Carl Spackler

Thanks for the replies. My bad that I didn't make my question clear. I know that much of the higher end, forged Japanese-branded clubs are made in Japan. What I should have specified was that I am looking at game improvement clubs such as the Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal series, Srixon ZX 4 and ZX 5 Mk 2, etc. Really, for that matter, I'd be interested in finding out where some of the big name American brands are made. Somewhere out there is a spreadsheet...😁

It sounds as if you are saying that most or all non-high end forged clubs are made in China. Even clubs supposedly made to JDM specs? Do you think that most or all cast clubs, like the Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal and the Srixon ZX 4/ZX 5 are also made in China? This is very disheartening, if true. Unfortunately, nice forged blades would be a disaster with my current game. Well, the surgeon says that I have a minimum of 5 weeks before I can play golf, so at least I still have time to shop.

I'm looking for new irons, and I prefer a brand that is made in Japan. Apparently, trying to determine where a given club is manufactured (and not just assembled) seems to require a higher security clearance than I have. Even with respect to clubs made for the JDM. I can't find any reliable information on the interwebs, and neither has Dunlop nor Mizuno returned my email enquiries. I assume that most of the Japanese-branded forged clubs are made there, but I'm afraid that my skill-set has deteriorated past my ability to game forged irons. So, for example, does anyone know how to determine the country of origin for clubs? For example, the Srixon ZX MK 2 series and the (non-forged) Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metals, whatever market they are in? Thanks, guys.

Thanks for the reply, Andew!

Hi all! I've started the process of looking for a new set of irons, and for some serendipitous reason. lucked out finding tourspecgolf.com. I'm recovering from lumbar decompression surgery, and my surgeon is saying it will be at least until early April before I can take full golf swings. However, that doesn't stop me from burning up the internet with research, and I have so far, pending fitting, narrowed my search to the new Ping 730, Srixon ZX4 Mk2 and ZX5 Mk2, XXIO 12, 13 and/or X, and the Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal or Hot Metal HL. With my bad back last year, my handicap index climbed from a 12.2 to now a 15.0. Much of this is due to spraying shots into trouble. Things would be worse without my putter. I don't know my 7-iron speed, but driver speed was a tad above 90 before the injury. Can anyone recommend any additional Japanese brands that a newbie like me maybe hasn't heard of? God knows I wish I could hit forged irons, but that's probably not going to happen. One last thing, and I hope that this doesn't come across terribly in my first post here, I'd prefer to stay away from any equipment that is made in China. Obviously clubs with a Japanese manufacturer's name on it that is truly manufactured in Japan is preferred! Japanese components that are assembled in any country other than China is fine. Thanks to all.

I'm retired, but have the ultimate retired guy job--mowing greens, fairways and tees at the local muni during golf season, which it about mid-March to late October around here (Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA). During the off season, I seem to be accumulating surgeries. I had to take 15 years off of playing golf, mainly due to work travels, which, combined with old age (67), has resulted in a significant loss of distance, but with a corresponding gain in dispersion. I'd rather be breaking 90, but on those days that I don't, I still enjoy playing with the group of old-timers from work. Every birdie in every foursome requires a shot of bourbon for all! I'm excited to have found this site, and will no doubt have many questions about Japanese clubs, as I find myself it the market for a new set of irons this year. As soon as the surgeon gives me the OK to swing a club