Nippon Shafts Reviewed – Are They Any Good?
Nippon shafts are gamed by some of the best players in the world including Tony Finau, Will Zataloris, Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry just to name a select few.
While the Nippon shaft company is not the oldest shaft manufacturer in the world, they have cemented themselves as legends at both the pro and amateur levels.
Like many shafts we have seen come out of Japan, Nippon shafts often represent the pinnacle of technology and innovation.
They are known for their stability, strength and tour-proven performance.
But as the adage (which oddly enough is very appropriate through the purview of golf) goes, “different strokes for different folks.”
Yes, Nippon shafts are popular. But what exactly do they bring to the table? Are they really all they’re hyped up to be? And perhaps most importantly, who should be gaming them?
In the following brand review we will be focusing on the history and current state of Nippon shafts.
We will also be highlighting some of their most noteworthy shafts. Let’s dive in!
Brief History of Nippon
Nippon started making golf club shafts back in 1959.
The company is actually a subsidiary of NHK Spring Co. NHK Spring Co. specailized in making steel engine valve springs out of a special alloy for cars.
Using some of the same materials and technology, the company pivoted towards making steel golf club shafts.
Fast forward to 1999 when Nippon really had their breakthrough.
This is the year the company launched the N.S. Pro 950GH – a sub 100 gram steel iron shaft that was an immediate success among pros and amateurs demanding consistent performance and strength.
Since then, Nippon has been a household name in the golf world. Today, they are still making some of the most sought-after golf shafts in the world.
Where Are They Made?
Nippon prides itself on making high quality shafts in their cutting edge factory in Komagane, Japan.
This is where they make all of their steel and iron shafts.
What They Do Best
When Nippon really broke out in the late 1990’s they were hailed as being some of the best performing lightweight steel shafts on the market.
Lightweight steel shafts is what they instantly became known for. However, they also made a name for themselves by producing constant weighted iron shafts.
This means that every iron shaft in a given set weighs the exact same amount.
Quick Facts
| Established | 1959 |
| Parent Company | NHK Spring Co. Ltd |
| Specialty | Lightweight steel shafts |
Nippon NSPro 950GH Neo – Best Irons Shafts
Selling Points:
- Stiff midsection
- Soft tip section
- Middle kick point
The Nippon NSPro 950GH Neo is a unique shaft that allows players to use larger, GI iron heads and still improve stability.
The midsection is nice and stiff so you get good control, balance and awareness of the club head throughout your swing.
The Nippon NSPro 950GH Neo would be great for mid handicappers seeking greater striking accuracy.
Options
- R, SR, S, X flex
- 5g, 97g, 98g, 104g
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Easy to turn the club over
- Easy to swing
- Active feel
Cons:
- Not for slow swingers
Overall Score: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Nippon Regio Formula Plus – Best Driver Shaft
Selling Points:
- Made with graphite sheets
- Rigid bend profile
- Lightweight options
The Nippon Regio Formula Plus may suit a wide variety of players because they come in a wide variety of weights.
In general, they offer very straight flight and good workability from the tee. They are excellent for attacking narrow fairways.
Options
- R, S, SR, X flex
- 45g, 55g, 65g, 75g weight classes
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Low spin rates
- Good for fast swingers
- Good energy transfer
Cons:
- Boardy feel
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Nippon NS Pro 850GH
Selling Points:
- Dual-step design
- Very light
- Clean design
The Nippon NS Pro 850GH will allow you to take your full swings more confidently.
They feel incredibly stable and have a middle kickpoint that is very satisfying and manageable. This is a great iron shaft for mid to high handicappers.
Options
- S, R flex
- 87g, 91g
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Very stable
- Straight flight
- Smooth
Cons:
- Poor dispersion
Overall Score: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Nippon NS Pro Modus3 Tour 105
Selling Points:
- Tour-validated
- Mid spin
- Mid flight
For anyone looking for premium iron shafts, it’s hard to go wrong with the Nippon NS Pro Modus3 Tour 105’s.
They feel light and wieldy in the hands and make it very easy to find the sweet spot on your club heads.
Options
- S, R, X flex
- 103g, 106.5g, 112g
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Tight dispersion
- Distance increase
- Smooth feel
Cons:
- Inconsistent spin
Overall Score: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Nippon Modus3 Hybrid
Selling Points:
- Graphite on steel technology
- Stiff grip section
- Low rigidity tip
The Nippon Modus3 Hybrid would be a great choice for anyone looking to increase their club head speed.
The combination of the stiff grip and soft tip makes for fast club head speed and excellent ball speed.
The Nippon Modus3 Hybrid incorporates both steel and graphite throughout the entire shaft.
Options
- S, Tour S, X, Tour X flex
- 91g, 101g, 112g weight
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Excellent for fast swingers
- Tight dispersion
- Smooth transition
Cons:
- A bit pricey
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Performance Evaluation
Forgiveness – By and large, Nippon shafts aren’t the most forgiving on the market.
While they make very lightweight models that will help slower swing speed players gain distance, you still have to be moderately accurate.
Distance – Most of the shafts reviewed above yielded excellent distance through either increased club head speed or low spin.
Launch – Nippon offers a wide variety of shafts for people who need low, high or middle launch.
Accuracy – All but one of the Nipon shafts we tested yielded really tight shot dispersion and good workability.
Durability – Nippon shafts are made with some of the most resilient alloys and graphite fibers on the market. They should last for many seasons.
Price/Value – While you are likely to pay a pretty penny for nearly any new Nipon shaft, you can also expect long life from it so the price is commensurate with the value.
Who Are Nippon Shafts for?
We really like Nippon shafts for anyone who is looking for an upgrade in accuracy, distance and feel for their iron shafts.
While they make some great driver shafts, Nippon really shines when it comes to steel iron shafts.
What Pros Use Nippon Shafts?
Nippon shafts have been famously used by the likes of Henrik Stenson, Kevin Kisner, Dylan Fritelli, Cameron Young, Matt Wallace, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Talor Gooch, Paul Casey, Min Woo Lee, Lucas Glover, Lanto Griffen, Charley Hoffman and more.
Final Thoughts on Nippon Shafts
When we tested these Nippon shafts, we could feel the attention to detail that was put into every one.
Almost all of them felt exceptionally smooth. Each offered something a little different.
So whether you are a high handicap player in need of distance gains or a low handicapper who needs better accuracy, Nippon has a shaft for you.
The Nippon Modus3 Hybrid was probably our favorite shaft to test because many of us have never felt anything quite like the combination of steel and graphite.
But any Nippon shaft will bring something of value to the right player. As always, a fitting is the best way to find out which Nippon shaft is right for you so check these shafts out soon!
Aidan is a low-handicap golfer who came from over 110 to breaking 80 in less than 1 year.
Aidan has become obsessed with becoming a scratch golfer and plays golf on every possible occasion, even in the snow!
