April 6, 201213 yr Just found the Golfdigest Japan Hotlist 2012. Was surprised to see the Yamaha Inpres X V forged irons "only" win the silver award. In front are the so called "low quality" USDM irons, like Titleist AP2. How come?
April 6, 201213 yr The hot lists are not that great in reviewing quality. A lot of American clubs such as the ap2 are hyped up in Japan and people vote for them. Jdm stuff are usually higher quality if you research into it. Titleist does a great job marketing the us models in Japan.
April 7, 201213 yr Many major publications in the Japan are similar to how they are on USA and trend with the big boys. I don't consider Yamaha an aggressive player in marketing golf clubs. Titleist in Japan totally is. So is Taylormade & TourStage.
April 7, 201213 yr There is a Golf Digest editor at my club. He hinted it was "largely" driven by advertising $$$ received by the publication...
April 7, 201213 yr Advertising dollars play a part for sure..But also, the criteria in the various Hot Lists includes things like "Buzz", "demand", "innovation" and "technology".. So a club can be as good as anything, if it's not creating "buzz" (attracting the attention of the average, cluelss Joe golfer) it won't get Gold. Same if it's not full of fancy named plastic inserts and instead is a one pice forging = not "techy" enough..Insane really..
April 7, 201213 yr Its just like it is in the US where the big boys get all the love and the smaller companies get market down for no good reason. Id take it as a grain of salt. Its just a magazine editor's opinion. Nothing more.
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