gocchin

Here's a big version for you to keep.

Let's hope this is a great year for you and that bag makes it to 100% JDM this year... Have a great day!!

Very good information Todd, thanks for sharing. I've got tons of shaft and launch monitor data that we can try... (^_^). I'm curious as to how a player's different handicap and skill affects the numbers of Optimal Flight's calculations. For example, Tanaka is a pro and he is a great ball striker who can probably hit the sweetspot dead on 97% of the time. It looks like OF takes all the factors of the launch and calculates if the distance is optimal. Can a player go backwards and input the desired distance to find the shaft characteristics he/she should be looking for?

Yup yup, the data I posted is more for info than anything. As I concluded in the article, it's all about your own swing... the results there were based on Kenji Tanaka's swing and game. I've got another recent test with the Quattro Tech, new Rombax X and Diamana D, and with a Yamaha Pro doing the testing with the Inpres X 425V the results were quite different for the Diamana.

Well I finally got around to posting up Part One of the Six shaft shootout... the launch monitor session. Graphite Design Tour AD PT-6 vs Fujikura Rombax 6V05 vs Mamiya Op Axiv V 6070 vs Daiwa Roddio W6BA vs Mitsubishi Diamana D63 vs Mizuno Quad 6Butt Standard Check it out at Inpakuto.com and be sure to download the video of the launch monitor session with Golf Gear Pro Kenji Tanaka. http://www.inpakuto.com

Here's the retail G-field bag that had that shiny enamel (though I still think it's a good looking bag, especially in white)...

It's really hard to compare the two. The Premium Zones are indeed great putters but they are pretty much mass produced as standard retail releases, whereas the Gold's putters are totally customized. There is also that really big price differential which makes it hard to compare the two. The G-Field is very affordable which makes it a choice of many. But for some who can afford it, Gold's and it's customization would be the ultimate putter. Gold's while being around for nearly a couple of years is still growing and being discovered. We're talking about a putter that's hand made by a master. I'm not sure who or what at G-Field makes the Premium Zones. ^^ I've owned two Premium Zones and to date it's the best putter I've ever used but the idea of having my own one of a kind handmade putter makes my mouth salivate! I'll be using a Gold's putter soon I hope to give a more detailed comparo.

Yes that's correct. BA is more for a smooth swing while the WA is more for quick tempo hard downswing. So Reggie I guess it more depends on the type of swing you have. And based on swing speed, the 6 series Roddio shafts pretty much cover a broad group of speeds (92mph up to 115mph) with it's 3 flexes.

All the shafts were using a Winbird Vertex 450cc head (japanese component head). The tester was Kenji Tanaka, Golf Gear's regular pro. He swings between 105-108 or so mph usually. The Roddio had the fastest ball speed off the face and the second least back spin which resulted in 276y carry and total distance of 295y!!

Epon 460ZR w/ Axiv shaft Epon Technity 3 and 5 Wood with Axiv shaft G-Field UT 4 and 5 with Tour AD UT shaft Epon Type S w/ Axiv 758m Epon Type X 52* and 58* wedge w/ Nippon 1050GH Gold's Factory - Custom Private Stock #1 w/ SUS304 insert, tungsten weights, site line, custom gun blue finish, mamiya shaft TourStage Pro Model Caddy Bag CBTX70 in white Lots of Comocome covers... Wait... that is nowhere close to 10k let alone 25k!! I guess I'm pretty conservative and already have more than half of my dream bag (^_^)

Also TSG can get almost any JDM product whether it's listed in the pro shop or not... just send Chris a PM. ^^

Hi Reggie, it was the W6BA that they used in the comparison...

You're not alone my friend... it's absolutely depressing... I can't stand this weather. My avatar: http://www.inpakuto.com/ I'm going rip that video on the shafts a bit later...

TSG is all about bringing you guys options. This is going to be an exciting year, as you can see it's only January and the Pro Shop just keeps growing with great products. The 2007 Ozik Line has been added including the new Xcon lineup which has a similar profile to the popular Altus line with no Zylon, a tighter feel and thicker butt section and Ozik's typical beautiful finish. You can check out the specs below... http://www.tourspecgolf.com/catalog/

In a recent Golf Gear shootout with Rombax V, Diamana White, Tour AD PT-6, Mizuno Quad6, Axiv-V, and Roddio, the Roddio actually out performed all the other shafts especially on the total distance by a large margin. I have the video, perhaps I will post it up.... (^_^)

Perhaps... except Sasaya-san actually handmakes EVERY club himself, including wedges and irons....

