A Small Battle or Is It? S-Yard T.388 and the Yonex 380

[wmclarenf1]

I'm looking into Yonex quite seriously now after demoing the Forged CB and MB irons and I am also rather intrigued by the smaller head drivers led by the much talked about (on TSG at least) T.388.

I'm wondering how the Yonex 380 stacks up against the T.388. Anyone played both before. I have read that the Yonex 380 which is a 2011 release while feeling solid can be rather demanding and also launches low and spin low.

Is there even a comparison to the T.388? If not why?

Thanks in advance.

[gocchin]

We tried it and its much less forgiving, more solid than soft, cast Ti vs forged.

Even though it was designed for Ryo there were many times where he didn't even play it.

Looks awesome at address though.

I am an average golfer and I could barely hit the Yonex... no problems with the T.388.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Yonex 380 vs SYD T388 the Yonex isn't even close.

feel, forgiveness, distance, spin, trajectory, all goes to the 388.

Shape goes to Yonex 380 for sexiness but not confidence.

[wmclarenf1]

Thanks T. Doesn;t bug me so much whether Ryo played it or not although I'm sure that will be a big endorsement. Design wise, I presume the T.388 is leaps and bounds ahead and the 380 is perhaps a dinosaur compared to the T.388.

[wmclarenf1]

Yonex 380 vs SYD T388 the Yonex isn't even close.

feel, forgiveness, distance, spin, trajectory, all goes to the 388.

Shape goes to Yonex 380 for sexiness but not confidence.

I must say the S-yard bug is slowly starting to bite....

[stevopagolf]

I haven't played the Yonex, but I doubt it can compare.

the T388 is that good. I don't even have the urge to look at other drivers.

I have a Ryoma D1 and the T388. Done.

[coops1967]

I have played the Yonex 380 in the same Nunchuk shaft as my Adams 9015 d and now the Mizuno 611.

the Yonex at address is spectacularly beautiful.

However the Syard or the Miz 611 are also very, very beautiful.

BUT feel/ sound and perfoermance and forgiveness there is NO comparison whatsoever - can't personally say about the Syard, but the Miz 611 sh@ts all over the Yonex, and astonishly even holds it's own against the Adams.

Don't waste your time with the Yonex.

If you tend to draw/ hook I hereby endorse, again!, the Mizuno 611 ordered at the lower lie angle.

Seriously fabulous.

ps look for my comparison shots of the Yonex v Mizuno 611 and you see the far bigger hittable face area on the Mizuno.

Edited April 29, 2013 by coops1967

[wmclarenf1]

I haven't played the Yonex, but I doubt it can compare. the T388 is that good. I don't even have the urge to look at other drivers. I have a Ryoma D1 and the T388. Done.

Thanks for chiming in Steve. The local Yonex rep just called to offer a LM session after I sounded him out on my interest in the 380 and the CB/MB irons. Wish I had a T.388 to try along side the 380.

[wmclarenf1]

I have played the Yonex 380 in the same Nunchuk shaft as my Adams 9015 d and now the Mizuno 611. the Yonex at address is spectacularly beautiful. However the Syard or the Miz 611 are also very, very beautiful. BUT feel/ sound and perfoermance and forgiveness there is NO comparison whatsoever - can't personally say about the Syard, but the Miz 611 sh@ts all over the Yonex, and astonishly even holds it's own against the Adams. Don't waste your time with the Yonex. If you tend to draw/ hook I hereby endorse, again!, the Mizuno 611 ordered at the lower lie angle. Seriously fabulous. ps look for my comparison shots of the Yonex v Mizuno 611 and you see the far bigger hittable face area on the Mizuno.

Thanks for this. Will need to see if there is the 611 on my shores. Seems like you really like it.

[Blader-X]

I have played and still have both. The Yonex is really what got me looking at smaller heads again. When I first got it, its small size was a little intimidating. I always felt that I would miss it but I never, ever did. The Yonex is a very serviceable driver. Decent distance but not long, very good ball flight. I hit small draws with this. I did actually bag this for a short time; and then. . .

After the Yonex I went to the KPX. Larger head but I loved the high face of the KPX. However the KPX was a left machine. I got used to it and it was longer than the Yonex. And then, . . .

