jick

tried the ball, it's not urethane after all. It's more like ionomer or surlyn. It was something like a Burner TP or NXT Tour but with not-so-good durability. It scuffed on every iron shot. I used the MP801X. After four holes the ball looks so beat up, I didn't use it anymore and didn't even bother trying the MP801. Four holes isn't enough also to get a grip on the performance of the ball such as distance or spin or trajectory so I will reserve judgment on that. It was a bit of a bummer as I was quite excited to test the ball.

Mizuno's entry into the tour ball market are two tour type balls - the MP 801 and MP 801X. These are urethane covered and designed to compete against the ProV1's and Zstars. Some players in the Japanese tour have already been putting these balls in play. This will be a Japan market product and will probably not make it to the USA. I will be trying out the samples tomorrow and will let you know how the balls play if there is any interest here.

I just found a website that has them. I'm just not good with translating. http://www.workstc.co.jp/ The white grip looks great!

I just realized my friend xxio also posted a query about these grips. We must have been thinking in the same wavelength. I was actually referencing the magazine he owns which he lent to me. Perhaps the mods can merge the threads. Thanks.

I checked a July 2008 golf magazine - not sure if it was Golf Classic. It had pics of a lot of bags. Anyway, a number of the pros in the Japan tour have Perfect Pro grips on their sets. A source also told me that they are even better than Iomics or NO1 grips. Does anyone have info about them? Does anyone know their website?

Yes, they are indeed a very pretty looking club. They feel also really great. That is why I asked because I am seriously considering this club.

The topic says it all. It seems to be a really great club so I was wondering what the tip size was since I am interested in getting one but having it subsequently reshafted. Thanks.

I do have extensive playing time with the Fourteens. They are the best wedges I have played. Sole grind is versatile off the fairway and rough, and it spins like crazy. The feel is also quite soft. The only downside to me is that it is not so good on fluffy bunkers but then again that could be my problem as I got the 56-08 and 60-08 so bounces are pretty low. But for chipping and pitching, nothing beats the Fourteen. It checks/spins but I know exactly how it will react once getting to the green.

Anyone know what the d A and T settings are for?

Here are my gamers, Fourteen 56 (satin) and 60 (raw):

Are they working on hybrids and putters down the pipeline? I'd love to see pics if they have.. especially the hybrids. Thanks.

Maruman Conductor Power Forged Irons should also be added to the list...

I saw this set in the flesh last October. It was still brand new and was intended for Juvic's use. Based on what people say about the Hong Kong Open, I guess Juvic really put it to use. By the way, the undercut cavity is only until the 5-iron. From the 6-iron down, it is just a nice mucle-cavity. No musclebacks even in the short irons so it really isn't a "mixed set" because it ends at the "muscle-cavity" stage. Unlike the Sligshots or Apex Edge, the undercut cavity of this set is quite thin and narrow-- and high. If dirt and grass get it, I cannot conceive how it would be possible to clean it. So that is the only potential problem I forsee with this set.

Check my posts earlier about the new Maruman wedges (maruman.co.jp) and the Katana putters and even their prototype wedge (katana.ne.jp) I'm sure Chris can stock them, and they look to be very promising products. Jovi

Any of our Japanese friends there try the Maruman KS Wedges? http://www.maruman.co.jp/golf/index.php?pa...ohin_cd=1303718 It seems to be a very good wedge design based on the following: -designed by Kenzo Sugiyama who has done clubs of Masters winners (presumably Woosie) -"micro-spin finish" (which means spin milled perhaps?) -low bounce (56 wedge has only 10 degrees bounce) -forged of soft carbon steel S25C (I never got the hang of the cast Vokeys) -deeper hosel insertion depth (for more feel perhaps?) -and it seems to have some kind of black satin finish - it looks like everything I am looking for in a wedge just like how I posted that the Katana putter looked like everything I wanted. So now my questions to your Japanese guys (especially Chris): What is the feedback/buzz so far about these wedges and Kenzo Sugiyama? What foundry is it forged in? How much is it? There are no address photos, do you think it will have the squarer toe (Vokey 200/ Cleveland 588) or a rounder toe (Mizuno MP, Callaway forged)? Let me know what you think. Jovi

There is no big thing with them. I just asked the question about them because when I checked their website, the putter seemed to be everything I was looking for (and which Scotty refuses to make as a production model): Anser head shape, heavy head, black finish, milled. I doubt if many tour players in Japan use Katana. Believe it or not, the exotic putters here aren't close to being the #1 putter in the Japan Tour - such as Matsumoto, Gauge, Zomo, Bettinardi. Ironically, the #1 putter in the Japan Tour is an American brand - Oddysey. Or at least that's what it was the previous years. Not sure about this year. Jovi

Actually I don't belong in your market since I am from the Philippines and have our own dealers/distributors here. I just couldn't understand Japanese. Too bad the site doesn't say what kind of steel is used, but I'm sure that wouldn't be much of an issue. But thanks so much for the help with the Japanese translation, and I hope this site will have great success with the Katana brand. Jovi

http://www.katana.ne.jp/puroduct/sword_pt.html I am most interested in the Sword PT-501. It has the right Anser look, a black finish, milled and a swingweight of D5 at 33 or 34 inches (which means heavy head!). It seems to have it all. But that particular model also happens to be the cheapest. I think it is made of a different grade of steel, I am not sure. Is there anyone here who is well-versed in Japanese and can help translate the page? I would greatly appreciate it. Try to help explain also why it is cheaper than the other models. Also, to Chris or whoever there - what is Katana's brand reputation in Japan? Thanks a lot.

I've heard that the permanent weights can be drilled off and changed to movable weights. Can someone please give me the details and everything i need to know? Thanks. Jovi

Oh, so the R5 TP will be released to the market? I never knew that. That would be great. When will it comes out? Who's your contact there - Ernest? Mon? Buddy? Jovi

Where are you getting the R5 TP? Have you demoed the DFI? Anyway, I'll send you a PM. Jovi

January 2000 would mean the end of `99. For the `99 season, Tiger averaged 293.1. This season he is averaging 305.0. So that's *only* an 11.9 yard gain, not the imagined 28 to 30 yard gain. Let's not forget Tiger's slip from 71.3% in `99 to 55.5% this year in driving accuracy. Jovi

This driver is the real deal. It is perfect for areas like the Philippines that is under R&A regulations. I played a scramble tournament today and hit career longest drives with it using a Precept U-Tri Tour (a ball which I had previously considered as short). What I loved best about the driver was that is was very reasonable priced when compared to other Japanese drivers. Jovi

Have one round in the bag with the Nike DFI 9.5* reshafted with Fuji Tour Release 26.3 S-flex. It is quite promising. My current driver is really a good fit for me, going long and straight. But after one round, I can say that this Nike carries just as far and rolls more. I noticed it goes farther into the wind also. So I'd say it is a lower spinning combo and goes just a bit farther. Sound is more of a titanium clubhead sound as opposed to the muted sound most are accustomed to from composite crown heads. Jovi

Just got mine. I have 100-105 swingspeed. Diamana 48g S is waaay too soft for me. Hit it all over the place. I am going to reshaft with Fuji tour release 26.3 (60 gram range). The head is really beautiful. Perfect shape and size doesn't look too big at address. I'll let you guys know how it works with the new shaft. Jovi