Blader-X

I have to side with Goodsie on this one. I've never experienced anything high with the P9003x ever. I've got in my 3 wood, in my 10.5 Yonex and 10.5 Kamui-KPX. Before those I've also had it in an AF102 along with the AF101. It is my ideal shaft. I have an S-Yard sitting in a box with the newer Z9003 which I have to test later this week so we'll see how that one goes. In the 3 wood, Yonex and KPX, all three are absolute perfect piercing trajectories. Never a balloon, not once. And yes, the advertised 115-125 swing speed is not necessary. The only time it didn't work out too well as in the AF102 head, just didn't have the feel quite there. But in all other clubs that I've ever used it, its been absolutely ideal. I can't comment on the BB series as I haven't hit it, but I can say the P9 series is much prettier!

I second the Fit-39. Really awesome gloves and I rock the all-black look as well.

Yes, I'm going with the GD Z9003 Type 6 in stiff. Length will be 45.25". Length-wise I hope it works out and I'm sure it will but I've been doing very well at 46.25" with the other drivers. Decided that even at stiff this shaft should still be stout enough and if not not I'll take your idea on the tipping. As for as the Type 6, decided to give the lighter shaft side a try once again. If it fails I know I always have the P9003 to fall back on; but I think this just might be the way to go at the current stage of things. As far as loft goes, I went 10.5. That loft has been working well in the KPX and Yonex; and knowing that the S-Yard is producing lower shots than expected for a few of the reviewers I decided that 10.5 was the way to go. Besides, its only one degree. I'm excited to hit this as I feel this may become a very special driver for me. If not, the KPX is as near ideal as I can have at the moment. Only thing with it is I have to watch going left as it loves to draw. Misses are straight left and think that's because with the KPX the harder you go at it, the better. I'll post review just as soon as I receive it and get some time in with it. All in all because I don't play as often as I have in the past I decided to back off on all the specs a little. Swing-wise I'm as solid as ever. I know exactly what to do and what I'm doing. I just wish I was playing as often. Now when I play its special.

TS 909 irons, and any other blade irons forged via Endo. And yes, are the 909's forged at Endo as previous models in the past? Too bad S-Yard won't have a booth but I can count on T always getting us the inside scoop. I really want to see what Kobayashi-san does for blades for S-Yard. Food, food and more food. I miss Japan so much especially the food!

I have an S-Yard on order with this shaft. Once I receive it I'll be sure to review. Just waiting patiently until then.

C, I tried to go the steel route but have always found the graphite to be much better for me in terms of flight and feel for the utes. I really wanted to like steel in the utes but just can't seem to get that great of feel from them. I highly recommend the SF line from GD as you mentioned. My RC has the SF8 in x and its absolutely perfect in there. Shots are hit on a rope. No ballooning whatsoever. This club hasn't ever let me down once. I do attribute much of that to the shaft. The SF is much better than say the old UT line they used to have. I know its made for a fairway wood but in a ute, its awesome. B

Thanks for chiming in guys, much appreciated. I'll have to mull it over a bit more. I hear what you say about the stoutness of the P9003x Stew, but honestly I just love that shaft and haven't had any difficulties whatsoever with it. I was just thinking that if the P9003x was so good maybe the newer version is a must try. Maybe I'll drop down to an S flex in it but stay with the heavier weight. Crazy is one to consider for sure, but I haven't been "crazy" about Crazy. Not really sure why as I haven't tried them at all, but they just don't appeal to me; but you can't argue with all the great results they've had. The Stinger now that may be one. I liked Diamana when they first came out but fell out of love with them as I spun those shafts too much. Beautiful graphics though. Anyways, the point here is this driver is must have at this point.

Distance i stated is carry and it may be underrated some. My hybrid is a 210 club. The 3 wood a liitle more. Off the tee the 3 wood can be huge at times. But I know that I tend to generate a bit of spin. Also note that the 115 swing speed was some time ago. With age and attrition not sure if i generate that anymore. However on really good ball striking days i can be long. However i can also power down the driver to produce little punches. As an aside that's a great drill to do at the range is to try and hit your driver varying distances such as 100, 150, 200 yards. One thing i do know is that i haven't done all that well with light and whippy shafts.

What more can you tell us on the blades. I think I read in another post that this was actually a model from a couple years back only re-introduced? Is that so, and where is this forged.

