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.
I think the decision to sort of blend the 105 and 120 is pretty huge here, and getting lost in the shuffle of just being another option. Nippon doesn’t halfway anything, and these have had some extensive time and development put into them
Filllllllthy!
I’m confused how you see this shaft as a blend of 105/120 when the EI curve shows this shaft to be a hybrid of the 105/125. I just don’t see any 120 influence in this shaft. The 115 has stiffer tip and butt section than the 105 but these sections are softer than the 125. Again, according to the EI curve, the 115’s mid section is a nearly the same or fraction stiffer than the 105’s mid section. The video attached explains the differences and I think the 115 will be the middle ground.
View attachment 8974929View attachment 8974929View attachment 8974938
Simple typos dude, I get going fast and these things happen, I am human after all.
Going back and checking my paper notes for the article, I wrote 125 each time, but typing went 120. Many apologies.
All good Jman! I’ve made my share of mistakes too.
I really need to get my hands on a set of these because i liked the 105 but I bet I’d love these.
There’s a lot to like. I really do mean that, both from a weight and profile perspective.
Oh, I just want the sleek black shafts. There’s more to it?!
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
Of course more reviews are always wanted. The idea was simply to use this great review thread to help those searching find them in the same place
Will do
I am very excited to hit these. I am torn though on using these. I tried my absolute hardest to get a set in chrome as well so I don’t have to use these. I may wait to see if any of my golfers wants a set and then have them do the testing between them all. The black looks so good, it’s got a great finish to it and I’ve always disliked the red labeling so this is a welcome look for me.
View attachment 8976707
It’s too early to say anything about durability, but they look and feel like very different finishes when handling and prepping/installing them.
They look a lot better in my opinion and the black looks very similar to the px blackout shafts in that pic
View attachment 8976715
It’s WAY lighter, with more of a copper&gray chrome, than a PX blackout. Closest, but still different, to a KBS black pvd like on $-taper, Hi-Rev, etc of what I have nearby. It’s really a cool color that changes depending on the light.
Modus
PX Blackout
New Modus 115
KBS black pvd
KBS Custom gloss black
KBS Custom matte black
True Temper onyx
Hope that helps. My instinct is that it will be much more durable than the flatter modus black. It’s a thinner coating, that seems much more fine, and applied in maybe a different way. It doesn’t scrape or sand at all in the same way as… just about anything else on that counter.
your work room is like a candy store for golfers
Thanks for the pic, I really like the look of these and may have to try get my hands on a set. Not sure I can stomach the price this close to Xmas though
115 in irons and 125 a flex down in wedges could be a very potent combo.
I also hope the modus 130 profile will eventually get a lighter option.
Why do I feel like any heads I would put them in would just be temporary placeholders for the MB’s? I don’t want to swap out the IO’s yet, but I can’t get this combo out of my head. They just look right together.. ?
whoa. those look amazing.
View attachment 8977141
View attachment 8977142
noice. looking forward to your thoughts!
Im kind of baiting @Canadan here : )
Although I am looking forward to shafting them up and playing a sim round this weekend.
How dare you, sir.
looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this combo, do you have any shafts that u will or can compare these too in the forged head? Any chance u have experience with px lz’s?
Plenty of experience with the LZs and enjoyed those a lot.
View attachment 8987996
That is a great looking shaft.
it was SO NICE to have the modus feel back in my hands. this 115 feels exactly as advertised: the smoothness of the 120 with the speed of the 105. it’s my goldilocks porridge: just right. too bad these black shafts were a limited offering, because i would love to have them in everything i can get my hands on.
i haven’t hit a golf ball in about a month thanks to holidays and covid. but my speed with this setup was still 88-90mph with a 7i, which is as fast if not faster than the elevate 105 stiff i have in my mav pro. launch and spin were very good. this is seriously just about the most perfect fit for me i have tried in a long time.
Any more info, or thoughts on these? Wish they were a option for the new Apex21 irons. Trying to decide to go another route, PXLZ maybe and get out of the 105’s, but really like some of the info found on the 115’s.
i went to the range again today. i must have left my swing in the car though because it was ugly. i did button a few, and the 115s are just so SMOOTH.
i’ve been one of many huge fans of nippon for a long time. 950 and 1050 gh are some of my favorite shafts ever. i was in modus 120 for awhile, then went to 105 when i lost speed. along the way i have tested 125 and 130. 130 is the only nippon shaft i’ve actively disliked. all the others i love! but my favorite feeling has always been the 120. the 105 feels fast, but it has lacked the smooth feeling for me. the 115 gives me everything i could ask for. and the limited edition black is just so mean.
Killing me. I am getting older but really still like the 105’s in my Apex19, even with them being bent weak they are getting distance like I want, but in my extra set of Pro19’s they just spun and ballooned way to much, thought the heavier 115 might help with the pros from research, and would like to get a set of ApexPro21’s and debating on shafts. More research coming I guess.
I’m a huge 120 fan as well. If my graphite experiment doesn’t work out, these will be high on the list for me to try.
hmmm, A LOT different? no, i wouldn’t say so. i think @Jman has also spent some time with the 115 and can comment. to me, the 115 feels surprisingly like the 120. i have the 120 in a gw that i can take to the range tonight and put against the 115 in a pw. i’ll report back!
fyi the 115 is not black, per se. it’s more of a gunmetal to my eye. i think it’s gorgeous.
If you don’t mind, that would be great! I’m interested to see if you notice any big differences. Like I said, I love my 120x shafts but want a different color other than chrome. It’s hard to drop $400+ on the 115’s without hitting them, which is why I am looking for some feedback. @Jman Do you have any feedback on the 115’s compared to the 120’s? Thanks!
I’ll circle back to this when I get home here in a few hours if that’s ok!
Sounds great. Thanks man!
my 115 is in an iron, with a heavy grip.
the 120 is in a wedge, with a lighter grip.
so swingweights are different.
i did not notice any difference in flight. i hit the gw a little better, but the smoothness was pretty much identical. i still say the 115 is just about perfect.
Thanks for the information. Good to know. I wish the color of the shaft was a little darker. Maybe the pictures make it look lighter than it actually is but it doesn’t look like it’s very dark at all. I’ve got some decisions to make. Trying to decide if I should go with the 115’s or possibly the KBS $ Taper 125 S+ shafts. @Jman Any feedback on the 115’s from your end?
Beyond the review?
To me they’re more akin to the 125 than the 120, which was the intent of the design, sort of meshing the 105 and 125. To me and in my experience, they’re more stout in the hands and more stable feeling overall.
Haha. Great review by the way! Trying to get as much info. as possible before I pull the trigger….they are expensive! Do you personally like the color of them or would you prefer a more black shaft?
I actually prefer the chrome in these, but I’m biased since my set say prototype on them so I can be a bigger golf geek
The black ones in hand though man….beauties.
They’re great shafts, truly. Nippon doesn’t put anything out that’s not truly a damn good design.
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!