RLL33

Talked to Chris about that, but not really an option as it would require removing what makes the feel so special -- the insert. Also the way it feels as is I wouldn't want to tamper with! PS. Thanks for that initial mention you gave it back when you first posted about it.

It's been a while since I felt something so unusual, so completely new and different in a putter that I not only couldn't put it down, but I had to get a second one as backup in case anything happened to the first. (Also so I could leave it in my bag and still have one at home to practice with...) I first noticed the comments of a couple of forum regulars sometime toward the end of last year, one in particular saying he'd never felt anything quite like it, and I made a note to give it a try the next time my putter ho got a grip on me. And that turned out to be at the start of the new year. First hit: what...? Second hit: WHAT...? Third: WTF!!! Like a lot of you, I've been through most of what's out there with putters. (Happily, for the most part, I'd add...) Occasionally I come across something like a Yamada that immediately makes it into treasured territory. I felt that way about the 85029 the first time I hit it. And then again when Gold's restored it. And the Epon Zen, which has been my go-to most of the last year. And a Scotty Studio Design No.5 with a rainbow finish a long time ago... But this thing is... well... unique. And I mean that in the best sense of the word. I've honestly never felt a putter do what this P3 does when it comes into contact with a golf ball. It's not just soft. It's as if the face slows down the moment of impact on a different plane in time. You feel the ball sink into whatever the alloy face is made of, as if in slow motion. And you have the same kind of time you have with a fine iron to shape your putt even as you hit it. And then the ball shoots out with its version of the thwack a great soft driver face leaves in your hands and ears after you catch it right on the sweet spot. You want it perfectly straight? The balance on this thing is uncanny. You rock your shoulders and the head never leaves your line. You want that perfect top spin roll from the fringe, without a bounce? Just ask, the thing reads your mind. I told Chris that I had my all-time lowest putting round on my home course the second time I took it out, and that if it held up, I'd post about the experience. So here I am... Like I said, I missed the thing in my hands overnight so much that I ordered a second one. So I now have one in silver and one in black. Ryoma seems to get its highest praise for its drivers. But man, the P3 putter deserves a spot right up front, too. What can I say...? It's true putter love -- the one-of-a-kind kind! They really found something with this design.

Excellent. Makes it easier to shovel that stuff with that in mind! Free round offer still stands if you ever make it out to the left coast. (snow) cheers!

Any golf trips planned this year?

Looks like fun, Ash... sort of... <g> I'll raise a Guinness to you on 19 today.

Did TSG works do the copper?

Oh man, those are sweet.

+1, Jack.

Also the new Cally Apex is a beautiful club and almost as amazing. Very very long. Too bad they don't release a JDM v.

I liked the Honma as well with the Vizard shaft. But my favorites remain the Yonex 0 and the Cally Proto 18, which no one can get any more. I realize it's USDM, which is a shame because I think you guys would love it. Seems to me the Honma is modeled on it. Softest of them all, easiest to hit off tee or deck, also the smallest of them all.

Get well, Stew.

<<... good investment if you don't drive it...>> love it! <g>

I heard Acura was bringing the NSX back -- looks like they outdid themselves nicely! And what's that Ford GT...?

Like others, I can appreciate both -- as long as we're talking about higher quality mass produced only -- but for me, I most treasure a hand made club that just has something unique about its feel that I lucked out in getting ahold of, knowing it's a one of a kind.

Nice review, D. Appreciate the on-the-course type of info. And great pics, too!

Nice!! Congrats and enjoy! Merry Xmas!

Thanks, the look is super, but the face milling is beyond. Feel is exquisite.

My 80529 was worn and dinged up. With guidance from TSG, Gold's turned it back into a gem.

This is untrue. Yamada was overwhelmed with custom orders after news got out of him gifting one of his handmade putters to Pres. Obama. He then set up a way to separate his handmade putters from the machine milled. Both are available again. I believe the machine milled line has actually been available here at TSG for some time. And in the US, I know John Muir of clubmaker-online.com carries those and is in touch with Yamada personally and able to get the hand-made's special ordered again.

Stock Speeder 575.

For best pics, see Chris's writeup of the club in the Blog section.

In the department of "I think I have a driver for life, but tempt me anyway," I got to hit the Yamaha RMX Tour over the weekend thanks to Chris and TSG. Probably don't have to say, but my bag baby is the T.388 with Seven Dreamers d-shaft in it. And for me, that's about as good as it gets. But I have to add, and quickly, this Yammy rocks, as Chris and Michael have said before me. It sets up nicely for a guy who loves smaller head drivers. It's 440cc, but looks deceptively smaller. I prefer the stealth black of the T388 to the glossy finish of the Yammy, but with its red trim and nicely inlayed layers, this club is dangerous looking. Combined with the red Speeder shaft and a great head cover to boot, it looks like a serious weapon. And performs like one. It passed my "hit it 3 times" test with flying colors. By the third hit, the ball was flying. Off the face, you get a nice springy pop. Titanium is just different, and those who respond to its feel will love this Yammy. Pop, pop, smack! By the 5th hit, it bumped up another level to the kind of THWACK that definitely drew attentive looks on the range and is music to my ears. Great sound! Great feel! Springy but in a controllable way mixed with firm, as if to formula, which I'm sure it is. And definitely great distance. Ball was smacking well up on the screen sitting at 230. One almost flew over. Good straight ball flight, too. Nice and penetrating, and somewhat higher than the T388. I didn't get to play with any adjustments, but those are there, too, in the form of wrench and weights. On my list of everything that isn't the T.388, this driver moves to the top. (Nice to know somewhere in the back of my mind that should something ever happen to... Nah, don't want to even say it... ) Thanks, Chris, and thanks, Yamaha! Top notch driver!

Sick! That pic of piles of magazines sitting on top of the Ferrari is priceless. What's the story with this family? Hoarders or whore-ders...? <g>

I'm with you, Craig, the T.388 with the Seven Dreamers distance shaft in it made my dream driver into a whole 'nother dream.

Downright stunning look, Chris.