K2_2

Apologies in advance for the lack of pics, but I saw the one of the best looking sets of custom Mizuno's imhTSGo!!! They were brushed Nickel MP-27's, M stamp in blue, with Tour-AD 95 shafts. The guy was checking out of my hotel, so we only got to talk for a second, but these looked perfect. I know they are not getting as much love as Epon or Fourteen at the moment (the 770 forged are one of my other favourites) but I have to say these are still some very attractive clubs.

I don't have much experience with the Gauge irons, but the ERC hot are fantastic... if you don't need to trade, I'd hold on to both.

Hi Chris, Thanks for the update. The pictures of the different Nikes (I think you said they had a couple different variations) looked nice. I will definitely be interested in a comparison between the Hyper ERC, Epon, and FT-I. And the new VI-Q Deep and... just kidding. I hope you have fun with the Callaway when it comes in.

Hi Chris, Any updates on this driver? Also, do you know if there will be any Japanese versions/renditions of the FT-i (I think you posted some pictures of new Sumo's for Japan but hadn't seen any info about a Japanese FT-i).

DCC14, sounds like you scored some nice clubs.

I think the irons on the bottom say Studio... Chris can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the studio irons were made by hand.

For woods, I'd go Tourstage. For irons, it depends on what you want. All of the JPX irons are game improvement clubs, but the fit and finish, is, imo, better than the MP or MX series clubs I have seen in the States (specs are usually very close as well, which, from sets I have played and had checked, was not the case with MP's from the States). Tourstage has irons ranging from extrememly easy to hit (ViQ ti face irons) to intermediate irons working well for a wide range of handicaps (VI-Q forged) to blades that would make you cry if you're not catching them in the center of the face every time. The fit, finish, and quality (close to spec) are as good as any other club I have tried, but you have the added flexibility of choosing a model to suit your game. They don't seem to have the brand cache on some of the forums, but I would also look at Srixon's I-404 (no longer available new) and ZR-600 depending on your game... these are beautifully crafted clubs.

Short answer: they are very different heads. The 770's are smaller, have less offset, and are more of a player's club. The Miura 3002/3 are a larger, more forgiving game improvement iron.

If you find a pair of them and are willing to sell one, give me a ring . Seeing as how finding just one is so difficult though, good luck.

I'll let Chris chime in, but while you're waiting for other responses... in terms of forgiveness, the Mizuno JPX line are quite good, just a bit more upmarket (nicer finish and fitout imho but you do pay for it). The old Tourstage ViQ forged was quite forgiving, but I haven't compared it directly to the MX-25. Most of Srixon's nicer forgings will be a bit more demanding, but don't overlook a soft casting such as the Fourteen 770 (not the forged version).

According to the website, the volume of the E500 looks to be 460 cc. http://www.mizuno.co.jp/whatsnew/news/nr061205/nr061205.html I was going to demo an E310, but this new driver looks interesting. Gochin, do you or Chris know whether the JPX E310 or the new E500 are square, or are they closed?

Taipan, nice setup. Chris, is that your Mizuno bag/set or just a sample picture?

Hi Chris, I've only tried the OnOff irons indoors, so let us know how they play (just curious). RE the bag color, I like black as I think it wears better than white if your out playing alot. Also, after finally seeing them in person, I can see why some of you guys are so excited about the Epons. They all look very solid... nice shape, specs, and finish. I'm going to demo some with Nippon's, and am talking to a fitter about him doing one in a Tour AD 95 (they have some graphite shafted models but they are an Eppon spec'd shaft. They don't feel bad, but they are a bit ligher than I would like if I was building a set from scratch).

Hi Plus1, Thanks for the reply. That is the type of feedback I was looking for... it sounds like the 58 might be good if I play a dry course (as you said) or one with firm bunkers, but I might go with something else for the rainy season here in Thailand (plenty of time to sort that out though). Cheers. BTW, I hope you are enjoying the VIQ Deep... waiting for that to show up so I can demo one and compare it to the X-Drive 435.

I know this is an older thread, but I wanted to see what everyone thought about the 58 degree Miura WMF series wedges out of the sand after having used them for awhile. Thanks.

Hi guys, Well, I found someone who's determined to trade for Callaway ( :tsg_smiley_laughatyou: ) irons and has two sets of Miuras he'd like to get rid of; CB-1006 irons (rifles) or CB-2005 irons (Tour AD's). Chris, I know you said you liked the look of the 1006, but have you or anyone here ever hit the 2005? They looked nice and seemed pretty forgiving (not Vi-Q forged forgiving, but not too demanding for an off day). If a tourstage comparison helps, I'd lean Vi-Q forged versus the X-Blade CB 2 for this set.

Blader X, I agree re the X Blade 2's. I tried a few out over the weekend, and they are truly amazing when hit flush.