Haha it's funny you mention that. After researching Gold's I immediately checked all my sources in Japan for second hand putters and I couldn't find any!! It's like you said, every club that's made there is hand made and hand ground by Sasaya-san... that alone makes it unique and worth the price.

Wow master, thanks for the great feedback, you're one of few that have had the chance to play their putter and wedges. We're working hard with Sasaya-san to spread the word on Gold's. You're right that they are not cheap, hopefully people can see the quality and value in their handmade products. Thanks!

More pics (also added to the first post).... as you can see, everything is hand done...

Hi P1, 1. I have not had the pleasure (YET) of hitting Sasaya-san's clubs, however let me tell you this, in Japan the Gold's Factory name is indeed gold and one of the most well respected high end brands bar none. Sasaya-san's reputation preceeds him which is why even brands that are considered the top in workmanship and quality like Gauge Japan and Moz still seek Sasaya-sans skill's and expertise. He is considered a master of the highest level and his work pure art. Looks aside, his stuff flat out performs, he grinds the stuff the way you want it and builds the putters right to your game. The CB's look amazing... he recently made a matte black set too: 2. The idea of a blinker is an interesting one. Both as an alignment tool and for added weight and feel. (42g with tungsten weights would put the head at 400g!!) I'm considering getting a private stock #1 with a blinker. 3. Truth is Gold's is probably not for everyone. You pay for what you get. Quality comes at a cost and some people are willing to pay for it, especially when everything is hand made and countless hours are put into a club. The fact that Gold's has done so well in Japan with enthusiasts and pros alike speaks value for what his work is worth. (^_^)

Gold's Factory clubs are are the pinnacle of quality and high end clubs in Japan. Gold's Factory founder, master grinder and clubmaker M. Sasaya, hand makes and grinds all of his clubs from the finest forged steel from Himeji. Sasaya-san is famous for lending a hand in tuning some of the finest JDM clubs around including Moz Ishihara and Gauge Design Japan. TourSpecGolf is proud to add Sasaya-san's most recent offerings to the Pro Shop here: http://www.tourspecgolf.com/catalog/ Including two anser putters with full customization and 5 stages of Gold's wedges. Also added are Gold's Cavity Back Irons and Flat Back Irons (blades). Gold's factory has set a new level for handmade quality and customizations. Every club is hand made and custom spec by Sasaya-san from the best forged steel in Japan. All clubs are limited in their production and because they are handmade, Sasaya-san only produces a total of FIVE sets of irons a month to ensure quality. Every club is custom made to your specs and your game. Here are some example's of his work:

While there's a mix of shafts on this forum paired with Epon heads, the majority are probably using Axiv V or Axiv shafts. People seem to have been very happy with this particular combo which is why you still see it in so many people's bags. I'm very happy with my Epon 460 and Axiv 6060L, it's the best driver I've ever hit. It gets the ball up for me but in no way ballooning. I need all the carry I can get and this shaft has a great kick to it paired with the awesome feel and straight flight of the Epon head. Blader-X and a few others have the Axiv Vspec and they love it. I think Chris has a quattro tech in his Epon right now...

I really like carrying two utility clubs. It really gives you lots of options. As Chris said, I can't wait to see my bag with my new irons..... (’-’*)

Physically speaking, the J's have the thinnest topline, S in the middle and X the thickest (which is still pretty thin compared to other brands). The same goes for the iron length from heel to toe, with the X being the largest, S right in the middle and J the smallest sized. That said, picking the right Epon depends on your personal preference for setup/address ie whether you like a thin topline or thicker one... do you feel more confident with the larger iron or you like small compact irons. Feel wise the Type J's are about as pure an iron as you can get but as 808hack said, this is when they are well struck. They are not as forgiving as the other two so if your swing is not consistent perhaps the S or X is the way to go. Some have said the X's and probably the S's are a bit more clicky on impact feel wise. All three irons are top notch in craftmanship, design and performance, and they would all probably be the gamers in anyone's bag (as you know since you've played the Type S)

I think G needs to try an Epon w/ a low kicking Axiv combo....