Adjustable JDM Drivers

[shoutout33]

Have a JDM training question for the TSG forums. Why aren't there any adjustable drivers with JDM equipment. I know that Taylormade Japan has it the SLDR driver, but I think that's it. Is it not a big deal in Japan? If this has been talked about already, my apologies. Please provide a link and I will check it out. Thanks.

[Mjr. D]

Not a purest type of thing. I think it's also considered to negatively effect feel...

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Some JDM brands have adopted adapters but yes the Japanese are indeed purists, when I asked Endo why they don't use adapters the main concern was the weight and it's effect on design.

So when a brand uses an adapter that is say 5-7 grams they can't just add that weight to the neck and expect performance to not change, so they need to adjust other areas of the head making it lighter.

Lets say they do lie and face angle it just creates more variables and or weight that often go against design... I've spoken with major OEM designers and have been told adjustability also puts them into a corner from a design perspective and eventually they will have to radically change the design or get rid of the adapter.

Not sure if I'm explaining it well but bottom line is there is a give and take, the Japanese also feel the adapter on the shaft changes the way a shaft tip plays, another thing they believe is that a shaft with a .350 tip will not perform like a tip at .335. FYI main reason .350 exists is for durability issues and from what I've heard "westerners abusing gear" i.e heavy dude puts his weight on a driver to tee up a ball..lol or hacker who makes divots with the driver, or anyone just tossing their bag into the trunk or not using a quality case during travel.

I personally don't use adjustable drivers, I see how it's useful for those who require some wide open face angles etc.. but even on tour some of the PGA guys request versions of adjustable clubs with no adapters, like Tiger.

[shoutout33]

Some JDM brands have adopted adapters but yes the Japanese are indeed purists, when I asked Endo why they don't use adapters the main concern was the weight and it's effect on design.

So when a brand uses an adapter that is say 5-7 grams they can't just add that weight to the neck and expect performance to not change, so they need to adjust other areas of the head making it lighter.

Lets say they do lie and face angle it just creates more variables and or weight that often go against design... I've spoken with major OEM designers and have been told adjustability also puts them into a corner from a design perspective and eventually they will have to radically change the design or get rid of the adapter.

Not sure if I'm explaining it well but bottom line is there is a give and take, the Japanese also feel the adapter on the shaft changes the way a shaft tip plays, another thing they believe is that a shaft with a .350 tip will not perform like a tip at .335. FYI main reason .350 exists is for durability issues and from what I've heard "westerners abusing gear" i.e heavy dude puts his weight on a driver to tee up a ball..lol or hacker who makes divots with the driver, or anyone just tossing their bag into the trunk or not using a quality case during travel.

I personally don't use adjustable drivers, I see how it's useful for those who require some wide open face angles etc.. but even on tour some of the PGA guys request versions of adjustable clubs with no adapters, like Tiger.

Thanks tons for the explanation Chris! :) It is greatly appreciated!

[chiromikey]

I think it comes down to the American market of mass production and profit versus the Japanese market of quality and craftsmanship. Imho, the adjustable driver had ZERO to do with supplying the end user with any real benefit, but rather allowing manufacturers to mass produce a one-size-fits-all instead of multiple heads and/or stampings for lofts/face angles and leave it up to customers to get it to work.

[RED_TA_WS6]

Yonex I-Ezone TX is adjustable and a solid feeling driver, also think tourstage x-drive 709/909 are adjustable

[Vegaman]

Not super common, but we have Callaway Legacy Black, Tourstage, TM Japan, Srixon Z for example. The US market is a bit weird when it comes to adjustability, you can read a review stating "distance, feel and general performance was great, too bad it's not adjustable" as if adjustability is a great thing in itself..?

[EdGolf]

Don't forget P-tune....

[Mjr. D]

I'm nowhere near good enough to notice a difference but I can definitely see the pros and cons of it, as explained by Chris and others. That's why I have both, haha.