reggie

Am interested in purchasing an Original BB-1 Classic Bettinardi putter. Anyone know how much an original cost? New or Used? Thanks in advance for any help/feedback.

You can't go wrong if you ask for TSG's help and send them the Nike head. They're fully accredited to install the Roddio shaft.

I think we need "upndown" to come in here and chime in on his experience with the Roddio shaft on an Epon head. He put in an S/R shaft but I don't know if he chose the W5-BA model. "Upndown" care to share with everyone what you shared with me?

I'm also eagerly waiting for Part 2 of the testing. In the Japan Fair 2007 Golf Forum, TSG states that Daiwa doesn't want the shafts sold separately or something to that nature and it has to be installed by a factory trained individual to put the shaft on properly--no spining, no flo'ing, etc. CPM's are also different according to TSG because they don't use the 5 or 7 inch clamps. Thank goodness that TSGirl is being taught how to fit us for the shafts and they're training TSG how to install the shafts properly with tipping Instruction Manuals.

There's not much else for me to say. It looks way better in person than it does on the the net! But so did the Epon J and S--just didn't like the badge on them--but feel wise--can't get much better. For my swing, the Tour Concept X1 shaft felt really good with the Miura and I didn't feel the click that other people have. I also didn't notice the clicky feeling that people were claiming in the other forums about the Epon J. Once again, it could be because it had the Tour Concept S3 shaft. If you're looking for numbers, none of the clubs tested gave me more carry than my clubs which was expected cuz I'm used to my clubs. The Miura with the X1 was only a 1.3 yards less in carry at 176.7 than my T-Zoid II and the Miura was only .5 yards behind in Total. The Miura was also less offline by 6 yards but maybe that's because it was an extra stiff shaft and the ball speed was only .8 less (115.1). Launch was .7 less at (15.1), backspin was 157 less at 3868, sidespin was much less, Push/pull were nearly equal and club head speed was only 1mph less at 80.7. The Epon J with the S3 shafts were 2.8 yards behind in carry to the Miura, but was 2 yards less offline, 1mph less in ballspeed, 1.3 higher in launch, 416 more in backspin, closer to my Zoids in sidespin, 2.2 less in push/pull with a clubhead speed of 81.2. These numbers were acquired with the shaft being 1/2 inch shorter than the X1 and my own clubs. So these numbers could have been much better. Overall the Epon J's felt easier to hit because I felt like I didn't have to work as hard hitting the softer S3 shaft than the X1 on the Miura. Even though the numbers were somewhat similar, this was only based on a few swings but I did maximize the session because luckily I didn't miss too much. The Miura's gave numbers closer to my clubs but I really had to work hard because of the TC X1 and maybe also because they were the last clubs I was hitting for the session. Now the Miura with the TC S3 would have been really fun to try or maybe with the Project X Flighted but that's for another time. lol You just have to give good, honest info to TSG and he can help you find the combination to any of the heads (Miura, Epon, etc.) that will get you closer to your desired goals. Trust our Sensei. He'll hit more than he'll miss.

I saw the Fourteen Forged 770 in person at a Golf Store that TSG recommended I visit and these are very beautiful clubs. Got to hit the demo 7 iron with the NSPro 950Stiff and it feels ultra soft and I got to hit the Fourteen blades too with the DGS200. Both truly give you a buttery feeling. This store was unreal because it had most of the equipment that's on this site and I got to hit them including some drivers and I felt like a kid going to Toys R Us for the first time. Unreal!!! I also got to hit the following 6 irons (5 good hits) on a launch monitor which was terrific because you get a printed feedback asap: Miura with the Tour Concept X1 shaft, the Srixon with the Project X shaft, the Epon Type S with the Black Gold shaft, the MP32 with the S300 shaft and the Type J with the Tour Concept S3 shaft. The Miura and the Type J felt the best to me but it could be because both had the same Tour Concept shaft just different flex. Asthetically, the Miura CB1006 and the Fourteen 770 were the most beautiful with the 770 reminding me of the irons that Phil Mickelson first used which were made by Yonex. For those of you debating whether to purchase the 770, it's a no brainer guys. This is one outstanding club. Now you just have to trust TSG to fit you with the right shaft for your swing--if it were me, the Tour Concepts were the best but I was told by TSG to try the Project X Flighted before I made up my mind. As far as where the store is located, you'd have to ask TSG to reveal the information. All I know is I can't wait for the owners to get back from their vacation so that I could get fitted and find out if my current driver is ideal for me or if an Epon, Tourstage, etc with an Axiv, Roddio, Rombax is the way to go. Thanks TSG for recommending this terrific store!!!

