wmclarenf1 Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 The Kitada arrived today! And boy, I have never seen such deep and extreme face milling. She's supposed to be 357 grams it feels good and heavy. 2* loft and 71* lie. Looks wise she ain;t a Miss South America (no, I won't be sending her for plastc surgery at GF :-) ) but I have a good feel about her. Will be taking her to the fitters to put in a UST F plus Iomic Absolute grip and see how she rolls this weekend. I don;t imagine she'll roll better than my GS but I think she will "feel" better. The Kitada was one of 3 packages to arrive today.. woohoo.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 nice and enjoy. mine started that way as well but sent her to get surgery after being inactive for several years. talk about spicing up the relationship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 yes................. i got rid of all the colouring except the blue. didnt mind that. and u and i may jus t think alike..! got a ust freq filter in mine with................ iomic absolute. 34 inch. im guessing ur gonna get on fine with her..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 I won't be doing the gf plastic surgery thing in any instance. If she works for my stroke, she works. If not, any sort of extremely makeover won't work and best I pass her off to someone else whose putting stroke she suits better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 yes................. i got rid of all the colouring except the blue. didnt mind that. and u and i may jus t think alike..! got a ust freq filter in mine with................ iomic absolute. 34 inch. im guessing ur gonna get on fine with her..! Thanks stew! I'm a 34 inch guy as well lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 (edited) Just had her shafted. Head came in at 358 grams. On the putting mat, the head feel is softer than my GS but that could be down to the lighter weight of the GS being 7 grams lighter on head weight and the sound slot whih tsgolfer posted elsewhere. The roll is fantastic as well! As good as the GS and both have very different face milling. Will take the kitada out this weekend. These 2 putters could work out very well for the 2 clubs I frequent. The GS for the weekend where the course I play typically has faster greens and the kitada with the heavier head for courses with slower greens. Edited January 24, 2013 by wmclarenf1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Its pretty standard deep face milling, if you want extreme you should see the Gold's Next Gen PZ milling, not only is it deep but the angles of the grooves are intense. I've just finished making arrangements for us to meet Kitada-san and Chris and I will talk to him about making some real nice putters for all of us at TSG. (^_^) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Sorry T, I know you mean well but I just don;t buy into the GF bling. Just me of course and to each his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Sorry T, I know you mean well but I just don;t buy into the GF bling. Just me of course and to each his own. Its definitely personal but for you to call Gold's bling... takes away from the fact that they are in fact great putters with great performance... not just bling. Expensive yes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Its definitely personal but for you to call Gold's bling... takes away from the fact that they are in fact great putters with great performance... not just bling. Expensive yes... It's nothing to do with the price... believe me. They don;t make their own blanks they? They work off (yes and add on I will give that) blanks made by others? If they do make their own blanks in-house from scratch, I readily stand corrected but from what I have read on this board so far, they don;t. I could be wrong but that's what I have taken out so far. I'm not totally against this concept and if you know of my interest in other hobbies, you will see why but in this case, I just do not think what they add on makes that much of a difference. Again, we are discussing varying degrees of difference so no right or wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 I'd love to learn about your other hobbies, we are probably on the same page in many instances. I notice you enjoy watch references what else? I don't fault GF one bit, they openly use the word blank or replica when dealing with Kitada heads. GF is like an aftermarket car company, what they do is improve performance, feel, and asthetics of all putters from Scotty, Odyssey, Kitada Blanks etc... I really respect them for doing what NO ONE else can. Can other companies do what M.Sasaya does... nope and not a single one. GF is the Novitec Rosso or RUF of the putter industry. Does it bother you that Kitada is considered an Open Model Putter Co. selling their blanks to companies? Or that they don't make their own steel or finish their heads themselves? It would occur to me that you would take issue with that. Again the Kitada heads are a blank canvas for customers to be creative with GF modifications, is it's GF's bad for giving customers that option or is it Kitada's bad for selling blank heads. Based on stamping, I'd much rather take a blank Kitada head sent to GF and have an engraving of my choice added than the two beetle horns and a circle K, but to each is own. That said, Kitada does use great JIS SUS303 and with a few shape and engraving adjustments we believe can become a much improved brand. That's why we are meeting Kitada-san next month in Tokyo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Your RUF analogy is good. I think what they do to enhance torque and bhp etc and without neglecting other aspects of handling, braking is great but I'm not sure if I would liken the extent of what GF does to putters as equal to what RUF does with cars. That I think is where the degree of different opinions lie. And RUF at the end of the day has to work off a capable engine, chassis etc to begin with. Give them a crap engine and there is only so much they can do with it. That is my point. The most important starting point is the blank in the case of GF and the engine, chasis in the case of RUF. RUF does not design and make Prosches and they acknowledge that. So does, GF add performance enhancement, YES and I said they do but how much, that is where I think we can agree to disagree. GF does not make their own putters. They modify putters. Is that accurate to say? Also, I have no qualms driving a shoddy looking 997 as long as I know the engine, chasis, exhaust, brakes, suspension, tires etc.. are all they can be and in consideration to limits of the other parts. It'll take down any body kit bling only car any day. Does GF when they add weights know how that affects CG, balance etc? I hope so because sometimes, they have weights all over the place and I wonder if they know how that affects performance. Not picking a fight here or anything but I'm just someone who needs to know if I am paying for performance enhancement, I get performance enhancement. If I pay for a chip up, the dyno has to show the stated increase etc. You're into cars and other stuff I guess so you know this is not about the price. A ti exhaust easily costs 4 or 5 GF putters? :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Beetle horns?! So that's what they are supposed to be LOL. Good thing at address, all I see is what I want to see and that's the sight line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Your RUF analogy is good. I think what they do to