Duffer, I've heard about Keiyo Golf, just haven't made it to their shop yet. It is on my to do list though! As for Japanese gear being cheaper in Hong Kong or Thailand, I have seen a few deals, but for the most part Thailand seems inline with a less well known or discount shop in Japan. Maybe things will look different when I go shopping with one of my friends who lives here.

Tourstage!!! If you’re busy, I’ll sum it up by saying the gear rocks. While the new 2007 gear is not out yet, I was able to hit some 2005-2006 Tourstage gear including the X-Blade CB (new and old) and the 2005-2006 VI-Q forged. The X-Blade Two (2006 X-Blade that is a blade) felt amazing, and is honestly, not something I ahve the game for at the moment. The X-blade CB is a nicely crafted players cavity that allows you to work the ball and control trajectory, but it is not particularly forgiving if you have only played once in the last 6 months (hey, that’s why I was going to the range). I’d rather try the Fourteen 770 for that type of club, but haven’t taken one out for a demo. The ViQ forged will also let you work the ball, and is, imho a smashing club! As I mentioned, I’ve played once in the last sixth months and am also having some tendonitis problems (so both the graphite and Nippon shafts were a blessing). I was able to stretch, hit a few pitch and runs, and then knock ball after ball out onto a green that was 165-170 yard carry over water with a 7 iron. I know for a fact I was lucky to catch a few on the club face but you couldn’t tell from watching where the ball ended up. My only gripe is that the graphite shaft is only 55-60 g, and while I was fine sailing full shots up in the air with this or the Nippon shafted irons, I couldn’t hit a low shot with the graphite shafted ViQ to save my life. With the Nippon 950’s I was still able to hit about the same distance (maybe 3-4 yards shorter) but I could hit the ball lower as well (not everytime mind you, but that is lack of practice, not a problem with the club). The Tourstage shop guru agreed that it was tough to keep the graphite shafted ViQ low. I also tried the 430 cc ViQ. This was a 10.5 degree, 45 inch, 55 g stock shafted, rocket :tsg_smilie_cool: !!! I will say up front that I could not jump on this like the Cally 454 I have, but that was from a pro who had it tipped to keep the left-hand side of the fairway out of play (it is really stiff for a YS-6 which normally plays a bit soft). When I did try to jump on the Vi-Q the ball ballooned a bit (partly my swing being out of tune, and probably due to picking the wrong loft to demo as well) but it did not snap left, which was really impressive for such a light shaft. When I wasn’t going after it though, I could make nice easy swings and carry the ball 245-255 yards without breaking a sweat. I won’t make direct comparisons without hitting other clubs back to back and or with the same shaft. However, I will say that it felt really good, sounded amazing, and went like stink, all without any changes. I have hit some other impressive drivers back when I was in Japan, and after fiddling around with specs I have found some drivers in the US that can produce similar results, but I have never hit a stock driver that felt or performed like that. I probably won't sell all of my Callaway kit as I've spent time getting it set up and have gotten comfortable with it, but I will definitely be building an all import bag over the next year (already started with a putter and I'm waiting for reviews of the 2007 Vi-Q forged :tsg_smilie_money3: ).

Chef, I haven't bought anything from Chris (I got quotes for a few clubs last year and ended up not getting them as I had an abrupt increase in work and decrease in playing time) but he can get you some pretty good prices. The prices he has for some gear I've been interested in have been equal or lower to what I could find in Japan or here in Thailand where I am at the moment. Definitely visit Victory Golf while you are there though, it is an amazing place from all accounts (I've looked at stuff in Kyoto but only heard about Tokyo stores from other people).

Guys, I have some bad news... according to a shop owner here, the 'new' RSI Corza has been discontinued and replaced with the AGSI series :tsg_smiley_laughatyou: Sorry, I had to laugh about this with someone (even if it is online). A few shops here have gotten one or two putters in, but they're all 33 inches. I tried to see about ordering one and that's when I was told that they were discontinued. As I was leaving one of the girls who does the ordering came up and told me to come back in 1-2 months as they had a shipment coming in that would include a few 34 inche putters. :tsg_smilie_cool:

Hi Chris, That looks very well done, and you may have struck a happy medium between the standard R7 forged (which I like) the cast R7 TP (which I find to be somewhat less attractive).

Hey Chris, This will be great, and I am sure that everyone is looking forward to the reviews!

I'm sure everyone hopes you're having a great time! And of course, thank you for taking the time to send us some pictures.

Thanks for the up and coming coverage :tsg_smilie_cool: As for specifics, Tourstage, Gauge (any more info on the prototype similar to the 2004 cavities), and any new PRGR stuff would be great. Also, if Miura has any new irons out, please let us know! Have a great time, and while we will all appreciate the pics and video, please make sure you guys take some time to enjoy the show for youselves as well