Nippon 950 Neo Shaft

Nippon 950 Neo Shaft

In March 1999, the Nippon PRO 950GH shaft burst onto the market and became the champion of lightweight steel shafts because of its superior club control and shot distance.

And that was made possible by a sub-100 gram iron shaft!

Over the past 20 years, it has become part of the arsenal of over 250 professional tournament winners.

It’s the best-selling and most successful lightweight steel shaft in tour history. And then the brand went one further and released the Nippon 950 neo. Is the newer version worth upgrading to?

Let’s look at the neo’s properties, strengths and weaknesses. We’ll also look at which kind of player it will match with.

Nippon 950 Neo Shaft Overview

In the 20 years since the launch of the Nippon PRO 950GH, larger iron heads with strong lofts and lower centres of gravity have become popular.

They lessen the spin and give harder landings for the amateur golfers. And so, the Nippon 950 neo shaft was developed to meet this growing trend.

The neo still has the excellent handling and directional accuracy that the PRO 950 GH does, but it matches current ironhead technology.

It has been created with the patented processes of Multi Heat Treatment Technology (MHT), and Multi-Shape Adjustment Technology (MSA), which makes for durability.

We found it to look impressive—with a standout aesthetic to easily identify between your other clubs—and perform well.

Why is the Nippon 950 Neo so Popular?

Yes, the Nippon Neo 950 is incredibly popular.

Mostly, this is due to both its balance of flexibility and rigidity which results in smooth wrist action, and increased peak trajectory and spin.

This, in turn, gets players controlled additional distances.

For both amateur players and experienced pros, this shaft has shown its value.

How Does the Nippon 950 Neo Perform?

Nippon 950 Neo Shaft1

The Nippon 950 neo gives a sharp, light and flexible swing, with satisfying follow-through.

Thanks to a sturdy swing through you’ll have excellent spin for a good landing.

It has a high-performance shaft, and gives all-round flexibility at a light weight.

Even as an amateur, you’ll be able to lift the ball higher and farther with ease and get the ball to land just where you want it to on the green. And you get this without using a weighty shaft!

This accuracy is what draws both amateur and professional golfer.

Nippon 950 neo Shaft Specs Table

Weight 94.5, 97, 98, 104 grams
Flexes Regular, F/R, stiff, X
Length 3i – 9i and PW
Butt .600”
Tip .35 taper

Details on the Flexes

The flexes come in 4 sizes:

  • Regular
  • F/R
  • Stiff
  • X

The uncut weights are 94.5, 97. 98 and 104 grams respectively.

First Impressions

Nippon 950 Neo Shaft2

The neo is lightweight, and has a trendy look, with the logo embedded in the shaft.

Because there’s no sticker, it doesn’t rub off or result in bothersome edges coming loose over time. It’s a metallic green colour which is rather unique and easy to identify.

The grip is extraordinarily comfortable, and fits most hands. It’s actually a bit smaller than on some shafts, but this can be a plus as you may experience it to be softer when you play.

Many players, no matter what head you use, may see improvements in their game. Let’s discuss why.

Key Features & Performance

The neo’s shaft is more rigid, giving more flex at the tip.

Even when you use strong lofted iron heads, you still get a soft landing. You will have the perfect spin rate with a wide variety of heads.

Not only does the neo have a strong loft, but a larger face. Both rigidity and flexibility have been distributed throughout the neo shaft.

The rigidity gives a firmer shot, and the flexibility a smoother swing.

It has a firmer tip, which gives a 1° to 2° higher launch for mid to high trajectory. You benefit from a firmer midsection, which stabilizes newer clubheads throughout the swing.

The neo has a standard grip – .600”. Even when attached to the long irons, where the centre of gravity is far from the head, it still gives superior performance. In addition to that, the grip section is soft.

It’s 95g in weight and has a flowing ‘kick-point’ configuration. The kick point is further down the shaft than what you’ll find on the 950 GH.

Its smooth swing is felt with every stroke, either a soft one or one where you give it some heft.

You have a lot more control of your swing and therefore the ball when playing with the Nippon NS Pro 950GH neo.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Smooth and steady swing
  • Stable
  • Shaft more rigid in centre
  • Tip has more flex
  • Firmer feel
  • Adds more launch height
  • Playable for broader range of swing speeds

Cons

  • Too light for some
  • It can be too rigid for some players
  • Expensive price range

Nippon 950 Neo Shaft

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Who Should Buy it?

This shaft is ideal for any golfer that uses iron heads with stronger lofts and large heads.

It enables an amateur to hit with consistency and accuracy and will give you the professional touch you seek.

It’s for the golfer wanting to drop the weight of their iron shafts, while at the same time raising their trajectory.

The Nippon 950 neo shaft is also for the professional as part of your arsenal, especially if you like the accuracy and assurance it gives.

Conclusion

Nippon 950 Neo Shaft3

The Nippon 950 neo shaft has been manufactured to fill a gap in the market.

It is lightweight, yet gives accurate swings. It can do so throughout all the range of heights and swing speeds. You can launch higher, and spin better.

This shaft is very versatile and will suit all your iron needs should you try it out. You can’t go wrong with this, either as an amateur or a professional.

However, an amateur is more likely to find the greatest pleasure in it due to its accuracy and firmer feel. It’s a one-size-fits-all approach that will suit the mid-range golfer and some professionals.

By catering for such a wide range of players, this shaft is sure to become as famous as its predecessor.

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