gocchin

The blade and the muscle back are one in the same. I can't see why they wouldn't have custom finishes like the AF-301, I'm pretty sure they will. We'll be getting a demo set real soon. (^_^)

They are both Fe. (^_^)

I take it you're getting a set? (^_^)

Epon Japan has asked that the picture of the blade not be posted. We have had the pictures for a few weeks but have abided by their request to not go public with the pics. We will post pictures once Epon gives us the green light to release to the public. Though since it's already been posted twice here by our fellow UK members the cats probably already out of the bag. (^_^) Thanks for understanding.

Hi proshopace and welcome to the forums. The Premium Zone milling has actually been around for many years originally as part of the G-Field (Gauge Design) Premium Zone. (hence the Premium Zone tag). It was one of the most popular putters of it's time because it created such wonderful feel and roll. After GD/G-Field went under many customers asked for a similar milling and feel and Sasaya former designer from GD and the Master at Gold's Factory created his own PZ milling using CAD design to produce a similar feel and roll. Originally it was a seperate milled insert like G-Field but it was far more economical to mill the whole face. While visually Rife has a similar face the specs of the milling, angle, depth, groove distance etc are different. Each putter is also individually built and milled by the master himself. All Gold's Fe (carbon) putters are made of Japanese JIS Standard S20C . Gold's gets the highest quality most expensive S20C from Sumitomo Kinzoku Inc. to forge their putters. Here are pics of the old G-Fields: Then the insert for Gold's: Then face milled:

P, the 901 Blade has the least offset followed by the 701 which has very minimal offset. I think you'd get along well with the 701.

The Roddio untipped would be pretty soft which is why its usually installed by a certified Roddio Technician who knows how to reach a certain finished CPM with it. GD recommends tipping anywhere from 0 to 1.0" for the MD depending on required performance and feel. The true MD characteristics come out when the MD is tipped an inch for standard bore (mid trajectory left side out of play). The W6BA will go left especially without proper tipping/installation. Both of mine are tipped properly and the MD5 which is an R2 (between R and A Flex) plays firmer than the R Flex W5BA I have but they are very different profile shafts and this shows aside from the stiffness ie I can hit a draw and go left on aggressive swings with the Roddio which also launches higher but I cannot even go straight with the MD5, at best it's a soft fade and the trajectory is much lower (I am not an aggressive swinger so the MD5 doesn't really fit me but I wanted to try it). So as a guess for both untipped, I would say that the Roddio Stiff W6BA is close to a MD6 SR maybe a tad softer. This is just a guess.

No need to apologize Goodsie for your rant, you have every right to do so. I didn't even know this was the case myself as I don't play Miura's and haven't in the past. I was surprised to find this out from Chris as well. It doesn't really make sense to me either so go right ahead and torture them. (^_^)

He's teasing cause he knows they are coming real soon. (^_-) wink wink

I currently play both the MD5 and the W5BA, sorry not the 60g but close. 1. The Roddio is softer. But both will depend on the head it goes into and the tipping done. 2. Roddio hits it higher. 3. Roddio spins a bit more. 4. The MD is a tad tighter.

I've added the new Diamana to the pro shop for pre order. The ali'islei did very well but was more geared towards the smoother swinger. Diamana has used some of its new technology to create a lower torque shaft geared towards more agressive swingers with the kai'li which roughly translates into blue diamond (Hawaiians can correct me on that) (^_^) Mitsubishi Rayon introduces an all new shaft for the 2009 season, the new kai'li. The kai'li is a multi dimensional design utilizing thin sheets of carbon arranged in a multi layer structure to control torsional stiffness, stability and elasticity. A mixture of uni-directional carbon fiber for stability coupled with high elastic modular carbon fiber make up 68% of the shaft. This reinforces the shaft for control and dispersion while still giving it elasticity when storing and releasing energy during a swing. The kai'li is available in 60, 70 and 80g ranges with lower torque and mid to high kickpoints. Unlike the ali'islei which was more geared at smoother swingers, the kai'li is designed to give harder more agressive swingers confidence and control with a low to mid trajectory, low spin shot. The kai'li will begin shipping in early November 2008 so pre order yours now!

They do offer custom options for woods, but barely any for irons. I have the 2008 Fall Winter catalog right here and under irons and wedges for steel they've got DG, NS Pro 950, NS Pro 900 and Tourstage M266V along with a few Tourstage graphite shafts for irons. Wish they had more.

Initially DG and NS Pro 950... I really hope they get on top of things and offer more shafts and even custom options as that's the direction everyone is heading in!

Mid to late October release so look for pre order soon!

They will be available for pre order soon. Mid to late October release.

Tourstage introduces 4 new X-Wedges for 2009. The following models will be available: X-Wedge 901 X-Wedge 101LB X-Wedge 101HB X-Wedge 102HB The X-Wedge 901 is a pro-spec wedge set made up of a 53 and 59* just like the old Maru sets. It features a compact teardrop style head with multi round sole and near right angle grooves with a cnc micro milled face. Both wedges have a 9 bounce and are only available with S200 or X100. The 101LB is also forged and more on the compact side with a multi round sole and teardrop shape. It features lower bounces 50/8 52/8 54/10 56/10 58/8 and 60/8* lofts. The 101HB is the higher bounce version featuring a dual grind sole and milled face and is available in 52/10 56/14 and 58/12 lofts There is also a 102HB which is a round shaped wedge with a slightly larger head and dual grind sole and milled face as well. There is a semi goose neck here making it easier to square up. Available in 50/10 52/10 56/14 58/12. Graphite is also an option on the 102HB's. If you have any questions please ask away!

