RLL33

Totally agree and appreciate the honesty. Style has many components, with naming certainly being one. If I love the feel of a car, but it's called a Buick, there's a certain ceiling on how much I'm going to really love it...

Whew, beauties, Ash! Can't wait to have one in 64*. Enjoy!

I was in Roger Dunn superstore the other day and was surprised to see a new set of irons from Macgregor sitting on the rack with all the other big names... Nobody working there could tell me anything about them.

I like the look of the driver too.

I went for the hybrid and the onset s-wedge.

Me too with the tires...

I might be wrong, but I thought I heard somewhere along the way that you could order them in either size.

Me, too. E-mail sent.

Comparison with the Aerotechs is dead on. MCI's are softer, longer, and more accurate. Way better for a feel kind of player. I use nothing else these days. I just put them in a set of OnOff 247 copper heads that I got from a fellow TSG'er down under, and the results are the softest irons I've ever played. I also holed out from 130 for a birdie on a hole on my home course that I normally have trouble parring... I've now used the MCI's on Miuras, Yamahas, and OnOff. Superb on all.

Fuji MCI composites. Long, accurate, soft.

Sweet! Another foot soldier in the Burning Copper Golds contingent!

The questionnaire is neither complicated nor that unusual. And you can do a certain amount of back and forth through Chris, who is, as always, SUPER helpful. The thing that IS unusual is the shaft you get. I still search for words to describe what I feel is the difference, what sets it apart from others I've hit, and it's not easy. But it IS different. It seems to adapt better to different conditions -- both in the environment around me and IN ME. On days when I feel stronger, it seems to step up to a more aggressive swing, particularly in the transition. And on days when I feel like going smooth and easy, it seems to gladly step in and do the work FOR ME. That's about the best I can put it (so far). Oh, and I do love it's stealthy, almost nasty look. I like to watch others try to figure out what they're looking at-- which usually takes about three holes before the questions get asked. I also asked my club pro to hit a couple of drives with it, and his response was whoa...! He said he could immediately associate the feel with stuff he knows the big boys use. At any rate, the pleasure and learning curve is ongoing. And I've ordered a second one to put in the JBeam Blackout that I'm in love with at the moment.

I happened to see a quick look on the tube of a scorecard kept by a Japanese golfer, and it appeared to have a cool looking set of symbols that are used in Japan instead of the usual circling and squaring of birdies and bogeys on the card as you play. Can any of you guys over there tell me if this is the way cards are kept? and if so, what the symbols and methods are? As with many Japanese details, it looked simpler and elegant... Thx. --RL

Maxima and I didn't get along either. Was hitting monster long pushes, followed by hooks when I tried to compensate. But I am curious about this shaft, as it goes where I have gone in recent years toward light weight. Is the shaft sold separately?

whew... breathe deep... some stunning stuff there, as usual.

Well, my adventures with JDM equipment happened to coincide with my changing from being a range rat to a playing fanatic. I hardly ever go the range anymore, and rather than travel all over to play every course I ever wanted to play, I joined a local club and spend most weekday afternoons playing the game. And it's there that the JDM dynamic really comes through. Yeah, I love the look of highly refined, wonderfully, artfully designed golf clubs -- especially when I know they were turned out at the hands of a master craftsman -- but it's playing the game with them that reveals their REAL value. Dirty little secret is equipment really DOES make a difference. And if your hands are capable of feel on the level that JDM clubs are capable of transmitting feel, it's on the course that these sparkling jewels really do SHINE!!! But however their pleasure is transmitted is reason enough to own them, IMO. I have some that I just like to look at in the corner of my office, and they make me love the game as much pure-ing a forged iron down the fairway. For me, they're gifts that keep on giving on many levels -- both design and performance.

Yeah, as I said first time around, the t388 and the JBeam Blackout are the two straightest drivers I've ever hit. I have two t388's because I honestly thought it might be my driver for life. Low, straight, penetrating bullet shots with big roll out. But I tried the Blackout and have been stunned by how long AND straight it is. I really think the milling on the face helps to absolutely groove missile shots. And Chris is right, I've ordered another 7D-distance shaft to put in this baby so I'll have a direct comparison with the t388. For me, the Blackout launches higher, farther, straighter. Unless your swing speed changes all the dynamics (mine is just around 100 on the course), I can't imagine you being anything but happy with it. However you go, best of luck. And do report back on the results you get.

that's too good.

ok, Stew, pm me the answer. and I'll slot you the shaft when I'm through with it... ?

ooh... ooh... ooh...

IWI...? (ie, I Want It)

FWIW, I'd vote for conforming grooves. But hey, don't want to be greedy or spoil the fun here......

Wow, made my day, Chris! Is TSG he best or what!?

I've found that bending up in loft never quite works, especially at the end of the range with a 64. You'd have to do some grinding to get the leading edge to slip under the ball. Seems like this could be an opportunity for Seven, as no Japanese companies that I'm aware of offer this option. (Miura-san hand made a dozen, and I did grab one, but it has the Knuckles which, in the end, I'm not fond of. They're great out of the rough, but I don't like them on tight lies or in sand...)

Mjr., I did a review here of the driver a couple months back. You should be able to find it here. Actually liked it quite a bit, although not as much as the new Blackout.