Back in January, we detailed the release of an extremely unique design coming to market under the TRUE Sports umbrella of companies. This time however, the colliding of worlds with True Temper and Steelfiber wasn’t about irons, but driver shafts. Sure, once upon a time Steelfiber produced shafts for woods, but that was before their acquisition and absolutely nothing like what is going on under the hood with the new release which they have named Nexus.
Recently, THP and True Temper have joined forces to put both models of the new Nexus into the hands of our members for community testing which you can follow along with here. However, we also thought it made sense to take a closer look at how the two models, Nexus Black and Nexus Blue, compare to each other with our own testing.
Quick Take
There is nothing out there quite like the Nexus shaft duo. While each hits its own specific launch and spin segment, the application of Steelfiber in the upper section of the shafts creates a different level of stability under the hands. The Blue brings ample launch and playability for those seeking ease and speed, while the Black blends power and precision in a unique way that differentiates it from both its sibling, and other low/low classified designs.
The Education Zone
What Makes Nexus Different
True Temper believes wholeheartedly that the Nexus designs are a new milestone in driver shaft innovation. By taking all that they have learned about and created from Project X and blending it with the power of Steelfiber, the goal was to create two distinct designs which optimize performance for very different player types.
The uniqueness comes with how Steelfiber has been applied. Rather than trying to construct an entire driver/wood shaft composed of nothing but the material, they have taken it and placed it under the hands of both Nexus models. That means that the mid and tip sections are still comprised of the cutting edge composite engineering which is expected from True Temper and Project X, but with the incredible stability of Steelfiber.
Steelfiber Nexus Blue
The Nexus Blue is aimed at golfers looking to increase launch and add overall carry potential. It uses 2K Steelfiber under the grip while working to a more active tip-section. This design looks to achieve ample feel while keeping the weight light, all without sacrificing downrange accuracy.
According to True Temper, the Blue is mid launch and mid spin design that suits a moderate tempo. It is most definitely a lightweight option, and the highest flex offered is S (58g) which was chosen for this particular review. During testing, the Blue proved to be a bit of an enigmatic presence as even though it boasts a 4.0 torque rating and sub 60g weight, it does things one wouldn’t expect from such a design when looking at it on paper.
As you will see from the data above, the Nexus Blue has no issues at launching the ball. As a high ball hitter from the tee by nature, this certainly kept to that, but for most golfers I would say it does situate itself into that “mid” category it claims. For spin, it was spot on with the claims, even in a driver head like the Cobra DS Adapt MAX-K. Not the flattest trajectory to the apex, it was a very stress free experience in getting the downrange from the tee.
The real story though comes from the unique blend of energy flow and how it at the same time has shocking stability under the handle. With the application of the 2K Steelfiber it is not as stout in the handle as the black, but it nonetheless allowed this reviewer to still go after the golf ball without feeling like it wouldn’t keep up.
The Specs
Steelfiber Nexus Black
Then, we have the Nexus Black. Just like you would expect from any driver shaft with “Black” in the name, this is the one aimed at the stronger swingers. It aims to be a low launch and low spin design, that has more “traditional” weighting with both 60 and 70 series options. The name of the game here is extreme stability made possible by using 3K Steelfiber under the hands that blends into mid and tip sections showcasing high-modulus carbon for a piercing trajectory with maximum control.
For this specific review, testing was done with the Nexus Black 60X. To the point, it was absolutely eye opening just how the Nexus Black blends a strong flight with high stability and still having a noticeable efficiency in how it transfers energy in the swing. No matter what driver head or loft it was plugged into, the Nexus Black had a flight which was much flatter as it worked to the apex, while the Blue in the section above had a bit more curvature to its peak point.
Though the data clearly backs up the designs claim as a low-low driver shaft, there is honestly no comparison which comes to mind in how point and shoot this specific setup felt. The 3K material under the hands reminds one of the super low torque putter shaft designs out there where it just feels like the hands are directly attached to the clubhead. However, unlike those, in the swing there is an understated but highly efficient transfer of energy that occurs.
Though there is nothing out there to compare it to in terms of feel, it still possesses the same feeling that all the best low-low driver shafts have in how the harder you turn on it, the more it just smiles and asks for more.
The Specs
The Details
If you came here hoping to read something about one of the two new Nexus models being better than the other, then sorry, but not sorry. The reality is that these are two very unique designs which have entirely different target audiences. What stands out, is how the application of a material as stout as Steelfiber has been applied into such different profiles but still manages to be so similar in how it impacts the overall stability of each. All in all, they are both must tries if you have the access to do so, because that is the only way to truly understand their uniqueness.
True Tempers new Steelfiber Nexus Blue and Nexus Black driver shafts are available now with the price point for each coming in at $299. For more information visit their website at truetempersports.com.
