Which JDM woods are made end to end in Japan?

[PortableDave]

Hi All,

I was having a discussion with a TSG staff member while ordering my new Romaro fairway woods about country of origin of JDM clubs.

Any insight on these forums as to which companies make wood heads in Japan? It seems like a good portion are made in China and then assembled in Japan.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Hi All,

I was having a discussion with a TSG staff member while ordering my new Romaro fairway woods about country of origin of JDM clubs.

Any insight on these forums as to which companies make wood heads in Japan? It seems like a good portion are made in China and then assembled in Japan.

Hi PortableDave welcome to the TSG forum! good question.

Without spending too much time and having to research brands I can say anything made by Endo is Japan or Thailand usually elite models from TourStage, Yamaha, PRGR etc.. not all but usually their Tour or Limited models. There is also JGE aka Jbeam, Kamui Works, and a handful of other smaller factories. Many are made in China & Taiwan but even then no two drivers made anywhere are alike.

For example a big factor in what type of material or tech that goes into a club is it's retail price and the available margin to eat into. If the average JDM driver cost 600-800 bucks while the average USDM club costs 200-400 dollars it allows more & different money invested into JDM R&D, Manufacturing & Materials. But even then most USDM brands produce only one type of club and sell it for a slightly higher price in Japan and sometimes that means they wanted more profit and often it's because Japan adds a real aftermarket shaft.

I've been to many factories most in Japan some in China, I have also had many meetings with JDM brands and there is a premium QA fee that the Japanese usually pay for at the factory or often they do the QA themselves in Japan, It's common that many heads are thrown into the garbage. It's bitter sweet as once I saw nearly and entire run of irons (almost 50 sets) scheduled for destruction over finishing issues but on the other hand it shows that quality matters.

This has always been a double edged sword for the Japanese especially in an industry like golf that is mostly driven by older gentlemen. What I call "the old guard" and they have a mentality that quality is the only thing that matters, there is a big emphasis on feel, and emotion. This is why you see such a diversity of face materials in Japan vs brands made elsewhere, a diversity in the design behind a drivers face, or in multi piece forged heads, forged cup faced drivers etc.. etc.. that is not seen anywhere else.

Then there is the whole term USDM & JDM. If you look closely most major OEM's are not owned by American corporations for example Titleist is now owned by a Korean co., Taylormade is German, Cleveland is Japanese, Bridgestone Japanese, and the list goes on.

The silver lining to all of this is Japan is bouncing back, brands are returning production back to Japanese makers because the factories in Japan have invested into technology & retooled much of their factories.

Hope that helps sir!

[PortableDave]

Thanks for that TSG, great info.

Out of interest do you have any insight on the quality of life of factory workers in the Chinese factories you have been to? Some of the stories about factory conditions are quite concerning, not sure if golf factories have these issues.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Thanks for that TSG, great info.

Out of interest do you have any insight on the quality of life of factory workers in the Chinese factories you have been to? Some of the stories about factory conditions are quite concerning, not sure if golf factories have these issues.

Only been to one in China and it was big. It didn't look too bad but it didn't look like a fun place to work either. Lack of passion & enthusiasum is what I noticed... I did meet some very sharp and nice people in upper management though. No one actually making the clubs was smiling that's for sure but I was just walking through so I don't really know.

What is interesting is the amount of older Japanese women in Japan's factories big or small and in specific positions that require attention to detail, QA or repetitive actions that need care.

Another big contrast was cleanliness. Big difference in that department.

[freehb04]

Thanks for the info Chris. Very interesting, the company cultures I saw when I was in Japan were really something to behold. The pride and commitment to the company that I saw there just doesn't seem to exist in the us.