gocchin

Thanks Steve for the feedback. I am glad you like them!

Chris pretty much hit it on the dot. The top line of the V is square but the bulge especially more visible in higher lofts makes it seem closed. This bulge is essential to producing the gear effect that Ryoma which keeps the ball straight as possible. These days simply laying a driver flat on its sole and holding the shaft is very difficult to judge the face angle due to the way the sole lies in many new drivers these days. The original Ryoma was very bad for this, the new Maxima is better as the sole doesn't have the huge weight bulge.

Writing my review now... Stevo has also gotten them and hits them so perhaps he can chime in.

What kind of comparison did you want? Visual?

No T.388 Version unfortunately!

Actually similar to the TRC woods. Same kind of crisp pop at impact. The XV shaft seems more stout though and the trajectory a bit more penetrating. Both are very good FW's. The XV may be a tad more hot.

At address it would mostly resemble he Yamaha and may actually be close in feel as they both use maraging. The XV is thinner though so a tad hotter and probably easier to use than the Yamaha.

<a href="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/xvfwslide.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23372" alt="xvfwslide" src="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/xvfwslide.jpg"></a> It's been a great first 6 months of 2013 for S-Yard golf, with the releases of the T.388 driver, Bold Wedge, XV Driver and now the XV fairway woods. At TSG we have seen the FW segment really dominated by the Ryoma fairway woods and PRGR egg Spoon plus a splattering of other brands like Royal Collection, Yamaha, ONOFF, Romaro and Tourstage rounding up the popular choices. The new XV Fairway wood from S-Yard aims to leave its mark firmly in the midst of all these great fairway woods thanks to Kobayashi-san's vision of how the XV FW will compliment the XV Driver. For those of you who read <a href="http://www.golftoimpress.com/introducing-the-new-s-yard-xv-driver/"><strong>the introduction and review of the XV Driver here</strong></a>, you will obviously see the resemblance between the driver and fairway wood. <a href="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0619.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23371" alt="DSCF0619" src="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0619.jpg"></a> The new XV Fairway wood could pass for a mini XV Driver based on its aesthetics. However the XV is designed to focus on performance as a fairway wood and not a driver replacement (though I'm sure some players could use it as such). Kobayashi-san knows that less and less people seem to be using fairway woods these days so he sought to create a club that would not only satisfy the better player but still be reasonably easy to use. While the head sizes of the 3W and 5W are actually considered to be on the large side at 190cc and 175cc respectively, again through Kobayashi-san's carefully thought out designs, the heads in no way appear that large. The slightly larger volumes allow for more flexibility in CG placement as well as increased MOI. Kobayashi-san focused on the head shape of the XV to compliment and be just as eye pleasing as the driver. He also decided on slightly flatter lie angles which will appeal to the better player (57* for the 15* and 57.5* for the 18*). <a href="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0625.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23370" alt="DSCF0625" src="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0625.jpg"></a> The XV Fairway wood is not a deep face like the driver is which is probably a good thing. The sweet spot is actually easier to meet for the average golfer since the face is not so high. Some may call this a shallow face but in this day and age when fairway woods are shallower than ever, this is probably considered shallow to mid height. The XV utilizes a specially rolled Maraging steel face. Kobayashi-san went with maraging steel because of its strength and flexibility. Because maraging steel is stronger than both Titanium and stainless steel, it can be made thinner allowing for more elasticity as well as weight savings in the face to be move to perimeter weighting for a stronger launch and less spin. The thinner more flexible face increases initial ball speeds and overall distance over Ti and SUS. I love the feel of the XV, it has a hot and crisp touch at impact and this feel is very consistent across the face. One of the things I do on all woods is what I call the tap test. You can use your fingernail or a tee and tap across the width of the face from toe to heel making note of the pitch of the sound. The optimal ting sound is of course in the center and as you move outwards away from the center the tapping sound usually dulls or muffles. The XV, even as you move off the center towards the toe and heel, it still maintains a similar sound to the center meaning those sections of the face feel just as good and hot as the center. It may be just me but I actually do this with all the woods I test as feel is one of the most important things for me. I also feel like I can find a bigger sweet spot by doing this. (^_^) Yes it sounds very primitive but try it , different clubs will produce different results. <a href="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0640.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23369" alt="DSCF0640" src="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0640.jpg"></a> At address you can really see how the design, shape of the head and finish really hide the size quite well. The 5W above is 175cc but thanks to its pear like shape and matte finish like the driver, it does not look that large and is quite eye please. Both 3W and 5W have square face angles and my tester was in fact square. The lack of an alignment mark keeps the head nice and clean but you can still setup well using the white score lines on the face which are noticeable at address. <a href="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0641.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23368" alt="DSCF0641" src="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0641.jpg"></a> The XV FW's shorter face and the head's semi shallow back design make it easier for hitting off the deck. The CG is lower and deeper due to the head design and what this results in is a nice strong launch. I found it quite penetrating and with good run after hitting the ground. <a href="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0630.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23366" alt="DSCF0630" src="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0630.jpg"></a> The sole looks like the XV Driver but it features a gentle curve and grooves along the side to produce better follow through in the turf at impact and more versatility on various lies. We all know that the friction caused by a fairway wood touching the ground before impact can result in lost swing speed and less distance and less than optimal impact. The design of the XV allows for minimal contact and he grooves seem to lead the head to the ball. Turf interaction is very good though I was hesitant to hit any balls from deep rough with the XV due to its shorter face height. <a href="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0627.jpg"><img'>http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0627.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23367" alt="DSCF0627" src="http://www.golftoimpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF0627.jpg" width="648"></a> The stock shaft is again a Rombax from Fujikura specially made for the XV series. The Rombax FW is 3.2* of torque and around 65g with a mid/high kick. I have the SR (stiff/regular) flex here and I must admit it feels quite stout. Overall clubweight with the Rombax is very healthy at over 335g. What this combination equals is very good control, stable ball flights and shots with no ballooning. Like the XV driver, I really love the feel of the fairway wood. Its one of those clubs where you pause to relish the feel after each shot. Performance wise, the XV is by no means the longest FW out there, nor is it designed to be. Distance is left to ultralight fairway woods like the egg and Ryoma F which barely weigh more than your driver. The XV is an all around performer. It feels very good, is reasonably easy to hit, and is very stable and straight. In the end, all these characteristics (well maybe feel aside) equal more overall distance with more balls in play. I've really only gamed two fairway woods in the last 2+ years, the egg spoon and the Ryoma F. There is no doubt these two clubs are long but I will now replace the Ryoma with the S-Yard XV FW because I prefer the feel and its overall performance is not something I cannot ignore especially when I am playing on narrower tighter courses. Those who like the XV and T.388 drivers, the XV FW is a great compliment. For other players looking for a traditional shaped, square faced and reasonably flat FW that is pretty easy to hit and produces stable and straight shots, the XV FW should be at or near the top of your list.