Okay gents, seeking any and all advice in regards to a new driver build. The new S-Yard T.388 will definitely be a very special driver. I've been around golf and TSG long enough to realize that. So here goes. While in general I'm very in tune with my specs and what works for me I'd still like to hear what others may have to say in regards to this build specifically in regards to shaft and loft. For starters, the gold standard shaft for me is the Graphite Design P9003x. If there was ever a shaft seemingly built for me its this one. Presently I game that in both a Yonex 380 (10.5) and a Kamui-Pro KPX (10.5). In addition that very same shaft is in my 3 wood and that club is solidly, solidly in the bag. Both drivers above are 46.25". The Yonex produces baby draws on a rope-like trajectory with distance at about 235 yards on average. The KPX when I go after it produces draw to straight with distance at about 245. The KPX I do not fade like most others have seen. In fact if anything this club always favors the left side. The KPX as Stew says loves to be hit hard. Ball flight is higher than the Yonex. I really like this driver and its presently the gamer but it loves the left side. My distances are averages and for me it all depends on how my right knee is doing that day. Having had two ACL surgeries on it limits me in terms of power. That and the fact that I turn 44 this year. Still my driving is very consistent for the most part even with limited play of late. Yardages are honest assessments and while at times I'm longer, I just don't play as much as before and age and attrition are starting to kick in some. I can't tell you my swing speed as I haven't measured in some time. It used to be up in the 115 range, but whether its still there or not is not all that relevant. The P9003x is the shaft for me. So that all being said, here's what I want. I want to go with the updated version of the P9003x, the Z9003. However, the question is what flex to go, X or S? I'm sticking with the heavier weight of 78gm so it'll definitely be the Type 7 model. In the past I have experimented with lighter shafts and they just don't work for me. I'm really in a quandry over the x or s as I'm hitting the present P9003x just fine but what would do I stand to gain/lose by going s or x? Second question, do I go 10.5 or 9.5 loft? Both drivers I have presently are 10.5 and they are serving me well. However I'd really like to hear what you all have to say. In the past I've had very low lofted drivers, 7.5, 8.5 etc. My Epon 102 is an 8.5 w/ a Quadra FEX proto. That club is a fade club all the way, especially considering the near 2 degree open face. However, it doesn't see much time except on the range as the KPX has taken its place in the bag. But now, with this S-Yard, I fear the KPX may get the boot. The Yonex 380 changed my mind about big-headed drivers and I found that I hit them better. The KPX I like because of the high face. Its near perfect except for its penchant to go to much left at time and the fact that I can't fade the club at all even when I really need to. Since both these are 10.5, I'm wondering if that has anything to do with both drivers liking to draw. They're both very consistent in that way. I'll definitely will try to have them find an open face for me which should help with the left part to some degree. While it may seem that my mind is made up, I would still like to hear any and all who care to chime in. And I know that the P9003x hasn't gotten that much love here but there are a few who have some experience with it. So if you could, please let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance, and lastly can't wait to see what blades S-Yard and Kobayashi-san come up with.

This one has me very interested. Especially with a GD Z9003 in it.

This beats all other putters in this style hands down. For me I have no want of using another putter ever. Its that good and that special.

Would love to see side by side pics of these versus the new TourStage 909's whenever those are available.

I'm actually gaming this as my 3 iron. I do also have a 4 iron but it doesn't see as much time as the 4iron from the 901 set. I do like the look of these and they perform very well.

There was a time when being left handed was very frowned upon in Japan. Take my wife for example. She was born left-handed. When she was growing up in Japan her parents forced her to learn to do a lot of things right-handed because of the current culture of the time. Being left-handed then was kind of looked down on. There is still some of that which exists today but it has gotten better. That is why I think we dont' see a lot left-handed versions of JDM clubs. Now, my son is 13. He's was born right-handed but he plays a lot of his sports from the left side. Since he was very young I started him in golf, and I mean from when he could first walk. I just let swing from whatever side he wanted. Naturally he developed from the left side. In ice hockey, golf and swinging a baseball bat he swings from the left. For throwing a ball he's naturally right handed and he writes right-handed as well. I would have loved to have him hit from the right side as he to would've inherited all this fine JDM gear but his swing is very fluid and and very natural from the left side. I never wanted to change that. I mean he's just pure. His main sport is ice hockey but we do get in a round or two here and there. He can go weeks to months without playing golf and when he comes out he hits the ball very well and his touch around the greens is very good especially for someone who doesn't practice regularly. I think its because he's been doing from such a young age and its the one sport I never ever pushed him in. I just let it develop naturally; just let him hit the ball and do what he wanted. And over time, he's developed a really good swing. I've have looked for left handed JDM gear for years now and until very recently was unable to find. However as T mentioned XXIO now makes some lefty stuff as was as Geotech. In fact over the summer, T hooked me up with a Geotech driver and shaft combo. Had him send it to my boy who was visiting relatives in Japan over the summer. Recently we played a round and he's hitting that driver just great. Its the GT45N. Its one of the few left-handed drivers around but it performs for him very well. Hopefully as time goes on, more companies will start making a few more left-handed sets. I'm very much against trying to change someone over who from left to right or even vice-versa. If a swing is developed naturally over time and its from the left and its good, I wouldn't suggest changing it.

