New Crazy 450

[Craig]

As everyone knows I was fitted for this at the Crazy showroom/place/factory. New Crazy 450 in 10.5^ loft with Crazy Ly01 Nero in 6.9 flex

Have hit it enough to post a review. As I have mentioned, it is difficult when one has the S Yard XV, Maxima and this all arrive pretty much the same day.

The Crazy 450 is, to be brutally honest, one of my least favourite heads, and of all the Crazy's the most underperforming, ordinary, average...... you know what I mean.

I would never have thought that i would be walking out of the Crazy factory with a 450, even a new improved one.

The new Crazy 450 looks very similar. So much so that I firstly emailed Tario to check if they made a mistake.

Secondly I went and got my Crazy 450 from its hiding place and compared it.

As I am turning from a hack golfer into one with something resembling a swing, I have found Driver launch to be getting lower and lower. Very straight but also very low.

The first thing Tario suggested was that we get launch up considerably as my backspin numbers were extremely low.

For that reason we went with a 10.5^ loft. That combined with the LY 01 Nero 6.9 flex gave me a great launch angle but kept the backspin numbers very low.

In theory, a great result.

But in practise ????

The result is better than I had hoped for.

Launch is considerably higher than my other Drivers but the run is still there.

Distance wise. This thing is at least as long as the Crazy 435. It is definately not shorter.

Feeling wise, it is similar to the old 450. Nothing at all like the 435. One never gets that smashing feeling of the 435. 435 users know what I am talking about. This head feels much much harder. I dont like either the feeling or the sound. But I can live with it because I really like where the ball finishes.

Now, the interesting thing for me is that the combo is straight and forgiving. Not quite original Ryoma like but the closest I have seen.Mis**ts are also not badly punished.

With this combo I am regularly in areas I have never been before. That includes running out of fairway. I now have to start thinking of the lines I need to take.

Have never had to do that before.

Yesterday on a par 5 that I can get on in 2, so it is within my reach normally.

I hit Driver 4 iron. Have never hit less than a 3 wood to the green before until yesterday.

In summary, a great combo and one that may stay in my bag for a long time.

My gut feeling tells me this combo is longer than any of the 435 combos that I have tried. Both in length and consistant length.

I believe that for me the secret was the fitting, and that this combination of shaft, head and importantly loft is what has made the difference.

The carry i am now getting is amazing

Anyone heading to tokyo should take the time and get fitted as the result may surprise you.

I did not for one second think that I could improve much on what I had already tried. I have tried just about everything

Boy it is good to be wrong.

It will certainly be interesting how the Buchi Driver goes, as it gave me even better numbers than the 450.

The new 450 is the one on the left as you look, and I am not the worlds best photographer

[supo]

one looks a bit rounder i presume thats the new one ?

they are mighty similar . did takei make both of these heads?

[JayDM]

Thanks on the review mate, your driver reviews are some of the best I've read on here, and usually spot on as far as the way a club performs.... Think you may be the king of drivers at the moment, not sure about Stew, but I'm pretty sure you've got me beat by a few. The new one looks to hide it's size a bit better, other than that, dead on the same looking.... Stew, I asked Tario in a different topic, he said that Crazy designed it themselves, but he's not sure where it's manufactured as of yet, beyond that it is made in JPN.

[wmclarenf1]

Cool Craig! Good to hear the fitting session went well and its paying dividends. Please post follow up reviews to let s know if the magic carries on after the honeymoon period.

I want to see pics of your new GF putter!

[wmclarenf1]

did takei make both of these heads?

Stew, I asked Tario in a different topic, he said that Crazy designed it themselves, but he's not sure where it's manufactured as of yet, beyond that it is made in JPN.

I recall reading that too Jay but if you look at them, both have "for Athlete Golfers" on the sole... could be a generic term but seems to be a leaf taken out of George Spirits/Takei.

[lousifers]

Yes Craig, fitting works. At Crazy factory, I hit the old 450 with not quite good result but hit 435II pretty good with the same S513 shaft. Back home I put that S513 on Premia head and got so so result. Now, just found ST head made the S513 shaft as great as the result in Tokyo. Next time, I'll try head+shaft combo there and stay with it.

Great write up. Thanks.

Mark

[gocchin]

On holidays but... the new driver has nothing to do with George Spirits or George Takei, its internals are redesigned by Crazy and the head is not produced in the same place as the original. Why they decided to keep the same look is beyond me besides that they have always touted it as their favorite head.

The driver and LY01 gave Craig the best numbers though I must say his backspin no matter what the shaft and head was ALWAYS 1500 to 2000 RPM.

[t425]

how does the new 450 compare to the 460.

I've been gaming the 460 for a while, but have never tried the 450

[Craig]

Thers nothing wrong with the 460, one of the most under rated heads out there and seriously one of my favourites. For me, It is long and straight.

The new 450 is much different performance wise to its predecessor.

The 460 is much higher launch and in my opinion better feeling and sounding than the new 450.

For me the new 450 combo that I have,is a much better performing driver and more forgiving than the 460.

Would I recommend it to someone who is having success with the 460. Probably not. If you were thinking of a new setup, then I would say to seriously look at the new 450.

The Crazy 435 is pretty much the distance king. I would never say that the 460 is longer. It just isn't.

The new 450 may be. That is a big call. But I still only say maybe.

