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, can you tell me what flex this N.S. Pro 950GH shaft is? The largest letters say “R-38.0”. Does this mean:

-          Regular flex?

-          Does the “38.0“ mean 38 inches, which means a 4-iron shaft?

Thanks, Richard

ANSWER: Hi Richard,

From the photo you emailed, you are referencing the letters on the butt end of the shaft. The R stands for regular flex and the 38.0 stands for the raw length of 38.0″.

Now things get a bit tricky. Golfers want a simple answer, but they also want an accurate answer. The reality is that we make our models in dozens and dozens of variations. This 950 model has a good chance of being what you are guessing, that it is a 4 iron shaft, regular flex. It very well could be. However, depending on the hosel type, and very much depending on the step pattern, it might be a regular flex shaft for a #5, #6, or #7 iron.

Most golfers tend to believe that there is one method, one flex, one hosel, one head weight, and one step pattern. Unfortunately, all of this cannot be determined off the R 38.0 butt label screen.

If I had the actual shaft in my hands, I could check the actual step pattern, and then based on the club heads and hosel design that you were using, I could give you the exact information as to how this shaft would flex.

Best regards, Mark

 QUESTION: Hi, I just purchased 2 - Nippon “RED” shafts

on E-bay.  Is there such a model?  If so, what are the

specs, or have I bought some knock offs?  Golfingly, RJ

ANSWER: Hi RJ,

With the success of our company and our shaft models 

comes a greater proliferation of activity on the net,

including sites like E-Bay.

 
We have purchased items off of the net that are 
absolutely counterfeit and of sub-standard quality.
So we know that some of the models that are offered
as Nippon Shaft models are fake and poor quality. 
Some companies do acquire our authentic models and
re-sell them on E-bay. None of the these firms are
authorized Nippon Shaft agents and because they have
no relationship to Nippon Shaft, they have no 
responsibility in insuring if the product is real
or counterfeit, and many of these firm could care
less, as long as they get their payment. It is a 
problem for E-bay, for every legitimate golf 
company, and every golfer. 
 
Also, there is no warranty on ANY of these models.
The Mizuno company does the best at policing
some of these rogue companies actually naming many of
the offending sites and that they will not offer any
warranty on products sold through these sellers.
 
All of our open shaft model specifications, including 
our NS PRO Superpeening RED, are available at 
www.nipponshaft.com.
Best regards, Mark 

QUESTION: Hi, I have an Orlimar vx4 putter that I’m looking to replace the shaft to a longer one, 48″ or so.  I don’t know what size shaft I need, possibly a .370?? Just a guess, please help,
Gable

ANSWER: Gable,

One option is to contact the Orlimar Company about their hosel. However, the easiest and most accurate method is to measure the current, actual tip diameter. This method gives you a definitive answer to your needs, especially if the hosel has been altered along the way.

As always, a quality installer has performed this type of installation many times and if you accurately communicate your needs, you will achieve exactly what you request. And, you will have the ability to have your putter adjusted if your find you need a fine-tuning to the length. For the small amount of money that you will spend, it is important to the performance of your golf game to have your equipment adjusted exactly as you need.

Choose a definitive answer over a guess!

Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi Mark,

I recently purchased a set of Miura cavity irons with Nippon Shaft 950’s.
I am having trouble hitting the irons high and long compared to my old Pings
with TRUE TEMPER ‘A’ flex shafts. I did not have the opportunity to have these irons
fitted by a Clubmaker which we cannot do In NZ. Maybe I should have chosen a lighter shaft or even graphite.

My iron club head speed is 73-74 mph and I am a 9 hdcp, age 63, 5.6FT, stocky and
quiet strong.

Any advice much appreciated. Incidentally, what is the weight of the True Temper ’A’ flex 
shafts?

Kind Regards, Jeff

ANSWER: Hi Jeff,

Your case is not unique. Welcome to the confusing world of golf equipment and performance.

Here are three rules to put at the top of the list when considering a change in golf equipment:

1) DIFFERENT SPECIFICATIONS will give you DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE

2) Depending on the model, a Ping #6 iron and a Miura #6 iron MAY OR MAY NOT BE DIFFERENT SPECIFICATIONS

3) The head and shaft manufacturers HAVE NOT figured out a reliable method to communicate rules #1 and #2

You most likely have in your Ping iron, a head model that has a lower center of gravity, a wider sole, and a stronger loft, versus a Miura iron, which has a higher center of gravity, a thinner sole and a more traditional loft. These head differences alone can cause the performance differences you are describing, and may well be the dominate reason your are struggling.

