Duffer19

This would be my primary bag for 2007 season and as you can tell, it is also my first attempt in taking pictures of golf clubs. I would probably reshaft the Fourteen driver with the Mach Line Proto after my golf trip to Florida in late Feb. but the Matsumoto irons would be reshafted tomorrow with the Axiv 558ML and the new Sharpro grips. Driver - Fourteen JC606 R Flex 3 Wood-Fourteen SF206 Yoshimura 19 degree U3 Yoshimura 22 degree U4 Hiro Matsumoto 4-PW graphite fit Speeder 603 (to be reshafted) Yururi GW Srixon SW Gauge Tubu Putter

If you are a good and strong player, one star is good enough and 2 for serious mid hcp. If you are super-rich and cannot play for s***, then go for 4 and 5 stars. A good player with 1 star would always out play a dud with 5 stars and all the gold. Even all those gold Honma are no longer selling well in Asia particularly China.

More and more it sounds like a fake from China. Mizuno would never put a proto up for sale in a store.

Well I guess I was not the only one that would spent $20 for a copy of Golf Classic at J-Town that costs 700 yen (not anymore). There is nothing wrong playing with a SW of C8 to D0 as most JDM are design for those SW and those particular length. I like to play with JDM because the shafts are lighter, grip slightly smaller and better feel all around. 44'' to 45'' would be a nice compromise for length and accuracy. We just need to improve our swing to be more accouracy. I am 5' 6'' and play with a 45 to 45.5 drivers. My older brothers play with a 46 and 47'' drivers (in their late 60s and early 70s) can still shot consistently in the low 80s and beat me. It is all in the swing.

The BS site seems to suggest that the face of the X-blade is forged but then welded to the cavity body. The X series has always been marketed towards better/stronger and lower hcp players. I am surprised to find graphite shaft option in this new x but strangely only with S flex and not R (the graphite spec seems to suggest playing profile not unlike the GD 75 or Speeder 603). ViQ has always been easier to play and aims towards the mid and higher hcp players. They are more forgiving and offer a little more offsets. If you are a low hcp and stronger player, then go for the X but you cannot go wrong with the new ViQ forged which I consider better than 2 previous models.

Hi T: As much as I like golf (and clubs), my main purpose of going to Japanes basically is to find good eats. Unfortunately all my favorite places in Tokyo were closed for the New Year holidays last week. If anyone is interested, I can post a few. There is a well known sukiyaki restaurant that the lady would beat an egg for dipping with egg white into a white foam but without breaking the yoke in the same bowl. That's technique.

I think they are listed for 17,000 yen for steel shaft and 19,000 yen for graphite. I paid 6,000 baht in Bangkok which is approx USD180. Not too reasonable since it was in a large department store and I did not care if it was a little high.

You can take a look at their site at www.golfmall.co.jp/yururi/ Mine is stamped in Japanese characters while there is an option for painted word "Yururi". I love the raw finish like Zodia years ago.

I just want to share this picture with those interested in wedges. I brought a 49 degrees AW last November in Thailand but still have not play with it since the season is already over in Canada. This is old school Japanese workmanship (not unlike hand-made sushi knifes) and probably not technically advance as in wedge design but how can anyone resist the 'raw' beauty of it. For some reason, the grip is a black/yellow Hiro Matsumoto as stardard equipment. Enjoy the picture.

From the Feb. issue of SuperGolf magazine ('borrowed from a airport lounge yesterday in Tokyo) from Japan, here are some new gears that have not been previous covered in the forum. Callaway X20 irons MacTac NX driver and irons Rombax X series shafts Mizuno JPXE500- a 500cc driver NSPro SD graphite shafts

Kid you not,this is the name and slogan of MacTec's new driver available next month in Japan. For a change, this new driver is actually rather attractive, unlike the recent NVs which have not change in years (Japanese version.) I have not check the MacTec Japanese site for detail but read it in a airport lounge in Tokyo yesterday.

Would it be the new MP 67 available in Japan?

Why don't you wait a month or so for the new RC fd from Japan. I am sure Chris would be getting them soon. The difference, between RC and Sonartec, I believe, is the shaft each uses. I personally would buy and use a stock RC but not a stock Sonartec. This is just a personal preference for the Japanese versions for most brands i.e. TM, Callaway and Mizuno.