[JayDM]

The Maxima vs. the new 450? Know you've said they're close distance wise, but which do you prefer?

[Craig]

450 v Maxima.

Have not hit the Maxima enough to really make a decision.

Probably the 450, but only because I like its higher launch.

Also, i have not really wired the Maxima yet.

So far am not finding any forgiveness at all. But honestly, I just have not hit it enough to really pass judgement yet.

That is why I have not really posted anything on it yet.

[wmclarenf1]

450 v Maxima. Have not hit the Maxima enough to really make a decision. Probably the 450, but only because I like its higher launch. Also, i have not really wired the Maxima yet. So far am not finding any forgiveness at all. But honestly, I just have not hit it enough to really pass judgement yet. That is why I have not really posted anything on it yet.

450 goes higher than the Maxima. Thats an interesting observation in isolation as several say Maxima launches higher than anything else they have loft for loft. Again, interesting in ISOLATION.

What shaft have you got in the Maxima Craig?

Edited August 9, 2013 by wmclarenf1

[+TourSpecGolfer]

I love the original 450 George Spirits head, I still take it out from time to time.

Thats Crazy's #1 selling driver. New one looks good too, must try.

[t425]

Took the plunge last night and purchased a 450.

I have a spare Crazy boron that will go into the head once I recieve it

any thoughts on the proposed combo

[RIduffer]

Took the plunge last night and purchased a 450.

I have a spare Crazy boron that will go into the head once I recieve it

any thoughts on the proposed combo

If Craig likes the higher launch of the 450 over the Maxima, I would be concerned over launch height. I find the Maxima very high launch and I also find the Crazy Boron an easy launch shaft.

Mind you I have not hit the 450...

[Craig]

Firstly, I hit my Driver low.

Thats just how it is.

The 450 is 10.5 with Crazy LY 01

The Maxima is 9.5 wth Crazy LY 02, same setup as my original Ryoma.

As I ahve said I have not hit the Maxima enough to pass judgement on it other than to say that it is long. It is certainly much higher launching than the original Ryoma, also longer.

I also have not found any forgiveness at all in it.

Once I have used the Maxima more then I will be happy to post my opinions on it.

[warrenhk]

I have the 460 w/ LY-01 6.4 I think it has the better feel and sound than my Ryoma ST w/ stock and Premia w/ 513 Proto. the 460 setup will go the furtherest with slight draw, that's only if I go for it! while the Ryoma ST is almost automatic. I'm afraid to reshaft with 513 SR or CB-46 because I'm consistently hitting the fairways with the stock shaft. also, the left side is no longer a problem (maybe it's the extra length 46.5).

[mpbachman]

I was able to get the new 450 last weekend and went to a range with my Maxima Type-V as well (both have Crazy 6.9 Longest Yard 01 shafts). Will write a larger review on both of those and the TRPX D-031 once that comes in (and I can get in front of a decent launch monitor to get some #s).

Little about me/my swing: I am a fairly consistent ball striker (i.e. miss high/low on the face versus toe/heel). My swing speed is low 90s and high 90s if I step on it (prior to baby #2, I was in the low 100s and single-digit, so there is some of that still in there somewhere ;) I swing is on the smoother side, less than parallel to the ground and I tend to have some wrist breakdown at impact which causes a cupping and higher launch. My average distance now is around 250-260 (depending on impact, fairway conditions, etc).

Maxima Type-V v. New Crazy 450 (based on my swing):

Performance: Distance is very comparable when I hit both on the screws, the Maxima might have a slight edge in forgiveness but not by much. The Crazy 450 is definitely more deep faced than the Maxima which I like and a more traditional shape. I feel like I could go with either one and not sacrifice distance, though the Maxima is more forgiving on toe hits (didn't miss much on the heel with either). I have found that spin on the Maxima is a lot lower for me, so carry isn't as long as the Crazy (roll-out seems to make up for it) and it was harder to hit draws/fades with the Maxima (more point/shoot). Mainly because the Maxima spun lower, I found dispersion was tighter but I think I lost more on low hits on the face than I did with the Crazy.

Look/Feel: The Crazy's sound is way too loud, metallic and the feel is harder than the Maxima. I am definitely not a fan of those aspects of it. While with the Maxima, I think the sound is too muted for my liking but the feel on the face is spongy, but I don't get a ton of feedback on mis**ts. The paint on the Maxima seems to be higher quality/glossy and has a wonderful look when the sun hits the crown. The Crazy has a sleek look but just not as pleasing as the Maxima.

Overall: I think both have their merits (Maxima with forgiveness, look/feel slightly over the Crazy), Crazy (deeper face, carries longer than the Maxima, easier to work). I need to get used to both before I really make a decision, but I do think the Crazy slightly out performs the Maxima and only has drawbacks on the sound/feel.

Next up: TRPX D-031 (and potentially after that, the 435II).

[supo]

That 450 seems to be a decent club not heard a negative yet

The maxima hasnt been as resounding as the vspec

Saying that im liking mine but will see if it stays

[tokidoki1986]

Nice review Craig, interest to see another point of view since majority goes for the Ryoma. I was very interest in Buchi driver too so can't wait to see the review.

[tokidoki1986]

By the way, as I remember you also got a couple putters modified by Gold's and you've been fitting a new iron set as well can't wait to see some pics and result of those too.

Edited September 21, 2013 by tokidoki1986