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Akira Fairway Review 18* and 21* - First 36 Holes


bogeydog

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Today I was able to play 36 holes with the Akira 5 and 7 woods. I have a 3 wood on order, but i understand they are back ordered.

I bought these mainly because they have such flat lies. The 5w is 57* and the 7w is 58*. Being a short gut, finding woods that are this flat is like a dream com true.

Shape - Small head size, but really nice shape. For me, they were confidence inspiring, yet looked light and nimble. The face height is medium. The finish is as good as I have seen.

Feel - They excel in feel to me. Super duper solid. A muted sound, and powerful punch. They seem not to me.

Trajectory - As expected for each.

Performance - I am very pleased and excited. After a couple of swings with these, I developed a feel as if I had hit they 100 times. I know this will sound like I am pumping these up however I hit many money taking shots today. I purposely hit these as much as I could and in as many situations as I could find. Fairway - Great, Rough - Great. One shot that comes to mind is a 180 from a below the feet lie out of the rough and uphill. I hit the 7w to 1 foot. I can't proclaim that these are the longest woods out there. I have had a large distance gap forever and after the PRGR Tour Hit, PRGR Egg, and Yamaha Spoon, I gave up and made shot changes to avoid the gap. These have indeed surprised me.

What sticks out in my mind is the feel, accuracy and powerful forgiveness. I was so surprised how forgiving these are. I caught a few on the toe but distance was still close to spot on.

All i can say is that these flat out perform period. I cant wait for the 3w and wish there was a 9 wood. I know a 9 wood. But these are good enough that I would try one out for sure. To me, one of the best values I have in quite a long time.

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Great feedback B.

You are right on about distance. The Akira FW's are not really a distance FW like the egg and other spoons. The main draw of the Akira is solid feel and control and accuracy which you certainly found out.

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I'm considering a 3,5,7 combo of these with DJ-8 shafts. Tatsuro and I thought it was the best FW period. The yonex 13* steel is another hot one but this particular akira is unreal.

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I from have a Gen 1 Egg for a brief moment. I don't recall it being as solid as the Akira. What I found is I looked for situations to hit these clubs. Even ones that I probably should have not, but felt I could pull the shot off. I hit some beauties and really think there isn't another club in the bag that would have had the same results.

BTW - Of the 8 Par 5 holes we played Saturday, I birdied 4 of them no doubt due to the Akira woods and let's not forget my driver with Quadra Proto.

I also carried a Ping 4w G15. This is a club I have mostly used to hit long shots off the deck. It is pretty good but the Akira beat it hard in all aspects.The Ping feels cheap and tinny and now is to be sold.

If the Akira 3w produces the same results, I will be very happy.

Edited by bogeydog
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I played another 18 today at a course I grew up playing however hadn't played in 20 years. Again the Akira woods flat out performed. I haven't had this much fun with fairway woods, ever. Two shots stand out from today's round: 1) a 225 yard second shot 5w from the rough into the green with an eagle putt. (I don't hit par 5s in two), 2) A 7w from the tee into the green of a 198 yard uphill green.

Literally if this success continues my HC will drop 3-4 strokes. My playing partner Sunday and today commented that it appears I have been playing the woods for years. Maybe the best value of any club I have purchased.

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i hv the M215 & M218 with Crazy's FW-01 Evo. shaft. At first it was hard to get to the trajectory which i like but i opened up my face about 0.5 deg. and the magic happened. it's really really far and easy to handle!

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yum2 i am thinking ........... :)

any suggestions for a flat lie angle hybrid too?

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Flat hyrbids are tough to find. I have a cheap Taylor Made which is 60*. In a shorter length it works out ok. I have been looking for years to find a flatter lie hybrid. I think Fourteen had one out many years ago that was less than 60*.

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how i wish i can bend the lie angle of those hybrids LOL. :) guess have to cont searching. Thanks for the info B.

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Great review B, certainly worth a look.

