Blader-X

I know the driver is out of this world, but I want to ask those of you playing the 3-wood to comment on how it performs. Is the feel similar to the driver? How is the length and trajectory? Any and all comments are sincerely appreciated. Thanks.

Hey Chris, Loving all my G-Field clubs so much, was wondering if TourSpec would be offering any accessories like bags and hats from them as well. Would love to see a low profile cap with their new G-Field logo.

Definitely a very sweet bag. All except for the name of Titleist on it. I do really like the way the top is divided and the shape to it. Looks very functional.

Plus1, just out of curiosity, have you shafted up an Epon with one of these Ozik shafts? If so, how does it compare with an Epon/Axiv-V combo?

I prefer forged all the way. I'm not saying cast clubs are inferior or I couldn't hit quality shots with them, I just like the way they feel. Especially, when it comes to wedges. Shots off of forged clubs have more solid "feel" to them.

1024 x 768. I'm having no problems with the home page.

According to the Tourstage.com website, stock X-blade CB's with Nippon 950's are a D1 and with True Temper S200 a D2. The S200 from True Temper are 127gm and the S300 are 130gm. Remember swing weight isn't merely just a function of the weight of the shaft. If I had to guess, going to the S300 the swing weight would be right around a D3 provided you put in standard length. Just as a reference the swing weight in my X-blade 2's (not the cavities) with Nippon 1150's and +1 inch are right around D6. Lengthening the shaft will increase the swingweight. I know my clubs aren't the CB's but this may help to provide some reference. If you're after a heavier feeling shaft the S300 would provide that, but you may lose some feel from the Nippon Shafts. Good luck.

Ordered from Chris several times, have never once paid taxes or duties. Live in So-Cal.

Thanks for the pics and welcome to TSG. How's those CG1's feel?

Final deliberations are in. I put in several rounds and a couple of hard-core five hour range sessions. I failed to get any swing data but I know my swing well enough and just didn't have time to get it done. Sorry TSGer's, maybe another time. Anyways, here goes. On looks alone, the Epon takes it for me. I like the way it sets up, the slightly taller face and no sight line markings on top of the crown. Its has beautiful deep black-green tint in bright sunlight. In terms of feel, I love the Epon over the Calloway. I know some have said it feels "spongy", but with that Axiv-V shaft the feeling just emanates from the clubhead, through the shaft, into your hands and all through the body. Its pretty magical, at least for me!! lol :tsg_smiley_laughatyou: Performance: Don't get me wrong. Both are very excellent drivers and you couldn't go wrong with either. For me however, the Epon was always just a little better than the Callaway. In range sessions, they were fairly equal. On the course however, the Epon was the better performer. Longer, by about 10 yards, but more consistent and probably more forgiving. Definitely, more workable. I would be more inclined to try different shape shots with the Epon rather than the ERC. Why the Epon, than the ERC? It just works for my swing. I can get in my own way sometimes and I think the Epon is just a tad more forgiving for that than the ERC. Having said that though, I've hit some piercing bombs with both drivers. Final result: Epon solidly takes this challenge. Just a final note though. Both drivers are really wonderful and a joy to put in play. I do believe, the Axiv-V shaft played a huge part in the feel and performance of both and I couldn't be happier with that shaft. I went with the the 8076 and I feel very strongly its the right shaft for me and my swing. I like the heavier weight and whatever flex it is its obviously the right one. I hope this helps some of you out there in choosing between the two or just in reading more about these two very fine drivers. Have fun everyone and keep posting your experiences. :tsg_smilie_cool: p.s. Chris, still no Epon smiley flags?? :tsg_smilie_confused:

Works just fine for me as well. The only time it hits a bad putt is because of operator error.

Its like BUTTA!!!! :tsg_smiley_yes:

Great post, it just depends on one's personal likes. Like MCsub said, he likes the TourStage driver over the Epon. Myself, I am loving the way the Epon feels. To me now, to me; it feels solid. I know what MCsub is saying about the "spongy" feel but I personally like it. Liking it a little better than the ERC. Having said that, if Epon came out with blades like similar to the TourStage's with a very thin topline I might have to give them a look. Right now, I'm very happy with my irons. Golf is like anything else. If we all felt the same way about things it would be a very dull world.

Just out of curiosity, why? Reason I ask, I believe that is what the one guy did to the Nak I used to have and it was the only one driver where the results weren't that great. He was talking about installing to either favor a draw or a fade depending upon what one is after.

The Axiv-V is fastly becoming my favorite shaft. I couldn't imagine having anything else and hitting it better than I do now. At nearly three times the cost of the Axiv-V I'm not sure the Ozik could be three times better. What is it about the makeup of this shaft that it has such a hefty price tag??

You hit it there Chris. Feel is what its all about, at least for me. I have never enjoyed the game more than I am right now and that's because of all of the import clubs I am now playing with. Couple that with having my ball striking the best its ever been and I'm in heaven now. For me I want clubs that will perform and look and feel great. If its also forgiving fine, but I do not want to sacrifice that feel for the sake of forgiveness. With my game, a more forgiving club isn't going to lower my scores below par. Only more playing time and practice time which I don't have as much of as I once did. Japanese believe in quality and the way something looks. It has to be a certain way. I love that about Japan. You can see it in many different products in Japan. From the way candy is wrapped and boxed, to the way they care for produce, individually wrapping peaches while on the trees so as to make them the best quality they can, to the way food is prepared and presented. You can't truly appreciate what I'm talking about unless you've been there and experienced it. I think the Japanese market would embrace a square driver provided it had the right look to it. To me however, these square drivers just don't look like one could deliver the clubhead into the ball effectively. It kind of messes with your eye.

