Nippon Shaft will introduce its new N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 130 steel shafts this week at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, officials announced today. The product will be available Feb. 1.

Nippon Shaft’s N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 130 already has two PGA TOUR victories, an Asian Tour win, and a crucial European singles victory in last year’s Ryder Cup. Five PGA Tour players regularly use the shaft, and 10 more are testing it, officials said.

“The Tour 130s already have delivered exceptional performance in the highest levels of competition,” said Hiro Fukuda, head of sales and marketing for Nippon Shaft. “We can’t wait to get them into the hands of other Tour players as well as low-and-mid handicap golfers looking to improve their performance.”

Fukuda noted that Nippon Shaft already has produced several high-quality steel shafts based on feedback received from Tour pros. The company has had representatives traveling to nearly all PGA TOUR events since 2010.

“The Nippon Shaft N.S. PRO MODUS3 Tour 130 is the most advanced product we have designed since we began working closely with the world’s best Tour players to develop the best shafts in the world,” Fukuda said.

“The purpose of the Tour 130 is to deliver optimum control over three modes of ball flight: trajectory, distance and direction,” Fukuda said.

Low rigidity of the tip of the shaft contributes to higher trajectories, according to Fukuda. A highly rigid mid-section helps with distance control by smoothly transferring the shaft load through impact, minimizing shaft wobble. Directional control is achieved through a highly rigid, distinctive butt section design, which improves timing in the downswing and creates a solid yet soft impact feel.

“The Tour 130 features an easy launch, Tour-level spin, and a high, penetrating trajectory,” Fukuda said. “We are very excited to introduce these new shafts and make them available to golfers who appreciate the difference great, well-fitted shafts can make toward helping them play their best golf.”

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.