pureblade

Thanks for the responses guys! Yes, the SS502 is another club I'm considering. I like the clean lines. Good to know its a "political" reason behind why they're not here, and not because they're crap. Haha... I'm intrigued by A-Grind now. Better go have a look-see...

I just demo'd a Sonartec driver today and got some impressive (for me) figures. The forged cup face felt really soft and springy too. No, these aren't the old ones with the u-shape on the sole. This is the "new" Sonartec, and their website is here: http://www.sonartec-s.com I know they have an English version, but the drivers only appear on the Japanese site. Apart from the CBs, I think they have some pretty nice looking clubs. Anyone here have any experience with these?

Although a BSG'er for a long time, even I am getting a bit disenchanted with the way things are going there regarding the $1,000 shafts. I can't wait for the results of this test.

I played the MR23s about 4 years ago, and the z101s are still in one of my bags. All I can remember about the MR23s is that they are MUCH shorter heel-to-toe. Therefore, even though they are a CB design, the compact head made the sweet spot TINY. I just didn't feel confident with them, and I would go so far as to say that modern blades with longer heel-to-toe lengths and strategically placed weight (or "muscle" in Mizuno-speak) are more forgiving. My 2 cents...

I just bought an X-Drive with PT6 too. Can anyone tell me the characteristics of this shaft? I think its great, and I'd like to be able to look for similar specs in any other shafts that I may try out. I'm sorry, but I can't seem to find much info anywhere.

I play the new X-Blades (with Tour Concept X1s), and to date, they are the easiest blades that I have ever played. Sure, being a blade, they can be unforgiving at times, but when compared to other more "serious" blades, they are certainly MUCH easier to play. The tungsten inserts really do help with the long irons, and I would recommend them if you HAVE to play a blade.

How about this? http://www.dancewithdragon.com/ A lot of funky accessories, and very pricy.

300 sets? You're talking about the Maru wedges, not the new X-Blades, right? BTW, nice to "meet" you Aluinser. Nice to see HK'ers here, other than Taipanli!!! :cool: :wink:

I had the same problem. I was looking at a set of the new X-Blades that came with this shaft, but the only information (in English) that I found was at... umm... HERE! It was deeply hidden within Chris' blogs, but I can't seem to find it anymore. I remember it said something like the "M" stands for Maruyama, the "266" is to commemorate his score of 266 somewhere, but I can't remember what the "V" stands for. The shafts are designed to elevate long-iron shots, but keep short irons low, much like TT's Tour Concept. However, the long irons are also designed to be heavier. I don't quite understand this, but then again, I don't understand Maruyama's preference for a C9 swingweight in his wedge either. Anybody else want to chime in?

These are 39mm (the part above ground), and the only other I've seen is 29mm (perfect for those deep-faced fairway woods). Daiya is a LARGE manufacturer of golf accessories, and you can find their stuff almost EVERYWHERE. Go to THEIR WEBSITE for an idea of the stuff they have. I also use a lot of their practice accessories too!

Used to use those, but the problem is that they go flying all over the place, and therefore are way too easy to lose. Losing tees that cost that much just isn't cool. Then I changed to these. Takes a lot of abuse to break, and I NEVER lose them.

Ooh... I don't think those X-Blades are gonna' be out for quite a while. I would expect May to see them in person.

Nowhere near as sweet as that girl in your avatar! Oh wait... Where were we? Oh, PUMA! Yes, they have really nice golf accessories. Good quality and nice design. Their range of shoes could easily give Nike a run for their money.

I voted 03 because I had no choice. I read that these X wedges had box grooves, and I ran out and bought the only set I knew were available. Now though, I prefer the 01, although I've never been too fussy with my wedges as long as they aren't too large, or have too much offset.

Thats not true, perhaps that was true a year ago but not anymore. Wedge companies come in and out, MOZ had the #1 count in 1999. Fourteen in 03 or 04 ( not sure ) and now from what I hear its the Tourstage X-Wedges. Yeah not many know of Zodia in Japan not many stores carry them. X-Wedge? :cool: Don't you just love the dynamicism of the Japanese market? Perfect if you're a 'ho, but not good at all if you're trying to save :money: BTW, thanks very much for ALL the pictures Chris!!! :-)

I guess "discerning" is the new buzz-word in Japanese golf circles... :cool: Check out the Fourteen thread if you don't know what I mean. Still don't like the Catamaran, with or without the "flanges" between the "H". Maybe if the top was flattened without all those ridges, it would help to create a much cleaner look. With the ridges AND the colours, I get a headache looking at it all... Those mallets are really turning my crank though! :love:

