Blader-X

I really love my UT-95 in my TourStage X-UT. I really don't think I could find a better replacement. Nice tight dispersion with great results from any lie. An extremely solid shaft.

These look real, real solid. Has anyone out there been able to get a sneak peak and maybe a trial swing with these? Could you share your thoughts?

Hey Mjr D, Did you ever hit the 1150's and if so, can you give us some insight on how the Super Peenings compare to them?

Great review and good insight. Yamaha definitely has some quality products. Curious to know how the face heighth compares to the Epon. Are they right about the same heighth, or is one taller than the other?

Well, after some agonizing days, I finally decided to stick with the Black Gold for this Yururi head. I want thank everyone for their input. I really contemplated between the Super Peening Blue from Nippon, the Aerotechs and even the KB's. But what it came down to, was the fact that I really, really love my Epon's with the Black Gold so I thought that I would stick with that shaft, at least initially. If once I get the club back and it doesn't perform or feel the way I'm anticipating it to feel, then I'll change it around a bit. Hey Bat, you'll have let us know how the Super Peenings are! I'm curious if you're able to get those in the US. They're on the website so I'm sure they are. After this club comes back I'll let everyone know my thoughts on it.

This is all music to my ears. Thanks Chris for the inside scoop as always. Eagerly awaiting this to come to market!

Really looking foward to the write up on this T. Without a doubt the best shafts out there that I've personally come across. I've always had good results with their shafts. Maybe not the best graphics or looks-wise, but very, very solid shafts. I can't say enough good things about the P9003X I'm currently using in the 3-wood. Looking foward to the driver Epon is building me with this very same shaft.

Great to see this. This could be a great followup to the demise of G-Field. Should definitely spark some interest!

I think you're making the right move. The QT is an excellent shaft. Very, very smooth and it just oozes quality. Even though I switched from the QT to the P9903x (and very happy w/ that by the way), I still believe in the QT very much and it would be one of the very first shafts I would reccommend to anyone. Please do report to us on how it goes. B

If that 850 doesn't work out, I can attest to the UT95. I have that in my X-UT and that club is absolutely solid and that UT95 shaft has an enormous amount to do with it. I know in my swing, heavier shafts are better than lighter when it comes to graphite. When I had experimented going with lighter driver shafts, I couldn't get good results. Once I switched back to heavier, 80gm shafts, I felt whole again.

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I was thinking maybe the KB shafts or the Aerotechs. I know the Black Gold would be stellar but you know how it goes, always thinking of "what if". What I am sure off is taking the 4 iron out and placing this club in. My Epon 3 iron would take the place of the 4 iron or I can just bust the 5 iron depending upon the conditions. Just feel like shaking up the bag a bit and doing some experimentation. Thinking of even going graphite just in the 3 iron. Maybe a TourAD 115? UHHHH, I've got some serious contemplation with both clubs.

Well, I just ordered a 45 degree Yururi PW head. Thinking about putting this in the bag to give me more options in the 120 yard range and taking out the 4-iron for awhile. Anyways, I ordered just the head as I'm not quite sure what shaft I want to try. Any suggestions from anyone out there, especially those who've played this club. My Epon wedges currently have the Black Gold, my Epon 3-iron has a TourConcept and my TourStage irons have the 1150's. All three I absolutely love but you know how it goes, we're always looking for something more. I'm seeking a low trajectory shaft. Chris suggested an S400; what would you suggest. Thanks, B

I'm still using the TourSpec prototype Chris had me try out last summer. I love this shaft. Having that said that however, I did just place an order for a new AF101 with the Graphite Design Tour AD P9003X. I recently had that shaft placed in my 3 wood and really like it. Now we'll see how it does in a driver. I will review once it arrives and I put it through the paces. It seems the MD series from Graphite Design is getting a lot of play by fellow TSG'ers and from those who have posted have given very favorable results.

Been purusing through the ProShop of late and came across this new offering from Miura. A driving iron with the look of a killer blade similar to the 5003's. Just wondering if anyone's hit this club and if so, your thoughts? Sweet looking club IMO. Might just have to pick one up if I can get a little feedback about it.

This is absolutely gorgeous. I'm wondering if Sasaya-san is coming out with any center-shafted creations?

