Member Introduction Thread - Say hello and tell us about yourself!

[benseattle]

As a relative newcomer, I try to see from Profiles where the members are but not everyone states a location. UK, Japan, of course, Chicago and Florida are a few that I've noticed so far but what about everbody else?

If there's a thread such as "Introduce Yourself" or "Name your city and country," I haven't found it yet.

By the way, I'm posting this under "Japanese Equipment" only because its the thread that gets the most views.

Oh yeah... I'm near Seattle, WA, USA. Kirkland, actually.... near Redmond. Just down the street from Microsoft's World and Intergalactic Headquarters and not too far from Sahalee C. C. (1998 P.G.A. Championship, 2002 NEC World Golf Championship and 2010 U.S. Senior Open.)

Anybody else?

_______________________________________________________________________

Ah... just as I had hoped: title of my original thread has been changed by the Mods to better encourage greater participation. (Just who are all these JDM freaks anyway? )

I grew up in San Diego and learned most of my golf from the aces in the well-respected San Diego Junior Golf Association, competing against friends such as five-time Tour winner Morris Hatalsky (he and Tracy were married in my Mom's house) World Series winner Lon Hinkle and 1969 U.S. Junior Amateur champ Aly Trompas. I tried to walk on at Arizona State but after the coach looked his roster which included Hinkle and All-Americans Tom and Paul Purtzer, he told me "Uh Ben.... I think we're going to stick with what we've got." Probably a good call.

I was a TV sportscaster for several years but one day I woke up and realized that "If I were going to be Bob Costas, wouldn't I be Bob Costas by now?" I then entered the financial services world so today I run a small, aggressive advisory firm here in the Seattle area. Golf? Low handicapper, won a few long-drive contests years ago and now simply want to continue to play low-70's golf from the blues. But with a soon-to-come bag of top-line JDM gear, I'm sure to be busting par one day soon, right?

Edited October 11, 2013 by benseattle

[nobmontana]

Hi, Benseattle

I am in the same North West area..... well, quite a ways from Seattle in Bozeman, MT

I thought there used to be a section in the forum where you can seek playing partners in your local area....

Maybe they discontinued it. Not sure.

Anyway , welcome to the forum!

[gocchin]

This is a good idea, we are a tight knit community, why not get a bit more personal. While this doesn't actually belong in the JDM Club section I'll let it say and pin it up.

Ben I changed the title to reflect an introduction thread.

A bit about yourself, where you are from, what you do, what you play, your golf background would be great. How much you write is of course up to you!

[Bill3508]

Haddock, Georgia. Used to play a lot during college low to mid 70s, tried to get better and things fell apart. Got frustrated and quit for a good many years and now I'm slowly coming back. I like golf equipment as much as I like golf. Always like to try new things.

Slowly getting into the JDM products and it seems like there are some fine people on this site as there are also on Golfwrx, which is where I spend most of my time. Looking forward to trying some items I never would have known about otherwise.

[mpbachman]

Sunnyvale, CA. Just started playing about 5 years ago and jumped in like a madman. Got down to a single digits early last year until kid #2 came and now slowly regressing back to 13. Still have some great swings in me, short-game is now my staple and addicted at trying new equipment. Outside of failing at becoming a PGA touring pro ;), I am an Engineering Director at Google Inc. in Mountain View.

[gocchin]

I guess I should have introduced myself.

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada where I worked at BMO for over a decade holding a position of Senior Technology Specialist before I left.

I joined TSG over 5 years ago at which time I also began golf.

My wife who is from Japan, and I jumped at the chance to move back to Japan and we were able to get a house in a golf community here in Oamishirasato, just outside of Tokyo in Chiba prefecture:

http://www.tokyu-golf-resort.com/kimi/

We're also about a 15-20 minute drive away from the huge stretch of beaches in Kujukuri where surfers convene almost every day and a 45-60 min express bus to Tokyo Station which I frequent 2-3 times a month for meetings with brands.

TSG is lots of fun but most of you know I work around the clock, every day for pretty much 365 days a year.

It's a pleasure though to have met so many great golf enthusiasts all around the world online here and in person, and be able to help overcome (or shall I say fuel) their addiction for high end golf clubs!

[nobmontana]

Bozeman, MT. Originally from Japan but have spent as much time growing up in the U.S. as well ( Chicago & San Jose )

Moved to Bozeman in 2001 after getting tired of the long work hours at a very large Electronics company in Japan.

Played some golf back as a high school kid in California. Was completely away from golfing for approximately 25 years.

