50 Words or Less
The Nippon Modus Hybrid HL shaft offers the consistency of the original Modus Hybrid shaft but with higher launch. Smooth, controlled feel.
Introduction
If you want to see your hybrid dispersion shrink, Nippon’s Modus Hybrid shaft has been an easy and obvious recommendation since it was released. The problem for many players – myself included – is that it’s simply too low launching. Most golfers need a higher ball flight to optimize their distance and land shots softly on the green. For those players, there’s the new Nippon Modus Hybrid HL.
Test the Nippon Modus Hybrid HL for yourself HERE
Looks
Aesthetically, the new Nippon Modus Hybrid HL is identical to the original Modus Hybrid shaft [review HERE]. Both feature a matte black finish that allows for a totally distraction-free address look if you opt for a logo-down installation. The primary graphic is the same that we see on all the Modus iron shafts, but in this case it’s white on black, which really pops. Below that, the graphite on steel technology is called out, with the acronym “G O S T” in red letters for a subtle visual kick.
Feel
The feel of the Nippon Modus Hybrid HL was exactly what I expected. The tip section had the strong feel that I remembered from the original, but the overall sensation was smooth. This is clearly the most active of the Modus Hybrid shafts, but it’s tight and controlled overall.
Another hallmark of the GOST construction is the muted feel of mishits. Used in a utility iron, this shaft went a long way to making thin shots feel better than they should. To me, this combination of graphite and steel is the best of both worlds. It’s controlled like steel but smooth and forgiving like graphite.
Performance
I loved (almost) everything about the original Modus Hybrid shaft. It felt great, it looked cool, and the dispersion was as good as I’ve ever seen from a hybrid. I felt like I always knew exactly where the ball was going to end up. The only problem was the launch. As a low launching player, the original Modus Hybrid just didn’t give me the optimized distance and soft landings that I needed.
The Nippon Modus Hybrid HL solves that problem for me. True to its name, it launches the ball noticeably higher than the standard Modus Hybrid. It’s not going to send the ball to the moon, but it finds a window that’s much closer to optimal for most golfers. While fitting is always the key to getting the right shaft, this is an obvious first choice when picking shafts off the wall to try.
This added height is gained without giving up the signature consistency and accuracy of the Modus Hybrid. Even though it has a softer tip than the other Modus Hybrid shafts, I didn’t have to worry about the HL going hard left. I could even hit a draw with confidence. Super aggressive swingers will still be better served by one of the more stout Modus Hybrid shafts, but the Modus Hybrid HL has exceptional accuracy for the vast majority of golfers.
The Nippon Modus Hybrid HL is offered in just one configuration at the time of this writing. It’s 41″ long and weighs 91 grams uncut. This is the same weight as the S and Tour S flexes and 10 grams lighter than the X. The tip diameter is .370 which will fit in almost all hybrids and most utility irons.
Conclusion
While many golf products have hyperbolic names, the Nippon Modus Hybrid HL simply tells you what it is. Accomplished golfers know and trust the Modus name to deliver strong, consistent performance, and the Modus Hybrid HL does that with added launch. If you love the feel and predictability of the Modus Hybrid but need a higher ball flight, this is perfect for you.