Nippon Shaft officially introduced the N.S. Pro MODUS3 lineup to the world in 2010 with the Tour120. Fast forward a decade later and Nippon has been on a truly upward trajectory with the success of not only the Tour120 but also expanding the MODUS3 options to include the Tour105, Tour125, and Tour130. All told, according to Nippon, the entire line has achieved 225 wins worldwide including two Major Championships.
What does it all mean? That Nippon Shaft has had more success worldwide than I think some realize and it needs to be crystal clear that we aren’t talking about just another steel shaft producing company here. No, the mother company of Nippon Shaft cut its teeth making automotive springs and that has been the basis for a knowledge of steel in terms of strength, durability, and energy transfer that is perhaps unparalleled in golf.
To celebrate the decade of success, Nippon could have just put out a fancy finish and been done with it, and to an extent they are doing that, except that the limited-edition finish is on an all new entry to the MODUS3 line, the Tour115. Thanks to Nippon and THP, I was actually able to put a full set into play, read on to find out more.
Quick Take
Nippon Shaft does nothing in a reactionary way, the Tour115 is not just a rehash of another shaft in a different weight, it is instead a blending of design and performance features from the Tour125 and Tour105 to fill a void in their fitting matrix. More importantly, they are good, quite good. Offering all the feel that the MODUS3 lineup is known for but bringing extreme stability and control to what is the fastest growing steel weight class in golf.
Nippon N.S. Pro MODUS3 Tour115
One thing to remember, although Nippon Shaft burst onto the scene with the N.S. Pro designs, the creation of the MODUS3 was a direct answer to the needs and demands of not just touring professionals but also lower handicap golfers. Basically, the lineup was brought forth as a direct competitor to the stronger and at times heavier shafts out there. Over a decade, Nippon Shaft has flexed its muscles and created a matrix of options in the MODUS3 family that goes well beyond that.
As mentioned, I was lucky enough to get the new Tour115 shafts in hand for THP review, for this I installed X-flex into 4-PW Miura CB57 irons to my specifications and put them into play over multiple rounds and range sessions to get a feel for the new design. While created initially to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the MODUS3 line, the Tour115’s will be available in a limited-edition matte black finish, but mid 2021 they will be released in the classic chrome that I worked with.
Like its siblings, the Tour115 is a stepped design, and installed and in hand there is a connectedness that has come to be expected with the MODUS3 shafts. The design goal here was to take what Nippon calls the “automatic” nature of the Tour105 and the “manual” aspect of the Tour125 and meld the best of both worlds into a weight range that is becoming more popular by the day when it comes to steel. The profile here is one that the company believes can respond to a breadth of golfers regardless of their needs.
Part of what excited me about this review is that I am familiar with the Tour105 and Tour125 having played them each for considerable lengths of time in the past. The connectedness I expected was there immediately and met in tandem with a flow through the swing that was resoundingly smooth. Frankly, some steel shaft companies do feel well, some do stability well, but in my opinion Nippon Shaft stands out by doing both well. Worth mentioning with this conversation is that my trimmed 6-iron shaft came in right around 112 grams, but at that weight the Tour115 maintains the same super low torque and notable butt and tip stiffness that the most popular “full” weight options out there do. Compared to Nippon’s own Tour125, the Tour115 is stiffer in the tip and butt section but noticeably lighter. It’s proof that lighter doesn’t mean weaker when it comes to steel.
While Nippon Shaft calls for the Tour115 to sit right between the 105 and 125 and calls it a mid/mid shaft, it is actually lower spinning than both according to their information. What I saw on the course seemed to fall in line with this as given the players profile of the irons I installed them in, I saw some eye-catching carry numbers. To quantify this, I put the 5, 7, and 9 irons onto the Foresight GC2 launch monitor in order to give a wider breadth of information across the set, that data is below.
One reason I prefer to play smaller iron designs is that they offer more spin which in the irons for me is a good thing, so the data above was incredibly interesting to me as it backed up what I was seeing on the course. That falls into the category of easy launch, peak heights that I actively seek out, and a repeatable flight pattern that naturally moved right to left for me but with plenty of ability to easily take it the other way if needed. All that with more distance than I anticipated through spin averages that are about 300-400 RPM’s lower than the shafts I was playing previously.
What does it all mean? The Tour115 truly didn’t leave me wanting. The weight profile here is one that as mentioned is becoming more popular, and a range that I myself have been comfortably playing for quite some time, so to see Nippon hitting that portion of the spectrum is exciting because their iconic blend of control and feel stands tall. Not to mention, the weight is one that is playable throughout the set and at no point even in the flex I play did I feel like I had to work to elevate the golf ball even into the demanding long irons of the set.
