Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 – Official MGS Forum Review by Tim Root
As most of us on this forum are, I am an avid golfer, always looking for ways to improve my game.In my Golf Lifetime, equipment manufacturing companies have done a tremendous job convincing me that if I play this ball like my favorite PGA Professional, or that driver like the winner of last week’s tournament, or buy this training device as endorsed by the “world’s greatest” teacher… all I have to do is show up to the course loaded with equipment (though not as previously loaded with cash) to shoot below par.And to a certain extent, there is a lot of merit in finding the right piece of equipment to fit my game – but I won’t find it by watching tv commercials or looking at what the pro’s play… I will find it – as Ben Hogan would say… “in the dirt” (not to say I haven’t taken the bait more times than I care to admit).
As far as equipment is concerned, probably the last thing on my list for potential game improvement was the shaft… and more specifically, iron shafts.Driver heads, iron sets, putters, wedges, balls, even grips are more likely to garner my excitement than an iron shaft.Not to mention tees promising 4 more yards .
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
So when I saw that MyGolfSpy was looking for participants to test iron shafts, my first impulse was to pass on this one… hoping the next opportunity to test would be a sexy piece of golf equipment to put in my bag and marvel at how amazing it looks… while searching for my ball in the woods.Now, “common sense” and “my golf game” don’t often collide in the same sentence – but in reconsidering this opportunity, I started to research iron shafts, and how important they are to maximize performance in what I consider to be the single largest opportunity for improvement in my game… approach.
I spent the last 8 months playing T200 irons fitted with Mitsubishi Tensei Blue Graphite shafts and honestly never felt I synced with them.The club swung very monochrome when I was used to a full color palate.I couldn’t feel the head, contact felt “clacky”, and even balls that seemed to fly on the intended target path and distance weren’t at all satisfying.Initially I blamed the “game improvement” T200 completely for this.Even though the T200’s are forged, they do have that pesky plate on the back, and it was hard not to overcome my mental thought of them having “plastic” as part of the DNA.
But the reality is – while that true forged head feel I had grown accustomed to with my old Mizuno MP-33’s and not quite so old MP-68’s was not as evident with the T200s – the bland feel was more to do with the shafts, not the heads.I didn’t know this until I had these Modus3 Tour 115’s installed in the T200’s.
The N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 shafts actually seemed to address several of the concerns I have with my “gamer” shafts.
From the Nipponshaft.com website:
Trajectory control?Spin Control?Directly transmit power to clubhead and ball?Lighter weight… but not too light described as a “golden spec”?Yes, Please!!I threw my name in the hat, and as good fortune would have it… I was chosen to be a tester.
First Impressions: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
AESTHETICS:
They look great installed, don’t they?
These shafts look sleek, hot and fast.The red graphics across the chrome silver shaft remind me of the Deltawing Racer from years back.
Again, it is hard to understand or convey how a shaft’s looks make me more confident over a shot… but that box is checked with these Tour 115’s.
Aesthetics: 5 out of 5 Stars
DATA:
Statistical analysis is a conundrum for me.To my own detriment most likely, I put a lot more weight in “feel” and on the course results than I do into data analysis.I am only just starting to gain understanding on launch monitor data and what it means beyond carry distances.Though other testers will have better data and analysis than I have, I will offer a few data points from my Mevo+Pro (caveat – the LM data below is based on short range into net shots – total of 30 feet from LM to net).
I recorded these samples just a few days apart using the same 7 iron head, first with the graphite shaft, and then with the new Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 shaft for comparison purposes.
Shot Patterns from Mitsubishi Tensei Blue Shafts:
Compared to the N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 Shafts
Aside from the obvious (I’m old and out of shape, similar to my mental acuity, my swing is weak and slow), a few things jump out at me – even not fully understanding what the LM Data is telling me.
Consistently (though poor) swing between shafts – evidenced by fairly tight variances in swing speed, smash factor, club path, face path and face to target.Eliminating some of the concerns I had about swinging better or worse from one day to the next.
Carry distance was essentially the same between the shafts – which in itself could be included in point #1, but with point #3, I believe it deserves it’s own bullet.
