K2_2

Durable JDM casting... Maybe the Srixon WR (multi-piece, may be forged), the odd PRGR model or... some older Marumans (they had some nice castings back in the mid-1990's). Knowing the type of clubs that you like though (smaller profile, more player-like) I'm not sure if any of the above would fit the bill. Have you just thought about a set of older forged irons for winter that you readjust midway through the indoor/range mat season?

Forgiveness - R7 Forged Feel (my preference) and very versatile for different shots XBlade CB-2 Financial - J33 CB's will be less expensive and are still a solid club. If you're not worried about the $ I go with two X-UT hybrids, and 5-PW in the X-Blade CB-2

The Beres line isn't bad, I think the quality is currently quite good. The 5, 6, and 7 series are for players with lower swingspeeds. For someone who consistantly drives 220+ meters, I'd look at the 8 series. As for Honma's star system, it used to be based on who made the club (more stars meant a more skilled craftsman while lower stars were done by newer employees... quality was still quite good). Now the star system on the ARMRQ shafts indicates differences in materials... the higher star shafts (especially 3 and above) have slightly different materials that are supposed to reduce disperssion on mis**ts. The 912 with the right shaft is a very nice club. That said, if your Dad is out to the right, I would second the XXIO as a great option. Epon, ViQ, and ERC Hyper are also fantastic options, but their faces aren't as closed.

The X-forged isn't dull, but I wouldn't call it a razor either. I'd try it out off some grass if possible. Also, I'd second the recommendation of the X-Blade CB-2, that is a fantastic club and looks very clean at address.

Mizuno TN-87 & MP-29. Fourteen's, and the original + newer X-Blades... all fantastic irons. For shafts, I really like the Tour AD Pro (graphite aficionado).

Hi guys, Despite missing TAS, the Tokyo Golf Show, and yet another Cherry Blossom festival, I am heading to Japan sometime in September! I'm told that visitors can no longer get prepaid phones when they are there...The guys I'll be working with said they'd check into it, but they weren't sure what could be set up. A friend in Tokyo said he'd put one in his name for me, but I don't want to get anyone in trouble. Chris, what do you, T, or other people do when you're back for a few weeks? On to more fun stuff, can anyone point me to some cool sites to keep up on the latest JDM electronics and related goods? My electronics savy friend has dropped off the map for the last 3 or 4 months. I've already got a small hashigozake tour lined up with some friends who moved to Tokyo, I'll be visiting one or two MMA schools with an old Judo budy, and lots of other fun stuff. I can't wait! However, if anyone has any suggestions for things that you can't miss in Tokyo, give me a shout. I've only been there once, and always spent more time in smaller towns (Shikoku, the least touristed island, is home to some of my favourite places in Japan). Thanks for the time and suggestions. Kyle

T, belated Happy Birthday! Enjoy the new kit... Kyle

Great info guys... I hadn't realized Mizuno had a 'Majestic' line... last time I was in Japan, the JPX line was their premium product, albeit they didn't really have that much 'bling' in comparison to some Twin Marks or S-Yard gear.

Does anyone have some more information on the new EXE line from Tourstage? It looks like they will have Drivers, Fairways, a utility (edit: it appears on the woods spec pop-up), irons, and a really smooth (albeit expensive) bag as well. First impression is that they are competing with the Mizuno JPX line (more expensive and forgiving clubs designed for the 'executive golfer' as one of my friends from Japan told me). It is hard to tell how the woods look at address, but the irons don't look like something most TSG'rs would be after. If anyone tries out the EXE line though, do let us know!

Chris, That looks fantastic! Enjoy it.

I was chatting with a friend in Japan and heard that PRGR has some new irons coming out. Apologies if they have already been posted, but I hadn't seen them up on the site. PRGR 500 BL http://www.yrc-pressroom.jp/html/200771110gl003.html Anyone else think these look nice?

You're very welcome for the feedback. RE the Titleist bag, hopefully someone else can compare them.

Something like a GR series utility?

Second vote for Tourstage stand bags, they are as close to a tour-stand bag as you will get, and are of very high quality. I've seen a few Japanese players just pop a cover on the top and throw them onto a plane, sans travel case. While they do get some dirt and small scuffs from that type of treatment, they hold up quite well.

Hyun Ju Shin on the J-LPGA has one in her driver and in all of her fairway & rescue clubs. Yui Kawahara (J-LPGA) play them in her woods as well. I didn't find any info on them in JPGA bags, but I am sure that some OnOFF staff players have them (names anyone?). What surprised me though was the number of ARMRQ shafts in play on the JPGA by both Hona/Beres staff and non-Honma staffers as well. The shafts have been around for awhile, but the fact that non-staffers still use them kind of confirmed my opinion that they are a high quality product. I haven't been able to compare them to a Roddio though, although I am looking forward to doing so.

T, I will pass the message along to our admin! As for the ViQ's, I'm looking to pick up another set at the moment :)

I just tried these out a week or so ago... they are pretty forgiving, nice shape, move through the turf pretty well etc. BUT I was really not crazy about the feel, possibly due to the undercut cavity? I love the 2007 ViQ forged irons and the X-Blade CB-2 (great feel, but not as forgiving as the ViQ or GR) but I just could not warm up to the GR. Also, fwiw, the new ViQ forged is getting a ton of play on the JLPGA. Onto a different topic, I was trying to figure out why our admin banned tsg at work... then I looked at T's signature tonight. Question answered lol.

Reminds me of the I-505, but it looks like they put some weights (tungsetn?) in the heel and toe as opposed to the middle of the club like the long irons for the older ZR-600. Chris, let know how these feel when you hit them.

I'm looking forward to trying the GR fairways out. 808, I'll let the guru answer, but I've checked Callaway Japan's site with some regularity, along with Japanese magazines at random, and have seen no info about an ERC Hyper fairway wood, just the continuation of the ERC Hot (which does look nice though).

I was surprised about the 430P as well... I might have to hunt one down! It was also interesting to see that the ERC Hyper has a lower MOI than all of the US Callaway models, including the 460. I know that the contstruction of the face can also make a difference, but the numbers are surprising all of the same.

A little late to enter the fray, but these are fantastic irons! I'm not crazy about Honma's image per say (I like the quality, but I'm not into the status symbol bit that goes with them in Asia) but their newer clubs have the same quality that made them so popular in years gone by, and they have some great player's models. Chris, have you taken these out again, and if so, how are they stacking up against your Epons? Cheers.

Hi Cameron, If he hasn't sent you a message already, I'd PM Chris for his advice. If I was going from your list though, I would stay away from a two piece forging where there is a seam/joint near the face and hosel (I think the XXIO irons are put together like that, but I am not sure). Something with a weight on the bottom (A la the OnOff Plus or the new ViQ forged) might be a better option.

The Tour AD Pro... older, but that is one shaft that would give the new Roddio a serious run for the money for me. I like the mid/high to high kick on the Tour AD Pro because it seems to keep the ball down well, but the shafts still feel very smooth. I was also a bit surprised that the heavier I-10 Roddio is only a mid kick, but I'm guessing with the spec and target market that it should still allow for good control of one's trajectory.

Hi T, Thank's for the info! I'm surprised that they are a 0.37 tip, but with someone knowledgeable doing the assembly, I'm sure they will come out great. I'm looking forward to a review .

Now Gocchin, you can't throw that out without some more information!!! Pictures, specs, link to someone playing them. Please ? I'm still kind of stuck on the Tour AD Pro versus and ARMRQ (I love the ARMRQ B62 and 864 but I'm not sure about the weight) but Roddio irons sound interesting.