QUESTION: How can Nippon Shafts help me? Randell

ANSWER: Hi Randell,

With our proprietary NSGS8655V base material and our specialized heat treatment processes, Nippon Shaft has created the premium line of NS PRO shaft models that offer a smooth feel and superior consistency.

Beginning with our NS PRO 750GH, the lightest steel shaft model in the world, our award winning NS PRO 950 series- the global standard for 95 gram shaft products, and finally our heavier Superpeening models for stronger players, there is a Nippon Shaft model that will help you play your best game.

Our shaft models are available worldwide via all the major manufacturers, the world’s prominent independent clumaking shops, and now via both the Golfsmith and Swing Science companies.

I invite you to reply with a specific question, or contact any of our Authorized Installation Centers at www.shaftology.com for more information. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi Mark,

I am using NS PRO 950GH Stiff. It is the stock shaft for my Mizuno MP52. Based
on my physical measure, I need to cut the shaft by 0.5 inch. Is it possible to
butt trim 0.5 inch? Will it make the shaft feel different? If so, what can be
done so that I could maintain the current playing characteristics? I would
appreciate your advice. Thank you.

RSK

ANSWER: Hi RSK,

You can certainly butt trim the shafts in your current set, but there will be differences in the feel and performance of your set.

The length will be 1/2″ shorter, the set will feel a bit stiffer, and the set will feel a bit lighter.

The question of tradeoffs is always the most important aspect of any set alteration. I would start thinking in terms of what gives you the best overall performance.

My first question is- how did you determine that your set should be shorter? Based on testing a shorter model? Based on past experience? Based on some sort of height/length chart? Based on some friend’s advice? If the answer is based on performance, I would recommend making the adjustment. If the answer is based on a chart or a guess, I would recommend that you might be wasting your time.

If you find that, based on achieving better performance, you need to adjust the length of your set, my biggest concern is the loss of swing feel when changing the length of an existing set, without adjusting the headweight.

Step 1 is to determine if there is a performance benefit to changing your set length.

Step 2 is to hit your set, and as best possible, compare the feel of your set, and the flight of your golf ball, before and after. If you like everything about the after, no further work is needed.

Step 3- If you find that you like the length better, and it gives you a more natural address and swing, but makes the set stiffer and lighter, then…

Step 4- Since a 1/2″ length adjustment equals approximately 3 swingweight points, you will need to 1) change heads that are 6 grams heavier, or 2) add 6 gram weights into the shaft tips, and replace the same heads, or 3) add 6 grams of lead tape to the back of your existing iron heads. These 3 options will result in minor playability differences, but the overall swingweight adjustment will generally maintain the same feel, flex, and balance of your original specs.

Regards, Mark

QUESTION: HI,

What I’m really looking for is a steel shaft providing more reliable distance
variation & a soft feel like a senior flex, and I believe the NIPPON N.S. PRO
750GH shafts chosen will come the closest to this? Graham

ANSWER: Hi Graham,

Many users believe there is something inherently inconsistent about a shaft made of graphite material. They point to the obvious inconsistencies in the performance of their shotmaking- so it must be something in the material that is causing the problem.

However, in most every case, the reality is that the problem lies in the WEIGHT of the shaft, and not because of the performance of the material. If a golfer plays with a shaft model that is very light, this aspect feels good, in that it seems to swing with little effort. Yet the downside also exists due to the shaft weight being so light. If a club does not have sufficient mass so that a golfer can feel and integrate his body with the club in a powerful and synchronized motion, then the golfer will swing in an inconsistent and compensating manner, resulting in inconsistent contact, direction, and trajectory.

If a golfer is achieving inconsistent results with an iron set installed with a 75 gram graphite shaft model, and then switches to an iron set installed with a 75 gram steel shaft model, the golfer’s performance and inconsistency will remain startingly similar.

The real secret is to find THE BEST WEIGHT of shaft that will allow a golfer to engage his large muscles and find a swing that is natural, powerful, and comfortable, without the need for swing adaptation.

