shoutout33

Really? Hmmm...I wonder if your anti-Titleist on the US side, would you be considered a hypocrite, if you played their JDM cousins. :p One problem with me on this one Chris, no blade or "blade-like" forged clubs at Titleist Japan. :(

Chris, Tario and fellow TSG'ers, I realize that I really want to understand more about JDM gear. I have a co-worker who is a DIE HARD Titleist OEM fan. He jokes and busts my chops all the time about me and my love for "JDM" gear. That got me thinking though, what is it about JDM stuff that I like so much? It's not like I golf regularly with it or at all for that matter. I do have a store in my area (Annandale Golf), where the owner lets me hit JDM gear, but I've only hit two irons so far: Fourteen's FH1000's and Honma's TW717M, which I did a review on recently. Lately, I've been trying to understand the various shafts on both sides of the pond and JDM drivers, FW woods and hybrids. I mean, I understand why the irons cost what they cost compared to OEM stuff here in the states, but when it comes to drivers, FW woods, and hybrids, I'm really at a loss here. When I got fit last year, my numbers said that this driver and shaft combination was best for me (per my fitters notes verbatim): R1 Driver white w/Nippon Regio 65 Stiff 45.5 IN long 10.5 deg 1 deg closed wt in toe.disc This set up at the time was $709.99, The BALDO driver head I like (the jet black 8C one...) has this set-up beat buy $60. If I wanted to used that same shaft, with today's pricing, on the BALDO, I'm in the $1,000 range easily!!! I'm not saying this to cry about the price, I fully understand why JDM stuff is more expensive than OEM stuff (as far as forged irons, wedges and even putters...), but what does JP do different with their drivers, FW woods, and hybrids? I say all this to better educate myself, but to also ask if Chris or Tario, have done some sort of "training" posting to educate TSG'ers on JDM gear. When better job comes along and bills get taken care of, I will be buying some JDM stuff, but I really want to know and understand more about the equipment, so I can get what'll be best for me and my game. For example, what other shafts are very similar, if not identical to the shaft I mentioned above? Outside of relying you guys, how do I learn how to figure it out or research for myself? I'm kinda' babbling now, but I hope you get my point. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and any help would be greatly appreciated. Daris L. Cotton

Chris, just having fun here, especially from someone who hasn't bought in JDM stuff either! LOL! I agree with what you say. Whenever I get my stuff, I'm pretty sure I will have a bias, but have different gear in my bag as well. This is just one of those dreamy hypothetical type questions. Sooooo.....when you did do just one brand, which one was it? Just for fun... :)

Duffer, you misunderstood my post a little. Those are the choice I would choose for myself. You don't have to pick from that list. :)

Fella's, if you could choose any JDM manufacture, to have a full setup, by this I mean from 3 iron to driver to staff bag, the whole shebang, what would you choose? I thought about making this a poll, but I'm still learning who has what. As of right now, this is who I'd choose: Romara Miura Epon Note: If Baldo had a staff bag, I'd have them on this list too. :)

Nah Chris, thanks. If I wanted to get some JDM stuff, I'd go with something else. I was just intrigued that Akira had a blade is all. :)

Is that why you guys don't carry their blades? Also, since they are cast, wouldn't they be little cheaper than forged blade?

Thanks Duffer, man I feel stupid. :( Although I can't read the characters, I usually can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

Chris and Tario, Either you two are slippin' or Akira just came out with their blade yesterday. :p Just kidding, went on their FB page, and saw an advertisement for their irons. Check it out. Since my Japanese absolutely sucks (meaning I dont' know it...), I have no idea if this advertisement is this year, next year or whatever. I'm just giddy about seeing a blade from Akira...or any JDM company that doesn't normally have one in there line-up for that matter. ;p Man...I hope it's not cast...that would be a bummer, not a deal breaker in my opinion though. Oh yeah, don't forget you can get Akira stuff as components. Such a beautiful thing. :)

I know I'm late with this, but as you all know, Hideki Matsuyama, won the Memorial this year on the PGA tour with his Sirixon JDM gear. If he continues to do well, do you all think that he make turn a few heads to JDM stuff here in the states?

