Ryoma Golf D-1 PREMIA Driver mini review

[Henry]

So I finally decided to go boutique and spent my life savings for the Premia Driver with Crazy LY 02 Noir Shaft in Stiff Regular at 9.5 degrees. Its always fun and exciting to get the box from Japan knowing whats inside it! Its also interesing to actually see the product in person and compare it to the pictures and video thats on the site. My inital apprehension was the pictures appeared to make the Driver look a little akward from the front of the head toward the back with the "power booster" protruding.

I am happy to say after opening the box, the driver head really is no different than any other head looking down when addressing the ball. In fact, the head looks like my older Callwaw Legacy Driver with the face similiar looking.

However, what really stands out is the quality of this club. It just looks expensive! The head color is a deep dark red (I originally thought is was black) and the paint looks to be metalic that simply shines. This is combined with the gold color on the sole and face of the driver. My playing partners who know absolutely nothing about Japanese equipment actually asked some questions about this driver.

I would give looks an A plus.

With respect to hitting the club, let me start out by saying my swing is a mess now. It has been a long winter and I have only played a few holes with the club. Therefore, its too early to give a complete review on this aspect.

What I can say is when I have a good swing with the club, I have noticed a substantial roll of the ball. I have never gotton so much roll on a driver than with this one.

I can also say there is definitely less spin on the ball and the trajectory with this shaft is perfect for me. I am happy I listened to my fellow tourspec members who advised me to go with 9.5. I was always a high ball hitter and have always looked for 8.5 degree drivers. I believe it would of been very difficult to get an optimal trajectory with 8.5 and even think 10.5 would of worked for me as well.

At this point, I have not seen the "automatic" hit and straight down the middle yet with this club but really think that may be a product of my bad swings. I also am unable to determine distance of this driver as the course is still wet and it has been relatively cool outside. I think when the course gets dryer, the extra distance will come from the roll.

So far, I am glad I purchased this driver and look forward to getting out more in the near future and will report more as I play.

Edited May 3, 2013 by Henry