Blader-X

Very nice review and I must say great pics on Ipakuto. The blog is looking great. A little off the topic of the club but in regards to RC and Sonartec. I had read in GolfWeek that Sonartec in the states no longer has any ties to RC. Anyone know why that split occured? I was in the golf shop today looking at the latest domestic clubs to come out and noticed that the new utility by Sonartec, the HB-001 does not have that signature channel all woods and utilities have always had. The new utility has a nice shape to it, but I still think the old TRC model is the best utility they ever made and one of the best ever to have been made. In fact, I was comparing it to the G-Field model and the G-Field model looks very close in design to the TRC. The G-Field model is a little longer heel to toe. In regards to this fairway wood, its middle channel looks to have been made a lot shallower as well. Am I right in seeing that T, or does it just look that way from the pics?

C'mon boys and girls, I really want to read your stories and see all the pics. Lets get on it!!

TMFreak, thats too bad he won't ship to Australia but I don't understand why. I've shipped to Australia a couple of times and never encountered any problems. In fact he could use USPS Global Express Mail and it won't cost more that $23 or so for shipping costs. That price is what I paid to send clubs so this item in a smaller box should be a little less. Maybe send him another response and see if he would reconsider. It really shouldn't be any big deal to ship to Australia. As far as clothing from Japan, it is awesome. I can't find anything good around my area for clothes. In fact I bought a bunch of Paradiso stuff a few summers back when I was in Japan visiting relatives. The summer time in Japan, many stores have sells and I was able to find quite a few items. Now whenever they come over and ask what I want I just ask for Paradiso clothes.

I'm very curious to see what kind of putters they come out with. They've done great things with their previous lines of clubs, just wondering if the putters will be something special.

I always hate those times of the year. Its necessary for sure to keep the courses in shape, but when you want to play, I feel you.

Hey Spoon, Is the increase in swingwieght throwing you off some? I myself like the heavier swingwieghts. Helps me not to overswing.

I would say this works. It'll be one sick set once its put all together.

Glad to hear it!! You don't strike me as the sort to buy clubs and turn around and sell them right out. I picture you more as a "connisuer of clubs", if you will. Waiting very patiently for pics. I know they'll be sweet!!

NIIIIIICCCCEEEEE!!! Awesome job on the pics, thanks for the commentary. I think my favorite is the Chikara's. Next to your avatar of course!! Is Maggie your girl? If so, you're a lucky man! Thanks again for sharing.

The Black Golds will be the shafts I pick to go into whatever my next set of irons will be. Having used them in my wedges for several months now, I really think they're the best steel has to offer. In fact, I may even have to reshaft the 7, 8, and 9 irons just to give it a go and see. The Black Golds in the wedges have made them very, very accurate. In regards to the those prototype shafts, I can say I was very fortunate to be one of the testers and came away very impressed. Think Roddio-type dispersion with the feel of the AxivV. I absolutely love this shaft. Looks like 2008 will be a very good year for shafts. Trust me everyone, when these do come to market they are an absolute must try.

" IDRIVE '07 " in the Palindrome style. The "'07" is for the year.

I really like the new graphics. Much improved I believe. Interested to see what the new putters will look like and feature.

Ahhh, the King of the "HO's" is back!!! Glad to see you on the forums again. Here's my suggestions to a new bag. Driver: The new Epon 400 coming out. As for the shaft, contact Chris and ask him how's it going with the NGS protos. Wedges: Its simply a must to pick up some Chirkara's. However they must be done for you with your choice of paintfill and specs. Shafts, I say go Black Golds if you like steel or the Roddio if you prefer graphites. Irons: The new Epons AF-301's but go all out and have the stamping done with your name or even better yet, your TSG call sign plus1!! Shafts: Give the Roddio's a go. Second choice, Yururi's. Putter: Nothing but an all custom putter by the master Sasaya-San. A Gold's Factory putter with the replicated G-Field insert and of course your initials or callsign in your favorite color emblazend on the sole. I like the 'soft black' finish myself. 3wood: Nothing touches the Epon, wait for the new model. Its basically the old one but with the newly updated graphics, much improved in my opinion. As far as the shaft, go Graphite Design, either the QT85 or the new 9003. The new Paradiso bag also looks pretty sweet. Looking foward to whatever you get as I know it'll be unreal!! B

If its even one step better than the AxivV it'll be on awesome shaft. Even though I no longer play the AxivV, I still think its one of the very best out there. Hello Axiv X??!!