enhance torque and bhp etc and without neglecting other aspects of handling, braking is great but I'm not sure if I would liken the extent of what GF does to putters as equal to what RUF does with cars. That I think is where the degree of different opinions lie. And RUF at the end of the day has to work off a capable engine, chassis etc to begin with. Give them a crap engine and there is only so much they can do with it. That is my point. The most important starting point is the blank in the case of GF and the engine, chasis in the case of RUF. RUF does not design and make Prosches and they acknowledge that. So does, GF add performance enhancement, YES and I said they do but how much, that is where I think we can agree to disagree. GF does not make their own putters. They modify putters. Is that accurate to say? Also, I have no qualms driving a shoddy looking 997 as long as I know the engine, chasis, exhaust, brakes, suspension, tires etc.. are all they can be and in consideration to limits of the other parts. It'll take down any body kit bling only car any day. Does GF when they add weights know how that affects CG, balance etc? I hope so because sometimes, they have weights all over the place and I wonder if they know how that affects performance. Not picking a fight here or anything but I'm just someone who needs to know if I am paying for performance enhancement, I get performance enhancement. If I pay for a chip up, the dyno has to show the stated increase etc. You're into cars and other stuff I guess so you know this is not about the price. A ti exhaust easily costs 4 or 5 GF putters? :-) Yes beetle horns and we will work with them on that..lol It's really bad imo. Remember now what GF does to a putter is the customers choice. He isn't putting gold nuggets on it if you only want your initials stamped. Yes GF knows balance and CG thats why he warns customers when they go overboard. GF used to design fully milled putters from solid block for Gauge Design. I have it as you almost have something against GF based on the way you poke and compare it to bling, plastic surgery, etc.. etc.. I find it obvious in what you say about them, and thats no problem as everyone here is aware I have strong feelings about several brands as well. But what perplexes me is that you like me love great things and I'm telling you GF is the best at what they do... In the WORLD and by a Mile. They take great putters and make them even better, yes with the same CG placement, they can reduce or increase weight, improve roll, for sure improve balance.... OR they can put something ridiculous on it per the customer request. I think your missing out especially if you have the bones to try it. Just ask so many in this forum. Knowing you like great quality, craftsmanship and technique where else would you send your putter for kick it up a notch? No offense to anyone but we've seen the work that the U.S guys do and it's not nearly at the level of GF nor do they have the capabilities to do as many things. There is only one way to find out right? Here's a brief run down of the thought process of a GF customer: Hmm... I really love this putter (scotty, Hiro, or whatever ) but I wish it was center shafted and a little bit heavier... and wouldn't it be cool if it came in smoked chrome and had a 4 leaf clover or dragon on it. I also like those weights that Sasaya does but It looks too heavy. Let me ask Gocchin if GF can make the same weight but only a few grams heavy instead of 10g... Tario responds with a quote that has suggestions and brings up any issues that he or sasaya have noticed with the design request. Damn thats expensive...lol...jk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Thanks for the professional indulgence and response Chris. I see what you're saying and do not ever doubt that the finish of GF is so much better over what the US guys do. When it comes to hand crafted stuff and finish, nothing and I mean nothing beats the Japanese. They are just so obsessed with detail and quality its amazing. The urushi (spelling?) I have seen on various media (watches one of them :-) ) is just amazing. I guess I am just not sold on whether I would fully benefit from GF. They do add performance I add again but I just see them (and maybe wrongly I will immediately add) as being more aesthetic guys rather than performance guys and to the former, man are they good! Thanks again for accepting that I have a different view and that it takes all sorts to make the world more interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Kitada's finishing is raw... very raw. I think that is what anyone who sees his putter in the metal will notice immediately.. and of course the off color scheme LOL. Can he do with a make over and will that help him sell more? I am sure it will. But leave his milling. It works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Kitada-san is actually working on his finish which is one of the things he brought up with me. He is doing some really cool things that nobody else is doing... can't wait to meet him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Got a round in with the new stuff... TJ-46 in my 435, the DWD wedges but the brightest shining star was and is the Kitada! Wasn't driving well.. was long and had tons of roll but FW percentage was off... shot 79 though so I'm still happy. The big stats for me however were on the green... 29 putts! 8 1 putts, 1 3 putt unfortunately. 3 birdies! The Kitata is great great great! Roll better than the GS Mono3? I don;t know... BOTH roll great. The roll is so true and holds the line! The milling on these 2 putters is unbelievable! What;s more unbelievable is how I stuck with a Yes Callie for so long! THe milling and groove patterns on the GS Mono and Kitada putts on a much more superior roll than the C-grooves of Callie or any Scotty that I have played with in the past and thats quite a few. Guys, if anyone is looking for a new putter, you owe it to yourself to try either the Kitada or the GS! They have non-anser shapes if you need that as well. I would say now that the Kitada, GS Mono 3 and Romaro H irons are probably my best result for the dollar buys this past Christmas experimentation period! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIduffer Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I would say now that the Kitada, GS Mono 3 and Romaro H irons are probably my best result for the dollar buys this past Christmas experimentation period! Congrats… Nothing better than being able to look back at a purchase and say, "I am glad I spent that money…" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Congrats… Nothing better than being able to look back at a purchase and say, "I am glad I spent that money…" Thanks buddy! I guess with these its the confidence thing that is translating to lower scores. I just feel I can go at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted January 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 (edited) .. Edited January 26, 2013 by wmclarenf1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 oooooooooooooooh goody to hear..... unfortunartly.... im off golf till march . i need a break. but that kitada wil be the first new toy i take out.! UST FF shaft with iomic absolute. schweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet... rider and ive got so many new ones over the winter break. so many refurbs.. love it when new toys perform! oooo im excited already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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