Got back into golfing 4 years ago. Realized that my golf clubs then were completely obsolete. (Callaway S2H2 Driver, Taylormade EL1 Irons 2-SW, Acushnet Bullseye putter)

My golf shoes still had steel spikes!! :) Started to look for a more modern set and got really fascinated with the technology advancements in golf clubs over the years.

I probably enjoy golf club building as much as I play.

[jm3]

Originally from Michigan but have lived in SF, Toronto, NYC, Hong Kong, and finally NW Jerz..with plans to move part-time to Florida (Orlando and Coral Gables).

Recently retired from software design at Oracle and now help out my wife who is in bridal retail - 6 stores spread throughout the US and Hawaii. I'm not really retired, just didn't want to work at Oracle anymore. Don't play enough to have an official handy, but I shoot low 80s. Love the game and am a golf club junkie. Glued to the tube for most major events. Almost missed a flight watching lefty win the open. Got into JDM to maximize cor and hit longer drives. Once you've drank the kool-aid, it's hard to turn back. I buy mostly drivers and putters of the JDM variety and really believe that JDM drivers and shafts are the purest, longest clubs you can buy. I enjoy reading about other's experiences with clubs and the words written have influenced my purchasing decisions. To save my marriage and eliminate my cash spend can everyone agree to stop writing reviews on clubs? Appreciate the cooperation. :)

[casamarina]

Born in Italy, moved to Hong Kong over 20 years ago, where I actually started playing golf.

Holding Hong Kong S.A.R. passport now.

I play 8 handicap and I use ONLY Japanese clubs (Epon, Onoff, Ryoma, Crazy, Roddio).

I am glad I met by coincidence this wonderful community, and a big thanks to TSG and to Tario in particular for his patience and help.

Cheers!

Gabriele

[mr.haha]

I guess I can chime in on this thread….

Currently located in Boston, MA - USA by way of Geneva, London and Chicago. Currently a lowly CPA at a Fortune 500 company which means I don’t get out more than once a week.

No family yet but as I approach my mid 30’s I’m sure it will happen soon. I played D3 golf at a local school in Western, Massachusetts and I can’t get enough of JDM or just high quality goods in general…yes that means watches, cameras, fish tanks etc..

Currently the only non JDM gear in my bag is a putter and I am sure that will change in the near future.

Jason

[paulheger]

Hi Guys, New to the forum, from Antwerp (Belgium) with homecourse Ternesse. Nice course, always welcome for a round of golf if someone is in Antwerp region. Love to VEGA golfclubs and just started to learn the basics of clubfitting. As a technician just must now all the ins & outs, hope I can learn and contribute a lot here on the forum.

Edited October 10, 2013 by paulheger

[akapur]

Gents

I was born in India and moved to Toronto when I was 6years old. After graduating from the University of Toronto, I moved to Ohio to go to Dental School and then settled in Mass. Live about 30 mins north of Boston with my wife and 3 kids. Came into golf about 20 years ago and was crazy about the sport right away. Worked hard to get down to a single digit index. But as luck would have I injured my left knee in a freak golf accident about 5 years ago. After my knee was put back together, I had lost my swing. The game became very difficult and at times thought about quitting. My son(13 years old) who is an avid golfer kept me going. Even though I am a double digit player now I really enjoy the game again. JDM equipment is for the golf enthusiast in me, You get high quality clubs that live up to my high standards.It is scary how addicted you can get to all the wonderful JDM gear there is. I am very happy to have found TSG and all it's members.

Edited October 10, 2013 by akapur

[Mob]

^{Nice idea.}

^{I am 43 years old, grew up in Georgia and now live in Indiana. I took up golf when I was in my mid twenties while in medical school in Augusta, Georgia. Now live in Indianapolis with my wife and 3 children. Love Indy, except that golf is out from November to March. My single greatest regret is not playing golf as a kid. I am a 8 index and tend to shoot 79-81 on a good day, and 82-86 on a bad day. I am trying to get my boys (14 and 12) interested in golf so we can play together.}

[Tiptx4]

Hello everyone, I'm very new to this site and to JDM equipment although back in the day I did own a set of Yonex ADX irons and driver to which my friend still owns them and loves them. I was born in Florida which someday I hope to retire and move back then I could still play this time of the year, lived in Georgia, South Korea, Louisiana, Missouri, Kansas and now Ohio. I didn't start playing till I moved in Ohio I look back and sure wished I would have taken up golfing in High School as I have always been competitive and into sports, just not golf.

