Import/JDM superior to U.S. market???

[shoeman2]

If so,what category,drvers,Irons,putters and value ?

I've read so much about the JDM equipment. I question whether the products are worth the price! Specially, when your purchasing the item blind. Is the equipment alarge improvement compared to the
U.S. MARKET.. Do their drivers travel further, irons play softer, putters better, etc. How many members love their JDM epuipment??? If so, why? Is their technology advanced etc???

[mauiatheart]

I like Miura forged clubs whether they are branded OnOff (Daiwa), or self branded, they are the softest irons that I have ever hit. I love the feel and the look of the irons. For that reason I think that some JDM stuff is worth the price.

 

As for drivers and fairway woods, alot ot the JDM stuff is not designed to help slicers, as the domestic clubs are. You can actually find square to open faces on the standard stuff. You don't need to buy the overpriced "TP" model. If you factor in the price of the "TP" model, the JDM stuff is not much more. You could easily get up there depending on the shaft choice, but the same can be said about domestic market clubs. I am playing with a domestic driver head with a Japanese shaft. I do not care where the club is from as long as I like the look and feel. Luckily for me, I have a clubmaker that can tweak a closed face head to square so I can play with a standard Tour Burner without the $200 premium of a TP. As for distance, I have yet to find a club, domestic or JDM, that makes a whole lot of difference in this department.

 

Putters are even to me. There are some nice stuff on either side of the Pacific. But, there is also the overpriced, fluff like Cameron Circle T's and Gold's Factory.

 

As for wedges, Chikara makes the best in my opnion. Since the designer is here in Honolulu and the wedges are marketed worldwide, but manufactured in Japan, it is hard to classify them as JDM or domestic. Whatever you choose, they are great clubs.

 

The best way for you to be sure is to find someone who plays with the equipment and ask them for a test drive. If you come to Hawaii, give the Hawaii room a shout and maybe one of us can get out with you and let you have a swing. My golf budget lets me experiment a little with JDM clubs and my clubmaker gives me great advice, so for me making the jump into JDM clubs was not that hard. Read the forums and ask questions about specific clubs. That's the best way to try and judge something without seeing or hitting it first. Just my 2 cents.

[K2_2]

Maui gave you an excellent answer!

 

I would add that you can find different items - irons with different grinds and finishes - resulting in a different feel - and different shaft options in irons as well.

 

Callaway, Tourstage, Srixon and PRGR among others all offer an amazing array of high quality aftermarket shafts as factory options for their drivers as well. I like the feel of some JDM drivers better, but if you get fit well for each, the distance should be about the same. I've had good luck with drivers from Callaway Japan, Tourstage and OnOFF, but one of my best drivers was a tour issued (sqaure) Callaway 454. If you work with a fitter/reseller who has experience with JDM clubs, they can offer quite a bit, however, if you order one on the fly, the chances of it being a magic bullet versus a dud are the same as with a driver for any other market.

 

Wedges - there are some nice grinds from both places. One advantage with US clubs - you can get custom grinds from the likes of Don White of Macgregor fame, or you can contact the guys at Scratch. I have had fine luck with my trusty Ping and Callaway, but my next wedge will be a custom grind from one of the above. If you have access to demos from Fourteen, PRGR-MTI and others, by all means, try them out.

 

In regards to putters, there are some nice sticks from Japan, but more Japanese pros play Odyssey, Yes, Rife, and Scotty than any of the Japanese brands. I'm playing a G-Field from Japan, but my next thing will be getting fit for a putter, be it through Bettinardi, Dog Leg Right, or Edel.

 

Good luck with whatever route you decide to take!

[idrive]

Just to add to the previous 2 posts... which I agree with.

 

JDM equipment is generally better quality. Tighter tolerances.

 

What is offered today (technology) by most JDM manufactures is tomorrows (next years) USDM technology.

[TBone]

I won't enter the debate which is better or worth the price (Same as the Tour vs retail debate), but I will say the JDM equipment I use (Epon driver and Yamaha FW) work best for my game. IMO, the customization options are worth the price.

[herrsonic]

For me, the irons and wedges are worth it. I've tried almost all of the US domestic stuff, Callaway, Titleist, Ping, Nike, etc. either in the blades or cavity backs. The JDM stuff is better IMO because of the softer feel. But be careful, I see so many people putting TT shafts on the Miuras and again IMO that's a shame. The Bridgestone J36 is close in feel, and can be had with PX (adequate) shafts at low prices in the U.S. But I cannot stress the importance of proper fitting and trying different equipment. This is likely an expensive process to begin with. On the other hand, some people don't really have a sense of "feel" in the first place. They can play Miura and a set of Nike and not notice much difference. This can save them quite a bit of money. In the end, the only way to know is to play alot of different equipment and different shaft options. For some people it's not worth the additional expense, and for other people they may not notice the difference anyhow.

 

I haven't tried the JDM drivers, woods or hybrids because they are alot less accessible. Who wants to pay $900 for a driver that you haven't even tried. Heck, it's pretty expensive already trying all the domestic drivers with different lofts and shafts.