Some people actually like the more glassy feel of 80t. The issue with 80t it is more delicate due to the larger proportion of glass particles in the shaft. Heck with 125t, the shaft could shatter on a miss hit!

If you want pure distance and ease of use... its of course the Ryoma. The XV and T.388 may be straighter but they are not as easy to hit so in the end it balances out. The Ryoma is in my bag over both the XV and T388 because of this. Even if you are swinging poorly and missing the sweet spot you will still stay straight and reasonably long. The XV for me beats the Ryoma in feel and while it is forgiving the sweet spot is not nearly as big as the Ryoma.

The original/regular nowons are almost too soft. Some complain too much torque. The ichi is tacky but firmer and much less twisting.

Ribbed but black comes in round.

I'm pretty sure ONOFF Forged is 0.370" tip because it accepts Roddio which only comes in 0.370" tip. I'll double check with ONOFF.

KK designed many of S-Yard's clubs even when he was at Epon... he was the president of ENDO and the chief design meister meaning he also had design input on ALL brands made at Endo that means Callaway, Titleist, Tourstage, Yamaha, S-yard etc. He designed the T301 driver for S-Yard 20 years ago when he was a designer at Endo.

先調子 = Low Kick Point 中調子= Mid Kick Point 元調子 = High Kick Point and sometimes combinations of two. ie 中元調子 = mid/high kick point

G heads no problem. Yours is on the way to us in the next few days Kiaton.

I did a whole thread on all the irons back in Oct and certainly the 725 and 925 are the studs in the lineup. Face milling on all 3 are great:

It does have hints of the older generation TS X-Wedge's doesn't it. Trailing edge grind allows it to open up nicely, and a rounded leading edge helps a lot through the turf. It has a nice face milling as well (not like the Bold but more micro milled). Feel is not mushy but firm compression of the ball resulting in good workability and pretty good spin. Its trajectory is higher than the Bold but I found it very easy to use.

Rio, you will, yours is also on the way to us as you ordered early.

Tom you ordered very early, both your heads are on the way to us.

All stock shafted clubs have already shipped. Heads will ship in the next few days and custom builds will also begin (we have a lot so they will take time). In Japan, the V model is the least popular of the 3 so the stock was less. When our orders came, the V was easily the most popular of the 3 so they simply did not have enough for us. Those who ordered within the first 50 pre orders got their V heads, those who ordered later, I am still waiting for an ETA from Ryoma (they are typically not so fast on these kind of answers). We appreciate your patience.

Hi Junkfry, 40t is not a technology, it is simply the grading of the carbon based on its tensile strength. The higher the number the denser the weaves and the more higher grade glass particles vs rubber particles in lower grade shafts. Crazy uses 40t 46t 50t and 80t full length in their shafts.

Not really game improvement. Smaller size, less offset. The 9012 is their game improvement iron. This is still for the better ball striker.

Thats right, it has the thin slit/pocket in the cavity. It as minimal offset and quite a thin topline and sole. Kyoei Forged S25C, simply named Crazy Iron Prototype. Snapped a few pics:

A, their first CB was this one here.