#1: The best club or should I say clubs have been my Epon Copper X-wedges. As you can see from my bag I carry 3 and they are by far the best wedges I've ever used. From every category to spin, feel, dispersion, trajectory they are the best. The Black Gold shafts I really believe add to their performance. The heads are quite worn but they still feel great. I wouldn't trade them for anything but when the time comes to replace them, I'm very positive it'll be with Epons again. #2:TourStage X-UT utility w/ Graphite Design Tour AD UT-95. This is without a doubt the second best addition to the bag over the past year. Looking for a hybrid club which could provide complete confidence from any situation from off the tee, in the fairway, in severe trouble and beyond, this club combination has come to me as a salvation. The feel of this club is unlike any other utility I've hit to date. The ball flies off the face and the dispersion pattern is very tight with this club. It has a slightly deeper face than most hybrids which I seem to prefer in all my wood style of clubs. The head is compact and while somewhat rectangular, it has enough curves to it so that it doesn't appear "too boxy", if you can gather what I'm trying to say. I'm able to hit differing trajectories when needed. I'm telling you I've some crazy recovery shots with this club as well as huge, towering tee shots. This club is an absolute must have in my bag. Like American Express, never leave home without it. I do carry the G-Field #3 utility but it doesn't get the love the TourStage does and many times it trades places with the Epon 3 iron. #3: Graphite Design Tour AD P9003X - This shaft has been what I've been searching for in 3 wood shaft. Recently placed in my Epon Technity 13.5° 3 wood head. This shaft replaced the QT-85 that was in there. It was a solid club before, but after switching shafts, its the mother of all 3 woods. I must say again without a doubt, the best 3 wood combination that I've hit to date. Everything about the Epon head is perfect. Perfect heighth, weight, looks; and now the shaft which powers it has solidified this club in my bag. The trajectory I'm experiencing with this combo is a low, piercing bullett. I mean its on a string. That's what I want and expect from a 3 wood. The color of the red on the P9003X is very sexy and there's just something about it that inspires me even more at address. #4: Iomic Oversize Grip - This grip along with an inch reduction on my G-Field Premium Zone Putter has provided a renewed sense of confidence in my putting translating into a better performance on the greens. I've had mixed results in putting over the last year prompting me to consider some changes to the putter. I even payed a couple visits to local golf shops and tried many different putters while there and found nothing comparable to the feel of the G-Field. This led me to start thinking about the grip. I then started thinking about going with a larger grip and the Super Stroke review on this site started me experimenting. I found I needed and wanted a bigger grip but I didn't want to lose feel. I even placed a Scotty Cameron Baby T grip I had and liked the results but still wanted better feel. Looking at the Gold's Factory blog website I came across the Oversize Iomic Grip. At the same time I started lowering my hand placement on the putter. All at once I knew what I needed to do. So I got the Oversize Iomic grip, cut my putter down from 34" to 33", and placed quite a lot of tape to help bump up the size of the grip. That did it! Instantly my putting was quite improved. I was much more comfortable over the ball, I was starting it on line better and I was able to get my swagger back on the greens. Currently I'm desinging a Gold's Factory putter and until I come up with exactly what I want, the Premium Zone with this grip and length will fit the bill very nicely. The red color of the grip is much like the red of the P9003X. Inspires much confidence. 5#: TourStage X-Blade Irons - Still the best looking irons to me, since I first laid eyes on them in Japan three summers ago. Feel is great, looks are phenomenal and I haven't found an iron yet that makes me want to switch. The only thing might be when and if Epon ever offers a blade. Until that time, I really don't see me switching. I know this style of iron is from '05, if not earlier, its still gets my attention.

You could go with the Epon AF-701. I have the older model Type-S I use from time to time when I don't want to go with 2 hyrbrids for whatever reason. I use the TourStage X-blade 2's in the 4-9 and the Type S in a 3 iron. Works really, really well. However, I would suggest a hybrid. Great clubs with much more versatility. I carry at least one, the X-UT by TourStage and will also sometimes replace the 3 iron with my #3 Utility from G-Field. This club is money from anywhere including fairway bunkers. Good luck with your search.

My old G-Field wedges had that raw face design. I liked it. Thought it improved the feel, plus over time, as it wears it looks great IMO.

Glad to hear it. You've been missed here over the last year. You'll have to post more pics of the Gold's. I don't think I can get enough of those putters. Very soon I'm going to get one made. Just need to put some more thought about what I want. Love the G-Field and its solid, but going Gold's with the G-Field face; I just gotta have that!!

Congrats on the new gear. The pics of the putter Chris posted look top notch all the way. So with all this new gear, can we surmise that Plus 1 is back and will be hitting the links once again?

Thanks for the pics. Now I just have to decide between the MD-8 or the P9003x for the AF101. Or do I just install the new head on the current shaft which I love to death. My, these decisions are just maddening!!

I couldn't be any more happier to hear this from you Chris. If and when they do bring these out, I'm on them!

Everything you wrote makes perfect sense to me. Soon you will be JDM exclusively. The feel is everything. Wait until you get really accustomed to it. Thanks for sharing.

I finally posted some thoughts on the GD P9003X. (See under shaft review section) I would agree with all the things Chris and Gocchin have said about this line. I haven't hit the MD line but have used the QT and the PT series and the MD is a meld of the two. I would say you could not go wrong with the MD series since it takes all the feel of the QT and places it in a shaft with kickpoint (mid) of the PT line. I love my P9003X and yes it is geared for the hard swinger. However, if you want that same feel in a less stiff profile shaft, go with the regular 9003 series. These are great shafts and no matter which way you decide its high quality all the way. Just a matter of which profile you prefer.

This is a move that I do try to put in my swing especially when I find myself getting too handsy. My problem is the left side due to my hands becoming way to active in the swing. When I find myself becoming guilty of this and my shots start finishing much more left of target than intended I work on using this "sawed-off" technique. Something my swing coach showed me years ago.