sjdavies47 Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 I am slowly moving to a JDM bag (speed due to the cost :^( ). I am now on my second set of Epons and have a couple of lovely fourteen wedges. The next club in line is the big dog. Because of the cost, used is likely to be my best bet (prob BST) and I'm mostly looking at the Ryoma and Epon models. I am currently using a 9* R11s with a Fubuki Alpha 70S, have a swing speed of ~105mph with an ave distance of 260yrds (in UK conditions). I prefer the feel and sound of the Titleist models, but thought that the R11s was a bit more forgiving.... What should I expect of a JDM driver compared to the USDM stuff I'm used to? Straighter, longer, lower launching or is it sound and feel based? Would I expect to go for a similar loft in a JDM head (assuming the same shaft)? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardboiled Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 I went from an R11 Dot (tour issue) head, which is already much better feeling then the retail TM heads, to an Ryoma D1 Premia. The difference was almost night and day. The Ryoma launches lower, with more carry and roll. Also, the Ryoma feels alot softer off the face too. Awesome drver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandee11 Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 There is a epon101 With raddio w-7ba for cheap! Compare to usdm model, jdm head will feel softer. Distance might be a little longer depend on the set up. After hitting the epon af152, I didn't touch all the usdm drivers I have, and now I end up with 7-8 jdm drivers... Make sure you get the right shaft to pair with. After the driver, shafts will be next! Just be ready! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potuna Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 I use to have that Epon 101with Roddio shaft, what a great driver, I'm tempted to buy it back everyday. Cheap for that set-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincent Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 ryoma will launch lower and it feels superb at impact! JDM drivers have very rich dense feel at impact! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaygolf Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 When it comes to jdm drivers one actually needs to pay proper attention to specs. Even if its head only. Low spin means low spin. Same goes for launch etc. I believe OEM heads to be a lot more generic. Almost one size fits all. Take the d2 for example; you'll see a pro play it but also a beginner. Doesn't work like that with jdm. Give an epon zero to a high handicap player and see what he does with it...nothing. Same goes for shafts. But a head that fits your game, absolutely wonderful. As much as they can improve your game (and feel) they can also hurt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjdavies47 Posted October 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Thanks all. I guess this all confirms one of my fears. Jdm does seem to be more aimed at niches than usdm clubs. I think this is where some of the performance increase comes from you just need to find the club combo for your niche. It sounds like I may need to take an informed guess (epon 102/151/152 ryoma v spec ) and hope for the best. Guess I can always resell ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swisstrader Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 You can't go wrong with any of those drivers...the real challenge will be making sure you've got the right shaft. Shaft choice is just as, if not more critical than head choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobmontana Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 There is currently a very nice AF152 with a great shaft on the BST that would suit your swing speed well! : ) The Tour AD BB shaft will definitely get you by for a while until you want to start investing in Crazy or Quadra and the likes. PM me if you want more info on the driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoreBeerBetterGolf Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 I had an R11s 9* with a real Rip Phenom tour x 70 shaft in it and have now been playing a Kamui KPX 9.5 that i bought used with Fubuki 70S for a bit. I also have a Ryoma V Spec with Crazy 519 7.7 being built I should have soon. Even with a too soft (for me 112 ss) 70S Fubuki the KPX is much more of a piercing mid ball flight with more roll out than the R11s was even with a piece of rebar for a shaft and the head delofted to the max. The ground is softer now and the grass denser than it was all summer and I'm outdriving the R11s combo considerably. And it performs way better into the wind. In soft UK conditions I would think a slightly higher spinning head like the 152 might be perfect for more carry. Unless you're a high ball hitter by nature in which case you can probably get enough carry from a v spec or KPX or 102 type head. Even though the KPX launches low-mid I still get a lot of carry with my swing. As a relative noob to JDM drivers this is my take on it. The Japanese heads definitely will feel muted and soft at first coming from TM...almost off putting at first but after a few rounds you won't want to go back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjdavies47 Posted October 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 How would you compare the R11s spin-wise with the 152 and V spec? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swisstrader Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 "The Japanese heads definitely will feel muted and soft at first coming from TM...almost off putting at first but after a few rounds you won't want to go back" That's what turned me off to some of the JDM drivers. I'm probably in the minority here, but I love to hear a nice big CRACK when I hit the ball. First couple times I hit the ryoma, I thought I had missed the ball entirely with that dull thud sound. Had a Nike Sasquatch for many years and has the most obnoxious tin can sound each time I hit the ball. In some cases the ball went only 220, but sounded like 350!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIduffer Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 "The Japanese heads definitely will feel muted and soft at first coming from TM...almost off putting at first but after a few rounds you won't want to go back" That's what turned me off to some of the JDM drivers. I'm probably in the minority here, but I love to hear a nice big CRACK when I hit the ball. First couple times I hit the ryoma, I thought I had missed the ball entirely with that dull thud sound. Had a Nike Sasquatch for many years and has the most obnoxious tin can sound each time I hit the ball. In some cases the ball went only 220, but sounded like 350!! You should try the Vega. Great feel and loud!!!!? Did I mention it was loud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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