stevopagolf Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 First let me say that once my order built by SYard, seems demand is pretty strong, which took about a week, I received it in TWO DAYS from Japan. JFK customs knows how to handle things, they might have a club ho list or something that makes it move faster. Tario and TSG were great in getting this to me fast, as always. My initial impression is that it looks larger than I thought it would. Not small at all. Paired with a familiar friend to me Graphite Design Tour AD, which one is it I am not sure but Tour AD configurations have been good to me. So very positive initial impression. I plan to take it to the range later today and will post my thoughts after the range. Not sure when it will get a course test but will share that as well. I am a 10 HCP at the moment so we will see how this works for a mid handicap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiromikey Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 looking forward to another review of the 388. i might have to try one of these yet! btw, very jealous of that shipping time...i'm going to have to reroute my international orders through jfk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gandor Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 all i can say is give it a chance if it fails on the initial sessions...didnt like mine at first but after a couple of rounds im starting to love it but then i had a honeymoon with the vspec yesterday and couldnt believe how long and easy to hit this combo. i love both drivers so i dropped one hybrid to carry both and give em each a side to perform..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevopagolf Posted April 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 Well, I am a you get only one chance at a first impression kind of guy and fortunately for me and my wallet, I came away very impressed at the range. I hit a couple of turds, over swinging, sliding around, but this is a really nice driver. Some observations: I found it plenty forgiving which was a pleasant surprise. You get better results than you deserve on poor swings. It is not Ryoma D1 forgiving but it ain't bad at all. It feels good. I like the brushed matte kind of look. The Pro stopped by to see "what new toy" I had and he commented on how he liked the matte look and that it looked bigger than 388cc I had no issues elevating the club. I could launch it high or medium trajectory depending on tee height and level or upswing. 10.5 is the loft same as my Ryoma and I saw similar launch characteristics. I had some reservations about being able to launch this head, but had no issues. I No comments yet on distance as I can't tell on the range. It appears as long as anything, but I will wait for real GPS on course results. The Graphite Design shaft pairs well for the head SR flex works well for me (I probably could go stiffer) it is an easy to use shaft. Swing weight is D2 which I like. Total weight is 311 G so I am guessing the shaft is in the 60 range. I don't like the head cover. It is supposed to be magnetic I think but it really doesn't close. I wanted a back up driver that I have confidence in. It appears that I have found it. Not sure if the T388 or Ryoma will be the back up, but I have two solid performing drivers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Great to hear Steve. You are always a pleasure to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idrive Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Is your Tour AD the stock shaft? SS? Just asking because it seems (to me) the stock Tour AD is fairly stout. The SR doesn't seem to have any trouble handleing a 100mph swing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevopagolf Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Well, i used to be around 100 but dropped to around 92 in the past year. I wasn't well health wise and lost a lot of weight (40lbs). I am healthy as a horse now (back to 183 lbs on a 6 ft frame) and the SS is coming back without question, I would guess since I haven't been on a monitor that I am back in the 100 range. I have the stock SR shaft and I would say unless you are a really aggressive swinger this shaft will work well 902to 102 SS. I have always had excellent results with the tour Ad in a SR flex. My Ryoma is a royal deco in SR flex and right now I would say the Tour AD works better for me. I am finding the left side of the fairway now with the Royal Deco if I go after it a little hard. I would say that the Tour AD is a little firmer in SR than the Royal Deco shaft. I think if you are on the low end of 90 that the Royal Deco with this head would be an OUTSTANDING combo as well. I also think that there is no coincidence that SYard picked the Tour AD SR as the standard offering as it is well matched. Again, I have to say that I had concerns about launch with this head and the shaft, I even asked Tario if it came in a higher loft, but the launch is great with the 10.5 and this shaft. All of my reservation proved to be wrong! I was also concerned about it being unforgiving. It is, in my opinion, plenty forgiving and given the size of the head very much so. I am a 10 HCP at most courses, so i don't find the center of the face as much as a lower handicap. I would not be afraid of this driver as a mid handicap player. I know Bogeydog said give it 500 balls. I hit less than 50 and the majority were very very good with this head. I only keep and put in my bag what works regardless of what it looks like. My clubs have to perform on my misses that is why my lowest iron is a 5 iron. This driver does. My titleist original VG3s do as well. The other club that has surprised me is the Romaro Utilities. They are really really good. Low single digits can play anything. The SYard will also deliver great results for a mid capper.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevopagolf Posted April 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Great to hear Steve. You are always a pleasure to help. You are always so helpful! Little known fact is my first JDM international sale was my Bridgestone 340 driver to you when I was in Michigan and you were in Toronto. We have come a long way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 You are always so helpful! Little known fact is my first JDM international sale was my Bridgestone 340 driver to you when I was in Michigan and you were in Toronto. We have come a long way! That was nearly 6 years ago. I still own that driver... though it is in Toronto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIduffer Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Did the number indicate the cc volume? If so and you wanna move it along... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Yup 340cc X-drive... very classic, very pear. Was legendary at the time and Shigeki Maruyama's choice driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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