A friend of mine also attended the show, and he says that Fourteen are the most played / popular wedges in Japan (and on the JPGA), with almost nobody having heard of Zodias. Is this true? I personally doubt the accuracy of the above statements. :spit:

Great post moonsole! I totally agree that, at the very least, the golfer has total peace of mind. For me though, I prefer it if possible, but it isn't an absolute must. If I was buying a shaft, and the option was available, I would definitely choose it. However, if the shaft is already fitted, I wouldn't go to the trouble of pulling it, spining it, and re-installing it.

Phew! That's what I thought. So my comprehension of English isn't that bad after all... :cool:

I thought that the TS-202s would have more offset for sure... but after looking at the Bridgestone Japan website (English Version), I'm just plain confused now. Here are the stats: X-Blade CB with DG-S200 No. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 PW Loft 20 22.5 26 30 34 38 42 46 Lie 60 60.5 61 61.5 62 62.5 63 63.5 Face progression 3.25 3.25 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 4.25 4.25 Length 38.5 38 37.5 37 36.5 36 35.5 35 TS-202 with NS Pro 950 GH No. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 PW Lie 61 61 61 61.5 62 62.5 63 63 Loft 20 23 26 29 32 36 40 45 Face progression 2.25 2.25 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 3.25 3.25 Length 38.75 38.25 37.75 37.25 36.75 36.25 35.75 35.25 Now, does a higher number mean more offset, or less? I tried getting more information on Japanese "standards", and came up with the following from the Precept website (Click HERE for the whole page in its entirety): Face progression Face progression is the distance (A) between the axis of the shaft (8) and the leading edge of the club head (10). When the leading edge extends out in front of the axis, face progression is expressed as a positive number (for irons generally, these values range from +6mm-0mm). Goose (Off-set) Goose is the distance between point (7), which denotes an imaginary line drawn from the hosel before it bends toward the face, and point (10), which signifies the leading edge of the club head. A club with a "straight neck" would have a goose of around 1mm, while a club with a "semi-goose neck" would have one of around 2mm, and a club with a "goose neck" one of over 4mm. *Because calculations of goose are affected by differences in the thickness of the hosel or by differences in methods used to grind and polish forged clubs, face progression is primarily calculated today in relation to the axis of the shaft, which is not affected by such variations. **"Goose" is sometimes referred to as "offset." So, it seem to me that a higher "goose" = more offset. A higher "face progression" = less offset. I mean, the numbers make sense in this way, as shorter irons have less offset in general, right?

Seeing those kids was enought to convince not to go near them at Citygolf. Still waiting for lazy ass Derek Fung to find me someone. IYGL is supposed to be good - might check them out. Did you see the link that Pureblade posted? Ever heard of them? I did. I came across that link before when browsing through a HK website: www.golf007.com. Didier, Game went to hell since last year. I was down to a 3.0 handi in May, then went up to 13.7 in September 'cos of pressure from my bosses! :wah: Funny what you should say about Teddy though, because I've got similar reactions from some people. No smoke without fire I guess. I mean, I'm friendly with him, but I remembered how he could be slightly arrogant and abrupt when you first meet him. So... Which one of us is going to bite the bullet and try out these GolfWork Studio guys? Aluinser? :whistle:

Hey Didier, long time no see... Have you tried http://www.golfworkstudio.com/? I haven't been there yet, but it seems like they're quite into their work. I get all my work done at IYGL. Nowhere near perfect, but because I know them quite well, I can be really fussy with my requirements, and they still accomodate me. Central Golf has all the right equipment, and a proper "workshop" feel, but something about it doesn't give me a good feeling. Yes, I'm weird like that. Good luck anyways!

Wow, that is just incredible. I'm quite surprised to see such a large mainstream manufacturer provide so many custom options. I certainly hope that this is the shape of things to come from the other manufacturers. :cool:

I must congratulate Scratch on their extremely impressive line-up! Very nice indeed... Remind me of the Hiro Matsumoto irons, but much cleaner cosmetically.

Looks extremely Kasco-ish. Those Kascos K2Ks (or whatever they were called when they were being sold in the US) were SO easy to hit. This looks like it too. Strange how they pour time and money into developing something, and then just let it disappear off the face of the earth. :-D