippon Shaft would you
recommend for my wedges? Also, what flex and should I get them at 2 degrees upright?

Thank you! JC

ANSWER: Hi JC,

You are wise to ask these questions because the general opinion among the best wedge fitters is to choose a wedge shaft that is the SAME WEIGHT OR SLIGHTLY HEAVIER, and to choose a flex that is the SAME FLEX or SLIGHTLY MORE FLEXIBLE.

So, if you like your wedges to have a similar swing feel, than you might ask Mizuno to install your same 950 R.

However, if you want to feel a bit more weight in the head of your wedges, which most golfers prefer, than either the NS PRO 1050 or the ultra cool NS PRO 999GH ION Plate shafts will give you exceptional feel and playability.

These models are not typically available through the Mizuno company, (you can always ask), so you will need to visit one of our Authorized Installation Centers. Go to www.shaftology.com and click on our center locator.

Regarding your question of the lie for your wedges. It depends. Some players like flatter and some like more upright in their wedges. I strongly recommend that you choose the same lie as your irons and monitor your performance. If you notice that 1) your shots are jumping left or right, or 2) you find yourself adjusting your aim, stance or swing with your wedges, but not your irons, then I would visit a quality clubmaker and have your wedge lies adjusted.

Do not have them adjusted without playing with them first. Mizuno Forged Wedges are easily adjusted by a quality installation center.

Best regards, Mark
 

QUESTION:  Hi, I am a 2 handicapper and currently am playing with Titleist AP2 with
NS Pro 970 shafts. My last set of irons had the same shaft and I love them! I
have a set of Mizuno MP-67 irons that I want to reshaft with Nippons. I
understand that you make the 970 for Titleist only. Which of your shafts, which
I can purchase, will match the 970 the closest? Thanks Scott

ANSWER: Scott,

Yes, the NS PRO 970 is an exclusive model manufactured for the Titleist Company. It features a bit more weight in the tip section and a slightly higher kick point. The models with the most similar characteristics are the NS PRO 950GH and the NS PRO 999GH.

Both of these models are available through any of our Authorized Installation Centers.

Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Are the Nippon 999 shafts available? If so, how much are they?
Thanks, Dean

ANSWER: The NS PRO 999GH are now available through our Authorized Installation Centers in parallel and taper tip designs, R and S flexes, and lengths of 39.5″ through 35.0″. These 40 different shaft lengths allow for a variety of flex and sub-flex installations into most any hybrid, iron and wedge.

This high performance ascending wight design and the deluxe Ion-Plate Bronze-Metallic finish make this model the most expensive iron model in the industry. The MAP pricing is $149.00 per install.

Contact any of our centers for more info. Best regards, Mark 

QUESTION: Mark,

When is the 999 available?  and what is the pricing? JG

ANSWER: Hi,

The NS PRO 999GH is available now through our specialty network of Authorized Installation Centers in North America.

The initial series is made up of .370 parallel, .355 taper, ‘R’ and ‘S’ flexes, raw lengths of 39.5″ through 35.0″, and an ascending weight system that allows our centers to fit golfers with this series in hybrids, irons, and wedges.

This specialty product is premium priced- with the rates determined by each individual center. Like all of our models, the pricing depends on the installation services offered by our centers. The minimum advertised pricing is $149.00 per shaft.

Because of the limited exclusivity of this model, the deluxe Ion-Plate finish, and the unique design, the installation rates will be much, much higher than our traditional models. Please contact one of our centers for more information.

Best regards, Mark