Monthly Archives: February 2014

Aldila RIP Nasty Long Golf Shaft Review

ALDILA RIP Phenom Nasty Long

By John Dranschak
Dead Solid Perfect Golf Clubs, Columbus, Ohio

AldilaPhenomNLImageLike many designs from Aldila, the Rip Phenom Nasty Long has profiles matched fit to the anticipated use of the shaft weight. The 60 gram version is a higher launching design than the 70 gram model. The design profile is similar to the RIP line and the RIP NV,where we see a reversal of the mid stiffness, compared to the original NV. However the Nasty long takes this to a new level, with the mid stiffness staying constant or slightly increasing from about 25″  to near 15″. This gives a much stiffer mid and upper tip section before declining again as it progressed toward the tip. AldilaNLEiGjTbAldilaNLDeflectionsRadial quality is excellent and is suitable for the popular adjustable drivers. The low torques of the Tour shafts provides good tip stability for higher swing speeds.  

Performance Testing

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The  performance of the Aldila Phenom Nasty long was conducted using a Foresight Launch Monitor. Joe Stago, a PGA Professional at Golftec (Easton) in Columbus, OH hit the 60S and 70S versions of the shaft.  Joe’s comments follow:

AldilaNLDeflectionPhenom Nasty Long 60S – This shaft really performed well with my normal swing. It felt a little stiffer than the RIP NV, which feels good,  but it certainly gave me excellent performance. I like to hit a slight draw and I was able to hit that shot with little effort and it gave me the launch and spin I was looking for.

Phenom Nasty Long 70S – This shaft performed very well, but I had to work really hard to make it perform. I can make it work but it is probably a little too heavy for me with my normal swing. I prefer lighter feeling shafts and this would not be my first choice but it performed as well as the 60S, it just took a little more effort than I prefer.

Shimada Iron Shafts

Shimada Iron Golf Shaft

By Russ Ryden, A Golf Digest America’s 100 Best Clubfitter
Fit2Score, Dallas Fort Worth, Texas

In response to a request from a viewer, the Shimada iron shaft data available on my old shaft review page has been resurrected. it has been some time since I measured these and some of the data now shown in the current reviews is not available. The review samples are no where to be found in the shop.

Siimada_EIDfTb

The profiles look much like the new TourTemper XP 95 S flex design, That same design is available in different weights and stiffness.