gocchin

Surprise surprise, I've owned both. Pretty equally forgiving, but the ViQ's are softer and look better. However if there's that big a difference it's worth a try at the lower price for sure. TS-202's are still many people's favorites.

I was just reading a magazine special on golf balls in the world and recently there have been a lot of tests with Japanese golf balls and they always use Pro V1x for comparisons. There definitely is a lot of technology put into JDM balls just like their clubs. And the price points are higher just like anything JDM. There are an equal number of balls are geared towards more average golfers, mid to higher handicapper as their are for low handicap/pro usage. And many balls fall in between as balls for everyone. The Gran Z started making it's way West only because a new model was released in Japan this year, the Gran Z Blue. Which supposedly offers even better performance and feel than the Gran Z. Tourstage and Mizuno have long been popular choices in Japan along with Callaway Japan only models and Titleist Japan models. One way of trying balls is getting the sampler pack TSG has. That's what I did. I got a pack with Tourstage X01 R4, Mizuno Cross Eight 401, XXIO DC, and Callaway Hyper ERC. The Mizuno ball was nice, I found I got more distance with it because of their rubber cross like center which is almost like a superball inside. It flies. The X01 R4 was a bit too hard for me and probably better for the lower handicapper. The XXIO DC being a softer ball was also long off the tee with a good mixture of spin and control. The Hyper ERC was similar to the HX Tour except maybe softer.

I wouldn't call them exactly the same in shape (^_^) I had the M402 Prototype which was close in shape to the 401. They both have the smooth face which is suited for the faster greens of Japan. The M2+ probably rolls the ball a bit better and is a heavier head by about 10g or so due to the insert and tungsten. The 303 steel that the 401/402 uses is pretty soft but not as soft as the insert. Nice feel on the putter but probably better for the fast greens of Asia as I sometimes left it short on some of the slower greens here.

Both are soft, but the copper finish is softer otherwise they are the same wedge.

People always have trouble with that one. (^_^) zecku-show don't ask me how they came up with that...

Distance gains here too with JDM graphite... my clubfitter hit my regular flex Axiv with ViQ Forged and was shocked.... he hit the 4 Iron 227 yards dead straight. He obviously swings far faster than I do but found the Regular Axiv iron graphite very tight and smooth.

That's what I said. Great to hear B how well these are going for you. I've been saying all along, JDM Iron Graphite rocks just like JDM clubs. I have yet to hit the Roddio Irons but Axiv and GD Tour AD are similar, tight dispersion, great feel and kick!!! Congrats on finding just the right set for yourself... now if only at 5'4" I could hit my 7 iron 160-165 yards.

Looking good B, my coppers are still in the bag as well and wear is not like yours but gettng there. Still the softest there is!!

Glad you like it B, I knew you would! (^_^)

Haven't heard anything about Axiv, perhaps Chris can comment, but a little birdie has told me lots of things are in the works at Eh-pon that we will see in coming months...

eh is eh not like A but like eh xtra (the e in extra)

chinkwan's ViQ's are the cast game improvement ones. While they are definitely forgiving and nice irons I would consider the 2007 ViQ Forged over these especially if they can be had cheaper... Premium Endo forged. I did have some pics in this thread but they were compared to Tourstage Z-101's: http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/index.php?showtopic=24429

Welcome to the forums! You'll find many threads here on all the wonderful forged irons that come out of Japan. There are tons to choose from including brands that you're probably not as familiar with like Epon and Tourstage and others which make forgiving forged irons with great feel. The Mizuno JPX are indeed very nice irons, forgiving and good looking with performance and feel to boot. I'd suggest Epon Type S or X or if you don't mind something a little larger in size, TourStage's ViQ Forged was voted iron of the year in Japan for all around feel, forgiveness and performance. Make sure you spend time looking at all the threads that have been posted in the Gear category here over the last couple of months for feedback as well as check out the Top Line references to see irons that suit your eyes at address.

ho-kai-doe (dough)

you - ru - ree eh-pon is correct though most people probably say ee-pon anything else? (^_^)

As I mentioned in my PM reply J, Dunlop has clubs under the brands Srixon and XXIO and both brands have fantastic clubs, irons from both brands are both highly rated. Your DP-701's are over 10 years old and were considered pro models back in the early 90's. Information from the site say that the DP-701 was using a semi-goose neck which was getting popular at the time. The 701's were also 1* flatter than standard with a wide sweet spot for that time due to the long face and a more rounded sole for less digging. They were very expensive when new back then, around $2500 USD for a set, but can be had for around $100-$150 a set used nowadays. Carbon steel forged with a nickel satin finish.

Welcome to the forum! The MP-32's are wonderful irons. I think the Type-S will be something a little different for you but in a good way. They will most likely be comparable in feel as they are premium endo forged but they may be bigger slightly in size with a thicker sole (not big by any means but thicker than the 32's), think between your 32's and 23's. The topline is still relatively thin and looks aside best of all is the performance and feel for the Type S, forgiving and accurate. In my never ending testing of irons, I had a set for a while and regret letting them go. A few others here including Duffer19 actually plays a set as their gamers so they may be able to chime in more.

Good question.... (^_^) I'll let you know after the weekend.

No probs R, did you already grab the MacTec? Stock shaft no good?

No most irons are Taper Tip 0.355 not 0.335" (which many driver shafts are) which are the most common iron shafts. NS Pro shafted OEM irons are all 0.355" though Nippon does offer 0.370 as shafts only. Now that you mention this are you sure you weren't telling me this morning that your hybrid is 0.355 not 0.335 which would make more sense as most JDM hybrids seem to be 0.350-0.370? ^_^

Should be 0.355 like most JDM irons unless they shipped initially with graphite.

The axiv shafts are very very smooth. I am still thrilled with mine. Graphite in irons has come a long way. These axiv's honestly give up nothing to steel dispersion wise but are much easier to swing with more feel. I can't see myself going back to steel...

I've still never heard of them and I read almost every Japanese golf publication monthly... I also did a search on them in Japanese and nothing came up. It's possible they have a Japanese name but are not a Japanese brand.

Great feedback Dragon! Every new driver takes getting used to and once you understand the timing and feel of the Epon/Roddio combo as you're beginning to do, the results will be fantastic. I'm impressed at your swingspeed how you play such long driver shafts, may I ask how tall you are? I think you hit it on the nail with the cosmetics of this driver, the head is big, it's 460cc's afterall but the shape is very classic and eye pleasing. And the Roddio finish is superb! Play this more and once the honeymoon is over, give us an update on how it's going!

I got my clubfitter who swings 102-105mph consisently a 7068 and he felt it was just right and he can NOT overpower it. He can however take it 300yards pretty straight. Offtheback gave good advice I always use. Go for the softest shaft you can control... if it's too soft at least you can learn to control it. If it's too stiff there's not much you can do about it. If your bad shot is a hook and you're determined to go with the close to 70g weight then get the V 7068. From what I've seen with the V Spec is that dispersion is so good that the range of flex that a person can use is pretty wide... it will all come down to personal preference and feel. My fitter took the 7068 even though it's an SR and he could probably easily hit the 7072 or higher. He likes the slightly softer feel of the 7068 for his swing speed.