TPT Nitro Shaft
Thin Ply Technologies, or better known as TPT Golf to this audience, brings a unique approach in carbon fiber production to the golf industry based on their years of experience in producing lightweight and durable premium carbon fibers for the aerospace industry, Formula 1, and America’s Cup yachts! TPT uses an automated wrapping process in the construction of their golf shafts that results in consistent builds and a spineless design. This, in theory, should result in better results for golfers and better feel. The new TPT Nitro shaft is designed to have a lighter “weight to torque” ratio to help keep dispersion tight at lighter weights.
The Looks
When I look at the TPT Nitro shaft, I get somewhat of a “yellow caution tape” vibe. The base layer of the shaft is similar to what I’ve seen in previous TPT shafts where the “raw” black carbon fiber has a sort of “liquid wood grain” to it. On top of that is a new yellow TPT logo and a yellow decorative graphic. Just beneath the graphic is a light brass-ish “Driver 15/Hi” wordmark indicating the shaft model. The 15/Hi s your indicator of the shaft’s weight, flight, torque, and flex. Rather than list it all out, I suggest looking at the table on TPT’s website to understand the values. We’ll discuss this more later.
How Does it Feel?
If there’s one thing I’ve noticed about TPT Golf shafts over the years, it’s that they feel extremely smooth. The Nitro feels a little stout as a lower torque shaft, but the energy load and release is very smooth. The smooth load and release is also fairly tight making you feel more in control of the shot. I felt like the kick point was pretty central, but was generally gradual to go along with that smooth feel. My assumption is that this overall profile could vary slightly depending on the model number you choose.
This is where I have a couple important recommendations. First, make sure you consult the chart on the TPT product page (for any of their shafts) as combinations of weight, flex, torque, flight, etc vary and there is a wide range of “numbers” to choose from. Understanding the different values is critical in knowing what you’re getting. Which brings me to my next recommendation – go get fit! TPT Golf shafts are premium parts that are fairly unique and on the pricey side. A good fitter will be able to guide you through the process of getting the correct balance of feel and performance so you make a wise investment and don’t have to understand all of the different values of the shaft.
On-Course Performance
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry (Yds) | Total (Yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 114.3 | 170.3 | 9.4º | 2117 | 272.7 | 306 |
Though TPT lists the Nitro 15/Hi as a mid-launch shaft, I found the low torque and tight feel to consistently be a pretty piercing, low launching option. It might just be my swing, but as you can see in the data above, I was keeping the ball nice and low with ease. I definitely would NOT say that the ball was falling out of the sky, but I certainly wasn’t going to be worried about any ballooning. The advantage this gave me was that I had tighter dispersion, solid control, and big rollout. The general build of the shaft also somewhat afforded me the luxury of just being able to grip it and rip it without worrying about losing control. So players looking for more of a “bullet” flight off of the tee with a smooth feel, the TPT Nitro shaft may be for you.
Final Thoughts – TPT Nitro Shaft
The whole story of North Thin Ply Technologies and their adventure into golf is fascinating to me. I have a lot of respect for how TPT identified a different way of doing something in an industry that they weren’t previously involved with and went for it. Not only did they go for it, but they also to delivered a quality product. Their new Nitro shaft provides a level of stability in lighter weight classes than previous products opening a new range of options for golfers to fine tune their game off of the tee box.
Looking at the spec sheet you choose the higher launch shaft based on your speed yet you still hit it low. Have you tried the low variant as well? Would that have made it even lower?
And btw the comment section on your site does not work properly. Cannot see any comments on any reviews.
Thanks if you see this and fixing it
Thanks for letting me know about the comments not showing! I’m sure fixing this will be nice and easy!
As far as your question, I provided specs of my current gear to TPT and this is what they sent me based on the info I gave them. I do believe I likely needed a more in-depth fitting to fully optimize this shaft. And I’m not sure how much lower the Lo option would have launched, but based on my general experience, I imagine I’d just have a much harder time getting the ball to lift, etc.
Bill, Great review I was very interested int this shaft. Question? I’ve read all your shafts reviews and was wondering over the past several years what shaft has produced the longest distance (to inclded roll-out) for you regardless of cluhead and loft?
I saw you hit the Riptide MX amost 310. !!
Hi Jason, it’s really too hard to say as my swing and shot could vary at any given time which will inevitably impact my testing to some degree. I’d say in recent times, I did get pretty good distance with the Riptide MX, definitely with the Ventus TR Blue which has been my gamer basically since it came out, the VA Nemesys, etc. There are a lot of them. I would also say that rollout, while I note it for total distance in the reviews is also somewhat of a circumstantial data point out on the course (are you hitting fairways? are the fairways dry? are they fast?) so I would encourage focusing on your carry numbers, spin rates, and launch angles to really have an idea of what to expect from a shaft.
Appreciate the quick reply. Thanks for the feedback!!