-Press Release, Carlsbad, Calif.

Nippon Shaft today introduced a new graphite shaft designed specifically for the driver that successfully blends the traits of easy launch, higher trajectory and less spin, resulting in a more penetrating ball flight and greater distance off the tee.

The N.S. PRO Regio formula graphite driver shaft series was developed to translate the qualities of Nippon Shaft’s highly successful N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 120 steel shaft for irons into a graphite shaft for the driver.

“A lot of companies have tried unsuccessfully to create a graphite driver shaft that provides easy launch, higher trajectory and less spin,” said Hiro Fukuda, head of sales and marketing for Nippon Shaft. “With the N.S. PRO Regio formula graphite driver shaft series, Nippon Shaft has done it.

“What it comes down to is, the N.S. PRO Regio graphite shaft will give golfers what they all want: more distance,” Fukuda said.

The new shaft is available immediately through Shaftology, Nippon Shafts Authorized Installation Center Network, in 55, 65 and 75 gram weights and traditional flex ranges. Information on custom club dealers can be found at www.nipponshaft.com.

The N.S. PRO Regio shaft features a stiff tip section, a soft mid-section and a soft butt section, Fukuda said. This is the same shaft profile as the Tour 120 steel shaft.

In 2012, Nippon Shaft recorded more than 50 victories on professional golf tours worldwide, as the best players in the world increasingly chose to install in their irons steel shafts manufactured in Japan to unparalleled quality standards.

In addition to producing three victories, PGA TOUR players recorded a multitude of top 25 finishes while using Nippon Shaft products. In addition, the winner of the PGA TOUR qualifying tournament used Nippon Shaft steel shafts in his irons.

Nippon Shaft won the U.S. Senior Open and the Senior PGA Championship, and earned three additional Senior European Tour wins, two European Tour wins, and a victory in a European Challenge Tour event.

Nippon Shaft products are available either as stock or custom shafts in many of the world’s top iron brands. In addition, Nippon Shaft products are available through Shaftology – Nippon Shaft’s dedicated clubfitter network – and through the custom club departments of top club manufacturers.

Nippon Shaft manufactures all of its steel and graphite shafts in a state-of-the-art factory at its headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. The company’s integrated production lines are strictly monitored and controlled with thorough checks conducted responsibly through the entire production process, Fukuda said. As a result, Nippon Shaft is able to control high product quality – from material selection to final testing.

Nippon Shaft has more than 200 professional victories worldwide, including more than 50 in 2012. Based in Yokohama, Japan, Nippon Shaft is the No. 1-selling steel shaft in Asia.

Nippon Shaft is a privately-held subsidiary of NHK Spring Co. LTD, a Japanese automobile parts manufacturer. Nippon Shaft’s North American headquarters is in Carlsbad.