What's up people. First of all, I don't have any JDM stuff...yet. Well, to be honest with you, I don't have any golf gear at all. ;p Been trying to get back into the game, but just haven't been able to do it yet. Anywho, this past Sunday was a treat for me and my JDM geekdom. I not only got a chance to hit Honma's new blades, I also, for the first time EVER, in my young JDM career, was able to touch, smell and hug Epon gear. It was just the heads a rep. was showing off to the club builder I visit, but still, I really did have fun being able see some Epon stuffs. Ok, on to the test drive. First of all, I wasn't able to hit them for a long time, as my shoulder and elbow are suspect right now. Elbow didn't hurt that much, but my shoulder let me know I had no business swinging a golf club. (I hit it mabey 10 times...) I think the exercise may have helped it a little, but I really shouldn't have tried the club that day. One thing I learned about JDM gear Sunday, was when Chris, Tario or any of the other TSG'ers say that the pictures don't do these clubs justice...I get it now. It's just something different about how they look in person and feel for that matter. The Honma's are a very solid club guys. I mean, yes, because of my elbow and shoulder, the vibration was real bad on off center hits and even solid hits, But one thing I could definitely feel from these irons, is that they're solid as hell...probably even too solid for my liking. When you hit these bad boys with some good pep and strong solid swing, the ball is gone!!!!! Even on the bad shots, the ball leaves the face with pace. Mind you, I was hitting these indoors, using Flightscope I think. Really can't remember. You see a fairway from tee to green, with a yardage line going up the middle. When you hit the ball, this yellow line shows the path of the ball flight and below that, it gives you all of your numbers: carry, total distance, speeds, smash factor, the different spins etc. This was a demo, so I'm pretty sure this wasn't the best set-up for me. As much as I loved hitting the Honma's, I honestly don't think I'd buy them, even if I had the money to get them. I mean, I'd probably have to hit them with some Nippon Moddus 3 120's or FST Pro 125's to really see how they would work for me, but unless I'm somewhere that happens to have that set-up available, I won't go looking for it. All in all, if you want a beautifully crafted and very solid set of MB's, the World Tour TW717 M's are definitely for you. Shoutout33

And here I am, crying about a $309 Nippon NS PRO Regio Formula Driver Shaft. I should be ashamed of my self. ;p

Would it's top line be similar to the Mizuno MP-59 or Cleveland 588 CB's? Although the Mizuno is not a true blade, I got blade "vibes" from it. As far as the 588's go, I've hit those the best in my fitting session vs. the 588 MB, but not by much. For me, the 59's top line was bearable, but blades or blade-like heads give me the most confidence.

Thanks Chris! As always, your knowledge is greatly appreciated!

Hello all, My local club fitter has been approached by one of his reps to sell Sakura's golf equipment. I just found their link and checked them out. I almost wrote them off because I didn't see them here on TSC. I would like to know some honest straightforward feedback on these company, because he's relying on me, because he needs to give the a reply but hasn't had the time to check anything out. Me personally, I'm not that impressed, but everything I've ever learned about JDM stuff has come from TSC, so before I say no, I'd like some help. Thanks. Daris 2013

What's up people! Recently got fitted, and these are the shaft's that work for me right now. I haven't gotten anything built yet, but I know that I want to play the MP-69's. I'll also be getting Winn grips Dry-TAC oversize too. I would like to know what shaft would be similar to the DG XP S300's. I know this doesn't mean that I'd like them, I just wanted to get an idea of what else might work for me and try later. Thanks.

I don't get it. I constantly have had PGA pros (and my future coach) tell me, even though I'm able to hit blades, I should look for something more forgiving. So why is it, that I keep seeing companies make more and more blades?!?! First George Spirits, now Honma?!?!? Isn't this Honma's first true blade? It's pretty as hell too. I don't get it man, you want folks to steer away from these irons, because they are too difficult to hit, but the industry still keeps bringing out blades. :ntsg_smilie_bulls**t:

I only like the blade irons and the putters look really nice. Outside of that, I really really want to check out gocchin and Chris' music collection. They have some of the best music in their videos. :)