Kobayashi-san and the T.388. Here was a driver which offered everything in terms of size wise the Yonex did. I was going away from 460cc heads; hence the Yonex and KPX. However, the Yonex was a little short on feel. Combine that with the legendary Kobayashi and all the products he's produced including the Epon 380 which I had never hit but this club acheived cult-type status around TSG a few years back. It was touted for its feel and performance in a perfect size head. I knew the S-Yard would be special as well. It hasn't disappointed. Its feel is at least 10x that of the Yonex. Distance exceeds that of the Yonex by upwards of 30 yards. I hit rope-like draws with the Yonex but it didn't travel like the S-Yard. The .388 is workable in either direction. And did I mention feel. I'm sure I did but feel is superlative to me and its got it all. Oh, and I as I said the Yonex seemed a little scary to hit, I really never got that impression from the .388. Yes its a smaller head and yes you should probably tee it a little lower but I find I can vary the tee heighth to get a certain trajectory I'm looking for and its no problem with this club. What I haven't tried yet and I should is to hit this off the deck. I'm sure it wouldn't be much of a problem

Yonex 380 vs. S-Yard t.388, its really no contest. I still have the Yonex but it hasn't seen the light of day since S-Yard has arrived.

[wmclarenf1]

I have played and still have both. The Yonex is really what got me looking at smaller heads again. When I first got it, its small size was a little intimidating. I always felt that I would miss it but I never, ever did. The Yonex is a very serviceable driver. Decent distance but not long, very good ball flight. I hit small draws with this. I did actually bag this for a short time; and then. . . After the Yonex I went to the KPX. Larger head but I loved the high face of the KPX. However the KPX was a left machine. I got used to it and it was longer than the Yonex. And then, . . . Kobayashi-san and the T.388. Here was a driver which offered everything in terms of size wise the Yonex did. I was going away from 460cc heads; hence the Yonex and KPX. However, the Yonex was a little short on feel. Combine that with the legendary Kobayashi and all the products he's produced including the Epon 380 which I had never hit but this club acheived cult-type status around TSG a few years back. It was touted for its feel and performance in a perfect size head. I knew the S-Yard would be special as well. It hasn't disappointed. Its feel is at least 10x that of the Yonex. Distance exceeds that of the Yonex by upwards of 30 yards. I hit rope-like draws with the Yonex but it didn't travel like the S-Yard. The .388 is workable in either direction. And did I mention feel. I'm sure I did but feel is superlative to me and its got it all. Oh, and I as I said the Yonex seemed a little scary to hit, I really never got that impression from the .388. Yes its a smaller head and yes you should probably tee it a little lower but I find I can vary the tee heighth to get a certain trajectory I'm looking for and its no problem with this club. What I haven't tried yet and I should is to hit this off the deck. I'm sure it wouldn't be much of a problem Yonex 380 vs. S-Yard t.388, its really no contest. I still have the Yonex but it hasn't seen the light of day since S-Yard has arrived.

Thanks for this feedback blader! Much appreciated.

[driverhead]

Yonex 380 vs. S-Yard t.388, its really no contest.

I agree completely. The Yonex 380 is not in the same league. Very penal on miss hits. I have yet to hit anything close to a bad shot with the 388 after 4 weeks. Even misses are acceptable, and good hits are a fantastic experience. The 388 is the 1st driver Ive hit where I feel a great hit leaves nothing behind. Feel, sound, trajectory, control, wind performance , rollout it has the whole package. I have an XV coming in hoping that it will match the 388 but give me additional options.

Edited April 30, 2013 by driverhead

[gocchin]

I agree completely. The Yonex 380 is not in the same league. Very penal on miss hits. I have yet to hit anything close to a bad shot with the 388 after 4 weeks. Even misses are acceptable, and good hits are a fantastic experience. The 388 is the 1st driver Ive hit where I feel a great hit leaves nothing behind. Feel, sound, trajectory, control, wind performance , rollout it has the whole package. I have an XV coming in hoping that it will match the 388 but give me additional options.

T, you are one of several customers who will soon own both the T.388 and XV. I await your great feedback as always.

For those who do not know, the alias driverhead suits him very very much. (^_^)