NGS Japan Releases 40t 50t 80t D Rev Shaft Lineup!

NGS, a premium Japanese shaft maker who has brought us their top performing shafts in the past like the Mach Line Proto series and D Rev Tour lines has decided to join the high grade carbon market with the launch of their new D Rev lineup. High Modulus carbon has been all the rage in Japan over the last few years with brands like Crazy, Quadra Composite Techno, Muziik Bangvoo and Honma offering shafts produced with higher quality carbon materials than pretty much every other brand in golf.

So how does carbon grading work? Shafts are created with carbon fibers weaved together, and these fibers are measured by their modulus of elasticity in tension. Typical golf shafts are around 24t or 30t, the measurement of tensile strength. These lower grade shafts are more flexible and because of this the shaft is slow to regain its original shape on the downswing creating inconsistent impact where a player must rely heavily on timing due to the flexibility of the shaft.

As the tensile strength increases, the carbon weaves are more dense, more rigid and return more quickly to their original shape. The flex and rebound of the shaft becomes more predictable equaling more consistent shots and much tighter dispersion. The higher tensile ratings ratings in golf shafts are also related to the higher grades containing more glass and metal particles which are more rigid while lower grades containing more flexible rubber particles. Higher grade carbon shafts provide more feel and explosiveness, even though they use those tightly weaved, denser carbon weaves, typically high grade carbon shafts have very active and thinner wall sections which lead to very high but controlled elasticity.

NGS will be offering 3 high carbon models, the D Rev Rey, D Rev Seve and D Rev BB.

The Rey is their top of the line model featuring full length 80t carbon reinforced with a 4 axis weave. The Rey is designed for balanced distance performance and stability and is aimed at the faster and more aggressive swinger and better player. Ranging from SR S to X flex and 65-67.5 grams as well as 3.3* of torque for all flexes, the Rey is a firm shaft throughout its length especially from the center towards the butt. According to my shaft bible, the S Flex of the Rey CPM’s out 5 cycles higher than the already pretty stiff Crazy TJ-80 S flex!  The Rey is a mid trajectory shaft and can handle even the strongest players trying to muscle it.

The Seve is their second full length 80t model and it is designed to produce maximum elasticity and energy transfer for maximum distance performance. The Seve has a softer butt than the
Rey and similar center stiffness. The tip however is not as firm as the Rey for a slightly higher launch and more active kick at impact.  Torque is slightly higher at 3.6* and the SR and S flex are 58 and 60 grams respectively. Again it CPM’s out as high as the Crazy TJ-80 and the Rey but this is really a trend we see at TSG with higher grade carbon, they tend to CPM out high but don’t necessarily play that way (again showing that CPM is just a reference).

The third model is the BB which is aimed at more mortal golfers ie the average golfer and improving player.  The BB itself is available in 3 weights the 45, 55 and 65.  The BB features a double mix of 40t and 50t carbon for an explosive impact, higher launch and larger kick sensation.  The BB45 is a sub 50g shaft that looks to compete with the Royal Decoration shaft from Crazy. The BB45 is available in A, R and SR flexes ranging from 47-49g. The BB55 is available in R, SR and S flexes. The BB55 was tested out in the shaft bible and showed to have average butt and tip stiffness but a softer mid section which results in the shafts feel and kick. The BB55 CPM’ed out quite a bit lower than the Rey and Seve (nearly 30 cpm lower for a similar S flex). The BB65 is available in R, SR and S flexes in low to mid 60g range. Looking at the BB and its distribution of flex across the shaft it looks to benefit the smoother swinger who battles the right side and is looking for more of a draw and more distance.

We’re looking forward here at TSG to getting a chance to test these shafts out. NGS has made some great shafts and with their shaft making expertise these should be great performers.  The Rey and Seve retail for around 695.00 with a street price at TSG of about 575.00 while the BB retails at 595.00 with a street price of about 495.00 at TSG. Look for the new NGS shafts in the Pro Shop soon!