What I recommend is to try various models of weights and flexes to determine which model gives your body, swing and game, the best chance of finding that powerful, efficient, natural swing. Most always, the best shaft model for your body swing, and game, will thus give you the best feel and the best flight, which in turn gives you optimal performance in your score.  
You may be correct in that the NS PRO 750GH is best for you, or maybe even our NS PRO 850GH, which is slightly heavier, but I would recommend that you also consider our 950 series. Our 950 series is available in many varieties- the NS PRO 950 model, available through most OEM Custom Departments, and all of our Authorized Installation Centers, the NS PRO 950HT, which gives a higher trajctory, or our NS PRO 8950GH, which is a few grams heavier, and half a flex stiffer, but available in an ‘A’ or ‘Senior Flex’, and is now available for direct purchase from the Golfsmith and Swing Science Companies.

Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hello,

I’m a college player about to buy new irons & wedges and I’m totally lost on
which shafts to buy.

The only set fact is that I will be getting +1/2″ longer than standard shafts as
I’m 6′1.5′ tall and 38″ wrist/floor.  However, each time I get fit, I have
different lie angle results (ranging from 1.5º up to 1.5º flat).  I’m told
however that a guy my height should get more upright irons but won’t extending
each shaft by 1/2″ make the clubs more upright anyway?

Alas, the real question remains in what shaft to get.  I want to hit the ball
mid: not too low, not too high.  I swing my 6 iron on average 87 MPH (depending
on the day, I can bring it up).  I’ve been thinking S400 for the irons and S300
for my two wedges but not sure if the weight will be too much because i’m
getting extended length shafts.  Also, what do you think of the DG SL models? 
I’m totally confused and need a recommendation as no fitter has given me
anything useful.  Thanks.

-Jonas

ANSWER: Hi Jonas,

You might consider that the reason you are confused regarding your shaft choice, is the lack of relevant information that you offer, and/or that you have not found a relevant fitter.

Shaft selection can be based on a number of factors, however, guessing or pulling ideas out of the air, (or the internet), will only lead to more confusion.

To take things to a serious level, leave the fooishness behind, start at the beginning, and answer the following questions;

STEP 1 - Goals

My performance goal with my irons is primarily- distance? distance control? consistency? solidness of hit? directional control? trajectory control? higher? lower? feel?

My performance goal with my wedges is primarily- Distance? Distance Control? Consistency? Solidness of hit? Directional Control? Trajectory Control? Higher? Lower? Feel?

STEP 2 - Existing Equipment and Performance

My current or previous shaft specifications are a ________flex, weigh______grams, and have a trajectory profile that is considered________.

What I like about my current shafts is the- feel? performance? flight? distance? distance control? trajectory? trajectory control? consistency?

What I don’t like about my current shafts is the- feel? performance? flight? distance? distance control? trajectory? trajectory control? consistency?  

STEP 3 - Compare Shaft Specifications

Visit the shaft specification websites, or visit with skilled clubmakers who know their shaft specifications. Armed with your existing model specifications, your goals, and how you have succeeded, or failed, with your existing set, is the best method to use to begin your shaft search. If your set feels too light or too heavy, too stiff, or too flexible, or too high or too low, you can eliminate many shaft models that are too heavy, too flexible or have a stated geometry that conflicts with your existing shafts and existing performance.

STEP 4 - Live Comparison

This is the step that hangs everyone up. Yes, it would be nice to have some magic selection guide that can tell you what your favorite movie, or book or dinner, or golf shaft will be, but that is not based on reality. In the original True Temper Shaft Lab shaft fitting system, the computer was measuring 8000 data points as the golfer swung the test club, and this was considered quite a large data pool. However, when you swing your golf club, you are sensing, measuring, and responding to millions and millions of data points of feel and flight.

As your body, swing and game internalizes the feel, flex, weight, bending, and twisting of the shaft in motion, you are simultaneously seeing and interpreting the flight, launch, spin, distance and control of your golf ball. This is the serious data that is used to select your best performing shaft and building specifications. This is how the best players find their shaft specifications.

Therefore, my best recommendation is to find a retail facililty that has several combinations that you can test, compare and see and feel the differences in feel and flight. Or visit with a skilled clubfitter, who can give you a variety of options that you can test and compare so that you can definitively answer the questions in your note as to weight, feel, flex and performance.  