The thing about shaft reviews is that in the end fit is king and the only way to know if something is going to fit your particular needs is to try them. What I can say though, with the flex and weight options now available throughout the MODUS3 one would be hard pressed not to find a fit. After putting them into play, I have little doubt the Tour115’s will become an exceedingly popular option as people get the opportunity to put them into play.
What do you think? Are the Nippon Shaft MODUS3 Tour115’s a shaft that you will seek out to hit? You can find more information at their website, here.
[QUOTE=”bradyja3, post: 9763493, member: 54411″]
Haha…I don’t blame you. Pretty sweet that they say Prototype on them!
Yeah, I love the 120’s and have played some of my best golf with them. I’ve liked every Modus shaft I have hit. I just want to go to a darker shaft and wish I could see these in person. Would you say that the color in person looks pretty close to what the pictures show on this thread? Also, is the lettering more of a grey color or white?
Thanks for your feedback!
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if you love the 120s, why not seek out a set of the black 120s?
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 9763623, member: 23812″]
if you love the 120s, why not seek out a set of the black 120s?
[/QUOTE]
Those are tough to find.
Great write-up [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] ….lots of great info and details. Unfortunately not a weight profile for me but I can see a lot of golfers gravitating to this weight option. Nippon shafts in my limited time playing were so smooth, just wish my body was agreeable. Thanks again for sharing.
@McLovin I wish I could find them in the 120s. Haven’t had any luck. 🙁
[QUOTE=”Jimmy3864, post: 9763724, member: 16050″]
Great write-up [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] ….lots of great info and details. Unfortunately not a weight profile for me but I can see a lot of golfers gravitating to this weight option. Nippon shafts in my limited time playing were so smooth, just wish my body was agreeable. Thanks again for sharing.
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Thanks buddy. Appreciate you reading!
[QUOTE=”bradyja3, post: 9763925, member: 54411″]
@McLovin I wish I could find them in the 120s. Haven’t had any luck. 🙁
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bummer! i think you mentioned $ taper. that’s a great shaft too. px lz made a black shaft too iirc. or go recoil 125 proto f5 custom!
Hope these come to retail cause the Tours are sick looking but ..$$$$$
hitting these on the range the last couple days. man they are SO good. when the steel come to retail they’re going to be my shaft of choice.
[QUOTE=”rogt, post: 9768943, member: 4632″]
Hope these come to retail cause the Tours are sick looking but ..$$$$$
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Middle of the year, standard finish expected.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 9769018, member: 1579″]
Middle of the year, standard finish expected.
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Thanks will hold off till then.
I’m wanting to get these back into play. I either need to fix the epoxy failures from the bad batch of GolfWorks epoxy, or I need to move them into my 921F or just leave them in the Miura’s :unsure:
I was thinking I need to get mine in play too. I’m finding it really hard to mess with my current setups though. Harder than normal. Seriousness takes a break for me in a couple weeks or so, so maybe I could put them in a set for 4th of July shenanigans and not worry about immediate performance. :unsure:
I’ve decided that once I get some new BB&F ferrules in I’m going to put these into my 921 Forged….. ?
Hoping to install these into my 921 Forged this weekend, I’ve been missing them a bit, need to pull them from the Miura’s.
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 10010616, member: 23812″]
as a club ho, these shafts paired with the honma tr20 heads have done something impressive: shut down my wandering eye. it’s going to take something VERY special to get me to switch.
there’s just something about the 115 that is addictive to me. there’s smoothness with stability. there’s speed and control. i don’t know enough about ei profiles to identify what it is about the 115 that works so well for me, but i want a similar profile in every club in my bag if i can. it’s just so darn good.
the only knock i have is the screen print durability is shite. lots of flaking, whereas the red printed on the steel have never flaked for me. doesn’t affect performance whatsoever, but at the premium these cost i would expect better.
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Do you have the black finish?
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 10016326, member: 23812″]
yes
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Oh man! Those are gorgeous!!!
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 10016384, member: 23812″]
the color is really cool. gunmetal is the best way i can describe it. and the performance is just so damn good.
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I have the same shaft in the 105 and love them. Buddy of mine has the 115 in his Blue Prints and It’s smooooooothhhh. I could easily play them, but I think the 105 is the right weight for me. Mine are the chrome with red though.
The black is stunning.
This is pretty cool too though…. 😉
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[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 10016326, member: 23812″]
yes
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How is the finish holding up? Any chips or scratche?
