Henry Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Can anyone shed some light on what the differences are between Bridgestone USA vs. Bridgestone Japan or for that matter, Mizuno USA vs. Mizuno Japan. I do understand there are different product lines within these companies but am a little confused on whether product lines are more superior in one country versus the other. For example, a Tourstage X-Driver is a fantastic club but so is the J33 Driver as well. Does it just come down to preference? I know there have been some discussions on this but just looking at this from a slightly different angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Can anyone shed some light on what the differences are between Bridgestone USA vs. Bridgestone Japan or for that matter, Mizuno USA vs. Mizuno Japan. I do understand there are different product lines within these companies but am a little confused on whether product lines are more superior in one country versus the other. For example, a Tourstage X-Driver is a fantastic club but so is the J33 Driver as well. Does it just come down to preference? I know there have been some discussions on this but just looking at this from a slightly different angle. As far as Bridgestone goes, Tourstage has newer technologies and better features IMO. For example the old Tourstage X-Blade CB released in 2003 is the new U.S 2005 release Bridgestone J33 CB. The Japanese product line is also much bigger with the Beam series, ViQ, synergy and the most amazing apparel and accessories. Your correct that the J33 is a wonderful club but the Tourstage X-Drive has better shaft options, a more appealing shape and face profile as well as turbo rubber technology and true stated lofts. It comes down to several things, the Japanese are willing to pay more for quality equipment so Tourstage can put extra goodies into design and manufacturing. Take a look in the catalog and compare some of the products with the U.S offerings. As far as Mizuno, Its pretty much all the same when it comes to the MP series, Forged in Japan and finished in China. The custom grind Mizunos are finished in Japan and the new JPX line has out of this world technologies that may not see light in the U.S for many years. Are the differences worth the price? that is subjective depending on who you are, your standards and your income. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricoacacia Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 I think there are also some differences in lie angles of the Jap spec. vs. the US spec. cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramizuno13 Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 As far as Bridgestone goes, Tourstage has newer technologies and better features IMO. For example the old Tourstage X-Blade CB released in 2003 is the new U.S 2005 release Bridgestone J33 CB. The Japanese product line is also much bigger with the Beam series, ViQ, synergy and the most amazing apparel and accessories. Your correct that the J33 is a wonderful club but the Tourstage X-Drive has better shaft options, a more appealing shape and face profile as well as turbo rubber technology and true stated lofts. It comes down to several things, the Japanese are willing to pay more for quality equipment so Tourstage can put extra goodies into design and manufacturing. Take a look in the catalog and compare some of the products with the U.S offerings.As far as Mizuno, Its pretty much all the same when it comes to the MP series, Forged in Japan and finished in China. The custom grind Mizunos are finished in Japan and the new JPX line has out of this world technologies that may not see light in the U.S for many years. Are the differences worth the price? that is subjective depending on who you are, your standards and your income. I agree with the Mizuno stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K2_2 Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 With some of the Bridgestone irons, I think that the sole grind (leading edge and bounce) are a little different that similar Tourstage models. All very nice stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 With some of the Bridgestone irons, I think that the sole grind (leading edge and bounce) are a little different that similar Tourstage models. All very nice stuff. Yes you are correct, They round the lead edge a tad and add more bounce to the Bridgestone product, this is due to courses in the U.S having lower maintenance standards than the pristine condition of Japanese courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K2_2 Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Hey Chris, Thanks for the reply. To follow that up, could you (or Joe if he's lurking around:-) fill us in on why the sharper leading edge works better from the nice plush lies over in Japan? I can understand not needing the bounce, but I'm curious about what the sharper leading edge would do. I was really curious when I had my Yonex Tours (wonderful LTB 600 shafts and wickedly sharp leading edge). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Hey Chris,Thanks for the reply. To follow that up, could you (or Joe if he's lurking around:-) fill us in on why the sharper leading edge works better from the nice plush lies over in Japan? I can understand not needing the bounce, but I'm curious about what the sharper leading edge would do. I was really curious when I had my Yonex Tours (wonderful LTB 600 shafts and wickedly sharp leading edge). If the turf is soft the sharper leading edge will dig into the groud more so than the rounded depending on your swing. In Japan they have expensive irrigation systems designed to keep the water from collecting. You wont find this as evident in irons then as you would say a wedge. I have played U.S and Japanese Irons in softer hawaii conditions, firm japanese conditions and even northern italy turf with no positive or negative effects to performance. In the United states you will find all types of lie's soft, hard, soggy, firm yet you don't see people buying several sets of irons to suite the course. With wedges its a different story I know of many people who choose between high bounce and low bounce depending on the turf or weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarheeldb Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 I think there are also some differences in lie angles of the Jap spec. vs. the US spec.cheers. Based on my very short time on this board I believe that's supposed to be Japanese spec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted February 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 It just facinates me that a lot of the Japan maufactures do not think there is a U.S. Market for their clubs because of price. To say that there is no market for an expensive car in the U.S. because you can get a less costly car is silly. I know there is a market for these types of import clubs if they were marketed properly. Am I missing something?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 It just facinates me that a lot of the Japan maufactures do not think there is a U.S. Market for their clubs because of price. To say that there is no market for an expensive car in the U.S. because you can get a less costly car is silly. I know there is a market for these types of import clubs if they were marketed properly. Am I missing something?? Yes, there would be a market for them but a big enough market for them to profit or break even? I don't think so. In 2005 4.7 billion dollars is what U.S golfers spent on clubs, balls, gloves etc. 12.8 million golfers spend 92% of the 4.7. Overall there are about 30.3 million golfers in the U.S alone. Lets take a look at Japan, 3.5 million golfers who spend 3.6 billion dollars a year on equipment, balls, gloves etc.. Of the 3 million golfers in Japan the majority buy high end expensive golf clubs yet in the united states the majority of the 4.7 billion spent on equipment is for low to average cost items, components, discount clubs etc.. A very small fraction of the golf community is interested in expensive high quality items and its most profitable for the OEMs to focus on the larger segment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acrazygolfer Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 ... also, the general golf population is on a decline within last few years due to the 5+ rounds and no new "reasonably price" courses. The cheapest non-muni courses in and around Los Angeles charged $50 on weekday and more on weekend and thus 80% of the weekend players are forced to waited 2+ hours to get on for 5+ hours round. If they don't play or played sporadically, there is no justification to pay for expensive equipment. My 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 2003 vs 2005 rounds played. Premium course play is up 1.7% Standard course play is up 0.1% Value course play is up 1.1% Private membership courses stayed flat and premium public courses had the best growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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