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yum2 i am thinking ........... :)

any suggestions for a flat lie angle hybrid too?

Their ix21 is 59* wonder how that will perform vs the m21 7w

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Bob what shaft did u install? Sorry if I missed it.

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Their ix21 is 59* wonder how that will perform vs the m21 7w

Was looking at that straight after looking at Bob's post. I am dying to try that now. but should i go for a 7fw? hmmmmmmmm decisions decisions.......

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The 7w is so good I likely won't mess with the hybrid.

It is a Talamonti shaft from here in the US. A small producer by a guy who used to be at SST. The shafts had some his reviews and were cheap so I am experimenting.

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The 7w is so good I likely won't mess with the hybrid.

It is a Talamonti shaft from here in the US. A small producer by a guy who used to be at SST. The shafts had some his reviews and were cheap so I am experimenting.

got any pics of it?

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The Akira UT is along the lines of the TourStage XUT and ONOFF Labo Spec Fairway Wings, These all fly low have a mid trajectory and a very deep face.

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Today I played another 18 which makes 72 holes with the Akira 5 and 7. I have called about everyone I know that plays golf to share how great these are. One guy who has played all 72 holes with me, made a funny comment today. I hit the 7w to a tight pin in the rear of a green from 189 yards. I needed to fade it low into the green landing it in the middle and hoping for a nice roll into the back corner. Mission accomplished. As I left the box he said, "I figured you were going to be close with that."

The course I played today is tight and undulated. It is a course that requires intense course knowledge and control as it is very easy to roll through the fairways. Good thing I had these clubs. One shot that comes to mind was a shot from 185 just off the fairway to an uphill green with a front pin. I hit the 7w with a baby draw to about 10 yards short of the green and two small bounces was putting 10 feet for birdie.

I can honestly say that I have not been in love with ANY fairway woods or hybrids as much as these. They feel great, and perform better. I know they are providing me the ability to hit shots and get into positions that I struggled with before. In the four rounds, I have yet to really miss a shot with these. Forget looking for a hybrid. The 7s works well for me from 180 to almost 200. The 5w tales over from there up to about 220. I can't wait to see what the 3w does when it arrives.

I suggest that you buy one and give it a try. It may be the one of the best buys you have ever made.

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Mine are ordered. Your fault.

I'm going the GD DI route with the shafts.

The only thing that worries me about getting these is I have the Eggs so dialed I really don't have any reason,

or desire to switch. Much like Bogey the flatter lies are a big part that calls out to me.

If they knock the eggs out.... they will get their chance.

It will be a few weeks before I have a review.......

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Mine are ordered. Your fault.

I'm going the GD DI route with the shafts.

The only thing that worries me about getting these is I have the Eggs so dialed I really don't have any reason,

or desire to switch. Much like Bogey the flatter lies are a big part that calls out to me.

If they knock the eggs out.... they will get their chance.

It will be a few weeks before I have a review.......

Which one did you get?

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As I commented, they may not be as long as the egg, but for me excel in all areas. I tried the eggs way back and obviously don't have them now. I am glad Tatsuro and Tourspecgolfer also are enjoying them.

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Which one did you get?

Akira ix24 w/Graph Design UT 95 S

Akira M218 .5* open w/Graph Design DI 7 S

Akira M221 1* open w/Graph Design DI 8 S

I'm not giving up the Egg spoon (15*) just yet.

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Akira ix24 w/Graph Design UT 95 S

Akira M218 .5* open w/Graph Design DI 7 S

Akira M221 1* open w/Graph Design DI 8 S

I'm not giving up the Egg spoon (15*) just yet.

Cant wait for your review :tsg_smilie_smile2:

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B, do you have pics for the shafts you have installed for them?

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Are these really that good??

I'm tempted for a 3 and 5 wood myself now!

D

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More rounds under my belt. Nothing but good shots. Even had to punch a 5w under a tree from about 170 - edge of green. I can't wait for 3w to arrive. Who else ha ordered these woods other than idrive?

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