I can't tell you which way is the best but I will say that I have two drivers both with Axiv V's. One is the Epon with Axiv V8076, the other, the Galloway ERG III with Axiv V8072. I hit the she^% out of both, which is to say I hit them both, far and accurate; as well as consistent. Both clubs have the shafts installed with logo down. Additionally, I've been playing 757's, Diamana's and now the Axiv-V's. I have always have them installed logo down and have always seen very good results. The one time in which I let a someone tell me that it needed to be a different way was when I had a Nak 460 made with a Diamana S73. The results were okay but was never as good as my other clubs. And now, the two I have are really fantastic. I think when it comes to these very high end shafts, they are made so well that placement doesn't really matter all that much. I could be wrong on that but I've seen very good results with what I have. I'm sure there are some other more knowledgable TSG'ers who could chime in on this topic. Good luck!

I've only played with the Premium Zone #1, so I can't speak of the others. However, the Zone #1 is by far the best putter I've ever used in 20 years of playing. I've seen the mallets you spoke of in a golf shop here in my area but I won't think you would find them just anywhere. My guess is you would have to seek out shops which cater to either the higher-end type of golfer or like in my area, a golf store which caters to the Japanese golfer. I never looked at the price, so I wouldn't know the cost but they come in all the colors you can find in the Anser-style putters like the Premium Zones. Shoot Chris a PM as I'm sure he could hook you up and at the best price as well. I've done several deals with Chris and he knows his stuff and will always tell it like it is. G-Field is a high quality product. Good luck!!

Thanks for the multitude of pics :tsg_smilie_cool: Beauty clubs and bags!!

Someone's been very busy shopping!! :tsg_smilie_money3: How is that G-Field 3-wood working out?? I have a 16* with the PT-8 shaft on order. I can't wait. I don't know what made me order it. I hit my current one just fine. But then, I got to reading the reviews, talked to Chris, along with my love my G-Field wedges and putter and, . . . well . . . one thing led to another and decided, what the he!!. (I also have a G-Field utility on order :tsg_smilie_whistle: :tsg_smilie_money3: ) I'll have to update my bag pics soon as well. Alpha pro, beauty clubs and headcovers Congrats on furthering your "HO" status!! :tsg_smilie_cool: :tsg_smilie_wink:

Very nice!! Thanks for sharing. :tsg_smilie_cool:

Another update before I put the clubs away for a few days and return to work. :tsg_smilie_sad: Played a full round with only the Epon on a course I play on a consistent basis. I know this course well so I can do a fair comparison. Again, this is only my results but the Epon/Axiv V8076 combo is working out very well for me. I hit mostly gentle draws with this combo but needed a hard draw on one hole, and big 20 yard fade on another. Hit both shots exactly as needed. Found 9/14 fairways. Of the ones I missed one was through the fairway, three were my standard left pull (my personal miss) and one was missed to the right rough. In terms of distance Epon beat the ERC by an average of 12 yards. This course I play is mostly an all carry kind of a course with limited roll. I was carrying the Epon 265 yards on average; with a couple of drives which I really got a hold of close to 280 yards (carry). The ERC on that course hasn't been as good. I must say after the range sessions, I wasn't all that impressed but today really changed my thinking. The Epon was simply beautiful. I'm very happy with the shaft, the feel of the clubhead, how it sets up; just everything about it. I have at least three rounds scheduled for my next stretch off of work and I'll make my final comparisons during then. I'm thinking of shortening the ERC to 45.75" which is what the Epon is playing. That might be the optimal length for my swing. The Epon really outperformed the ERC on the course and like I've stated previously I've been very happy with the ERC. I'm even happier with the Epon but its early yet. Edge: Epon takes the lead, analysis still in progress. If I get a chance, I want to take both to somewhere where I can get some launch stats. Picture here about 15 Epon smiley flags!! :tsg_smilie_cool:

Just a quick update. Went to the range where my swing coach works out of. It's good range. all grass and place where I can hit tons of balls. I hit about 100 balls with each club throughout the day. I put the ERC up against the Epon and was really a little surprised. Both clubs perform (for me) fairly equally. There really was no one that stood out from the other. I had pretty decent day and striped many a ball. I had been expecting the Epon to just eat up the ERC but the ERC would have no of it. Overall the feel the Epon had a slight edge, but only slight. I like the 8076 shaft a little better but even then not really much difference. Trajectory of both very similar. Again this is just one day and it needs more time. I just wanted to share some more impressions on two really wonderful clubs. I think its as Chris says, tech wise is pretty maxed out. You just need to find a club to suit your personal preferences. Both these suit me fine but my testing is not over yet. Edge: Jury is still deliberating!

Chris or anybody in the know, could you explain to me the Power Transfer Ratio. What is it, how is it measured and what it contributes to defining the swing?

Do a search on this website as you'll find some good feedback already written about this shaft. As far as the flex concerning Japanese shafts versus other shafts I don't buy it. It all depends upon the company making the shaft and the shaft itself. I can say the shafts I have had experience with definitely have more feel but I haven't felt any difference in flex. You can't go wrong with high end shafts that match your swing characteristics.