gocchin Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 I've been a lazy ass....yes I know. Playing too much golf and been so busy that my blog has suffered. I recently though got a RC Star FD Fairway to review. It was fun to review so I will get back to doing more reviews for all you folks.... here it is: Royal Collection Japan, the parent company of what we in the west know as Sonartec has long been producing high class golf clubs for the "Athlete" (what they call low handicappers or scratch golfers in Japan) of professional. Their hybrids and fairway woods have long been favorites of many pros on the Japanese and US tours. This year, RC released the ★ FD Fairway wood for the Average golfer (higher handicappers, game improvement level in Japan). At first glance the style of the sole would look similar to most RC clubs but looking at the specs, this 3W at 184cc would be one of RC's largest. After seeing the RC ★ as the number one seller on GDO (Golf Digest Japan Online), I decided to get one for testing to see what the fuss was about. When it arrived and I pulled it out of the box, I was shocked at how big the head was... there are FW's that are larger than 184cc but this 3W had the top view of a flattened 340cc driver!! Read the rest and see way more pics over at Inpakuto.com, the blog for Tourspecgolf! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkats Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 Thanks for the review! I am a big fan of RC fairway woods and was interested in seeing how these perform. I would never have guess how large it was so your pics and impressions were very helpful. You may have saved me some money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted September 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 It's always fun doing reviews, and one thing I discover is there are definitely lots of awesome clubs out there, but not every club is for every person. A typical RC user may be turned off by this club, but I think what Royal Collection is doing with this FW is they are trying to tap into a different market segment that they previously were not really catering to. That said, if you have troubles with FW's and the size doesn't bother you, this could work without a doubt. (I think I will add what I just said to the review (^_^)). For you dkats, being an RC fan, you'd be better off with an Epon Tecnity FW, or the new AF-201, similar deep face, compact head and solid feel. A different sole from RC types but one that works well also. Very rewarding for the better player as the older RC FW's like the CV Pro are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkats Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 It's always fun doing reviews, and one thing I discover is there are definitely lots of awesome clubs out there, but not every club is for every person. A typical RC user may be turned off by this club, but I think what Royal Collection is doing with this FW is they are trying to tap into a different market segment that they previously were not really catering to. That said, if you have troubles with FW's and the size doesn't bother you, this could work without a doubt. (I think I will add what I just said to the review (^_^)).For you dkats, being an RC fan, you'd be better off with an Epon Tecnity FW, or the new AF-201, similar deep face, compact head and solid feel. A different sole from RC types but one that works well also. Very rewarding for the better player as the older RC FW's like the CV Pro are. Thanks! I am also interested in the X-drive GR fairway since you are having fun with reviews! I'm looking for something with more forgiveness, and the GRversion looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blader-X Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 Very nice review and I must say great pics on Ipakuto. The blog is looking great. A little off the topic of the club but in regards to RC and Sonartec. I had read in GolfWeek that Sonartec in the states no longer has any ties to RC. Anyone know why that split occured? I was in the golf shop today looking at the latest domestic clubs to come out and noticed that the new utility by Sonartec, the HB-001 does not have that signature channel all woods and utilities have always had. The new utility has a nice shape to it, but I still think the old TRC model is the best utility they ever made and one of the best ever to have been made. In fact, I was comparing it to the G-Field model and the G-Field model looks very close in design to the TRC. The G-Field model is a little longer heel to toe. In regards to this fairway wood, its middle channel looks to have been made a lot shallower as well. Am I right in seeing that T, or does it just look that way from the pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffer19 Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 Years ago, RC had a line of FW that were similar to the new FDs, wide and big but with a bored thru shaft. I do not recall the model but it is also a 14 degree and 43 inches long. I had a hell of a time hitting that FW and so were the people I gave (not sell) away the club. It had channel and everything but it is just a slice machine. I have no problem later with the Sonartec ss 01 03 and 07 and recently the very classic looking and feeling CV Pro. If you are a mid to low handicap player, the Fd is not for you. I am going to pick up a td+ though as it looks much better than the md. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted September 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 I've been wanting to hit a Td+ for the longest time. Please bring one back for me. (^_^) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffer19 Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 I've been wanting to hit a Td+ for the longest time. Please bring one back for me. (^_^) Your season is almost over so wait until when they coming out with a new line. The Td+ is being discounted at my club here and if you are serious pm or pin me. If you have not see it in person, it looks like a miniture Md with a much shorter heel to toe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted September 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2007 Season is never over! Still two months left then off-season training begins! (^_^) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffer19 Posted September 8, 2007 Report Share Posted September 8, 2007 Season is never over! Still two months left then off-season training begins! (^_^) Off-season training, I have never seen you at the Launch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted September 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2007 Off-season training, I have never seen you at the Launch? Launch is wayyyy to far, I live in the east end.... even going to jeff's is a trek.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leekuosing Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 (edited) I just purchased a td+19 & 21with a R-Flex RC U-flow Mitusbishi Rayon shaft. I noticed that this club has a tendency to slice. I'm wondering if its the shaft that's causing this. I usually use a TM Rescue Dual TP with Diamana R-flex shaft with no slice. Any thoughts and suggestions? Edited September 13, 2007 by leekuosing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffer19 Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 I just purchased a td+19 & 21with a R-Flex RC U-flow Mitusbishi Rayon shaft. I noticed that this club has a tendency to slice. I'm wondering if its the shaft that's causing this. I usually use a TM Rescue Dual TP with Diamana R-flex shaft with no slice. Any thoughts and suggestions? I personally never had any success with a hybrid that is less then 20 degree of loft. I never hit the U Flow shaft but I am sure it would be better than the IROD on the Sonartec MD. RC clubs are not easy to hit well but again you can try hitting down slightly like an iron rather than a wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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