nobmontana

Thanks guys!! really helps! My previous sets R1CB / MCI Black 100 Stiff were lighter, a bit more weaker to flex. With that set, I remember I was getting more of a push to the right when I started using it. I am thinking the lighter weight allowed me to swing with a more vertical swing plane ... and because of the softer flex, possibly the shaft bend ( toe down) at impact created a flatter lie? Which might mean the current set up is too stiff & too heavy?

So my new build with the Seven Shinagawa heads is about 1/2 inch over standard length @ 38.5" 5 iron I normally use standard length clubs but I was lazy to cut it to standard length when I built it. I seem to be getting a bit much draw spin at the moment. Is this normal to see in a longer than standard club length with standard lie because the shaft angle at address is a bit flatter than how it would be with a standard length club? Am I effectively creating an upright head orientation?

I am now on my second LS-001 head. I sold the first one as I was not able to make peace with the loud sound it produced. I think this was a common opinion because as soon as I sold my first head, they released a so called "quiet version" in which they added sound insulating material inside the head. The sound aspect being the only negative thing about this head for me, I had to give it another go. Same specs as my first one. 200g 9.5 deg square face. Sound: While it is an improvement over the previous one , it's still not Epon or Mizuno muted soft sound. But when you loosen the screws especially two of the screws at the center tail end of the sole, then the sound becomes much more friendlier and within very tolerable levels. Trajectory is probably slightly on the mid-high side given the 9.5 loft. It has a boring trajectory which usually means lower spin. With my 100 to 105 mph swing speed, I am consistently carrying around 250 yards which I feel is a very good number. Mostly straight shots but I am still able to work the ball slightly with a draw or fade. The head is not overly sensitive to steering the ball .. Not sure if there is a definitive reason but this head works very well for me paired with my 7D shaft and I can say with a high degree of confidence that this is the most consistent and forgiving JDM driver that I have ever owned. I am still not 100% satisfied with the sound ... but given the consistency with good distance, I think I can live with the sound for now. ( until Yoshida-san releases an SP700 faced version of this head!! :) ) My club specs are as follows: Weight: 328g Length: 45.5" Swing Weight: D7 (calculated) *** My very very subjective scoring of this head. ( scale of 1-10 ) Distance Performance: 9 Ease of Launch: 10 Ease of Workability: 9 Look at Address: 10 Feel at Impact: 9 Sound at Impact: 8 Forgiveness: 9 Build Quality: 10 As some of you may know, I am very picky with my drivers and I can tell you that Grandista is the real deal. I cannot recommend it enough.

There are just as many JDM irons with stronger lofts just like USDM clubs. It's all about how you prefer to gap your clubs and their respective distances. Many of the more popular player's forged iron sets tend to be closer to traditional lofts and I think it's because the target audience are more experienced players who have established wedge loft preference that fit better with traditional lofts from a distance gap perspective. Try to convince a low handicapper player to switch to a different set of wedge lofts... they won't. well not without taking the risk of spending a season or longer to get used to the new wedge lofts from 100 yards and in. I do believe, however, that even player's forged irons are slowly but gradually getting stronger lofted as well. If you look at the history of PW loft on Titleist Forged MB irons .. you can see that it only moved from 49* with their 681 forged in 2001 to 47* with 716 MB in 2016. Mizuno MP-33 from 2001 had a 48* PW and MP-4 from 2013 is 46* PW. You get the picture.

Hmmmm..... I'm so used to seeing NP putters with a tri sole looks different.

Count me in!!

I found out recently that the Japan version JPX900 Fairway is actually a bonded hosel unlike the US version. Shallow profile and at 170cc it matches the profile I was looking for. I don't care too much about the adjustable weights and the crown but he shape at address looks really nice.

Yeah.. what's with this weather out here. I understand it's not like this every year .. but this is not much different from the freezing March in Montana. I was hoping that we'll be in full bloom golfin mode by now. but definitely, let's all get together for a round soon!!

Hit the rest of the irons during lunch break. 4 iron definitely a bit tougher than the R1CB with the MCI Black.... I think mainly due to the weight difference. But not as difficult as I thought. I have used 23 deg driving irons in my sets before ... but I think I will give it a go with this 4 iron for now. In any case, what a joy to hit!