The shaft may or may not be causing you the performance troubles. If the flex is too stiff on your current Miura set, your overall performance will suffer. If the shaft is either, too light or too heavy, your performance will suffer.

Regarding the question of shaft weight, there is no way of knowing the weight of your True Temper shaft. I am sure that the True Temper company has manufactured many ‘A’ flex shafts for the Ping company over the years and it could be very heavy or very light. Also, do not assume that a lighter shaft will go higher and longer. As always, the shaft that performs the best is one that fits ideally with regards to weight, length, flex, geometry and with proper installation. By thinking that going lighter is a good option might get you even further away from your performance goals.

Also, don’t assume that there are no testing options available in your country. You might have to spend a bit of your currency and some of your time and energy, but I am sure there is some help out there for you. I would contact our agent located in Australia at www.nipponshaft.com.au for potential options for fitting help in your country.

Best regards, Mark
 

QUESTION: Hi,

I purchased a set of Callaway X-20 irons that came with a 1100 Nippon Uniflex
shaft.  Can you please give me the specs and weight of the shaft.  I did not see any information for this shaft on your site. Thanks, Rubin

ANSWER: Hi Rubin,

We manufacture quite a few variations of our most popular models, as well as some unique proprietary models for the major equipment manufacturers. The 1100 shaft that we manufacture for the Callaway company is certainly a premium model and is exclusively made for their needs.

The difficult part in adequately describing these models is that no uniform language exists to accurately describe the actual performance of a shaft in motion. However, here are several answers to your questions;

-the premier method of learning about a shafts characteristics is through live testing and comparison to other models. Swing interaction and ball flight are the most important tools available in answering your questions.

-contact a Callaway representative to hear their perspective on their shaft model

-do a search at this FITTING Q&A section as this same question has been asked before at this site

-check out www.nipponshaft.com and look at the specs of our NS PRO 1150GH Tour model. While not the same model, this model has some of the core characteristics of your shaft model.

Best regards, Mark
-

QUESTION: Hi, I currently have Hogan Pro irons with Apex 3

stiff shafts and am looking for a decent shaft. I am a 4 

handicap. I am living in the London area. Peter

ANSWER: Hi Peter,

I am assuming that you are referring to London, England?

Check out our European agent at www.nipponeurope.com. 

My recommendation is Precision Golf in Surrey. Both Simon

James are exceptional. Regards, Mark 

QUESTION: Hi Mark,

I am proceeding ahead with Nippon Shafts. Still, a query

on wedge shafts. My last raw length 1050 is 35.0″ into a
wedge. I want my gap wedge to play like my irons which
are 1050’s in half inch increments. My sand and lob wedge
will be 1050’s but using 35.5″ raw length, (soft stepped
to be more flexible), per a recent post from you.  The 
gap wedge will be 7 grams heavier, so is my only 
alternative to tip trim half an inch because of the
heavier club head, then butt trim to length. There are
no 34.5″ shafts. You often say not to tip trim but do 
I have a choice? Thanks, Les
 
ANSWER: Hi Les,
I understand your dilemma, but it is not such a linear
equation. For example, some get so into making sure that
the swingweights on their clubs line-up in some kind of 
“linear set-matching equation”, but then forget that 
different clubs have different shaft weights and 
balance points and each club has to play individually. 
It is a good idea to always match the general theme
of a set, but you don’t want to be so rigid that you
forget that each club needs a certain playability of
its own. A gap wedge is a club that is used in full
swing mode as well as partial swing mode.
My best recommendation is to use the same shaft 
flex/raw length for both your PW and GW, (in this 
case- the 35.0″ raw length), and then use the 35.5″
raw lengths in your SW and LW. This is the scheme
that most golfers prefer and I believe the best 
performing choice. 
Some golfers will still go ahead and tip trim their
Gap Wedge shaft in the effort to make things seem 
correct in their head, but I would try using the 
35.0″ length first, and see how it works out. You
should see good results. 
Regards, Mark