j beam 425 vs j beam 435

[whiteretro]

am going to be doing a new driver build -either j beam 425 vs j beam 435

would like feedback on the likes/dislikes - pro/cons - comparative differences of the 2 heads

anyone with experience how the diamana X works with either of these 2 heads?

anyone hotmelted a j beam head for sound/feel enhancement ?

any specific weighting patterns that seem to optimize performance?

Thanks in Advance

[chiromikey]

The 435 is the pinnacle of performance in my book and everything else can only hope to be compared. There are some more forgiving drivers but the 435 is still one of the best for a decent ball striker. Workability is high and distance is second to none. If you're used to JDM drivers the 435 will seem harsh at first, with a hard feeling face and a loud metallic sound. Add hot melt or filler inside the head and the feel and sound become quite nice. Even if you don't address the feel/sound shortcomings, within a month all will be forgiven due to it's performance!

The 425 is ever so slightly more compact which dictates that it might be a tad less forgiving...but for a good ball striker that's a moot point. I actually prefer the size to the 435, and especially to the monsters you see in everyone else's bag. Distance can only hope to be compared to the 435 and I think it comes very very close. Feel and sound are where I was surprised. The 425 brings me back to what I expect out of typical JDM drivers.

Sorry, no experience with the Diamana X.

[supo]

agree wholeheartedly with the doc..... i do have vast experience with the dia X , its my most used shaft , so i can add what this brings to both these heads for you.

firstly as much as everyone says its a LOW launch shaft it is , in fact in play a pretty mid ish kinda flight.

i found both the diamana W, and GD z9003 shafts MUCH lower. but i prefer the dia X.

in the 425 u shud be a good striker to get the msot ouf otu it or u might find yourself walking thru long grass over on the right a lot.

similar with the 435 but to a less extent. in both heads, the ball WILL launch lower, than in a lot of other heads. save for the ryoma v-spec. which is SO point shoot its scary.

u might find .......( like i did ) that hte 425 will get u more distance. the slighty smaller head seemed to get me longer balls, but also more eratic. itsd NOT a distacne shaft, u wotn be breaking long ball records with htis combo. but if ur a good stiker , u also wont be loosing any thing snap hooked.

for slightyl more accuracy it go the 435, btu for ab it of alternate thinking on the tee id go the 425 tour.

or

get both.

[whiteretro]

I did a little research and found some info that the 425 was "high" launching

those of you that have hit both - same/similar shaft - does the 425 launch higher that 435?

planning on playing Diamana X at 44.5 or 44.75 - seems exceptionally important to hit sweet spot consistently with this combo

big difference in forgiveness between the 425 and 435?

planning on playing head at 208gms with hot melt

keep suggestions and feedback coming

[supo]

my 435 is 44.75 x 323 x d2.3

with the 435 u dont need to hit hte sweetpsot so much to make it fly .., i find that head very easy to hit consistantly.

425 is NOT high launching unles ur hitting it 11* which i beelive a lot of guys are gettign ebc they didnt get the loft checked !

]make SURE u get the correct specs on these as they are NOT labeld with the lofts o n them

so so so s os so many of thee are sold used here with NO clue of hat lofts they actualyl are and what degree of face angle they are

[Spoon]

well i will have the 425 soon so can chime in.

the 435 is crispy metallic feeling but so used to it

i don't give it a second thought. definitely one

of the more forgiving drivers I've gamed as of late.

the 425 i have tried years ago and always am reminded

of the first time i hit it. it felt dead and mute and thought

i mis**t it but hit it very long and straight. come to think of

it reminds me of the foaming nitrogen in terms of sound.

[daamartin]

Love the shape and feel of the 425. I get best results with higher torque shafts in the Jbeams.

[whiteretro]

First, many thanks for all of the help - Greatly appreciated

Does anyone see a big negative in getting hot melt added? I do not like the loud metal sound that these heads make. Some also feel that hot melt mutes the harshness of these heads.

Is there a specific "draw" weighting/pattern any of you have used utilizing the j beam/crazy weights?

I assume the sweetspot is middle of face - halfway between toe and heel and is located 50-60 percent up the face from the sole of the driver.

Some of the pictures we see on Tour Spec golf from manufacturers show a round sweetspot graphic while others show an oval sweetspot

graphic. Thoughts on the sweetspot on the J Beam's?