Had a quick range session with my highly "Exotic" :) Shinagawas last night .. I only brought PW, 8 and 6 with me. At address, top line is not scary thin like those vintage Top Flites :) , but thinner than your typical cavity backs. Off set is minimal.. I like the slightly pointy toe. Overall looks compact (and it actually is) but still looks friendly enough for a mid handicapper to use. I think anyone who is comfortable using the likes of Epon 302 or Mizuno MP 64 would be able to use these with no issues. From a forgiveness perspective, I think these may be as forgiving as the R1CBs, no joke. First couple of hits with the PW.. missed the sweep spot .. I do this with new clubs! My previous set used MCI Black 100 .. In this one, I have TT Monaco Stiffs Soft Stepped x 1 . So it's 15 to 20 g heavier than the MCI blacks .. my body needs to adjust to the heavier swing feel. 3rd shot hit the middle. "Ooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...... frozen sweet butter!!" I could do this all day long! I mean Monacos are not necessarily known for feel. You need to be careful with what to pair them with or it can feel clicky. I kinda took my chances using these shafts but I was pretty confident it was going to work out since these heads being S20C + Copper underlay .. had to be the softest feeling ever, right? Also considering the low quality "Strata" range balls in 40 deg weather, the feel off the face is phenomenal! Can't wait to hit them with real balls. Surprisingly, distances that show on my Yupitel meter were pretty good. Similar distances to what I had with the R1CB/MCI Black combo which is a bit surprising since the lofts should be a bit weaker on these and the added shaft weight should have slowed my swing speed a bit. More measures needed to confirm but I was getting about 170 yards carry with my 6 iron. Trajectory is nice and high; Even the 6 iron is very easy to launch ..we'll see how the 5 and 4 irons behave for me. Workability is good. A bit more sensitive to draws than the R1CBs probably because of the shorter toe to heel. After hitting a sweet feeling shot, I usually look at where I hit the ball on the face to confirm the position of the sweet spot. Then I flip over to take a glance the back face... "Dang!! these look good !!"

Wow!!! that has to be the thinnest top line ever!! Sweet spot smaller than a Jujube candy?

R1CBs looked great and played great .. but I wanted something a bit more exotic. I guess.. :)

Still shrink wrapped. :)

Got my 4-PW heads last week!! Standard Nickel Satin Finish w/ Cu underlay. Good Lord, these are even better looking in the flesh! I always wanted to get a set of old Spaldings Top Flites ... but never did since I knew it wouldn't be forgiving enough for me to bag them. These Shinagawas look very playable!! I just love the concept of these Neo Classic Muscle backs!! I assembled them with Monaco Stiffs soft stepped once and Gripped them with my new "go to" grips , GP MCC+4 in gray. Have not had the chance to take them out on the range yet but just bouncing balls off the face, I can already tell these irons will feel very soft!! Can't wait to hit them!!

I'd rather spend my hard earned money for products made by qualified craftsmen using quality material rather than for business expertise on how to make the biggest profit off of us consumers. If that means direct sales off of a website, I am totally fine with that.

..

Here's a link to a review video if you want to hear what it sounds like at impact. http://www.alba.co.jp/ad/1702_driver/mizuno/

Did you know that the naming of this shaft means "Rock Star?" Six in Japanese is "Roku" => "Roku Star" => "Rock Star" UST Mamiya played with all the names on the Attas series but only makes sense in Japanese...

A Grind FW and UT are sold!!

Nice set up! GLWS!!

Pending payment on A grind woods.

Stupid low prices now!!

Has everyone moved to another planet?! Anyone out there?!!

Yeah, If I had the skills to hit it more consistently, I'd keep it. I think the slightly deeper profile makes it a bit more demanding for me. Its a beautiful head.

I am also in the market for a good 3W. Been trying to find something that works better than my current Ping G20 ... just love this thing. recent testing with Ping G did not kick it out.. I guess newer is not always better I have tried a few JDM Ti heads last year and in general they launch too high for me and the feel off the face were a bit too tingy. Steel heads generally tend to be more compact and players like shape and not forgiving enough. Many of the USDM models are now adjustable which I do not like either. Bonded hosel, 165cc or so with a shallow profile that hugs the ground, mid launch, solid feel would be my preference. Oh and I almost never use my 3 wood off the tee ..