gocchin

Well GDO has rounded up 31 of Japan's best golf ball models for testing in distance and spin. All testing is done out at Fukushima Ken's Fujikura test field. Robot tests are done by the Fujikura hitting machine. Human testing done by Inoue Tadahisa. This FIRST test and post is on Distance balls and tested by the robot. Robot set to swing at 40ms or just under 90mph. Calm day with wind measuring at 0ms that day. One driver used for all tests. A retail Yamaha 4.6D with stock Regular flex shaft. Launch angle between 14-15* Results on max carry as follows and Pictures below. 1. Callaway Legacy 227.5y 2. Titleist 2008 GranZ Premium 3. Bridgestone Super Newing LS330 4. XXIO XD 5. Tourstage V10 6. Taylormade XR Ball 219y

So people seem to be looking for feedback on Geotech. Demand has indeed been high and TSG was at one point back ordered several weeks on a few items. I haven't had a chance to try any irons or woods yet. But I did get a 56* Special Grind Forged wedge. Weather has been poor so I can only give limited feedback so far but so far so good. I am a wedge fanatic and this is after being a putter fanatic. I realized collecting wedges would be fun cause I could actually carry more than one in the bag at a time unlike one putter (^_^). I've used Tourstage, Fourteen, Callaway, Titleist, Epon, RC, XXIO, Srixon, Yururi to name a few. The Special Grind caught my eye cause I liked its shape so I got a 56* to try. I shafted it with an Axiv 758M at 35" and D2. Total weight 426g. First impressions were that it's a pretty nicely made wedge for its price. 0.370" hosel meant that the Axiv slid right in there. Grooves are pretty sharp I found for U grooves, almost looking more square. I'm a digger so I chose the 56* with the 12 bounce which is the most (there is also a 56 with 8 bounce). The head is slightly heavier than most, spec'ed at 304g and I could swear it is even more (I should have weighed it before I shafted it). It has a heavy feel to it which help me achieve swingweight with the lighter graphite shaft. Once shafted initial impressions were the looks. It looks pretty good. And I love the way it sets up. The tear drop shaped paired with the straight neck is VERY clean looking. So after a few days of chipping and hitting shots between 50-80 yards, I'm so far impressed with the wedge and will give it a shot in the bag if I can get out and play a round later this week. Chips are crisp but still soft. The grind is versatile, easily opened up and gets under the ball well. Again I have to stress the shape and straight neck... looks great at address where I stand and admire it. 3/4 to full shots do not quite destroy balls like the Epon or Yururi but they do give adequate and the key I think is, controllable spin. Geotech does not specify the material used in the Special Grind but hitting side by side with others I'd say it's around an S20C (that is a guess of course) (^_^). Trajectory is a mid, not too high not too low even with the Axiv. I'm still a lover of graphite in wedges... I love the feel. Well here are some pics and I'll report back later this week.

You guys have to also realize that not all TSG customers are forum members. Let me see if I can get feedback directly from some of the customers themselves.

I pretty much translated all the important specs that are there into the product listings here. You're welcome to look for more info though if you'd like: http://www.geotechgolf.com/

Jack I'm actually surprised you can swing the stiff, as while SOME STOCK OEM shafts for SOME brands do play soft, the Tourstage ones especially this one isn't supposed to. The specs call for it to be pretty stiff and tight with a pretty low torque rating at 2.8*. I could see someone swinging this maybe in the high 90's but high 80's/low 90's kinda surprises me. But as you said it may not work for everyone... (^_^) Unfortunately there is no R flex, only an SR. As corky says above it supposed to fall between a blue and white. Your spin numbers are very Diamana like but is that a 20* launch? That sounds a bit high. (^_^)

I thought at first it would be too long as I was used to playing shorter than 45" but I thought I'd give it a try and at worst cut down the butt... but it worked out and 46" actually helped me gain distance!

D2 at 46" And it is a bit upright for me (I'm 5'4") but apparently being upright is more forgiving on a driver as it help square the face especially with longer shafts. With the force of the downwards swing the head flattens out at the bottom and the upright lie compensates. Tom Wishon wrote: "The longer the length of a club, the more the shaft can “droop downward” under the effect of the golfer’s downswing characteristics. Drivers are usually the longest club in the bag, and also possess the most flexible shaft of all. Therefore, to counteract the greater “droop bending” of the shaft in the driver, the driver lie angle is made to be more upright."

No headcovers with the Geotech's unfortunately but it means you can put something cool on to cover your driver like I did on my Epon. (^_^) The weights are removable and adjustable just like all Geotech drivers. As for how it plays, it has the same qualities as the 435RM... made for the better player but offering a bit more forgiveness and of course looks.

