RLL33

+1 to that. With the Freq Filtered shaft in my Zen, I swear I can feel the dimples in the ball on contact.

Can't remember the last time we had a rainy weekend...

I'm going with the 7D shaft as well in my spare t388. Filled out the questionnaire and will hear back from them soon. Will report my comparison to the Messenger 1st here. When I first read this thread, Stew, I was going to say I thought you had described the perfect anti-right shaft when you hit Craig's 7D. Both of you guys' descriptions prodded me to do what I'd been thinking about doing since discussing with Chris... Looking forward to it.

As mentioned, the Miura HB series is an exception to the common hook problem. It sits behind the ball at address like a long iron, is controllable like an iron, but is far easier to hit long and get up in the air than a long iron. I use a 2-iron hybrid sometimes, especially off the tee, but I always keep the HB3 in my bag as well. It's fabulous off the fwy or out of the rough.

Nothing has been able to kick the Miura HB3 out of my bag. Long, straight, easy to hit, as easy to work and control as an iron. None of the usual hybrid hooks...

Again, gorgeous pics, Chris. You are GOOD! Def looks like paradise there.

Agree both 3 and 5 are heat seeking missile launchers that even seem to leave tracer paths of beauty behind shots. Only dilemma I have is that when carrying both in the bag, I don't know which to pull... <g> So I've been limiting myself to one per round, and switch based on whether it's windy or not. The 3 cuts through anything. The 5 gives me more height on a calm day, but oddly the same distance, or close to it, as the 3.

Thanks, Stew, for this. Sounding more and more like I need to give this baby a try. Craig -- I assume it still rated right up there after the weekend, yeah...?

Thank you, too, mp. That's what I meant when I thought the thread had gotten away from what the SD offering was about. I was particularly interested in your comparison of the Messenger shaft with the new SD, as what I've been using (and loving) in my t388 driver is that Messenger. Any updates on how your feelings change will be greatly appreciated here. (This is also why what Craig has said has definitely made me sit up and take notice, as he's also talking about the shaft AND the t388.) (PS., if you're ever in the Southern Cal area, and would like to get together, a round on me at my club.) best, Richard

Thanks so much for the details and terrific descriptions, Craig. Look forward to hearing any more you care to offer following the weekend. One question, have you played the t388 with a Messenger 1st shaft? Comparison, if possible? Thanks again.

Great looking car! I hope some day to live in a world where more of the concept cars are brought to market and more of the bathtubs are kept in storage... <g>

Thank you, mp! Great review.

I look forward to that, mp. Thanks.

Interesting discussion of physics aside, I second pca168's request for returning the thread (or starting a new one...) that compares the 7D shafts with other great shafts like TRPX. I feel like the release of this shaft using newly significant, if expensive, materials got jacked by a discussion of one person's research into head weight and how it affects HIS swing... Thanks, Chris. ;=]

<<It's all about finding what works best for you.>> +1 to that, T!

Interesting conversation, especially in light of last week's thread about Japanese design not being as "innovative." Some always cling to the old laws (physics included...), but the reality is that ever since Heisenberg, even physics gets contradicted by new technologies -- until, that is, new laws are notated. I began playing golf with hammer heads on the end of steel (and even occasionally wood <g>) shafts. And I assure you, the new lighter technologies have allowed for greater distance as well as distance that is more controllable. Talking this through with many is akin to talking to young racecar drivers about how the old steel tanks would HAVE to be faster vs. the new almost weightless chassis. Or that a Boeing 707 would HAVE to produce more force at 500MPH than the new composite weight Dreamliner. All the things like aerodynamics, strength of a face (on a molecular level), rebound effect, how long the ball stays on the face, size, shape, materials -- all these things contribute to distance AND control. Force in golf is way more complex than Mass x Acceleration. Bravo, once again, to the Japanese innovators. Look forward to some day getting over there for a fitting with these gents. And many thanks to TSG for introducing these innovations to discerning golfers everywhere.

Beauty! How they rolling these days?

Any chance you could convince them to go the last 2-degrees to 64...?

Per original answer, high. Do talk to Tario -- he's the best and he helped me figure out this perfect setup in the first place. Good luck.

This is an interesting discussion. The difference between US and JDM, innovation wise, for me seems to be captured in Tario's article about Kobayashi and his simple design tools as he worked on the t.388 driver versus the big American "ovens" with all their fancy gadgets for modeling and measurement and "Iron Byron" testing... Kobayashi and other Japanese designers find their way to things like aerodynamics through feel, like an artist sculpting what his mind and hands are searching for. The US products hype their latest "numbers" constantly, seemingly unaware that this year's "innovation" making last year's "innovation" obsolete within months in actuality reveals their process for what it is: a bunch of overhyped BS. I'll go with the artist's touch any day. For me, that's always where innovation comes from. And it's why I'm a JDM lover.

Hey, Tom, To answer your questions, I'm an inch shorter than you and weigh 160lb, most of it in upper body, used to be a gymnast. My swing is wide and smooth. I've been told I have kind of a miniature Sam Snead look... <g> The swing moves for me from feet and legs through the core, loads the Messenger with good lag, and then becomes about the release. Doesn't look as fast as it is. In fact, sometimes the odd person here or there says it looks like I'm swinging in slow motion... Something about the Messenger just fits me -- it loads effortlessly, stays smooth, but really nails the ball at impact. Just love this shaft! Before I switched to the t388, my drives were high and sometimes ballooned straight or slightly right. The t388 stock shaft showed me what low canons could do off the tee. Then the Messenger kept the canons but raised the trajectory to what I'd call low mid, or just what I was looking for. Tons of run. My 7-iron goes just 155. Hope this helps. All in all, the t388 with Messenger is as close as I've ever come to what feels like a driver setup for life. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk further. best, --Richard

I'm just loving the Yamaha RMX Tour MB's. Dead accurate and long, great immediate feedback on the strike. Leading and trailing head relief. Pattern on the face seems to grab the ball with lots of muscle.

The MCI in 60 or 70 is fantastic. I've played both and am sticking with the 70. It's long, consistent, tight dispersion, great feel.

Agree, great looking weapon.

Where do get them? Don't see them here on the site.