Good stuff Todd. If you also added the 2 degrees and 4 degrees of loft to any of the other shafts would they still outperform the Rombax, caterus paribus? I'm particularly interested if the numbers for the Axiv and Roddio would also be optimized or whether they have been maxed out already. I used to have a lot of loft in my first drivers but I did notice that they balloon and the spin I imparted when I hit it hard caused too much backspin and created no roll and it was really bad when I was driving into the wind. Of course, it may also be due to the fact that I've been using US drivers and when they say it's 10.5 degrees it may actually be 11 to 13--never had it checked.

Thanks for the helpful info.

6 Europeans in the Top 15 (#8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15) vs 3 Americans in the Top 15 (#1, 2, 6). You're right the Europeans have better depth than the Americans for 2 weeks every other year but Golf is not about Team Play and very rarely Match Play. It is about Stroke Play and mostly the golfer versus the golf course. Looking at the rankings is very misleading when you apply it on the PGA Tour because it seems like the Europeans are beating the Americans but winning ultimately determines of who is successful. And the Americans in the Top 15 clearly demolishes the European 6. How many tour victories do the 3 Americans have vs the European 6? And to take it further, how many majors did the Americans win last year vs the European 6? And even further, how many majors do the 3 Americans have in the careers vs the field? I know you'll say it's skewed because of Tiger but even if you take Tiger out of the PGA Tour, I don't think the other Europeans would be able to "dominate" Phil, Jim or even Chris DeMarco in stroke play tournaments or in the majors--mind you, I said the Europeans which is what you were basing your point about. If you said the entire world, then that's a totally different point but even still, I'd still take the US Top 3 in any Stroke Play tournament over the field because Tiger and Phil alone have more talent and than any golfer out there--the others may have more "potential" but "potential" just means haven't done it.

Any results yet for the scenario you were going to run?

Gocchin, when will Part 2 of the 6 shaft shootout be posted? It looks like this shaft is piquing alot of curiousity so we're all eagerly awaiting Part 2 in actual course conditions.

This is now getting interesting. I too would like to hear more about the Roddio with the Epon head as many of us out here in the sidelines are patiently (impatiently?) waiting to finalize our decision. The Axiv with the Epon sounds like a no brainer but most of us are waiting until our Sensei (TSG) states that another shaft (the Roddio?) may actually work better than the Axiv. If only Mother Nature would cooperate and permit the weather to be clear and dry for at least a week where TSG resides. This would really help expedite the decision making for all of us. Waiting until our Sensei can play and give a true and honest evaluation is the hardest part in this process.

TSG, you're tempting me. I took those pictures when I first had the clubs that's why the plastic wrap is still on them. I've been hitting them really well with the Rombax shaft so I'm still hesitant to switch although I do have an ON/OFF on the way with the Roddio shaft--just taking a while for my buddy to get back from Japan. The funny thing about the Japanese clubs in comparison to the US clubs/shafts is that it took me a while to get used to how they like being swung--the Rombax had a very different feel when I load up on it in versus my old Grafalloy Blue shaft which was a board; I had to trust that the Rombax would not snap cuz I could feel the lag on my downswing which I never felt on the Grafalloy unless I really jumped on it. Now we're best of friends and as stupid as it is for me to experiment, I'm still going to try the On/Off. I want to get the Epon too because I keep on hearing about the terrific feel and as of now that's the thing lacking about the Driver's I have but I don't want to have buyer's remorse when the new model comes out and I'd like for you to let me know if the Epon would work better with the Roddio shaft or the Axiv. Choices, choices, choices. I'm also looking for irons when the new models come out later in the year. Of course, Epon Type S--MADE IN JAPAN--is on the top of the wish/want list. Are the Epon irons in the catalog made in Japan? If not, is there any way to get one made in Japan and how would one be able to distinguish them--serial numbers, different logo's etc.? How about made in Japan Black Gold, Rifle (Reg/TF) or Project X shafts with them?

You may want to take a look at the review that Gocchin did with 6 high end shafts. Take a look at the video and see if you swing as smooth and with the same tempo as the Japanese pro. If that's the case, then take a very good look at the RODDIO shaft made by "Daiwa is the Best" (DaiwaSeiko). Is your current Driver .335 or .350?

In your opinion is your proto shaft more like the WA (for faster swingers) or the BA (for the smooth swingers)?

Thanks Gocchin for putting up the review and video on this site so quickly. Wish I understood Japanese so I could figure out what they were talking about after every impact and what Kenji felt about the shots reviewed.

Gocchin, You are simply the best. Terrific article. Can't wait for the 2nd part to be put up. Any time frame? I know for sure the Roddio WA is for me because I swing alot harder but not as pretty than Kenji Tanaka. Sure wish I knew how to understand Japanese to actually absorb what they were talking about after every hit.

Thanks again Gocchin. I was wondering about the conversion of swingspeed of mph vs m/s. Thanks for giving us a frame of reference. Guess I made the right choice the first time choosing the W-6WA as I like to go hard on the downswing. TSG said that by the end of Feb, the site should have the Roddio's put up and we'll have a bunch of choices. I hope TourspecGirl can also do fittings for the shaft. Looks like this shaft is a winner--now just waiting for you to put up the video.

Many thanks again!!! My swing speed is 100-105 but when I jump on it I know I can swing within the 110 mph range. Looks like you enlightened me with the shaft I should choose. You're the best!!! I sent a PM to TSG and am waiting to find out prices for the Roddio.

Thanks Gocchin. I had to go the the website just now to find out which one that was. I still can't make out if that is for the slower tempo swingers or the hard swingers as I just can't find anyone who can translate for me. I ordered the Roddio W-6WA but based on what you just reported, I have to call my friend later today and see if he can change that to the W6BA. Do you know what the swing speed was when they had the test? That's the only way I can guess now what shaft to acquire. Many Thanks again.

How soon will it be added to the pro shop? Am interested to know if I paid too much for the shaft and other goodies from my buddy who's buying things for me while visiting Japan on a business trip. lol It's fantastic that you quickly add all these wonderful items in a heartbeat. Too bad it wasn't in the catalog earlier but now I know where to get another one and if it works out, I'm sure the groupies here in NorCal will follow suit.

Thanks Gocchin!!! Can't wait to see the video of the testing and salivate at the results about the Roddio whether good or bad!!! It looks like I may have lucked out and picked a good shaft despite not being able to read Japanese. In the video, will it state which of the two types of Roddio shaft is used and state why it was used because of the way it was swung--how to select the right shaft for you? How about how to install the Roddio shafts? So many questions. So little time. We've had El Nino here in Northern California so the golf has been tremendous for this time of year. I know we need the water to avoid another drought but for the small minded like me, it's a good thing to be able to play golf almost any day and see the course in decent shape at this time of the year.

Thank you once again for your helpful response. If the Roddio doesn't work out, I'll PM you and ask you how much you charge to put the Axiv V shaft on to make it work as well for me as you did for Tad.

Thanks again for the reply. By any chance, are you located out here in California? It'd be great to have someone with your talents here to have our clubs fixed. I have alot of friends who would die to use your services. Am already ordering the Axiv V 6070. Any instructions needed as to how to put this shaft on? Or does it even matter how this gets put on--logo up, sideways, etc.? I'll hedge and get the On/Off with the Roddio shaft since you also considered it not bad--at least it sounded like that and that you thought it was better than the new Rombax. It doesn't hurt to have the two shafts lying around in case one of them acts up.

Thanks again for your genuine feedback. I guess you feel the Axiv V is the better shaft than the Roddio and new Rombax. I'll probably end up having the Roddio shaft put in and purchase an Axiv V 6070 shaft just in case the Roddio doesn't work--Unless you or someone in here talks me out of the Roddio and just purchase the Axiv V because the difference between the two is slight or that the Axiv V is really that much longer and better.