I have a hard time finding time to golf because of my 4 daughters being so involved in softball as we traveled all over the US of A playing softball. Well worth it as it helped pay some of their college fees. Now the job I have is so demanding as I too work for a Fortune 500 company. I was able to make a career change late in my life which has worked out good for me and for my children as they all are grown up now. I still travel a lot just not as far as I used too so when I said my interest is Golf what else is there I really was just trying to be funny. I'm sure many have heard the saying I would rather spend my worse day on a golf course than my best day at work....That's me. Ok to make a long story short and moving on...........

I just recently got back into the JDM equipment when I bought a Honma TW 717 10.5 driver with a TA55 Vizard shaft which is giving my gamer a run for top spot in my bag a TM SLDR with Oban White Kiyoshi . My golf game has been pretty decent all except for my driving which has always been my downfall. Well I made the mistake and discovered this website. Now after reading so many good things about a particular driver I had to find out what all of this hype is about.

You see I have this problem, I have an addiction, I'm a golf junkie and someone on this site refereed me to Mr. Tario at TSG and now I must say thanks hutchy, I'm in big trouble now. Not really as I have such an awesome wife who is so understanding of my problem. So now all I can say is Wow! There's so much too learn and this site is pretty cool. Glad I found it when I did as I would be a very poor man if I had found it years ago. It's really good as everyone on here seems to be very friendly and very informative.

Edited November 1, 2014 by Tiptx4

[Geo.]

Hey all,

I'm looking forward to learning all the pro's & con's of Japanese clubs and equipment. I've been at it for 45-years...played through-out juniors; college; 13 yrs. grinding out the mini's and now watching my golf money being spent by my kids.

I'm really excited to put together a full set of new equipment...currently staring at my Cubic Balance MPF irons, my Srixon W-506 driver (still rocks), a couple crappy old TM wedges and my old trusty Anser-4. Haven't played much since '98 but I've got the itch again.

Looking forward to gaining from all the collective experience and knowledge...cheers!

Geo.

[Eca]

Hi All,

44 years of age living in Sydney and a brady bunch family set up :)

Originally from the Philippines & moved down under when i was 16. Learned cricket then got introduced to golf in my early 20s and got hooked. Got into cycling last year coz i got a little heavy and cut down on golf but the fitness side and mental toughness from cycling must have helped me coz i was stagnant at 7hcp for years and got down to 3hcp.

Currently slowly rebuilding my JDM bag as i ditched them all last year to finance my cycling.

Cheers

Eric

[escyb]

Hi everyone, finally gotten around to begin posting here! Been reading TSG forum for a while.

I am from Singapore and started playing golf only 3 years. Will be going to Tokyo in a months's time. Any place to suggest looking for new or used clubs?

Thanks much!

Edwin

[Exhaloprez]

Hi Everyone:

I live in Los Angeles, California. This site has become a daily reading ritual for me and I have enjoyed high end golf clubs since I was reintroduced to golf ten years ago. I am an attorney and for 19 years I was associated with the Los Angeles Angels Major League Baseball club, the last six years of which I was the President. So baseball and golf are my passion and lawyering the means to enjoy both.

BTW, in purchasing more than a few clubs in BST I found selling members to be professional, honest and interesting.

Regards.

[Pocketace]

Hello folks

Greetings from sunny Singapore!

I've been checking out this site for a number of years now

Back then, we don't really have much selection when it comes to JDM equipment and I couldn't really afford it. But I enjoyed reading the posts on this site and all the lovely pics

Recently, we have a number of local club fitters that bring in JDM stuffs (Romaro, George Spirits, TRPX etc) and I have seen quite a number of my playing partners converting to using JDM equipment. Personally, I've recently gotten a Ryoma driver and a RC 3w and hybrid. Based on results so far, it'll be hard to go back to the mass market brands! LOL

I decided to create a profile, make friends and hopefully contribute a little!

[eylee]

Born and raised in Toronto Ontario. Moved to HK on a 2 year contract to work in Hong Kong and that was in 1996. Now that I'm married, two kids, golf in HK is getting in harder and harder. Love the JDM equipment .... would never touch anything that is mainstream mass market stuff that isn't "asian spec"....

[freehb04]

I'm 43, 2 young boys (8&3) and a dog. I started playing golf 9 years ago when my body told me no more contact sports. I live in North Florida and play 90 rounds a year.

prob spend as much time thinking about gear as I do playing....I love the gear! I try to limit myself to 1 bag a year but sometimes have problems doing that...

I was initially self taught. when I first moved to florida 4&1/2 years ago and started playing regularly I got down to a 7.6 hcap...I thought I could be a scratch player with some lessons...since the lessons, my hcap has been going up (now at an 11.6)...it's frustrating sometimes but I always enjoy the gear and the hope that comes with a low round.

