gocchin

I've been a lazy ass....yes I know. Playing too much golf and been so busy that my blog has suffered. I recently though got a RC Star FD Fairway to review. It was fun to review so I will get back to doing more reviews for all you folks.... here it is: Royal Collection Japan, the parent company of what we in the west know as Sonartec has long been producing high class golf clubs for the "Athlete" (what they call low handicappers or scratch golfers in Japan) of professional. Their hybrids and fairway woods have long been favorites of many pros on the Japanese and US tours. This year, RC released the ★ FD Fairway wood for the Average golfer (higher handicappers, game improvement level in Japan). At first glance the style of the sole would look similar to most RC clubs but looking at the specs, this 3W at 184cc would be one of RC's largest. After seeing the RC ★ as the number one seller on GDO (Golf Digest Japan Online), I decided to get one for testing to see what the fuss was about. When it arrived and I pulled it out of the box, I was shocked at how big the head was... there are FW's that are larger than 184cc but this 3W had the top view of a flattened 340cc driver!! Read the rest and see way more pics over at Inpakuto.com, the blog for Tourspecgolf!

A, I saw this ad earlier and I was thinking you'd want the ViQ. (^_^)

Can you imagine B, putters forged by Endo?? How soft would that be??? (^_^)

All you need is a good digital camera my friend... no dslr necessary. I just use a point and shoot Sony on auto mode for all my pics. (^_^)

That's right C, you are a hardcore JDM man... I expect to see your entry soon.

The AF-701 is already out and it's in the Pro Shop... as for your iron choice, remember distance is not everything... you also need to look at the lofts of your irons before comparing one 5 iron to another. However, 30-40 yards different is incredible. Was that outdoors or on a simulator (cause I would doubt the simulators accuracy). That said, the AF-701 will be the more forgiving of the two irons. It will also have stronger lofts which will result in even more distance. the AF-701 will also be premium Endo steel for amazing feel and the undercut in the AF-701 is more prominent making for a larger more forgiving sweet spot than the 501's. The is502's are actually the more forgiving iron from PRGR but they are not forged.

Those jackets go brand new for around ichi man. The R7 wear in Japan is definitely a new line from that one in the ebay auction:

Hey guys just a friendly reminder that next Friday is the deadline for entry for our TSG summer contest! A little bit of effort gives you the chance at winning either Epon Technica Pro I /Type J Tour Spec Limited Edition 3-PW with Nippon NS Pro 1050 Stiff and Yururi Flat Back Raw Blades 3-PW with Dynamic Gold S300!! Both sets are worth nearly $2000 EACH!!!! Remember besides the grand prizes we'll be giving away secondary prizes too including wedges and comocome headcovers! For those who have not seen the Rules and Announcement please go here for your chance to win! http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/index.ph...mp;f=1&id=2

That appears to be an older model... no longer available through stores or TM. The thing with clothes is that they sell out SOOOOO fast in Japan which is a reason why TSG stocks no clothing. Japan has amazing golf wear but never enough stock because everyone pre-orders and buys like crazy. If it is a recent release, Chris can definitely try and get it for you but with no guarantees. This is the current R7 Jacket:

Lot of Fourteen fans here... great wedges. I've pulled the Sky Dream Jump (royal collection 6150TG) out of the bag, it's model is called D-Tour BITE and boy does it really bite the ball, spin is unbelievable but I shred the ball on every single full to 3/4 shot (took 3 of those shots this morning and shred 3 balls)!!! Need something a little more kind (^_^)

I have the following wedges that I rotate in and out depending on the course I'm playing: 50* Grind Studio Tomaru Prototype 50* Fourteen MT28 J-Spec 52* Epon Copper X 52* Epon Technity 54* XXIO 45 56* Epon Technity 57* Gauge Design by Carl 57* Pride Prototype 58* Epon Copper X 58* Sky Dream Jump D-Tour Bite 58* Gauge Design by Carl 58* Callaway Japan Limited Liquid Chrome MD (just ordered) 60* XXIO 45 60* Yururi Seida I'm looking to add maybe a Chikara and Gold's Stage 5 wedge to round out the collection. I love all my wedges and it's fun to compare head shape, feel, finish, grinds, grooves, spin, design... I will do a photoshoot with all the wedges next week once they are all here. Here are a couple of rarer ones... the XXIO 45 series wedge from 2005 and Tomaru-san's Grind Studio Prototype (just got this one in auction and it's on the way!)

The teflon black is a more even and smooth finish and apparently more durable too. It is pretty hard to apply but looks so good. (^_^)

It can be a rectangle if you want... it can be any shape.

Sasaya-san has 5 or 6 different blinker styles. The big one with the silver disc as you saw C on the TSG one is around 63g of extra weight.... I'll have to check on the others (I think Lung-chia's is 33g) but here they are:

Lung-chia, great pics! Looks fantastic man. I love how you got in real close... good job. So how does it roll the ball?

The 58* has the Phil Mickelson grind and Mack Daddy grooves (larger and more agressive angles) and the Japan only Liquid finish.

G the honor is all mine, for me to get wedges from such a great golf club enthusiast like yourself! Thanks as always! (^_^) Pretty good pics for the first time. I knew you could do it my friend. (^_-)

Jack, that's great to hear! Far too often have I seen people not give the Epon enough time and let it go. It is a very very different driver from any other I've ever tried, and those who have stuck with it and figured it out have been very happy. I even brought my 10.5 Epon trajectory down by flattening out my swing plane a bit which I find very useful to do when extremely windy.

Kyle, The 58MD has already sold out in Japan, Callaway has announced this this is only a limited run so people are scooping them up like mad. The finish is supposedly very durable. Just like chrome plating or the mirror technity's and Epon X's. I want to grab one I think to try... (^_^) When you're in Japan grab a 58MD if you see one, as some retailers may have them but Callaway Japan is all out!

My thinking exacly C!! (^_^)

Here are the fonts available for sole engraving from Epon...

Exactly R, that's why I told him to put it at the grip side, he's not trying to get the head to feel heavier... he is trying to mimic an increase in shaft weight. I'm just warning him that it will change swingweight (either way it would). And honestly it Jack, just adding lead tape won't make it perform like a 73g diamana, it'll just mess with overall weight and swingweight.

Haha after posting this thread, my entire bag has changed.... will redo the WITB after all the new goodies arrive! (^_^)

I like the new logo, it's definitely different from the old one which I didn't mind as well but there were those who always wondered, what is a "Technity"?? (^_^) As Claus said the 301's look like they setup so wonderfully at address. Just so clean. My choice of iron though will be the AF-701. I just love the look and cannot wait to hit them.

A stiff shaft could have other affects on your swing as well Henry and the heavier shaft will change swingweight and could in face slow your swingspeed down. If you like the feel of the flex you currently use and the weight, perhaps a shaft with similar weight and flex but a higher kickpoint to bring the ballflight down would help?