To make things complicated and at the same time offer more selection to the consumer, Tourstage has released their all new X-Blade lineup for 2009 made up of 5 different models, 4 forged and one cast geared at all different levels of players. The following models are available: X-Blade 901 MB X-Blade 701 X-Blade 701G X-Blade GR-C1 X-Blade GC-P1 The new X-Blade 901 is a compact blade featuring minimal offset and a lower center of gravity focusing on feel and workability. It is in fact a new unique hybrid forging. A forged cylindrical bar with a titanium insert is forged right into the muscle of the iron. This is to enhance the soft feel. The 901 is geared towards to scratch to low handicapper looking for control, workability and feel. The X-Blade 701 really reminds me of the old Z-101 and MR-23 CB (at least the diamond shaped badge!) These are compact forged CB's with minimal offset and a magnesium insert in the back cavity to enhance feel. They are geared at the low handicap golfer looking for control, workability and a touch of forgiveness over the blades. The X-Blade 701G is a step up in forgiveness from the 701 featuring a forged undercut cavity style head. Tourstage lists these as the most balanced iron in the X-Blade series offering a bit of everything inlcuding performance and feel. They are also available with new Tour Design graphite shafts from Tourstage and are geared at low to mid handicappers looking for a slightly larger than compact sized forged all around performance CB that still has reasonably small offset. The X-Blade GR-C1 is a forged mid sized CB with a little more offset and slightly larger head than the 701's. They are also available with graphite as an option. They are geared towards the low to mid handicapper looking for a sense of confidence and forgiveness with the larger head and more offset but still wanting to play a sold forged CB. The X-Blade GR-P1 is a mid sized SUS431 Stainless cavity back with more offset and a thicker sole. The P1 is geared for max forgiveness and performance in a mid sized package and is for mid handicappers and probably could be played by improving higher handicappers as well. These are initial descriptions. If you have more questions please ask away.

They are available in steel at the moment only. I'm waiting to get the price on black carbon heads then they will be added. (^_^)

Thanks Goodsie. as always I look forward to your feedback. I have a feeling these will have that Miura feel coupled with forgiveness. Let us know how it goes!

So Tourstage announced it's new X-Drive lineup for 2009. It consists of 4 models, the 901, 701, 701G and 701GR. They are all aimed at different player types. The primary differences are: Head Size and Shape CG Placement Lie Angle Face Angle These differences result in different trajectorys and shot types including the following: 901: Low trajectory and Fade ball - face angle slightly open 701: Low-medium trajectory Fade and Draw - face angle square 701G: Medium trajectory Straight and Draw - face angle square GR: Medium-High trajectory Draw - face angle slightly closed As you can see from the images below, the Head shape as well as the CG and weight placements affect all these characteristics. The X-Drive will also be available with some very interesting shafts: A couple of Tour Design Prototypes from Tourstage. The new Tour AD EV Series shaft from Graphite Design The new Diamana Kai'Li Series shaft from Mitsubishi Rayon The new Rombax F from Fujikura If you have any questions about actual specs just ask and I'll try and answer them.

It's been a while since Tourstage has introduces some putters (besides the ViQ putters aimed at mid to higher handicappers). The new 2009 Tourstage putters are forged carbon putters with head weights around 340g or so. The feature 3 key technologies boasted by Tourstage, the first being H.E.A.T. Turbo Rubber HEAT stands for Hyper Energy Acceleration Technology. Tourstage has long used turbo rubber in many of their clubs as they believe it creates feel and performance. The Turbo rubber is also in the putters now for feel and roll. The 2nd new tech point is an Neo Skid Groove that they use. These are insert putters with dual layer inserts. The back being a forged milled face and then the front insert being the turbo rubber. The two combine to create that instant roll and optimal contact. The 3rd new tech point is the tungsten weighting it uses on the sole for stability and added weight. There are 4 head shapes which I think are much better looking than the ViQ putters. The B1-P will be available custom order left handed as well.

Actually the MB-5003 just happens to be much more forgiving than anyone ever expected. The MB-5003 is considered by Miura Giken as a pro-spec model geared towards scratch golfers while the CB-2006 is a standard model aimed at low to even good ball striking mid cappers. The CB-2006 is not as compact as the MB-5003 and with it's cavity "should" technically be more forgiving, it does have slightly more offset as well. Feel wise the CB-2006 uses the same steel and forging process of course has a different design. We still need to test them out and see how they feel.

I must admit I'm not such a big fan of the new graphics. I'll post some info about the new specs and designs later today.

The T1 is geared towards the more advanced player while the R1 could be played by a mid to low handicapper.

I've just added the new MP Craft's to the pro shop after finding out the specs. Available custom built by Mizuno with Lie, Shaft of choice and length as options. Some pretty good shaft options! http://www.tourspecgolf.com/proshop