Height is about 7 yards lower in flight on average, Flight Time is the same, even with the lower ball flight.
If I didn’t mention it before, the stability and consistency I was “feeling” with the Modus Tour 115 shafts is evident in the dispersion pattern in the samples above.This is the confidence builder stat for me.
Data that I’m not sure how to decipher: AoA was increased in Modus3 sample, which may have resulted in a lower Dynamic Loft (and lower ball flight).Also, spin was a bit lower with the Modus shaft.
I should also mention, that the results from the LM data are extremely indicative of the results I have seen across all my irons with the Nippon shafts in range sessions and on the course.
This may be anecdotal, but when I changed to the Tour 115’s my scoring average started improving.In the 20 rounds I have played with the Tour 115’s, my average score has dropped by 2.15 strokes and my handicap reflects the improvement as well:
Statistics: 5 out of 5 Stars
ON THE COURSE:
Because I’m a feel and results player (whether that is good or bad is up for debate), equipment satisfaction is derived from my swing feeling like it has life.Knowing where my club head is throughout my swing, feeling it kick through the ball, being consistently in my expected flight window, going the distances I expect, and reacting on the ground the way I want it to.With my iron shots, I’m looking for a boring flight (meaning not a pop-up, but more of a frozen rope), holds its line when struck correctly, hits the green with a hop and stop.I struggled with my previous shafts on all those aspects.The graphite shafts felt like a board through my swing – no “action”, with high trajectory shots that were inconsistent distances (both short and long) and line, and rolled out on the green.
However, the moment I installed the Modus3 Tour 115’s on the T200’s, all that changed.
Though the club feels noticeably heavier, that isn’t a detriment… if anything, I prefer the weighty feel.I can feel the club head throughout my swing and can feel the shaft working for me as it loads for impact, kicking through the ball.The trajectory is low and boring hitting my window, the distances are consistent and my shots seem to be holding their line better, probably due to a better trajectory and spin profile… which also gives me the ground reaction of “hop and stop” I want to see.How much of that is confidence in the shaft to make a good swing, and how much is actual performance of the shaft… don’t know… don’t care…RESULTS are king.
Course Performance: 5 out of 5 Stars
TAKE AWAY:
I fully admit I was predisposed to liking these shafts.Being disgruntled with my pre-Modus3 setup, I was looking for a change.But I wasn’t expecting that change to come solely in the form of a shaft.And I certainly wasn’t expecting to LOVE my T200’s the way I do right now.Granted, they aren’t butter like a Mizuno Blade, but with a better shaft fit for me – they provide every bit of feedback on my swing I need to execute good golf shots. These Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 shafts are ALIVE, and brought those T200 heads back to life too.What more can I ask?
As irony would have it, I recently received the long ago ordered Mizuno Pro 221’s, so I will try to contrast and compare as much as possible in post-review comments (though two totally different heads makes it very subjective).However, I can say it is VERY difficult to put down these T200’s … even with those shiny new blades looking at me (which is a HUGE statement for a tinkerer like me).One thing I want to better understand is where the 115g weight fits with my swing compared to the 105g that I have in the Mizunos.I really enjoy the extra weight compared to the graphite shafts previously installed in my T200’s, but will I get better performance from shaving off 10g?With a slower swing speed such as mine, maybe… but if it means giving up the ‘action’ and ‘feel’ I am experiencing in these 115’s… the benefits would need to be pretty significant for me to consider it.
Take Away: 5 out of 5 Stars
PLAY OR TRADE:
My comments above have given a pretty clear indication on this, but let me double down… these shafts are staying in my Gamers (T200’s) – without a doubt.In fact, when I am ready for my next new set of irons (being a member of the Club Ho’s Anonymous thread… that could come sooner than later) I will be purchasing heads only, as I have the shaft that works for my game right now.
Play it or Trade It: 5 out of 5 Stars
CONCLUSION:
The Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 Shafts meet or exceed every expectation I had for them.
