tyroja00

No, that is total distance. Like I said, I could use an X-stiff shaft, but I found that I like stiff shafts. I never checked the Ping's shaft so who knows. As stated before, this is just my impressions of the combo that I am sharing with you guys. The PL and Fubuki shafts are totally different from each other even if you go by the specs.

I got it new with the Fubuki, so I have no comparison with another shaft, nor have I hit any other Epon driver, sorry. So, as for which is responsible for the softness and slingshot effect, I can't comment on whether it is the AF101 or the Fubuki. Though I will say that if the AF101 is responsible, the Fubuki allows it (or at least does not alter it) to be transmitted since feel must travel up the shaft to my hand. I know because my old Callaway C4's sponginess was greatly altered from changes in shafts, but the sound never changed. All in all, I am happy with the combo and I like it better than the Ping/PL combo. The only other shafts I would have liked to have tried was the Roddio, the Quattro, and maybe an X-stiff Fubuki (just to see if it would maintain the smooth swing=big distance as well as add an ability to get aggressive).

Flex X S R Length (in) 46 46 46 Weight (g) 66 64 62 Tip Diameter (in) 0.335 0.335 0.335 Tip Length 4 4 4 Torque 3.7 3.7 3.7 Kick Point MID/HIGH MID/HIGH MID/HIGH Yes, I requested 2* flat with a square face and 10* loft. Epon does try to accommodate your requests by matching up heads as close as they can to what you want.

Okay sorry for the long post. I finally had a chance to try out the driver and compare it to my other driver, Ping G10. First and foremost, I like the Epon AF101 with the Fubuki, but I am still in adjustment mode as I have only one range session and two rounds on the course. Mind you, this is only my initial impressions. I am a 12 handicap and my average drives are 280 - 290 yds (7/10 drives) with an occasional bomb out to 320 or more. I tend to equally hook and slice my drives, but can adjust my face to eliminate one or the other. Setup: Ping G10 - 9* PL Red stiff standard length (45.75, I think) and lie. Swingweight D3. Epon AF101 - 10* Mitsu Fubuki stiff; 45 in, 58* lie and square face. Swingweight D2. Appearance - The Epon with the Fubuki is just stunning. The workmanship is topnotch and in my opinion you can tell the difference from the workmanship of the Ping. The Ping just doesn't look good with that PL shaft. As far as setup, the Ping definitely sets up better to my eye and the size difference is evident. They are both 460cc but switching from the Ping makes the Epon look like a 410cc driver. The Ping also seems easier to square. The Epon just appears open. When I went to the course, I didn't bring the Ping as a comparison and I think that helped me with the Epon as I didn't go from big to small. Sound - The Epon/Fubuki combo sounded different than any other driver I have used. It is very soft and muted. It is almost a blend of the old Callaway C4 driver and the Ping, but more towards the Ping side. Noone is going to be caught off guard by your drive. Since it is so muted, it has the same downfall of the C4, in that mis-hits sounded the same to me as well-hit balls, a thud sound. The Ping, I can really tell if I hit it on the nuts versus the toe. Feel - Here there is a big difference between the two drivers and I think it is probably the shafts. The best analogy I can come up with is in tennis racquets. The Ping is more like a tennis racquet with the string tension high. The Epon is more like a racquet with the tension low. Meaning, the ball seems to stay on the face of the driver longer on the Epon. I don't know if it actually does, but it feels that way. The Epon/Fubuki does feel smoother and softer and the kick is evident. The Ping gives you a solid immediate impact whereas the Epon gives you a sense of a little slingshot effect. Dispersion - When I went to the driving range, I hit my Ping first and it was one of those days where I was hitting draws. When I switched to the Epon, I hit draws and hooks like crazy. Even when I opened the face, it was hitting draws and hooks. I thought about it awhile and realized that the Ping was longer than the Epon (and it is tip stiff) and maybe I was swinging at too flat a plane. So, when I went to the course I didn't bring the Ping and I steepened my attack and that fixed the problem (I am about 5'8" - 5'9"). I am hitting very slight draws with the driver but it has totally alleviated any slices (it will be difficult for ME to hit a fade with this driver). I still had a couple of hooks. I think the Fubuki shaft is sensitive to swing path and followthrough. Because a smooth swing is definitely rewarded more than on the Prolaunch. The hooks occur when I use the same aggressive move that I use with the Ping. Dispersion is better with the Epon/Fubuki but when I hit a hook, it is a lot worse than a hook with the Ping/Prolaunch. Ball Flight - I was using Bridgestone B330-S balls. The Fubuki shaft does what it says it will do. I was worried about going to a 10* head from using 9* for the last several years, but it was a non-issue. The Ping/Prolaunch gives me a boring flight that just jumps off the face. The Epon/Fubuki ballflight is just as everyone has stated, it launches to a mid to mid/high ballflight and just flattens out like it is hanging there (definitely no ballooning for me). When you are watching it in comparison to the Ping/Prolaunch you think that it is not going to go as far because it floats and seems to be moving slower, but it definitely does go as far if not longer. The Epon/Fubuki did get me about 10 yards less roll, but I get more carry with it. Distance - This is where it is tricky and I need more time with the Epon/Fubuki to better gauge it, but initially here are my thoughts. My distances are more consistent with the Epon/Fubuki. I can swing easier and get the same distance with the Epon/Fubuki. Every drive I had was 280 to 305, with one drive at 260 (borderline draw/hook). With the Ping, my drives usually are between 275 to 300. Now my issue (which I guess isn't a real issue) is that I can really crank at the Ping G10 and nail a drive 330 or more and get some wows from my buddies (especially since they are 4 to 5 inches taller than me). I just can't get that aggressive with the Fubuki, it will super-hook. I was going to get a stiffer flex but I don't feel the need to go big-swingin every hole and I tried a x-stiff whiteboard and did not like it as much as the stiff whiteboard. If I can work my way to a 290 - 295 driving average with accuracy and a smooth swing, well, not too many people would be unhappy with that. Complaint - My only complaint with the Epon/Fubuki is with the Epon head. It is too pretty and has too much paint around the perimeter. I mean one mis-hit or one hit at the ground is going to scratch that beautiful paint and I will be sad. Especially for the price, I want it to look good for a long time. And, I tend to think about that when I start to swing. Hopefully, I will get over it before that time comes. Anyway, sorry for the long post but that was my initial impression. I am super happy with the Epon/Fubuki and the Fubuki delivers as advertised. I get slightly more distance with less effort. I have realized that I am going to have to get rid of my Ping G10 (I was hoping to use it on windy or rainy days for the boring flight). It is way too different than the Epon/Fubuki and will cause me more harm as it is larger, longer-shafted, and likes to be swung aggressively. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. I hope this helped.

Well I got the new driver unfortunately the weather doesn't want to cooperate. I will try to test her out in the next couple of days and compare it to my Ping G10. As far as the driver, the AF101 was ordered at 10* loft (although the head says 10.5*) and 2* flat with a spined 63 Fubuki in stiff. The combination looks awesome especially with the Iomic grip.

That all seems to make sense...thanks guys.

This may be a silly question that has been answered before, but as I have started buying and looking at Japanese "only" offerings I noticed something. If all these clubs are intended for the Japanese only, why do the majority use English on their clubs?

This is the Fubuki. I am having one placed on my new Epon AF101, should have it in a week or so

Hi All, I have been itching to finally try a JDM driver. These 3 seem to intrigue me. Anyway, you can PM me or send me an email at [email protected]. Stiff preferred. Best Regards and Thanks.