Royal Collection, especially the older models were and are the best. I'm very partial to the VS Tour in my bag and don't see that being replaced for some time. Its perfectly setup with the GD P9003x. I had the Epon and I believe still have a 5 wood but RC still won out.

The wedges that reside in my bag are still the best for their individual jobs. The Titleist-Japan Vokey forged 62 degree has the most ideal grind for a lob wedge there is. From 80 yards and in and especially around the greens. The Royal Collection DB forged in the 50 and 56 are perfect. The 56 is the best sand wedge I've used to date as as being very useful around the greens. The 50 is an ideal attack wedge not to mention very effective at chips. Also, have a Vokey forged 46 which is just stellar but that club is basically my 9-iron disguised as a wedge. Oh, and then there is the feel of each of these. Just doesn't get any better.

I wanted to hate this putter because it was so expensive but having started with a similar shape way back when and finding much success early on I just had to have this putter. It for sure is something very special indeed. It exceeds every other putter I've ever owned or tried by miles. I used to consider myself a fairly good putter, now I'm great. That's a bit of an embellishment but it really is good. I cannot get over just how much feel it has, not to mention the roll it puts on the ball. The only thing is the cover. I don't use it. Worried the velcro would ultimately scratch the finish. I prefer my WinWin Style Dragon cover.

From a "looks" standpoint this has become my new favorite brand although I have yet to try anything they make. The muscle back blades appeal to me. Anyone have an idea as to where these are forged?

Graphite Design P9003x was simply made for me. It really was. I've got it in the Yonex 380 and KamuiPro KPX. Both drivers are fantastic. Not to mention one in the RC 3 wood I'm bagging. I don't hit it miles. I get it out there for sure, but its not miles. Maybe there was a time but age and everything else has crept up on me a bit but I can still hit that shaft. Feel, trajectory, dispersion. Its a great shaft. I will say though that it didn't work in the Epon 8.5 AF102, But then that might have been because I had that head built at 210gm. I've got the FEX proto in that one and that shaft works much better in that head than the P9. This setup is good, but not as consistent as the other two. The GD SF line for fairways is the most underrated shaft. I don't know another soul using one, but the one in my RC ute is pure money. There couldn't be a better shaft in that setup.

Finally have got some range time and a round in with this. Head shape is intriguing like no other driver. They say square face angle but I do think this is slightly closed as I cannot for the life of me fade this thing. It takes what feels like a complete slice swing to get a little fade, which really isn't all that bad of feel. This does hit large but not so much more than my Epon nor my Yonex. I don't think there's a driver out there which will gain me a huge increase. I hit all just about the same. But, on certain swings, this KPX is massive. Just need some more time. This KPX I have is shafted with my all-time favorite shaft the GD P9003x at 46.25" a D5.75 swing weight and of course built by Goodsie. Man does Gary build great feeling equipment. Specs are perfect for me and the length at 46.25" is no problema. But then my other two drivers are of same length so that's what suits me. This KPX is something though. I find it really easy to hit. Love the high face. Flight is low to mid, but I will say its higher than my Epon (Epon is 8.5 degree) and even slightly higher than the Yonex (10 degree). I would love to see what I could do with a KPX in 8.5 degree though. Not sure if I will, but would love the opportunity. Maybe that's a build for down the road. Will report more once I can get some more time with it.

This is by far the BEST feeling and best rolling putter of any I've hit. I started off long ago with the Wilson 8802 of which this style is modeled after. I was very good with that blade but over time went the way of the Anser style, starting off with a Scotty 2.5 Newport which I still have. After JDM entered my world the G-Field #1 occupied much time in my bag until it one day it simply didn't perform up to par. That's when the the M1 Plus (G-Field) took its place and I thought I'd never putt with another as this had it all. The #1 even went up for sale and has now left. Then, came the Zen. It lives fully up to its name and then some. Words cannot describe how utterly pure this putter is. Simply . . . Zen.

This is intriguing especially since I'm such a fan of the P9003x. However, just from this pic it doesn't look as good as the P9.

Chris, my car's in the shop. Could you give me a lift? Just drive a few hundred miles south and come pick me up and take me back to Vegas for some golf!!

Jeff, was this your first time for golf in Japan? Quite an experience isn't it?