xxio

I was in Tokyo 2 weeks ago. 100 meters from my hotel.

How is the feel difference, fit face vs non fit face?

Bamboo Good concept, bends but doesn't break.

They go for around $185-200 retail.

Biggest size they come in over here is 29EEE which is 11. I need 11XW or 12W, otherwise I would have bought these last week.

No need for Bettinardi wedges or putters?

I still play the 701Gs. I'm actually on my 2nd set. I would these irons and the 2 years after were the last irons from "better" TS era (starting with the 202s)

Offset has regained a cult like following in Japan. It started about 3 years ago. I saw old Lynx wedges with tons of offset going for $100-150 USED in golf stores in Tokyo.

No experience but all that weight in that spot must make those fly higher and feel really solid. Can someone explain the hosel? To reduce weight and move to head/sweetspot?

Unless it is a prototype and requires special tooling/dies made from scratch, has gold as a major component, or less than 100 were ever made I don't think any driver will cost $500 to make. That brings us back to technology. A huge portion of technology nowadays are shared with different industries. Lightweight but sturdy graphite, welding techniques that save time and materials. All of these result in lower manufacturing costs. Just think the Great Big Bertha Japan version (shaft was made by GD) was about $700 when that came out, the US version was a bit under $500 (or was it $450). Golf clubs are actually cheaper now. However because of marketing we are tempted to buy more often. From 1990-2000 I had 4-5 drivers. From 2000-2010 I can't totally remember but from TM alone I already had 4-5. I probably had 12-14 total in that decade. Do I feel duped? No. I bought them because they made me enjoy my game. We don't need to defend why we spend so much on Epons, Bettinardis, Tourstages, Ryomas. We don't need to look down on the guys buying USDM.

Edited my previous post for grammar

I think the true technological advancement in golf has stagnated. Different Types of multi-layer balls, tri-ax, vft/ict/etc, low and forward CoG (in the 983E), multi-materials for weight distribution were all true game changers. Maybe not all truly felt by the players of all skill levels . That era happens to coincide with advancements in manufacturing. You can design it but you have to be able to build it and build it inexpensively. Then sell it. As Shambles pointed out, marketing has become the focus. Even if you have the best cars, golf clubs, TVs, all consumer products have to be sold. It happens in almost all enthusiast forums of different products. People complaining about increased product cycles, incremental advances being sold as the next big thing. We are a consumer society. In the past 6weeks I have 2 new Bettinardi wedges in my bag, just bought 3 dozen Lethals, an X2hot hybrid that is 5 rounds old, and looking into a driver change and I can say this has been my "slowest year" since the 90's as a golf consumer. Back to topic. Japanese technology. I've mentioned some in the past 25 years. Ultralight weights yet stable shafts have been coming out, both graphite and steel. There are a lot of different balls in Japan that serve niche markets. The ceramic face has been made before but tweaked with ICT for the Gliore. I don't like the feel (only got to hit it 2xs though). IMHO we don't get exposed to how Japan markets their product that is why we don't "see" the technological "advancements".

There are small very odd spikes in interest in Japan for cult clubs. About 1.5-2years ago there was one for that old Lynx wedge with lots of offset, this seems to be a late response to that. The wedge and the irons seem to be from a JDM wayback machine from the late 80s.

This and the irons with the yellow graphics look similar to TM products. From the top this looks like what the Jetspeed JDM version should look like. The yellow irons look like a JDM iteration of the Rocketbladez

The Miz store here still had 3-4 sets as of 2 years ago. About $800. Also I have seen a previously existing gap wedge. My friend bought a set of blueprinted TN 87s from JoeK about 12 years ago and it came with a gap wedge. I'll try to track it down to see if I can take pics. It also did not have TN87 on it but had the same markings as the rst of the set.

I don't know about international flights but on domestic flights here in the Philippines you're not allowed to bring golf balls as carry on. Japanese shoes will tend to be narrow, even the "wide" are not that wide. To determine size just add the 2 numbers. Size 26=8, size 29=11. Don't know what they do for size 12 and bigger. I would suggest headwear and shirts. Even the Callaway clothing is different. They generally run half a size small.

Why couldn't he stay? I'm sure the investors would understand his situation (accident and all). I would have thought having " George" in the name would have him see this brand through.

Wonder how it works. I tried Bobby Grace's DCT and to make distance control consistent it seemed everywhere on the putter was a "non" sweet spot. Meaning everything seemed to come off the face slow. In that sense the entire face reacted the same. After speed adjustments it seemed to work.

I have found when I play lighter shafts at my desired 44.75" length the balance goes off. I have to find other ways to make it feel right. The problem with that it usually involves adding headweight, which will screw with flex, launch, etc. So far the PXv that is stock in the Optiforce seems to keep the balance right, the lightweight Miyazakis were also well balanced. Just hard to sort through the code flex sometimes.

Thank you. Any pics at address?

Do you play the lighter shafts at a different length?

I noticed in the Pro shop that A and S wedges are available. Does anyone know what they look like? Hopefullu musclebacks without the typical big gooseneck/offset JDM look.

For me it affects my address/set up position. I always want the driver to look "normal"/properly soled. With the trend to more upright driver lie angles and longer shafts, most new drivers will be toe up at address for me and it subconsciously affects how I swing because the set up does not feel natural. I've tried a few of the adjustable for lie drivers and whether it is a placebo or not, when they are set at a flatter lie angle and the toe is less up in the air I have better results. I finally bit the bullet and got an Optiforce 440 just for that reason.

Like my JDM equipment, Tourstage/Srixon/Fourteen I'm more mainstream in my scotch and single malts The Yamazaki 12 is for when there is something small to celebrate (friend's birthday, tournament win, etc) For some reason the Yamazaki 18 I end up drinking less and actually don't get drunk :( The Hibiki 17 for special occasions (my birthday, wedding anniversary, etc). The Mc Private was given to me for my last birthday. The other picture, someone did say hardcore. It didn't taste that different. It actually tasted smoother/less alcohol than the non-cobra version. I really wanted to finish the bottle and have the snake cooked but unfortunately not too many brave souls during that night.

Still have my 701s and loving it.