STEP 5 - Your ultimate choice

99% of the golfers in our community prefer to choose equipment off the rack, or based on some guesstimate format as kind of described in your note. Yet, this is why 99% of golfers are currently playing with poorly fitted equipment. My hope is that you make the serious choice to join the 1% of us who have selected our equipment through live, comparative testing, and who are enjoying and playing this wonderful game to the best of our abilities. Regards, Mark

 

QUESTION: Hi,

I am looking to reshaft a Bobby Jones hybrid and fairway wood, and the hosel size
for each is .350.  In one of your previous posts you indicated Nippon Shaft makes a
.350 for the fairway wood, but I have yet to find one listed anywhere. Do you
know if the utility shaft made by Nippon Shaft comes in a .350 hosel size?  Thanks, Jim

ANSWER: Hi Jim,

Yes, we manufacture our 950FW model in both .335 and .350 tip diameters. Contact any of our Authorized Installation Centers for help with your project. Their contact information is available at www.shaftology.com. Regards, Mark

Jim

QUESTION: Hi,

I use the Titleist AP2 with Project X 6.0 shaft. I want to order the new 2010 model, but am not sure which shaft I should order. I have all standard specs.
Normally my swing speed, in theory, is too low for Project X 6.0, but I play very
good with them, with long distance and high ball flight. Only sometimes I feel
the club is, in general, too heavy for me. What shaft would you recommend? Thanks, Nils

ANSWER: Hi Nils,

Most golfers fit, in theory, into one shaft model, but in reality, have success with another shaft model. The difficult part is in the selection process. The most accurate selection process is via live testing, and I would do your best to find a retailer to test and compare different shaft options.

Based on your information posted above, my recommendation is to consider trying our NS PRO 1150GH Tour model in an S flex. The design has similar elements to your existing shaft model. You must contact the Titleist Company to determine if they are willing and/or able to install this model for you.

Regarding other shaft options within the Titleist family of shaft offerings, I suggest looking at their website at- http://www.titleist.com/golfclubs/shafts_grips/shafts/default.asp?Filter=4 -if you are looking for a shaft model that is several grams lighter, you might consider the NS PRO 970 by Titleist.

However, my first recommendation is the NS PRO 1150GH Tour. Regards, Mark

QUESTION: Hi,

Do you feel the playability of the 950GH Nippon Shaft would be effected by
adding Sensicore inserts? I want to play light weight steel shafts, but need the
shock absorption of graphite. Sensicore inserts are sold seperate and can be
inserted into the shafts.

Thanks, Don
ANSWER: Hi Don,

I think it’s a great idea for your needs.

Inserts will add a small amount of weight, and also remove some of the good feel from your set, which is not perfectly ideal, but if the vibration of impact is keeping you off the course, a small bit of extra weight and  minor loss of feel is well worth it. To accurately determine the effect on playability, you might consider installing the inserts into one or two of your shafts and comparing the weight and feel to your other clubs in terms of the feel and weight of impact.

Here are a few other comments;

1) My opinion is that any insert into a shaft will reduce the vibration of impact, but will also rob some of the “feel” of impact. For golfers who couldn’t play without some extra shock absorption, this is a good tradeoff.

2) Play with a head that has some shock dampening qualities. Many heads are moving in this direction. However, you must test and compare different models to determine what works for you, but some great models include many of the Cleveland and Callaway iron models.

3) To alleviate stress and strain on our bodies and swings, it is critical to insure that all specifications of your clubs are fitted and installed to allow you to swing in the most natural, comfortable and efficient manner for your body. If your set is off with regards to weight, lie, length, flex, grip, etc., then you will be forced to twist and contort your body in an effort to make your set work optimally.

Regards, Mark, Nippon Shaft

QUESTION: Hi,

I have seen the Nippon NS Pro 1100 shaft on Callaway Irons.

The flex is stated as Uniflex.  Can you tell me about that

shaft? As a point of reference, I am a long time fan of the

Rifle Regular Flex shaft. Thanks, Dave

ANSWER: Hi Dave,

The term “uniflex” is defined as a shaft flex between the 

flex ratings of R and S flexes. 

For more information on the NS PRO 1100 shaft installed in

Callaway models, please enter “NS PRO” into the search box

on the top right corner of this page. There will be a few

FITTING Q&A entries. Regards, Mark