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 10010616, member: 23812″]
the only knock i have is the screen print durability is shite. lots of flaking, whereas the red printed on the steel have never flaked for me. doesn’t affect performance whatsoever, but at the premium these cost i would expect better.
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It gave every impression of durability, but really, really isn’t. Sucks.
Finally getting my 115’s back in hand today, so naturally I’m thinking about installing them in my 921F’s right before I go on a golf trip :LOL:
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 10019232, member: 23812″]
[USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] i’m pumped for your feedback on these shafts over the golf extravaganza that you have coming!
anyone else try these? anyone else madly in love with these too???
[/QUOTE]
Back in the day, about 15 yrs ago, the 115 was my favorite Nippon shaft.
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 10019232, member: 23812″]
[USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] i’m pumped for your feedback on these shafts over the golf extravaganza that you have coming!
anyone else try these? anyone else madly in love with these too???
[/QUOTE]
I’ve not hit them but maybe 5-6 swings since I wrote the homepage review with them paired in my Miura CB57’s, so it’ll be fun to see if the data in that article holds true in more modern and technical irons!
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 10019269, member: 23812″]
modus 115? i thought it was a new offering?
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They did not call it “Modus 3” at that time. But the model in the day, looking at it, has an old MacGregor MB attached to it is Modus Pro 1150 GH Tour in R flex. I did like that shaft. About 115g.
[QUOTE=”Desmond, post: 10019394, member: 24109″]
They did not call it “Modus 3” at that time. But the model in the day, looking at it, has an old MacGregor MB attached to it is Pro 115 in R flex. I did like that shaft.
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For what it’s worth, that’s not the same shaft as these.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 10019408, member: 1579″]
For what it’s worth, that’s not the same shaft as these.
[/QUOTE]
You are correct. Not the same shaft and I did not intend to imply it was the same shaft. Everything changes. It was my favorite Nippon Shaft in that weight class — Modus Pro 1150 Tour. I went to graphite about 2005-7 or so, but almost did not because of that shaft. Just going down Memory Lane.
I really like Nippon Shafts and felt the need to share.:)
Using the 105 in wedges.
[QUOTE=”Desmond, post: 10019416, member: 24109″]
You are correct. Not the same shaft and I did not intend to imply it was the same shaft. Everything changes. It was my favorite Nippon Shaft in that weight class — Modus Pro 1150 Tour. I went to graphite about 2005-7 or so, but almost did not because of that shaft. Just going down Memory Lane.
I really like Nippon Shafts and felt the need to share.:)
Using the 105 in wedges.
[/QUOTE]
It’s a fantastic weight range for sure, just hits a nice sweet spot for a lot of golfers imo.
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 10018889, member: 23812″]
here’s the 7i. for reference, my clubs are always in the bag and in my trunk. so this chipping is simply going in and out of the bag.
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I find that a little disappointing. I’ve never had issues with any chipping/wear with the red logo on the chrome shafts.
[QUOTE=”JonD, post: 10019493, member: 5907″]
I find that a little disappointing. I’ve never had issues with any chipping/wear with the red logo on the chrome shafts.
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It’s not unheard of. My wedge shafts in the Edel’s have chipped a tiny bit on each.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 10019510, member: 1579″]
It’s not unheard of. My wedge shafts in the Edel’s have chipped a tiny bit on each.
[/QUOTE]
I must be babying them! :LOL: I do mostly use a 14 way bag with full length dividers, which I’m sure helps.
[QUOTE=”JonD, post: 10019535, member: 5907″]
I must be babying them! :LOL: I do mostly use a 14 way bag with full length dividers, which I’m sure helps.
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That’ll definitely help. I hate 14-way bags with a passion. :LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL:
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 10019545, member: 23812″]
agreed. especially for the price. but whatever, it’s fine. they play too well for me to complain about anything.
[/QUOTE]
Amen to that. I’m pretty stoked to be back in my 120s. They’re heavy for sure compared to the 95g graphites, but I definitely missed the feel.
FINALLY I have these back in hand. Got my car back after almost 3 months and these were in the back.
Took the 9i out to hit across the property and with the CB57’s I forgot how silly consistent these were for me when I wrote the review and collected the data within the article linked in the first post. But it came back immediately.
So as much as I want to not mess with the Miura setup, I’m going to pull them tonight and install in the 921 Forged for my Ohio/Myrtle trip next week. Whewwwwww.
Got these installed today. Should be good for some practice tomorrow and then turn the ferrules followed by a regrip and then packed up on an airplane. Theyre getting thrown RIGHT back into the fire.
Hey Jman, I just ordered my 921F with the 115. How did they pair for you compared to the Miuras?