Compared to my previously installed Mitsubishi Tensei Blue Graphite shafts, the Tour 115’s offer a better weight profile for my swing; lower trajectory for better control with no loss of distance; tighter dispersion on both distance and direction; and gives me the ability to feel my clubhead throughout the swing.The Tour 115 shafts excel in stability through impact, and gives me confidence to make swings for shaping my shots when needed.Where my previous shafts seemed to be a one trick pony, I rate the Tour 115’s as a team of stallions in my bag.
My shot making, and as a result my scoring, has improved since installing these shafts.I would recommend these shafts to anyone looking to upgrade their irons.
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Nippon Modus 115 Iron Shafts
Posted
Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 – Official MGS Forum Review by Tim Root
As most of us on this forum are, I am an avid golfer, always looking for ways to improve my game. In my Golf Lifetime, equipment manufacturing companies have done a tremendous job convincing me that if I play this ball like my favorite PGA Professional, or that driver like the winner of last week’s tournament, or buy this training device as endorsed by the “world’s greatest” teacher… all I have to do is show up to the course loaded with equipment (though not as previously loaded with cash) to shoot below par. And to a certain extent, there is a lot of merit in finding the right piece of equipment to fit my game – but I won’t find it by watching tv commercials or looking at what the pro’s play… I will find it – as Ben Hogan would say… “in the dirt” (not to say I haven’t taken the bait more times than I care to admit).
As far as equipment is concerned, probably the last thing on my list for potential game improvement was the shaft… and more specifically, iron shafts. Driver heads, iron sets, putters, wedges, balls, even grips are more likely to garner my excitement than an iron shaft. Not to mention tees promising 4 more yards
.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
So when I saw that MyGolfSpy was looking for participants to test iron shafts, my first impulse was to pass on this one… hoping the next opportunity to test would be a sexy piece of golf equipment to put in my bag and marvel at how amazing it looks… while searching for my ball in the woods. Now, “common sense” and “my golf game” don’t often collide in the same sentence – but in reconsidering this opportunity, I started to research iron shafts, and how important they are to maximize performance in what I consider to be the single largest opportunity for improvement in my game… approach.
I spent the last 8 months playing T200 irons fitted with Mitsubishi Tensei Blue Graphite shafts and honestly never felt I synced with them. The club swung very monochrome when I was used to a full color palate. I couldn’t feel the head, contact felt “clacky”, and even balls that seemed to fly on the intended target path and distance weren’t at all satisfying. Initially I blamed the “game improvement” T200 completely for this. Even though the T200’s are forged, they do have that pesky plate on the back, and it was hard not to overcome my mental thought of them having “plastic” as part of the DNA.
But the reality is – while that true forged head feel I had grown accustomed to with my old Mizuno MP-33’s and not quite so old MP-68’s was not as evident with the T200s – the bland feel was more to do with the shafts, not the heads. I didn’t know this until I had these Modus3 Tour 115’s installed in the T200’s.
The N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 shafts actually seemed to address several of the concerns I have with my “gamer” shafts.
From the Nipponshaft.com website:
Trajectory control? Spin Control? Directly transmit power to clubhead and ball? Lighter weight… but not too light described as a “golden spec”? Yes, Please!! I threw my name in the hat, and as good fortune would have it… I was chosen to be a tester.
First Impressions: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
AESTHETICS:
They look great installed, don’t they?
These shafts look sleek, hot and fast. The red graphics across the chrome silver shaft remind me of the Deltawing Racer from years back.
Again, it is hard to understand or convey how a shaft’s looks make me more confident over a shot… but that box is checked with these Tour 115’s.
Aesthetics: 5 out of 5 Stars
DATA:
Statistical analysis is a conundrum for me. To my own detriment most likely, I put a lot more weight in “feel” and on the course results than I do into data analysis. I am only just starting to gain understanding on launch monitor data and what it means beyond carry distances. Though other testers will have better data and analysis than I have, I will offer a few data points from my Mevo+Pro (caveat – the LM data below is based on short range into net shots – total of 30 feet from LM to net).
I recorded these samples just a few days apart using the same 7 iron head, first with the graphite shaft, and then with the new Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 shaft for comparison purposes.
Shot Patterns from Mitsubishi Tensei Blue Shafts:
Compared to the N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 Shafts
Aside from the obvious (I’m old and out of shape, similar to my mental acuity, my swing is weak and slow), a few things jump out at me – even not fully understanding what the LM Data is telling me.
