Jump to content

Itobori Golf


ucdan5

Recommended Posts

Has anyone played them? I saw a couple of irons on the bay for sale and they looked above my skill set, but sick looking nonetheless.... I love the caveman look of the grind on them.

 

 

Nike Str8t Fit w/ Accra Dymatch 2.0 MT60
TEE CB4 15* Fujikura Rombax 7V05
TEE CB4 19* Matrix Studio 94
Adams CMB w/ Recoil Prototypes 110 F4 4-GW
Miura 1957 55C Modus3 Tour 120
Fourteen MT28V5 60* Modus3 Tour 120
<a href="Machine M2A Converter" title="WITB Link" target="_blank">WITB Link</a>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, but it would give me an excuse why the blades that I'm using (which I can't hit) might have been off and it's why I left a Davey Crockett scalp of turf over the ball. And then I'd go back to saying.... "At least they're fun to look at!"

Nike Str8t Fit w/ Accra Dymatch 2.0 MT60
TEE CB4 15* Fujikura Rombax 7V05
TEE CB4 19* Matrix Studio 94
Adams CMB w/ Recoil Prototypes 110 F4 4-GW
Miura 1957 55C Modus3 Tour 120
Fourteen MT28V5 60* Modus3 Tour 120
<a href="Machine M2A Converter" title="WITB Link" target="_blank">WITB Link</a>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

[attachment=2819788:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1435035260.729849.jpg]
[attachment=2819790:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1435035299.247562.jpg]
[attachment=2819792:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1435035333.896698.jpg]
[attachment=2819794:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1435035373.181992.jpg]
[attachment=2819796:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1435035418.417684.jpg]
[attachment=2819798:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1435035441.530764.jpg]
[attachment=2819800:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1435035472.412032.jpg]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These are made in China, but using a Japanese word for the name. Strange.

"Ittobori" ("Itobori" would be a mistake) means "one knife" and is used in the context of carving something. The characters stamped on the irons are Chinese characters and not Japanese kanji.

Edited: here is an example of an ittobori carving:

[attachment=2819936:image.jpg]

  • Like 1

bought out by private equity.

capitalization, grammar and reasoning slashed as a cost reduction.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Japanese characters are called "kanji" in Japanese. They are not called "kanji" in Chinese. They are also different. Japanese kanji was derived from Chinese characters, but they are no longer the same. These characters are Chinese, not Japanese "kanji." I can't read them and neither can any Japanese I asked.

Absolutely, the clubs look like they could be made in Japan. Who makes them? A small shop, I presume. As I said, it's strange that these are using Chinese kanji with a misspelled"romaji" for "ittobori." That may just be a look they're going for - an old hanko look.

It's easy to see how someone could be confused by this marketing idea.

  • Like 1

bought out by private equity.

capitalization, grammar and reasoning slashed as a cost reduction.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Beautiful clubs. It is an art form. But I think for someone who truly understand club fitting or golf in general should know that a beautiful art does not necessarily means it is a good performing club to play with. Don't get me wrong, if I have some spare cash (boy, for that kinda price I think I gotta be filthy rich), I'd love to have one of these in my display cabinet. As an art form, something to admire, stare at and enjoy. Won't make it into my bag though, that's for sure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I would shaft those up and stick them in the ground repeatedly. The angles don't bother me at all, I think they would play just fine. Like the wedges a lot! Thanks for posting!

153 Roddio M6s
Spoon Roddio F7s
Cleek Roddio F7s
21 Roddio hybrid ut i7s
705 5-A Muziik Bangvoo
213 54/60 Muziik Bangvoo
SC Kombi S

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Soloman1' timestamp='1435075508' post='11818886']
Japanese characters are called "kanji" in Japanese. They are not called "kanji" in Chinese. They are also different. Japanese kanji was derived from Chinese characters, but they are no longer the same. These characters are Chinese, not Japanese "kanji." I can't read them and neither can any Japanese I asked.

Absolutely, the clubs look like they could be made in Japan. Who makes them? A small shop, I presume. As I said, it's strange that these are using Chinese kanji with a misspelled"romaji" for "ittobori." That may just be a look they're going for - an old hanko look.

It's easy to see how someone could be confused by this marketing idea.
[/quote]

I was wondering what "Itobori" was supposed to mean.

I'm pretty sure the old style characters are just supposed to look like a hanko, and I think it says Takagi Masayuki (going clockwise from top right, it's 高, 木 (I think), maybe 幸 and then 真. But what I found interesting was the logo near the sole on the back that looks like an "M" wrapped in a "G": MG? Hinting at Miura Giken?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...

These are Kyoei heads with special grinds and finishes, really using the same molds as Vega. My thinking is those multiple angle grinds on the sole could make for some inconsistent turf interaction.

8.5° PING G400 LST - UST Mamiya Elements Chrome Prototype PT6F5 17/100
14° Callaway XR 3Deep - Tour AD BB-7X
17° Ben Hogan VKTR - Aldila VS Proto 100X
4-7 MIZUNO JPX 900 Forged 8-P JPX 900 Tour - Custom Black Recoil Prototype 125 F5
51° 55° 59° VEGA VW-06 RAW - Shimada Tour Wedge Black
Black EVNROLL ER5 HATCHBACK Putter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 4 months later...

