Nippon NS Pro Zelos 8 Shaft Review - Specs, Flex, Weight

Nippon NS Pro Zelos 8 Shaft Review – Specs, Flex, Weight

Over the years I have come to realize just how diverse Nippon’s steel shaft portfolio really is.

When I first started reviewing golf gear, I was familiar with Nippon as a brand but I only really knew about the Pro Modus shaft.

And with that point of reference, I foolishly assumed that they specialized in heavy-weight steel iron shafts. But the truth is that they make a wide variety of steel shafts with varying profiles. The NS Pro Zelos 8 is proof that Nippon not only makes excellent heavy-weight shafts; but are also revolutionizing the emerging lightweight steel shaft market.

Nippon NS Pro Zelos 8 Shaft Overview

I read all the specs before I actually got my hands on the Nippon NS Pro Zelos 8.

So I knew it was going to be a lightweight steel shaft. What I didn’t expect was how rigid it would feel. I don’t mean rigid in a negative way at all. Whatever steel they used for this shaft is remarkable because it feels stout without being heavy. As advertised, the NS Pro Zelos 8 feels light but provides the stability of a shaft 10 grams heavier.

The bend point is near the tip but you can feel the entire shaft flex during transition. The NS Pro Zelos 8 doesn’t work against your more powerful swings by being too rigid. Nor does it feel noodly when you really put some mustard on it. It strikes a really good balance of flex and form retention.

Everyone knows that lighter shafts will help you get your club head speed up. Just like everyone knows that lighter shafts also tend to be too loose for fast swingers. But I would contend that the Nippon NS Pro Zelos 8, as a lightweight shaft, would actually work for fast swingers without feeling too loose. It’s a really remarkable shaft that would work in the hands of a wide variety of golfers.

As far as looks go, there’s nothing to write home about here. The NS Pro Zelos 8 has a polished chrome finish with a blue band in the middle containing the “NS Pro” lettering. It looks clean and the blue branding is a refreshing departure from the red letters I have come to associate with Nippon shafts.

Why is the NS Pro Zelos 8 So Popular?

The NS Pro Zelos 8 is as high-performing as a lightweight steel iron shaft gets.

Golfers similar to me would flock to this shaft because it really only has one chink in its armor…

How Does the NS Pro Zelos 8 Perform?

The one weakness I found in the performance of this shaft had to do with dispersion.

The dispersion was not as tight as what one would expect from a heavy steel iron shaft. But even then, I had to check myself because I was treating the NS Pro Zelos 8 like a heavy steel shaft when it wasn’t. But in every other respect, the NS Pro Zelos 8 performs like a heavy steel shaft so it was hard to shift my perception.

The dispersion doesn’t quite measure up to say, the Modus shafts. But for an 80g weight class shaft it is still really good. The active tip is likely what makes it a bit more difficult to keep the ball on-line. Still, the widest divergence I got during my testing was 15 yards off-line – not great but not bad either.

In every other way, the NS Pro Zelos 8 was great. It played long for me, it increased my club head speed, increased my smash factor and retained stability on mis-hits. Plus, I didn’t have to adjust my swing to avoid digging like I usually do with heavy steel shafts.

Nippon NS Pro Zelos 8 Shaft Specs

Specs	NS Pro Zelos 8
Available flexes	Regular, stiff
Weight	84g, 87.5g
Butt	.580”
Tip	.355”
Length	35”-38.5”

What Flexes Are Available? What Swing Speeds Do They Suit?

Players on the 75-85 MPH swing speed spectrum should check out the NS Pro Zelos 8 in regular flex. Stiff flex may be more beneficial for 86-95 MPH swingers.

What Weights Are Available? What Swing Speeds Do They Suit?

The 84g version may be a good play for 75-85 MPH swingers while the 87.5g version may be more suitable for 86-95 MPH swing speed golfers.

Why is it So Good?

I really liked that the torque was nice and low.

You usually don’t see 2.2 or 2.3 degree torque on shafts this light which is a testament to the advanced steel they used for this shaft.

NS Pro Zelos 8 First Impressions

I was impressed that a steel shaft could flex so smoothly across the entire length.

The NS Pro Zelos 8 really has a unique feel in the hands and on the downswing.

Key Features & Performance

The NS Pro Zelos 8 is made of something called NZNS60 which is a special type of steel. While I’m no scientist, this is what I suspect enables the NS Pro Zelos 8 to be so light and play so stably.

NS Pro Zelos 8 Irons Review

The activity in the long irons is controlled yet it adds power to your swing. The rigidity really comes in handy in the scoring irons as well.

NS Pro Zelos 8 Wedges Review

I was getting ample launch when I plugged the Nippon NS Pro Zelos 8 shaft into my test wedge. Good feel, feedback and stopping power.

NS Pro Zelos 8 Pros & Cons

Pros:

Lightweight steel
Great for different kinds of players
Stable flight
Mostly mid launch
Excellent club head speed

Cons:

Dispersion could be tighter

Overall Score: 98/100

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Who Should Buy it?

The NS Pro Zelos 8 is a viable shaft for moderate and fast swing speeds alike.

And whether you have a fast or deliberate tempo, the Nippon NS Pro Zelos 8 plays consistently long and stable. And of course, the NS Pro Zelos 8 is great for anyone who wants the accuracy of steel with the weight of graphite.