Simply put, I have the best 3 wedge combo ever to have put into play for my game. All three are Epon Wedge X-models, copper finish. Wedge #1 Loft: 60° - Bounce: 6° - Lie Angle: 3° flat Shaft: True Temper Black Gold - stiff flex - 36" Swingweight: E2 Grip: TourSpec Cord Used for approach shots of 85 yards and less, open faced high lob shots, back-in-the-stance running shots and everything else in-between. Probably the most used wedge of the three. I do however do not use this wedge for any greenside bunker shot (blast shot) but will use it for bunker shots of say 50-60 yards where I'm trying to hit the ball first (i.e. fairway bunker shot) Wedge #2 Loft: 55° - Bounce: 11° - Lie Angle: 3° flat Shaft: True Temper Black Gold - stiff flex - 36" Swingweight: E4 Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Used for approach shots of 100 yards and less and all greenside (blast) bunker shots. Also wedge selected for most greenside shots in real fluffy lies where contact may be a little dicey. Will also use for back-in-the-stance chips as well. Wedge #3 Loft: 50° - Bounce: 6° - Lie Angle: 3° flat Shaft: True Temper Black Gold - stiff flex - 36.5" Swingweight: E2 Grip: TourSpec Cord Used for approach shots of 125 yards and less, long chip and runs and any other shot around the green where I would normally select one of the other two wedges, but given the conditions I just "feel" the 50° is the better play; maybe I want a little more run or a lower trajectory. I've written plenty in the forums about my love for the Black Gold shafts so I will simply say here that its the "feel" I get from this shaft that I love so much. I have tremendous amounts of feedback from this shaft and its given me great confidence when I use it. The trajectory I get from them also matters a great deal. It bores through the air on a "lower wedge" approach that I prefer from full swings. The above descriptions are my general uses and yardages but of course conditions vary and so may the club selection at the time of the shot. For me there will be no other wedge in the bag until these wear themselves out. The only wedge I want to give a go is the Chikaras by Carlton but I won't do that until the custom options are available. For me, right now its the Epons. I simply don't get the amount of play I once did and even though I really, really want to return to competing and playing more, my kids' schedules really limit me from being able to do that; so I have to be happy to play during the times I do get to get out there and play. As for pics, you've all seen the Copper X-models and my wedges aren't as pretty as they once were. But my game isn't about a beauty contest especially when it comes to getting up and down. However, even though they're fairly well worn, that copper look and feel is one heavenly sight!!

Sell it. That putter's just not you're style. Take whatever money you get from it, think about what kind of design you want, the weight you want it, the specs you need and the finish; and have Sasaya-san make you a custom Gold's Factory with the G-Field replica insert. If you're going to put any kind of money into any club, it might as well be the putter, the club most shots are taken with.

For me its the 13.5° with the GD QuattroTech 85s but I concur with your sentiments whole-heartedly. It really is the supreme being among all other 3-woods. I'm really glad to hear others are liking this club as much as myself.

TourStage X-blade 2's. Nippon Shaft NSPro 1150GH Tours.

No worries man, thanks for the info. I love long-winded replies as I can't seem to stop writing them myself. I'm going to give the X-UT in steel a little while longer before I decide if I need to pursue the graphite as in its current form its working pretty well. If I did change it would probably be out of sheer curiosity. I have to say at this point every club has a solid place in the bag. The only thing I'm really thinking of tinkering with is the shafts in the X-UT and the Epon 3 iron, but again I want some more time with the way they are currently. Yes we do seem to have some similar tastes albeit I go the flatter route with my clubs. Thanks again for the insight and good luck in the club championships. Represent TourSpec well!!

Here's my favorite which is adorning my bag as I type. The ComoCome Reggae color. AKA: The "pakalolo" cover. Yes its a magnetic closure. Well made product. Beautiful detail. I like it!!

Have yet to try the Black Golds in the "regular" iron shafts, but in wedges, they're UNREAL!! Just perfect.

Stupid question but was wondering if you've used the UT-85 in the past and how might the UT-95 differ? I realize its only the weight, but while I liked the UT-85 which was in the GFT, I thought that a little something was missing. Just didn't feel completely right like all my other clubs and was wondering if going a little heavier might do it for me, since I play all my clubs heavy as it is. So I'm contemplating whether or not to put the UT-95 in the X-UT which is now occupying a very solid position in the bag. Thanks, B

I'd have to concur with BigBen. My X-blades have the 1150's in x-stiff and I really like them. I have a Tour Concept S3 in the Epon 3 iron. I did it just to give the shaft a shot. I like it. Works well in the set. Still getting accustomed to it. In my opinion, can't go wrong with the 1150's. Absolutely superb shaft. Solidly set in the bag.

Happy belated Birthday T!! Sorry, but I've been away from the site the last few days. Man, that Paradiso bag is sweet. That just may be the one for me!! I do hope it was a very, very good birthday.

You know if you really look at him, there's really not a whole lot of movement in his swing go begin with. The one thing about golf is there really is a bunch of different ways to hit the ball with success. This I know. I've had success hitting the ball many different ways. Really the key is finding what works best for you. But when you get down to it, the less moving parts the better as its more consistent. My mantra for many years has been turn and turn. I have a very athletic move but my swing for a long time had way too much lateral movement. It takes time but if you can really get down to just turning and turning, while maintaining width in the swing, you will be very successful. Get that move down and just believing in yourself and you will go a long way. I've been reading a little lately about the "stack and tilt." I was working on that a few years back with some good success. But back then, I didn't have all the confidence and thought I needed to do something different. Lately, in reading about this, I'm discovering that I've been doing a lot of right things for a long time. Now I'm believing in myself and my equipment and just letting it all happen. I just wish I had more time like I had a few years back. Oh well, I'll take the experience as there's nothing like experience to be able to fall back on. Golf teachers are like anything thing else in life. Find one you believe in and seems "logical" or "right" to you, add in a little perserverance and work ethic, and you'll get there.