My local club fitter is now offering Itobori. He is a golf digest top 100 fitter and says that these are some of the best looking clubs he has ever seen. Link to the pdf of the 2016-2017 line below. I might try to go and see if he has any demo clubs in stock that I could try just to see them in person and how they perform.

 

http://hodsongolf.com/files/2016/09/2016-17-Itobori-Golf.pdf

 

itoboriwedges.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hit the rainbow in a 56 degree wedge. To me, the grind is all about looks, no functional change. Wedge was a ball shredder. Literally pieces of ball cover stuck in the grooves. Finnish wore very quickly settling into a nice copper color.

Driver: Adams 4G 12*
Wood: Adams Fast 10 18*
Hybrid: Ping Anser 20*
Irons: Wishon 550M 5-PW
Wedges: Scratch 8620 53
*/58*
Putter: Bettinardi Queen Bee #6

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

I think that as long as the overall bounce characteristics are there, the angles would be unnoticed in turf interaction. If they really are kyoei blanks (seams reasonable) then they should feel damn good, play like normal clubs and look bad a**. I would totally game a set.

 

I think that as long as the overall bounce characteristics are there, the angles would be unnoticed in turf interaction. If they really are kyoei blanks (seams reasonable) then they should feel damn good, play like normal clubs and look bad a**. I would totally game a set.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Japanese characters are called "kanji" in Japanese. They are not called "kanji" in Chinese. They are also different. Japanese kanji was derived from Chinese characters, but they are no longer the same. These characters are Chinese, not Japanese "kanji." I can't read them and neither can any Japanese I asked.

 

Absolutely, the clubs look like they could be made in Japan. Who makes them? A small shop, I presume. As I said, it's strange that these are using Chinese kanji with a misspelled"romaji" for "ittobori." That may just be a look they're going for - an old hanko look.

 

It's easy to see how someone could be confused by this marketing idea.

 

So, there are many evolutions of Kanji. Japanese people can read the Kanji, but it just has no meaning. It doesn't make sense in Japanese. But to be honest, there are Japanese Kanji that are still just like the original Chinese characters, so don't get that mistaken. Also in Japan it is common to misspell when translating to romaji, which coincidentally is "roomaji" not "romaji". My guess is not that it is a misspelling or a marketing thing, but more strategy to remove any mixup in searching for their product. I'm sure they know that their product looks like "ittobori" as is evident by the way the grind looks like it has been 'carved'. "ittobori" holds a long history and is part of Japanese history, one would likely not want to confuse customers when they are searching or looking for the product. The Kanji itself is actually a different story, so whoever romanized the translation of the word may have done it from the Chinese translation. In Japanese, there would be an evident small 'tsu' but when written out in Chinese characters, that isn't evident. Which would probably translate to itobori. There could be a myriad of reasons why it's written that way. Lots of things get lost in translation. For example, I can write my name in 5 Chinese characters as adapted from a Japanese person, but if anyone reads it, they won't know what it means. It doesn't mean they can't read it, just doesn't have a meaning. The style of the kanji/characters is also older style. In Chinese characters, there are also two 'sounds' for each character, which I believe are pinyin and on, but I could be wrong about that. Knowing when to use each is another story, lol. When I was living in Japan, if you saw two Kanji, it could be a combination of any four sounds, and to make things more difficult if it was a person's name, it could sound completely different... But they learn from a young age. The four characters could mean anything really...it could be the first four characters of the four people who started the company; it could be the first two characters of the two people who started the company. Who knows? Without asking them directly what the stamp means we're never going to know. Come to think of it, maybe I will shoot them an e-mail and just ask them what it means, that might be simpler. hahaha

 

But in any case, you don't normally find these clubs in any major stores in Japan. You'll find them as "kojin keieiten" or plainly put "privately run shop". When I went looking for a putter, seven, it was actually out in Niigata. Too far to travel just to 'look' at a putter...I'd have to really be prepared to buy it. So I ended up going to Shinjuku to small shop and found myself a nice Epon i-33. Great putter, and game it all the time now. Scotty went in the backup bag. lol.

 

These clubs are definitely Japanese made... there is no doubt about it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies
    • 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put and questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Monday #1
      2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Monday #2
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Ben Taylor - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Garrick Higgo - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Billy Horschel - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Justin Lower - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Lanto Griffin - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Bud Cauley - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Corbin Burnes (2021 NL Cy Young) - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Greyson Sigg - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Charley Hoffman - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Nico Echavarria - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Victor Perez - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Sami Valimaki - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Ryo Hisatsune - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Jake Knapp's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      New Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Tyler Duncan's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Greyson Sigg's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Sunjae Im's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Ping's Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Vincent Whaley's custom Cameron - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Odyssey Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Super Stroke custom grips - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Zac Blair's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Bettinardi Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
       
       
       
       
       
       

       
      • 12 replies

×
×
  • Create New...