This may be anecdotal, but when I changed to the Tour 115’s my scoring average started improving. In the 20 rounds I have played with the Tour 115’s, my average score has dropped by 2.15 strokes and my handicap reflects the improvement as well:
Statistics: 5 out of 5 Stars
ON THE COURSE:
Because I’m a feel and results player (whether that is good or bad is up for debate), equipment satisfaction is derived from my swing feeling like it has life. Knowing where my club head is throughout my swing, feeling it kick through the ball, being consistently in my expected flight window, going the distances I expect, and reacting on the ground the way I want it to. With my iron shots, I’m looking for a boring flight (meaning not a pop-up, but more of a frozen rope), holds its line when struck correctly, hits the green with a hop and stop. I struggled with my previous shafts on all those aspects. The graphite shafts felt like a board through my swing – no “action”, with high trajectory shots that were inconsistent distances (both short and long) and line, and rolled out on the green.
However, the moment I installed the Modus3 Tour 115’s on the T200’s, all that changed.
Though the club feels noticeably heavier, that isn’t a detriment… if anything, I prefer the weighty feel. I can feel the club head throughout my swing and can feel the shaft working for me as it loads for impact, kicking through the ball. The trajectory is low and boring hitting my window, the distances are consistent and my shots seem to be holding their line better, probably due to a better trajectory and spin profile… which also gives me the ground reaction of “hop and stop” I want to see. How much of that is confidence in the shaft to make a good swing, and how much is actual performance of the shaft… don’t know… don’t care… RESULTS are king.
Course Performance: 5 out of 5 Stars
TAKE AWAY:
I fully admit I was predisposed to liking these shafts. Being disgruntled with my pre-Modus3 setup, I was looking for a change. But I wasn’t expecting that change to come solely in the form of a shaft. And I certainly wasn’t expecting to LOVE my T200’s the way I do right now. Granted, they aren’t butter like a Mizuno Blade, but with a better shaft fit for me – they provide every bit of feedback on my swing I need to execute good golf shots. These Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 shafts are ALIVE, and brought those T200 heads back to life too. What more can I ask?
As irony would have it, I recently received the long ago ordered Mizuno Pro 221’s, so I will try to contrast and compare as much as possible in post-review comments (though two totally different heads makes it very subjective). However, I can say it is VERY difficult to put down these T200’s … even with those shiny new blades looking at me (which is a HUGE statement for a tinkerer like me). One thing I want to better understand is where the 115g weight fits with my swing compared to the 105g that I have in the Mizunos. I really enjoy the extra weight compared to the graphite shafts previously installed in my T200’s, but will I get better performance from shaving off 10g? With a slower swing speed such as mine, maybe… but if it means giving up the ‘action’ and ‘feel’ I am experiencing in these 115’s… the benefits would need to be pretty significant for me to consider it.
Take Away: 5 out of 5 Stars
PLAY OR TRADE:
My comments above have given a pretty clear indication on this, but let me double down… these shafts are staying in my Gamers (T200’s) – without a doubt. In fact, when I am ready for my next new set of irons (being a member of the Club Ho’s Anonymous thread… that could come sooner than later) I will be purchasing heads only, as I have the shaft that works for my game right now.
Play it or Trade It: 5 out of 5 Stars
CONCLUSION:
The Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 115 Shafts meet or exceed every expectation I had for them.
Compared to my previously installed Mitsubishi Tensei Blue Graphite shafts, the Tour 115’s offer a better weight profile for my swing; lower trajectory for better control with no loss of distance; tighter dispersion on both distance and direction; and gives me the ability to feel my clubhead throughout the swing. The Tour 115 shafts excel in stability through impact, and gives me confidence to make swings for shaping my shots when needed. Where my previous shafts seemed to be a one trick pony, I rate the Tour 115’s as a team of stallions in my bag.
My shot making, and as a result my scoring, has improved since installing these shafts. I would recommend these shafts to anyone looking to upgrade their irons.
Final Score: 29.5 out of 30 Stars