Why don't you wait a month or so for the new RC fd from Japan. I am sure Chris would be getting them soon. The difference, between RC and Sonartec, I believe, is the shaft each uses. I personally would buy and use a stock RC but not a stock Sonartec. This is just a personal preference for the Japanese versions for most brands i.e. TM, Callaway and Mizuno.

Just saw a set of MB at www.keiyo-golf.com site. I could not tell whether is milled not not but definitely a MB. I have no idea how would one deal with online shopping from overseas.

Most people in this forum are serious golfers and honestly quite crazy about the game and their equipments. If you want to lower your handicap (most serious golfers do), you should definitely consider listening to Chris. I went to Victoria Golf in Tokyo yesterday and came out with just a hat and a pair of winter gloves. Those pro drivers and irons look so nice but I have been playing golf for 30 years (countless set of clubs) and know it would be just a waste of money and absolutely no help to my game. I am at the age that my handicap (from a 12 to 15 in 2006) is only heading in one direction and I am just trying to get as much help as possible (equipment wise) to slow down the process. If dont agree with the other 2 posters that you should not ask or listen to opinions. This is the main reason to join this forum as most posters are very experience in imported clubs. As for Honma, do you know that China is probably the bigest market (besides Japan) for them and most buyers there could play for S***. It is just money and show.

I've heard some rumor recently that Honma is in trouble again. The 'present' owner might throw in the towel after losed a huge amount and continue losing since taking over the brand a few years back.

Notwithstanding the advice from Gocchin, you can expect duties and GST/PST total of approx 25% of 'declared' value on big ticket items like clubs. I had shafts and head covers from Chris came in tax free. If you allow 25% for duties and tax then it would not be a shock to you but could be pleasantly surprised if lower.

Had a chance to take my new Fourteen JC606 and the SF206 FW (3w) for the first time a few days ago. The driver sets up nicely and actually quite easy to hit but I would not classify it as a 'long' driver. Since I did not play in my home courses in Canada or Hong Kong, it is difficult to judge distance of this driver. I was consistently outdrove that day but then my playing partners are high singles vs. me at 16. The feel of the driver is good in term of impact but the jury on the stock shaft is still out. While I don't know the make of the stock shaft but suspect it could be a oem from SYB. I have a Mach Line Proto waiting in the wing for this. Their new FW (SF206) is something else. It gives out a nice sound when struck and it is easy and long both off tee and off the deck. There is simply nothing I would change with this 3 wood. The design is classic and clean and just perfect for a mid handicapper like me-no gimmick whatsoever. It is even better than the Japanese version of V-Steel. I would highly recommend the SF206. Besides the new Fourteens, my 2 new Yoshimura Tour Project utilities (19 and 22) continue to fly straight and true which is rare for me.

I have been going to Japan since 1963 and while I don't speak Japanese, I have no problem in getting around at all, especially in the major cities. As for shopping for golf and hi tech stuff, one does need to do own research. I am not sure about hi tech stuff but I find golf sale people in specialty stores are more knowledgeable than most sales in the west and language has never been a problem.

Dear All: Can someone give me the new site address (in any) of Strixx shaft? Previous one does not seem to work and the link in Inpakuto is the same one I have that is being rejected or restricted. Thanks all in advance.

Most of the time, regular golf stores,like Victoria and large department store prices reflect or just slightly lower than MSRP which is no bargain. There are some discount outfits but unless some local directs you, they are difficult to find. Try Keiyo Golf (www.keiyo-golf.com) which mainly cater to club making and components. They suppose to have all hundred of shaft (high end stuff like all DG, Fuji, Axiv, NGS and even Roddio) for demo. if you are interested in trying out as many shafts as you can before buying, give this one a try. Surprisingly most golf shops in the tourist area carry the same thing and sell at the same price. I would be in Tokyo also during the New Year but unlikely I would find things cheaper say like Thailand or Hong Kong but they would be definitely newer. Golf clothings is definitely better than any place else. :tsg_smilie_money3:

That would work every time. If you don't have a certain item, just say it is out of style or discontinued.

I went to two separate golf shops in Hong Kong today and saw 2 brand new Tubu. The first shop wanted $320 and the 2nd one $230 with the original box and HC (how can anyone resist.) Do I need another putter? Probably not but this, I think, one of the last ones before the breakup and lawsuit with DW. I believe that the TUBU was still made in Japan while almost all new G-Field are made in China now. I had wanted a center shafted Tubu in Red but I am sure they are almost impossible to find new now even in Japan. Just want to share this with all you GD devotees. :tsg_smilie_smile: