Comparing the US and Japan markets

[Henry]

I want to thank Chris for this fabulous site which opens up the market for all of us to be able to purchase better equipment from the Japanese market. Unless you are in Japan, it is almost impossible to buy the equipment. I recently was at a local golf show which had many reps from the major manufacturers. I asked several of them about ordering Japan only products. Every reaction I got was the same..no, impossible, cannot do, separate companies. It seemed like I was asking something that was shunned upon. I am just wondering why these manufactures try to keep the U.S. and Japan market separate? Any thoughts?

[Phillip Alexander]

I want to thank Chris for this fabulous site which opens up the market for all of us to be able to purchase better equipment from the Japanese market. Unless you are in Japan, it is almost impossible to buy the equipment. I recently was at a local golf show which had many reps from the major manufacturers. I asked several of them about ordering Japan only products. Every reaction I got was the same..no, impossible, cannot do, separate companies. It seemed like I was asking something that was shunned upon. I am just wondering why these manufactures try to keep the U.S. and Japan market separate? Any thoughts?

:tsg_smilie_cool: Gotta say Henry you are in the right place. Wrongly or rightly in my view products are produced for particular markets. Dare I say it, the manufacturers representatives are their to promote their products.

Have a good look in the pro shop on the site. If there is something you like, buy it from Chris.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

I want to thank Chris for this fabulous site which opens up the market for all of us to be able to purchase better equipment from the Japanese market. Unless you are in Japan, it is almost impossible to buy the equipment. I recently was at a local golf show which had many reps from the major manufacturers. I asked several of them about ordering Japan only products. Every reaction I got was the same..no, impossible, cannot do, separate companies. It seemed like I was asking something that was shunned upon. I am just wondering why these manufactures try to keep the U.S. and Japan market separate? Any thoughts?

We are very fortunate golf is an affordable sport in the U.S, where as in almost every other country on earth its for the upper class only. Its actually very simple, The U.S market is not willing to dish out the same big money the Japanese do on golf equipment or green fees for that matter. That prevents the large OEMs from adding new more expensive technologies into the design or better standard shaft options. If the club is not marketable for the majority it only makes sense to leave it out of the line up. Its all about making money.

In the Japanese market they sell both U.S and JDM golf clubs openly and the U.S clubs are far less expensive, yet its still a very tiny market there. Import equipment in the U.S is a fraction of 1% of all golfers. Yes TSG'ers we are a tiny tiny group of hard core enthusiests.

The reps don't like to talk about it or give it any light because they make commision off of what they sell and if they cant offer JDM products there isn't any money for them to be made personally. It only makes sense that the U.S OEMs would rather you not find out about whats available on the other side of the pond.

[Dicksy]

Golf is a global game and thanks to Chris equipment is heading this way also....