jlauber

1000 ccs, and 588 grams! Know wonder he could only hit 188 yds. 588 grams is almost twice the weight of an average driver! Must have felt like he was swinging a shovel.

Price, shaft options, and when? Same with those XR Irons...

Their web-site (I can't read Japanese) shows some shaft specs, with one of them being a 48 gram model. (I'm a believer in ultra-lites.) Is that available, and if so, what lofts? And once again, how much do you think you will sell it for? And finally, when? Oh, and one more thing...what do you think of the club, yourself? Jeff

Do you know what the Reg Spec 9 degree with JV50 shaft will retail for?

Chris, What the shaft options for the 460 Hi-COR Fusion, besides the top-of-the-line GD's? And when can you get one of them? Something around an 8 Degree...lightest stiff shaft possible (something around 50 grs.) Price? (I know the GD shaft one is around $800.)

Tourstage is not big here in the US, but I can honestly say that their irons are very stunning in appearance! I guess I will have to reconsider my next purchase, too...I was going to go to the Gauge blades...but those TS Blades are gorgeous, too.

I take it that the Japan model Fusion 460 is hi-cor (above .830) ? How much?

Joe, From what I have read, from many others, is that you are the premier club-maker in the area...and I'm sure you will be modest about that statement. However, I would think it would be far more beneficial to have someone like yourself, who understands many of the physics of the shafts and clubheads, work on a particular combination, than to spend hundreds, if not thousands, on "tour quality" equipment. In fact, I would contend, that "tour preferred" equipment is just that, for tour players...and not hacks like myself. Just because VJ uses a $300 shaft does not mean it will work for the average golfer...and VJ is not paying for it either. Having said that, I must say that I love the looks of those Gauge blades...and even though I will probably struggle to hit them...when I can afford a set, I will have you build and blue-print a set of TC shafts to go with them. At least I will know that nothing more can be done with the equipment..and any flaws will be because of my swing, and not the clubs. Maybe I'm wrong about the price points of the shafts...I'm sure a rep from one of those companies would argue with me...but I just can't believe that an Accra SE-80 will out-perform a reg Pro Force shaft by 10-1. Maybe a few more yards, and a small percentage increase in fws hit, but even then I doubt it. Now some will argue that a few more yards is worth a few more hundred bucks. Obviously, shaft and equipment manufacturers are banking on the cdonsumer believing it will. Anyway, thanks Joe, for your feedback. And if the Proto Pro Force is reasonably priced, I would certainly be interested...something under $75, though. At least that's my two cents.

Something tells me that they will put a premium price on that shaft. probably $400 or so. It seems to be the current trend now...what manufacturer can out-price the other. Fuji started it a couple of years ago with $200+ shafts, then Mitsubishi with $300, Graphite Design with $350, and UST with it's Accra Line and SE-80, I believe going for over $400. Joe, is there any relation between price and performance, in your estimation? I mean how much more distance or lower scores can a hacker shoot with an upgrade shaft? If a manufacturer could guarantee me 300+ yds down the middle every time, with my erratic swing, I would pay a $1000 for it...but I have never seen any equipment change that would dramatically alter my game. Maybe lessons would help, but I doubt there is a driver out there that will give me a noticeable difference over my Cally 454 8 degree with YS-6 X-stiff, at 46". I have drivers that I can blow by the Cally, that are just components, probably totaling no more than $150, but there is no telling where the ball will go. I have an Integra 505, 8 degree, with an Aldila Longwood 50/50 X-Flex, at 51" that I have hit 350. I seriously doubt that there is any driver made by TaylorMade or TourStage with any shaft, built to 45" that will out-drive that driver in distance. Accuracy, yes, distance, no.

I think Cally already had a winner with the 454. Funny Phil hasn't tried it.

Luckily, if you break it, you're only out a few bucks. Cheap shaft. (Just kidding.)

There is a launch monitor being used by King of Clubs in Elk Grove, CA. Just south of Sacramento. Jeff

Not sure...but possibly an Accra. (An upgraded UST shaft). Check out www.mmgolf.com for a price...