Man I'm glade this question came up. :) I'll have to second goccin's response as well. For me, I like blades. Recently got fitted with Mizuno's system, which I love by the way, and I realized something: Whatever clubs you have the most confidence hitting, that's what you should hit....period! When I was getting fitted the owner of the store asked me the following questions: 1. What was my handicap? (Don't have one 'cause I haven't played a round of golf since high school golf team.) 2. What clubs do I use now? (Don't have any 'cause I'm getting back into the game.) From there, he looked at me cockeyed, and started me off with one of Mizuno's "game improvement" mallets, and I responded by saying, "I'm used to blades. I can't hit this, it's too big". Well, he made me hit and after my three critical swings need to find my DNA, the system said I had a swing speed of a senior flex. -_- Needless to say, by the time we found the shafts that work for me, I'm hitting both the MP-59 and MP-69 pure as hell and dead center. Had the impact tape to prove it too. ' Had him in disbelief and me saying, "I told you so." He can't even give me my true DNA, because he said that my swing was getting faster as I started to hit the irons I wanted to hit. So now, he wants to continue to work with me, to get the most potential out of my swing, and then he'd try the analyzer again. Here's the kicker though. Even after I proved that I could hit the MP-69's on point, he still wanted me to go with the MP-59's?!?!?!?!?! WTF? His explanation was, that we were in the perfect environment (indoor range) and I may not be as consistent when I go out on the course. Anywho, my whole point to this, if you feel that blades will feel best to you, hit them. If it's cavity backs, hit them. If it's a game improvement mallet, hit them. When I go see him again, I am going to tell him I want the MP-69's. If he plans on working with me that's what I want to hit and its my money I'm spending, so there. LOL!

What's up TSG? Quick question concerning Mizuno's irons. I know that they do the whole form flow forging (hope I said that right...) for both sides of the pond, but I wan to know, what steel do they use? I understand know that S25C is a better steel that what is used in the US market, but as far as Mizuno is concerned, is what they sell in JP the same as what sell in the US? For the record, I forgot all about the MP-69's in my poll.

Just wanted to know if anyone has hit these irons, specifically the MB's. http://japan.taylormadegolf.com/product_detail-419.html I see that they're made S25C (one of the few things in english I can read...) and was caught of guard a bit with this. I haven't seen any of these irons in the pro shop, so I didn't know if TM was still making them or not. If I had to choose an OEM clubset, it'd be Mizuno's or these JDM TM's.

Please disregaurd my thread. I've decided to settle on the Masada's when I can afford to get them. Thanks.

What's up people! Would like to know if any of you could give me some insight as to what JDM Grips are similar to these Winn Grips: http://www.hirekogolf.com/hireko/orderportal/catalog_presentation/by_group/0/2102/0/0/0/0/0 Trying to narrow down what grips to go for in the JDM market, so I figured if I found which grips I like now, someone could help me out. Thanks in advance and look foward to your replies.

Could someone please for the love of all that is holy in golf tell me who sings this version of "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers!?!?!?!?!?!?! If I didn't know any better, I swear Tario and Chris were DJ's in there past lives. Here's linky:

What's up TSG!!! It's been forever since I've posted on these forums, basically because I got discouraged that I wouldn't be able to afford any of these awesome clubs. Well....actually, I still can't, but had the money in my hands until I had to take care of other bills. :( Anywho, I feel encouraged, because I will be getting a new job and will be moving to an area (Mobile, AL) where the cost of living isn't as steep here in the DC area. Therefor, I'm preparing my wish list now for the stuff I will be saving up for. Gocchin has already helped me with golf shoes, and I trully appreciate his help and knowledge. OK. As the Topic Title suggests, I am looking for some component blades that are similar to the KZG Blades. I was working with a club fitter a while back, but never finished my set. I have a 6 iron built by him, but I can't remember if I hit it or not. Even though I haven't been playing in some years, I know I can hit these blades, because I did it at one of his demo days where you could switch out they heads. I realized that day, that as long as I have the correct shaft length, I'm good. Plus, I prefer hitting blades anyway. When I played in high school, I played with a set of MacGregor Golden Bear blades. They weren't in the best shape, but when I hit them right, it made me want to continue hitting them right. LOL! Before I leave, I plan to take this iron and see if it feels similar to what I hit at the demo day. I do have some questions about the following blades thought: -Does Taylormade have a JP verstion of their Tour Preferred MB irons? If so, are they made of S25C steel and can you get them as components? -Did the Kenmochi blades come out this year? Didn't see them in the store at all, so wasn't sure. -Which companies sell components other than Geotech? -Off subject question: I'd really like to try some JP grips, but they are really really expensive!!! I knew the clubs would be, but not the grips! (I know, how am I a member of the forums and don't know that all JP stuff is expensive...go figure. :p) What's the best way to try some JP grips to figure out what you like or not? I was thinking of narrowing down to three somehow and try them on the club I have built now, but not sure if this is the best way to do it. Like I said, don't have the cash right now, but I will be saving towards my future clubs and buying a little bit here and there till I'm finally done. As always TSG, thanks in advance for the advice, input, and sincere replies.