Nippon SPB vs. DGX100 vs. Modus 130

[NicholasP]

I recently decided to do some tinkering with iron shafts due to the crap weather up here, and having the ability to compare numbers on a Mevo plus I acquired for a simulator in my garage. 

 

Little background, play off a 5, been as low as a plus 2.  39 years old, couple kids, work, wife, etc., don't get to play as much as I used to, simulator should help.  5'11", 180 pounds. Driving is my achilles heel, good short game keeps the scores manageable.  105 swing speed with driver, 90 mph 6 iron.  Very quick tempo, medium trajectory, mid to high spin with Everything in the bag.  Been playing X100s for a couple years, prior to that Nippon SPB X flex.  I had a couple sets of heads in minty condition to experiment with.  Enter Nippon SPB X flex soft stepped once, Modus 130 Stiff soft stepped once.  I did this  based on frequency data collected and figured they would play similar flex.  Both sets play off a 29 degree 6 iron, 37.5" length, D4 swing weight.

 

X100's Bridgestone J40 DPC......really the gold standard, consistent, heavy, I personally think they feel fine (not harsh).  6 iron launching at 15 degrees with about 6500k backspin, carry 178, total 182.  Pretty solid overall, just lack any wow  factor in feel.

 

Nippon SPB X softstepped one time Bridgestone J40 DPC......SMOOTH, ball feels softer if that makes sense, little more sense of a kick, but controlled.  6 iron launching at 16 degrees with 5500k backspin, carry 186, total 190.

 

Nippon Modus 130 Stiff Soft Stepped one time Bridgestone J38 Cavity Backs.  Extremely smooth, possibly even more so than the SPB, but really close,  maybe, and I mean a touch different feel than the SPB with the flex feeling closer to the clubhead if that makes sense.  6 iron launching at 16.5 degrees, 5500 backspin, carry 186, 190 total.  

 

What I learned.....for ME, the Nippon SPB and Modus seem nearly identical both in feel and ball flight characteristics.  Both, again, to ME, have a much nicer feel off the face, marshmallow like, or like the ball is staying on the face longer.  LOVE the feel!!  A healthy reduction in spin with both Nippon Shafts, 1000 RPM.  For me.....I like this, most courses I play aren't tour greens, so I have no trouble holding greens, and am happy to pickup a full club.  

 

TP5 X used for all testing.  My favorite is the Modus 130s at this time, of course the real test will come on the course.....but that will have to wait for some better weather.  Long story short, if you like X100 and are looking for a little more feel, little less spin.  Or have a hard time finding SPBs but love the feel, I highly recommend the Modus 130.  And of course a couple pics of the new sticks.....