Phil is claiming 15 more yds.

Any idea on how much? Shaft(s)? How soon? Same for the FW's and irons. I would definitely be interested.

Chris, Will the head hold up to a 115 mph swing? And, do you know what the tip size is (.335 or .350)? And how long would it take to get one?

I have a couple of hi-COR drivers, and I have hit several more. My SS is between 110-120 depending upon length of shaft. At 50"+, I will be around 120 mph, and I have found breakage to be a problem with both shaft and head...I even cracked a Cobra 454 head (not the Unlimited...but reg model.) In the last couple of years...probably 10 head or shafts have been damaged. My longest drives have been with 50" shafts (with ultra light weight shafts ...60 grams or less) , and 500+ cc hi-COR heads...350+ yds. But the trade-off is...very low % FWs hit. And to be honest, I don't know why the USGA put limit on shaft length...the pros have been hitting 45" or LESS the last couple of years...practically no one plays anything longer. As for Hi-COR heads...maybe 10-20 yds, at least in my case...but breakage becomes a problem. Supposedly the higher the SS, the longer distance gains. For maximum distance and accuracy...have an expert use a launch monitor and fit you with best combo of head (loft, size, etc.), and shaft. Erratic distance is no good...unless you are playing a 4-man scramble, or wide-open par 5.

How much? Can you get them, and if so, how long will it take? Are there any shaft upgrades or options?

Thanks, For your feedback. I just ordered a 9.5 (I tend to hit the ball high, with the 55 MAS). Thanks again, I appreciate all of your feedback. Jeff

Actually I thank you for your honest feedback. Too often I read about how a driver is 20+ yds longer than another. TM claims that the XR-05 is 13 yds longer than the XR-03, which was supposed to be a pretty hot driver in itself. It has been my experience that the longer I play with a specific driver, the more "average" it becomes when compared to others. If you believed all the hype about how a shaft is 20+ yds longer, and the head is 20+ yds longer, and when hit with a specific ball it is 20+ yds longer. And of course, each new model is 20+ yds longer as well. I'm almost 50, and I admit that technology has allowed me to be as long or slightly longer than I was 20 yrs ago, but I'm not 100 yds longer. I was more curious than anything. I am going to get an R7 MAX from TSG because of some of the comments I have read in previous threads, but even those state that it may be 10 yds longer than the standard version. I always hold out the hope that I will find a "magic" driver that is considerably longer than what I play now (as does everyone else...part of the lure of the game).

I can't remember where I read it, but I thought I read that the Euro version is not as hot a face, either. IN any case, thanks for the answer. BTW, have you hit either an XR-05 or the CTI? And if you have, how does it compare against your current model?

Are there any differences between Japan XR-05 and Japan XR-05 CTI, and Euro versions?

I am considering ordering a new driver from TSG, but I was hoping that perhaps some of you may have tested some of the so-called "hot" drivers, such as the R7 MAX, XR-05, XR-05 Special Ed, or CTI. I also recall reading a previous thread somewhere here about the Ping G2 having a higher ball-speed. I would appreciate any feedback, especially if it involves a launch-monitor. I realize that shaft weight, length, and flex also play an important role, as does loft, so much of the feedback maybe subjective. I probably have a 110-115 ss with 45" drivers, and have hit 125 mph with a 51" driver. Curiously, though, I have had much more success with lighter shafts (as low as 46 gr.). Therefore I am considering the (expensive) Mitsu Trixx Super-Magic, (43 gr. at 47"), built to a final length of around 48-49". I have had a problem with cracking heads, so I am a little leery about these ultra-thin, high-COR drivers. Anyway, I will welcome any of your data or experiences.

I can't answer most of your questions, but from my experience, ball speed from an optimum swing speed is about 1.4 mph of ball speed to every 1 of swing speed. Based on that, your swing speed is around 105-110 mph.

Does anybody know if it is possible to order the Mitsubishi S-Trixx Super Magic shafts (43 gr. Stiff flex 47")? I tried emailing TourSpec with that request, but I never received a response.