Why so many forged JDM clubs?

[Gaijin_Golfer]

Ive always found it interesting that theres so many companies that forged clubs in Japan but in the states they try to sell people on the notion that cast is just as good as forged. So, it begs the question: why? Why does the Japanese market have such a strong preference for forged clubs? Is it a cultural thing dating back to the days of the samurai or is it just a matter of you guys have known for centuries what some of us in the rest of the world have realized: forged clubs offer superior feel.

[Spoon]

Because they really are superior even by a small margin. And its that small

Margin that makes a difference. They also feel much better IMHO. Heads are

Also softer, lofts and lies can be adjusted etc etc.

There are also more steps in the manu process which makes it more expensive.

Overall in japan they spare no expense to bring out the best. People here are willing

To pay more for the good stuff, especially true in the sporting industry. You get the best

Most high tech equipment wether its a badminton racket, fishing poles and golf clubs.

Now forged clubs are slowly becoming the norm in the mid to higher end models of usdm

Brands. This was very different years ago. Now folks are willing to pay more for quality forgings

And as these usdm companies outsource their forgings price is not as expensive as before.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Good points Spoon, I've felt some pretty amazing cast clubs ala Fourteen TB1000 proto but if you take the best feeling cast club and put it up against the best feeling forged club there is no comparison. night and day. game over!

I think just your average decent feeling forged head will feel just as good if not better than the best cast head.

[Shankopotamus]

Also, I feel as if I get more consistent results with good forged irons. Even the best cast irons have hot spots and cold spots around the club face, whereas the forged head produces the same result off the same portion of the club face, making feedback and predicting results easier.

[supo]

^{never a truer word spoken.}

^{i used my yururi 1.618 wedges on the weekeend, while i could use them for a razor in the shower, the feel of them is awful! i love to use them but the diffence is so noticeable}

^{damn i wish he made things things forged. the shape of them is unreal.}

[Gaijin_Golfer]

Thanks, everyone. You pretty much echoed what Ive always felt about forged clubs. Ive hit some Pings that were some pretty sweet cast clubs but even the best cast clubs arent as good as mediocre forged clubs, IMO.

It just boggles my mind that in so many automotive applications (forged pistons, connecting rods, wheels, etc) that forged is universally considered to be a more precise and higher quality manufacturing method but that somehow in golf people have convinced themselves that cast is just as good as forged.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Thanks, everyone. You pretty much echoed what Ive always felt about forged clubs. Ive hit some Pings that were some pretty sweet cast clubs but even the best cast clubs arent as good as mediocre forged clubs, IMO.

It just boggles my mind that in so many automotive applications (forged pistons, connecting rods, wheels, etc) that forged is universally considered to be a more precise and higher quality manufacturing method but that somehow in golf people have convinced themselves that cast is just as good as forged.

The fact that forged clubs are much more expensive to produce I'm sure plays a big role in this also. It doesn't help that the USDM market is more budget oriented.

No matter the application Forged tops cast. Iron/wedge heads. Forged Ti driver faces vs cast Ti and in the automotive industry look at all the high performance vehicles, they used Japanese forged pistons and rods while economy cars utilize casting.

[Gaijin_Golfer]

The fact that forged clubs are much more expensive to produce I'm sure plays a big role in this also. It doesn't help that the USDM market is more budget oriented.

No matter the application Forged tops cast. Iron/wedge heads. Forged Ti driver faces vs cast Ti and in the automotive industry look at all the high performance vehicles, they used Japanese forged pistons and rods while economy cars utilize casting.

I agree with you 100%. Its kind of sad that so many have been fooled into thinking that cast is just as good. Im on several other golf forums and some people have gone so far as to call me names and tell me Ive fallen for the marketing just because I prefer forged clubs. One person even went so far as to tell me that my, "hands are lying to me". Oh well, their loss, I guess.

Edited March 27, 2012 by Gaijin_Golfer

[xerobound]

Japan is detail and quality oriented US is price oriented. That's just how the culture is. Pros and cons on both ends.

[idrive]

I'm a golf snob... that's why I buy them....

Quality, performance, looks and everything else mentioned, they're simply better.

:)

[Gaijin_Golfer]

Awesome. Thanks, everyone. Those were kind of the ideas I already had in mind but its nice to have them validated and confirmed by those who are more knowledgeable than I am.

[supo]

ok heres a little thing i noticed this weeeknd.

i played with a very big strong guy yeesterday SS 125-130 hit humongous high balls.

very smooth swinger has a huge arc was using a speeder 757 stiff in a callaway ft something or other,. 9.5*

called it the mack daddy of shafts.

ive never seen anyone hit a higher ball in my life it was unbeleiveble . just rediculous. if he had my arc , with my clubs ( and i was using my yamaha 10* diamana X 60 ) oh and he was flying me by 20 yards. most shots, but NO roll no follow on ,in fact backspin on a cpl.

end result we were neck neck whole day.

if he had my club he woulda been 40 yards further past me. minumum is my guess

think dustin johnon swing on a 6ft 7 athlete.

so aftwe the match we discussed clubs, he listened a bit more intently when i told him my ss is about 20 mph slower than his . and he hits a better ,cleaner , smoother , prettier ball by a mile on the drive than i do.

he picked up all my clubs at match end and was like ok how do i get sorted.

theres a little more than just pretty looks and high price tags to these things we kinda love.

substance i like to call it.

[DaleUK]

ok heres a little thing i noticed this weeeknd.

i played with a very big strong guy yeesterday SS 125-130 hit humongous high balls.

very smooth swinger has a huge arc was using a speeder 757 stiff in a callaway ft something or other,. 9.5*

called it the mack daddy of shafts.

ive never seen anyone hit a higher ball in my life it was unbeleiveble . just rediculous. if he had my arc , with my clubs ( and i was using my yamaha 10* diamana X 60 ) oh and he was flying me by 20 yards. most shots, but NO roll no follow on ,in fact backspin on a cpl.

end result we were neck neck whole day.

if he had my club he woulda been 40 yards further past me. minumum is my guess

think dustin johnon swing on a 6ft 7 athlete.

so aftwe the match we discussed clubs, he listened a bit more intently when i told him my ss is about 20 mph slower than his . and he hits a better ,cleaner , smoother , prettier ball by a mile on the drive than i do.

he picked up all my clubs at match end and was like ok how do i get sorted.

theres a little more than just pretty looks and high price tags to these things we kinda love.

substance i like to call it.

i think,for what its worth the Shafts we use are every bit as important as the Heads,

Yes the HEADS are well made,fantastic feel and perform ...,I personally dont think theres any distance advantage From Forged over Cast,infact id say Cast can impact harder,But if its Feel Your after,which is Key for me then Forged Heads Rule,Japanese Forged Clubs just take it to another Level....