So I have been using my Ryoma Driver for about 2 years now. Have always had fantastic distance and roll. However, over the past few weeks, I have noticed a lost of distance of about 5 yards on my good solid drives and a significant distance loss with my miss hits. I was thinking it was just me and bad swings but something just did not feel right. I then just noticed when I let the head of the club bounce off the ground (on grass), there is a "rattling sound", Any thoughts on what it could be and any relationship with distance loss?

Edited August 3, 201410 yr by Henry

Rattles are typically nothing more than extra epoxy that has separated from the assembly. When I cracked my 435, along with a loss of distance, I noticed a distinct difference in sound before the crack was detectable.

I know what you mean by the extra epoxy coming loose as that has happened to me before. Perhaps, its not so much a rattling noise but more of a different "vibrating" noise that was not present before.

I've split a Nakashima head before and it's a very distinct sound from the first small crack to the one that actually splits the head open. I'd imagine if you did crack it though, it wouldn't be too long before the damage would present itself more obviously.

For me, it was about half a dozen swings after the first funny sound and then I saw it all very clearly. Perhaps send it back to ryoma for inspection? From what I understand their customer support is top notch. Good luck.

Edited August 4, 201410 yr by needmoregolf

I encountered distance lost previously and the sound produced didn't sound right. I immediately thought the face had crack but it wasn't. After I re-shafted it again, it's back to normal. Mine was maybe the shaft wasn't well glued to the head. Well, that's my experience...

...

Edited August 4, 201410 yr by gian11

my ryoma had a small dent on the face towards the toe ... a club builder said it is as good as a crack.. it did change the sound/feel and distance and the spin was way too high around 45K in trackman.. looks like a small dent but it completely destroyed the performance of the club..

If it's purchased through TSG please contact us so we can help.