gocchin

Hehe I am glad you all like my pictures (^_^) Honestly though TM Japan irons are superb looking even for TM! The Burner TP as I noted in my post is simply fantastic. I have been bothering our TM Rep non stop to find out when custom options will be available but still no word....

I actually love the feel and love the sound.... best 3 wood/4 wood around.

PRGR Egg Spoon but its a 4w 17*, thinking of adding a 13*

Yes that's right when I visited the factory with Chris they were forging, Titliest, Cobra, Callaway and we watched them manufacture Legacy Drivers, Yamaha and S-Yard drivers during our visit. (Nike drivers at the time too but not anymore) We even got to join in the QA line and pull out a few heads that did not meet standard. It was quite the experience. The Endo Factory in Japan is huge... it has far more capacity than just making Epon which is a small brand compared to the big OEM's. Certain clubs are sent off to Thailand for finishing and assembly as costs are lower there so it really depends on the brand/OEM and their requirements. As a matter of fact while we were there, Titleist USA execs and management were also touring the factory.

It would have been nice to try the Kamui 456 in there too. I believe it is the softer of the two Kamui's .The 420 is more solid but the 456 is more soft. Great info as always B!

If you can wait a bit I'm writing a review in the blog today. Just finished taking pictures the other day (some of which you probably saw in the listing). (^_^)

Not only is their a gap in product releases ie a 2 year delay, typically releases outside of Japan are toned down price wise ie different materials. less technology as TSG said above. The first gen X-Blade iron came out in late 2003 and did not arrive in the US until nearly 2007. The clear outs in the pro shop are amazing deals. The 701G irons are already sold out and the 701 irons close to being sold out. The 901 Blade has some unique technology in it with an aluminum bar forged into the head and that is a killer price.

It's a beauty! I saw the master post it on his blog. Your last name in the cavity is a great unique touch. Very clean!

BB is right. At 97mph, the 950GH would be easier to load and more forgiving for you. They will launch higher than the S200 and also provide slightly more distance.

I'm just working out the specs with Crazy before we get these in the Pro Shop but remember you don't have to buy them through there you can PM or email me (preferred) at [email protected] for a quote for any product we carry that is or even is not in the pro shop and we can send a paypal invoice. Thanks.

It is actually aimed at the mid capper. In Japan there is no GI classification, they break golfers down into two basic groups, the athlete golfer and the average golfer. The Ping Anser Forged is aimed at the average golfer wanting to play a forged mid sized CB. It has a much thinner sole than the Rapture and thinner top line. It also has a much boxier toe.

Here is an offset pic from a short iron (9)... following Ping's design of a long irons easy to hit for distance and short irons control like wedges, the offset is much less noticeable but still there

Derek I already sent you an email. The Custom options probably won't be available until March some time. Thanks.

Hi R, Yes the standard shafts are Ping AWT and ZZ65. The standard graphite shaft is TFC615i. Upgrade shafts and custom specs will be available through Ping WRX as always.

It's definitely the kind of product Japanese golfers want and are willing to pay for. As you all know JDM gear is priced higher which allows manufacturers more room for use of more expensive manufacturing, designs and materials. This is one of the reasons why Japan carries all US Models PLUS all their own models because the market supports it. Ping has already begun heavy promotions in Japan for the Anser Forged and in coming weeks there are several demo days going all throughout Japan which I and many other golf enthusiasts will definitely be taking part in. But you are right that every brand here has forged models, not just for the single digit pro/athlete golfer but many average golfer models are also forged. Average golfers in Japan do indeed want to play a forgiving forged CB and thats what many of the manufacturers give them like the AF-701, XXIO Forged, Burner Forged, Legacy Forged, Nike Machspeed Forged etc etc...

I haven't actually seen the specs yet so I mistakenly said they were S25C forged when the are in fact forged from 8620 Carbon Steel (8620 is used in irons like Adams Idea Pro Forged). The long irons are made to be easy to hit and focus on distance which is why they have more offset and the shorter irons less offset to focus on control. Ping touts these as ease of use forged irons with balanced distance, feel and control.

As posted on the blog! The Ping Anser Forged iron was at the Japan golf Fair! More pics on the blog. http://www.golftoimpress.com/2010/02/ping-...-march-release/

Most Callaway Forgings including the X-Forged and Proto Blades and Legacy Forged and their forged wedges are not only forged in Japan but premium forged at Endo same place as Epon, Yamaha etc...

Never been much of a fan of Nike irons but got to review the new Machspeed Forged and pleasantly surprised! Review on the blog: http://www.golftoimpress.com/2010/02/nike-...initial-review/

Posted the new TR Wedge Review on the blog: http://www.golftoimpress.com/2010/02/prgr-...d-wedge-review/

Average means nothing special. There are MANY irons that are considerably better. Yes Silver forged.

Glad to hear it P. In case those are wondering he got the JIS SUS303 Proto:

If you play with B and see and try his gear, you soon won't be playing KZG's anymore. (^_^)

Their main focus is woods of course and they do well there. They do have irons and I had them for some testing... they are... average. Their forged CB is on the large size though it does have a rather thin sole and topline:

You know, many times I have had customer go buy elsewhere because they said our prices were too high and then come crying back to me when they found out the set of irons they bought for 1/3rd the price on our site snapped at the neck because they were fakes. Today I had a customer email me and rag on me for our outrageous pricing. He said we had the nerve to create such crazy prices and even charge shipping. I told him I'd be glad to price some clubs out for him if he told me what he was interested in and he gave me this link for a price match: http://www.100yeartrade.com/goods_aWQJMTAyMjE=.html This site claims R9 TP Forged irons from Japan. No TP badge, those R9 aren't forged but they say they are, the SW has a 56* and S in the sole... and the company is in China... HMMMMMMMM oh yeah the price is 265.00 with free shipping. I guess I cannot blame customers who are not familiar with the JDM market and its pricing but there are so many things on that site that just give it away... I wish people would be more careful as I hate to see them throw their money away for a piece of crap fake club. Sorry I just had to rant to people who I know would understand...