I to am trying to get my boys interested in golf (a challenge as they are like their dad...they prefer hand to hand combat over golf). I remember I got a set of clubs and some lessons for my 13th birthday. I went to 1 lesson and announced to my parents that golf is for wimps...didn't pick up another club until the age of 34, file that one under if I knew then what I know now....the boys do love their night golf with the glo balls though)!

[choy923]

Hi All,

A weekend golfer but wanting to play more than once a week to improve my 10 year handicap.

I live in Manila, Philippines.

Been hooked on cycling last year and wanting to go back to golf and have been reading so much about japanese clubs.

I'm into solid wood furniture and outdoor advertising as a business.

Happy New Year 2014!!!!

[xerobound]

Hi Gents & Ladies,

Tatsuro here aka xerobound. I was born in Japan and grew up in the states. Currently located in Las Vegas/ Los Angeles. I joined TSG a couple years ago. Before that I joined, I was a coach for a Junior golf program and a staff instructor for a golf academy. (In Las Vegas)

I've been around golf for over 15 years, completed in tournaments, experienced rules official position, assistant pro, setting up driving ranges, folding shirts etc... (all the fun stuff.. lol)

I just love the game! I've always had great interest in swing styles, instruction, coaching and ways to lower score. (The playing part) But my interest in the technical aspects of golf (equipment) is growing rapidly! Learned alot from Tario and Chris and hope to help contribute to you all! :)

My current hcp: 0

[JDM Dreamer]

Hi All,

I have been a follower of TSG for 18 months now and have been intrigued by the quality and variety of gear coming out of Japan.you will have to forgive my lack of knowledge when it comes to understanding of how 3 yr old yamaha irons are still more expensive than 2014 nmodels.

I hope to learn more by following and joining in the conversations. I have quickly worked out if i want some quality wedges Supo is the man and spoon is pretty good for fairways...

Anyway about me. I grew up in Auckland New Zealand and moved to Sydney Australia in 1997 have been playing golf for 15 years and currently play of 8 currently in the mortgage lending sector at work and enjoy Rugby (of course), golf and spending time with my family Golf has been on hold fpor the last couple of years due to kids being under 12 and taking up all my spare time. Now in my early 40rtiesssssss i have been given some time to play a bit more so it may be time to upgrade the old clubs for some JDM goodness..

Kia Ora (Hello) to you all

Jason

[robbie]

Hello JDM enthusiasts, today is my 10 year anniversary at TSG and it seems fitting to say hello to everyone and wish them all a Happy Year of the Horse.

I started out as a cancer researcher in the chemistry department and that provided the most free time I ever had in my life to play golf. it was basically golf 7 days a week ! For those of you in the medical/science field, you may have figured out that i set out most of my reactions to occur over a 6-8 hour period ! If the reaction only too about 90 hours, I would either slow the reaction down thermally or increase the size of the reaction or haha hinder my reaction and reduce my purity and yield. But I had to have my golf time. During the past 12 years of golf, i have probably played with about 200 or so different sets of irons and about 70 different drivers and if you count shaft configs, well over 350 drivers. It has led me to the conclusion that golf clubs do not actually change that much over a 12 year span. The only thing that has changed is the golf ball. The ProV1X is vastly superior to the Professional 90.

It absolutely astonished me that a club test involving a Callaway Big Bertha with stock shaft from 1998 kept pace with the new Callaway Xhot.....The carry difference was 3 yards and overall difference was 6-7 yards. The XHot was actually 1.25" longer in playing length and had a swing speed that was 7mph faster. ( Big Bertha 104mph / Xhot 112mph ) The main difference was the dispersion was much tighter and more predictable with the newer club ! As a scientist this result tells me that clubs do not change much ( big bertha stock shaft was a well known piece of crap that snapped at the hosel quite frequently ), and there is no need to purchase clubs on a monthly or even yearly basis.

In conclusion, I have to admit that I have been lying to myself for over a decade telling myself that this club is so much better than that club ! They are all basically the same once you find a club that works for you. Know your swingspeed and then get fitted for the flight you prefer and then leave it alone. I however will keep chasing the mythical unicorn but haha i realize my reviews are mostly crap ! In closing though the Kamui Pro TP-07 nitro has me hitting the longest bombs in my life, and the fact that it is winter is even more amazing. Is it the club ? ( probably not but it sounds and feels amazing ) The length i am getting is probably because i am swinging smoothly with a 55g shaft that is quite soft but yet hits the ball straight !