The GT455 is made for the mid to lower handicap golfer looking for a traditional shaped driver with feel and performance, yet forgiving enough for all levels of players. Featuring a strong stealth look, this Black titanium head is Ion plated. The head design maximizeds energy transfer and is designed for the hard hitter who is looking for a mid trajectory with lower spin. Pretty good looking driver. Seems like all black is in these days. (^_^)

Tourspecgolfer recently took more pics of some of the other Geotech irons including from top to bottom: The GT Gravity Control iron, these are soft SUS304 steel with two adjustable weight ports, one on the back heel and one on the toe. With these irons being geared towards 0-15 handicappers looking for some adjustability, they actually have reasonably low offset. GT Forged Mid Hollow Cavity Back. An intersting design with an forged S25C face and neck matched with a SUS body for strength. The mid area between the forged face and steel body is hollow for forgiveness and distance. The forged face is thinner at the top and becomes thicker towards the bottom of the iron creating a soft feel on impact. Made for all levels. GT Titanium Face irons are made for mid to high handicappers looking for distance and extra forgiveness. The 6-4 titanium face coupled with an undercut SUS630 body provides feel and hot ball speeds resulting in a super large sweetspot. A wide sole and adequete offset really help the improving player make solid contact.

For Epon and Yururi, TSG is cheaper than lots of places in Japan.... Japanese MSRP prices for those two brands are about 10-30% higher, especially for irons. For example AF-701's are $1400+ MSRP for 5-PW in Japan.

Herb reshafted the Yamaha with a Quattro Tech MD series shaft but I think he may be trying something else now, or about to. (^_^)

How's that working out for you, the pink rombax? Actually yes the ferrules are for Epon clubs only. As a matter of a fact Epon is about to change the ferrule design a bit apparently. They'll probably still be the carbon look but with some sort of Epon marking to make sure they can't be used on another brands clubs.

KC, the Honma 9 series is their professional model. It is for the low handicapper. The PRGR EGG series is made for mid to high handicappers looking for ease of use and forgiveness. There are definitely lots and lots of options and good ones. I think you need to narrow down whether you want shallow or deep faced... it does seem like you are looking at more compact or mid compact sized heads (except the EGG which is large). The Yamaha and Epon are mid-compacts with deep faces The PRGR Tour is mid compact with shallow face The new v-steel is compact with medium face

Oh I know you weren't being critical. (^_^) I was just pointing that out in case people who didn't know read the thread. The biggest question people ask me is "why do YOU charge so much for a driver". Yup they've been shipping since late April!

The PRGR is a lot easier to hit I find than the Epon which definitely has the best feel. The M3 Hit Tour is more workable than the regular M3 Hit with it's more compact size and square face.

It already bugs me off how people take advantage of the "tour issue" label (when the product is not) and try and sell clubs for 4 times what they are worth, especially Japanese products where tour issue has really not much meaning. Lately on eBay I've seen people passing off products from Japan as tour or prototypes not sold anywhere, just cause it's not available in the US... like the Titleist Japan headcovers which sell for 29.50 and 27.50 in the pro shop. These so called prototypes went retail last year. Guys have them on ebay for $80-135.00 each and they've actually sold a few... Unbelievable. http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Titleist-JAPAN-Tou...1QQcmdZViewItem

Jeff the XR would definitely enable you to go easy on your swing cause as you noted it's super lightweight. I've posted the video preview up on the blog: http://www.inpakuto.com/ (the Legacy video is there too) As for the Hyper X and Hyper ERC, they are not the same driver rather the Hyper X is just using the Hyperbolic face technology of the Hyper ERC. There are reasons the US versions are cheaper and usually its because in order to meet the price points certain cuts need to be made either in manufacturing or quality of materials used.

Hi KC, Welcome to the forums. Do you prefer a more compact FW or something a little larger? If you like a mid sized workable FW with a square face, you can consider the Epon AF-201, Yamaha iFF Tour or PRGR M3 Hit Tour. If you want more compact you can look at the Royal Collection Pro TP or X-Drive. For FW's a little on the larger side you can check out Fourteen's new SF308 or PRGR's regular M3 Hit. The Epon AF-201 is a big standout if you like a deep face coupled with wonderful feel. It also gives you am lot of shaft options. The M3 Hit Tour is more shallow faced. There are definitely a LOT of options.

Another thing to take into consideration is whether you like more wood style utilities like the fourteen, in betweens like the RC or driving iron style like the Epon AF-901. Is there a reason you'd rather carry a utility rather than a 5 wood? Are you carrying a 3 wood right now?

The Legacy is definitely not a high handicapper club. Callaway Pros are playing it on tour in Asia. The XR you will not see on tour ever since it's a premium model geared for super forgiveness. When I first saw it in February at the golf show I was turned off by the looks. But I've gotten used to it. What has surprised me the most is how well it is selling. In the pro shop the XR is outselling the Legacy.... and the Legacy is very solid. The XR is a super lightweight made to be straight driver.

Too high and too far eh... that's too bad. I'm sorry to hear they did not work out for you Mike. Were they as forgiving and easy to hit though as you had hoped for? T

Long been one of the best woods out there... very easy to hit. I am glad you like them. (^_^)

Too far is better than too short. (^_^)

Yup that was done purposely.... straight looks to plain so a little off makes it look more unique.