gocchin

I'll have my review up in a few days. Most customers who have given me feedback all say its very easy and very long. I took a video of the sound compared to the egg as well. Will probably be up after the weekend.

Yes the 207KGX was rebranded with the Epon Japan Forged logos towards the end of its lifespan. That looks legit.

But ego always affects players choices. I get customers who say they swing 90mph and hit the ball 220y and are using Stiff. (at the same time I have guys who say they hit it 270 and are using regular) I mentioned a study about 4 years ago when a bunch of stiff flex guys who swing around 105mph were given an unmarked shaft (it was a ladies flex at under 200cpm). They began testing and were all over the place but once they figured out its characteristics and timing, they bombed the ball much further than their current shaft. That said, there is no standards when it comes to flex. AND flex is not the only thing that affects how a shaft performs and plays as a matter of a fact it may be one of the lesser factors affecting performance, torque, weight, bend profile, rigidity distribution, launch, spin, feel... and even the materials and quality of a shaft all come into play. A great shaft or should I say the right shaft can make an average head amazing. The wrong shaft or a bad one can make an amazing head very ordinary or suck even. Getting fit right is a very tough thing to do, and knowing your own swing is a huge start. Just a note, the most popular shaft by far over the last few months is the Royal Decoration which plays softer than anything and is under 50g. This extends to players of all levels.

Unfortunately it would not make sense to print magazines in English if they were for the Japanese market so there aren't any. Its really too bad too as JDM magazines are top notch and go so indepth and technical in their writeups. The magazines are amazing.

C found the 80LS hard work to hit so the Black 50 probably isn't the right go. I really like the LY01 but its not quite the distance shaft the RoyDeco is. It is however very balanced. On another note. Are you back in Japan?

Its easier to put in, much more difficult to pull out. I don't think I know anyone who foamed or muted the sound of the 1st gen granted many did not like it, most got used to it. I thought it was way to weird at the beginning but as the ball traveled further and further down the fairway I started liking it. And your playing partners always know when you've hit the spoon. (^_^)

One easy answer.... the RoyDeco is way too soft flex for you at S flex especially since you are averaging 117mph!! We are changing you to an X!

Keep in mind that when I say lower end version of the Crazy it does not mean the Wyvern is not a good shaft. As I said the Wyvern has similar characteristics, lightweight, good feel and kick but does not use the equivalent in materials to the RoyDeco. The RoyDeco has even more feel and kick resulting in probably best distance and control in its class. The Wyvern on the other hand is much more affordable and many have found success with it as well. For a lot of people budget comes into play as well. As for the Jbeam's, the 425 and 435 are very similar and the 425 is more compact (for obvious reasons). Both launch pretty strong and have low spin.

We carry it. We actually have tons of really cool JDM training aids. That ball is from Katayama's former Caddy Tani Pro and one of his training products.

10 minutes to New Years here in Japan. This is a big moment to change over to 2012 as 2011 was a very difficult one for the country. Thanks to everyone here for supporting TSG and making this forum and golf more fun for everyone. We really appreciate everyone's contributions even if its just being here! (^_^)

The "TSG Staff" would be me. A combo set is something I should have mentioned as well and since the clubs are built to spec we can have Epon either strengthen the AFTour lofts or weaken the AF302 to match. As I said many have had good success with the SP Blue in lowering trajectory. Plus without sacrificing good feel and very good dispersion.

If its distance either the spoon or Ryoma. Other fairway woods cannot rival these two in pure distance and ease of use.

The PRGR egg i+ Utility is probably the easiest UT to hit and has the best distance. I bag one as well along with my TRC. But at address its more iron like and the TRC would suit the OP since he noted he is looking for wood style.

The TRC is a great choice then, it has the distance of a fairway wood but the versatility of a utility and is shaped more towards wood style. It is great in all lies and can be tee'ed off with as well on long par 3's. Also has some nice pop to it.

Totally depends on your wife and her swing speed and style. The QT R2 is for a very strong lady swinger.

E, glad you got your shaft! Looks hot! Phil, the 435 is certainly not the right fit for you. As you surely read in my review, slower swingers like you and I cannot generate the speed to optimize the 435 or 435II's performance. The Ryoma is a much better fit. T

There are so many good ones but in the end it really depends on what kind of utility you want and the purpose of that utility. Do you like a wood style, iron style? Driving iron? Is distance or ease of use your main concern? Do you want high launch or low launch? What kind of courses do you play on?

I agree, I love the 08 10 and 12 models best. Feedback on the 12 have been very good, with the X milled faces adding not only feel but additional spin as Jeff noted as well.

Based on your pics stew, I'd say the 2012 looks a tad smaller and thinner top line. I think bogeydog said the same.

I love it. If I had a second car it would be the iQ. It has quite a following here in Japan for modifications... then again so does every car!

If I remember correctly its Kyoei.

Feel is very subjective. Every person will perceive it differently. Shaft will also affect the way a driver feels. What other drivers have you tried? Many of the JDM drivers are forged and known to feel quite soft. As you said, sound and feel are very much related. In your opinion what constitutes a soft feel? A muted quite sound at impact or a higher pitched metallic sound?

They were waiting for USGA groove approval. Should be available soon. We will have them though they are quite expensive. Will ask them to send me a head for pics.

The F16 real loft is 15.5*. Real Lofts are as follows: F13(14°) F16(15.5°) F19(18.5°) F22(21.5°) T

As I recommend to everyone I fit the RoyDeco with it is best at least at 45.5" and the reason for this is the profile of the shaft. It is stiffer in the tip and mid section which is why the launch stays reasonably down and still has good control. The feel comes from the softer butt and is why smoother and slower swingers can get the shaft to load and feel it. But cutting it too short, it means some of the feel in the butt is lost and the sensation of loading the shaft. 45" is still doable (but I still say 45.5" or more), anything under that I would recommend going with another Crazy or other light weight shaft from another brand. Steve, I am very glad it worked for you and we could get it too you fast!