Henry

Nice video. Chris, I am trying to get an idea of the head sizes for the JPX E310 and 301. In your opinion, what are they equal to compared to the mp or mx usa irons. thanks!

I have the ViQ Forged and can say, imo, the MX-23 would be an easier set to hit and are more forgiving. The head size of the ViQ Forged is smaller and probably a little less offset. I believe the ViQ Forged is more of a players club than the MX-23.

I am looking to purchase wedges that have the most spin. Wedges have to be legal. Any thoughts?

Ok, for those who have seen and/or played both, can you tell me the differences in terms of the following: 1. Head size 2. Offset 3. Top Line 4. Foregivness I know the JPX is much stronger in loft but I have never been able to demo the JPX line. Not sure if it falls in the same catagory as a semi players club that I give to the ViQ Forged or if it more of a game improvement club that I had playing with the Mizzi Comp EZ for the past few years. Any comments are appreciated.

I agree with everyones comments. The ViQ Forged clubs have more offset and thicker top line BUT, in my opinion, is also a players club. If you are a low single digit handicaper, go with the CB2. If you are a high single digit handicaper, I would recommend the ViQ Forged. you will not be disappointed.

Did anyone notice the pro's at the Players Championship who were sponsored by Srixon all had hats that had the Z-Steel logo on the side of the hats. I thought this was a Japan only product. Why would they be promoting it in the U.S.? You think we may get these fairway woods?

This is more exciting than Wrestlemania!!! Tourstage is my pick!

Chris, when you say the JPX has the most noticable difference in offset, do you mean more offset than the MX and less offset than the MP lines?

Can anyone explain torque and its relationship to the shaft. Higher number of torque or lower number of torque suggests what?

Matt, you make some interesting points. I recently obtained a set of Tourstage ViQ Forged irons. I personally think they are great clubs and I was willing to pay a lot more money for them compared to buying a U.S. product. I do not anticpate becoming a better golfer but I feel I purchased a superior set of irons. Was it because I paid more? Was it because I have something that no one else at my club has? I really don't know the answers. All I know is I have a feeling I bought a quality set of clubs that I believe will provide me enjoyment for years to come. I want to believe I bought a set of irons having some technological advances not seen on domestic clubs but it may all boil down to marketing. From what I have seen on this site, import clubs appear to have better technology. However, I do not think one can equate better technology with reducing your score. I just want to play with the best set of irons on the market and I beleive import clubs provide this for me. Maybe Chris can shed some more light on this topic.

I do not have an MBA and probably need one to understand price points. I just simply do not understand how and why these U.S. manufactures believe the U.S. market will not bear a higher price for clubs if they have advanced technology similiar to the Japan market or even why Japan manufacturers believe it could not market its Japan only clubs in the U.S. with the higher pricing. While some have told me there is only a small number of people who would buy this stuff (like TSG's) making it unfeasable, I do not believe that. There are ways to market products to a small minority of people making it worthwile. It happens all the time. Why no manufacture understands this is beyond me!! Sorry for the rant but I find this to be a very interesting topic!

I know what you mean!! I have a tourstage X Drive 405 Driver and when my pro had his Bridgestone rep over for a demo day, I showed him what I had. He "appeared" stunned, looked at it closely and thought it was fake. After I told him how I obtained it, he did not say much and downplayed the product. I just do not understand why regional reps are turned away by their import products. At a recent golf show, I went up to the Mizuno rep and asked him about some of Mizuno Japan only products and to see if he could get his hands on any. Again, the rep was rude, said no can do and did not really want to talk to me. I do understand reps can only make money on products that they can sell, however, I just simply do not undertand why they cannot get their hands on import stuff especially if it is produced by the same manufacturer. While I understand, for example MizunoUSA and MizunoJapan are 2 "seperate" companies, I connot comprehend why these 2 "seperate" companies cannot "work" together and give their reps commissions on any product line they sell. I thought we live in a global marketplace??

I am thinking about getting a utility wood but I manage just fine with my 7 wood. I hit my 7 wood anywhere from 185 to 200 yard and it has replaced my 3 iron. Is it easier to hit a utility club than a wood? What are the advantages of a utility wood vs a 7 wood, if any? I am confused and need help!

OK guys, for those of you who have been fortunate enough to play or demo both these product lines, generally speaking, which ones do you like better and why?

Just did a google search and it takes you to the site for this years show. The site is in English. Interesting to view it. Chris, are you planning on going and reporting to us all of all the new import equipment?

just curious on how your pro shop carries a club from Japan?

With so many choices of great looking import irons in the Pro Shop and from what Chris has told us about, The hardest part for me is choosing the ones I like best. Some irons may look great but are more of Game Improvment than Players irons. I would love to get a list going of irons that are out there and catagorize them in terms of Players irons, Game Improvement irons or Super-Game Improvement irons as Golf Digest recently did in the Hot-List. I am assuming a low handicap player may choose a Game Improvement iron as opposed to a Player iron if he wants more forgivness but would never choose a Super Game improvement iron because of looks. Some of the import irons I am looking at include the Tourstage CB2, ViQ Forged Irons, Mizuno MP 27, JPX 300 and 301. Anyone want to start catagorizing these and others so we can get a list going? Thanks!

It just facinates me that a lot of the Japan maufactures do not think there is a U.S. Market for their clubs because of price. To say that there is no market for an expensive car in the U.S. because you can get a less costly car is silly. I know there is a market for these types of import clubs if they were marketed properly. Am I missing something??

Can anyone shed some light on what the differences are between Bridgestone USA vs. Bridgestone Japan or for that matter, Mizuno USA vs. Mizuno Japan. I do understand there are different product lines within these companies but am a little confused on whether product lines are more superior in one country versus the other. For example, a Tourstage X-Driver is a fantastic club but so is the J33 Driver as well. Does it just come down to preference? I know there have been some discussions on this but just looking at this from a slightly different angle.

Chris, is it possible to advise us what type of golfer these clubs are geared toward?

Mizuno Japan's website has a new line of irons called Mizuno 310. They look very interesting. Anyone know more about this new line from Mizuno?

Hey Big Mack, If Mizuno is 2 different companies, one in U.S. and one in Japan, are there 2 seperate factories for the production of the clubs or are the clubs produced in one factory and then devided by market? Just curious.

Great discussions and very interesting observations. This may be slightly off the topic, but I guess for me, it comes to down to the quality of the product. I know if the product was designed in Japan, chances are it superior product. For example, my friend just bought a Toyota Camry. Designed in Japan but made in the USA. What I find facinating is the Japan golf market in general. Why is it so different? Why does it appear to have such a variety of clubs and why do manufacturers believe these clubs would not make it if distributed in the U.S? Who decides these issues? I know there would be a U.S. market out there for Mizuno mp 27s or Tourstage products if marketed correctly. Am I wrong?

Does a particular shaft react differently with different clubs? For example, If I play with a NSPro 950 shaft with a Callaway 5 iron, will the same shaft feel or react any differently, say with a Mizuno 5 iron?

If you think these may too much of a players club, I would consider the ViQ Forged Irons. Just as pleasing to the eye and probably more forgiving as well!