JDM driver is unforgiving

[craniac76]

I have played 3 JDM drivers in the last 6 months:

- Yonex Ezone 450

- Tourstage X-Drive 709 D450

- XXIO 7

 

They are all 10.5 degree drivers. I cut them to 44" and adjusted the swingweight accordinly, so it's not about the length. I'm mid handicap golfer. My ball striking is average. I found those three drivers are unforgiving than the driver I played before (R1). Off center strikes went very short. 180 yards. usual driving distance is 230 yards. I also hate the XXIO, the weight is too light. It might be for ladies golfers. I also checked the specs on Geotech drivers, the head weight is around 192 to 196g. Waaay too light for my taste.

 

My question is WHY? Are Japanese golfers a good ball striker and they hit the sweetspot most of the time?

[whiteretro]

for the tourstage - sw D4-D8 - teeball high - 3-4 degree positive angle of attack

[bpark1210]

There are plenty of GI and forgiving drivers in the the JDM club world. Looks like all the clubs you listed were sub 460cc which tells me you're aiming for the driver targeted at the better player/ball striker. Just my 2 cents.

[Mob]

If you want a forgiving JDM driver, you should have gone with the Ryoma Maxima D-1. It is a 460 driver and fairly forgiving.

[freehb]

Maxima is VERY forgiving...can't really compare as I haven't gamed a usdm driver for a long time but occasionally hit a friends and just don't like the feel. I'm not familiar w the drivers you listed but the jdm market is very different than usdm...there's a ton of different options and models, requires a lot of research and sometimes trial and error to find what you're looking for.

[kingarthur]

Both Yonex and Tourstage models are for low to mid hdcp golfers. A lot of the JDM player oriented drivers are designed to take the left side and high flyers out of play, more so than USDM models, perhaps that's why you have trouble with it. The weights is the biggest issue for myself and the main reason I haven't game a JDM driver in a few years, just can't get them to fit my preference.

[craniac76]

[quote name='bpark1210' timestamp='1412119326' post='10214587']
There are plenty of GI and forgiving drivers in the the JDM club world. Looks like all the clubs you listed were sub 460cc which tells me you're aiming for the driver targeted at the better player/ball striker. Just my 2 cents.
[/quote]

The XXIO is huge. 460cc and has a large clubface. Still it's not that forgiving compared to my 440cc R1 v2.

BTW I played with a 420cc driver before (VR Tour). So it's not a head size problem. I can hit sub 460cc driver.

[craniac76]

How about Tm Gloire line? I'm kinda like the product. They just released a new model recently. How forgiving is the driver?

[kingarthur]

[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412152418' post='10216527']
How about Tm Gloire line? I'm kinda like the product. They just released a new model recently. How forgiving is the driver?
[/quote] The Gloire line is very forgiving and long, but the heads are on the lighter side.

[Vegaman]

The XXIO drivers are down right [i]famous [/i]for being very forgiving while offering great feel. Two of my friends use them and they are really forgiving according to them. I have tried them and liked them, very easy to hit. But they do come with a light and slightly over length shaft as standard, so cutting a XXIO to 44 would for sure mess up the balance of the club, big no no.

[craniac76]

[quote name='Vegaman' timestamp='1412168878' post='10217087']
The XXIO drivers are down right [i]famous [/i]for being very forgiving while offering great feel. Two of my friends use them and they are really forgiving according to them. I have tried them and liked them, very easy to hit. But they do come with a light and slightly over length shaft as standard, so cutting a XXIO to 44 would for sure mess up the balance of the club, big no no.
[/quote]

I didn't just cut the shaft butt. I did re-swingweighting the head, added lead tape and tip weight to the head. Reshafted with a 70g shaft (my usual model of shaft). The final result is a D0 swingweight. Regardless this, the head still feels too light.

It's forgiving but not as forgiving as my older R1.

About Ryoma, it's so pricey. I don't know I can cash out another grand for a driver.

[driverhead]

[quote name='kingarthur' timestamp='1412153761' post='10216567']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412152418' post='10216527']
How about Tm Gloire line? I'm kinda like the product. They just released a new model recently. How forgiving is the driver?
[/quote] The Gloire line is very forgiving and long, but the heads are on the lighter side.
[/quote]


You can bump the Gloire headweight up using a special tool and getting a 8 to 13 gram fixed weight.

[Mob]

Had to get the extra weight kit for the Ryoma to bring the head weight up. At least they make one. For the price, they should include it.

[MBBG]

Maybe find a previous model Ryoma D-1 Premia (non V-Spec) on yahoo japan with a suitable shaft, if you can't hit one of those halfway decent...well....

Those are probably the most famous drivers of all time from a JDM boutique company. Notoriously forgiving, radical technology and design unlike anything else out there.

I will say that when I first switched to JDM drivers I lost a lot of drives to the right. As mentioned above a lot of them tend to be designed to take the left side out of play and require a little more effort or a stronger grip to get turned over and squared up. A lot of the high modulus carbon shafts in JDM clubs also are going to be more anti-left than your typical USDM stock noodle shaft. They feel smooth but they play stiffer than you realize. Just some thoughts.

[craniac76]

[quote name='driverhead' timestamp='1412211245' post='10220753']
[quote name='kingarthur' timestamp='1412153761' post='10216567']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412152418' post='10216527']
How about Tm Gloire line? I'm kinda like the product. They just released a new model recently. How forgiving is the driver?
[/quote] The Gloire line is very forgiving and long, but the heads are on the lighter side.
[/quote]


You can bump the Gloire headweight up using a special tool and getting a 8 to 13 gram fixed weight.
[/quote]

I can always add a tip weight in the hosel. But I need the head weight to be 200g minimum.

I saw the new taylormade gloire driver on the Japan Tmag website. Is the adjustable Gloire's sleeve the same as older the R11 sleeve?

[RogerinNewZealand]

Craniac,
Great to see your VR Tour 420 performed. So did mine, 10.5.
Recently got the newer 2012 VR S 10.5 and that is longer.
By chance i also got a Ping Rapture V1 10.5 a week after !! Such is life !!
Both Great, Long, and great value !!

I have looked at having a JDM bag.. but i bag what works! Not what is COOL !!!
My Camry is JDM....very forgiving ! Easy launch!

[craniac76]

[quote name='RogerinNewZealand' timestamp='1412235422' post='10222445']
Craniac,
Great to see your VR Tour 420 performed. So did mine, 10.5.
Recently got the newer 2012 VR S 10.5 and that is longer.
By chance i also got a Ping Rapture V1 10.5 a week after !! Such is life !!
Both Great, Long, and great value !!

I have looked at having a JDM bag.. but i bag what works! Not what is COOL !!!
My Camry is JDM....very forgiving ! Easy launch!
[/quote]

IMO VR Tour 420 is one of the best driver that nike ever produced. Good classic look, compact and it performs. More forgiving than the 2013 Covert Tour. If there is a JDM driver this good, let me know.

[kingarthur]

[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412230003' post='10222305']
[quote name='driverhead' timestamp='1412211245' post='10220753']
[quote name='kingarthur' timestamp='1412153761' post='10216567']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412152418' post='10216527']
How about Tm Gloire line? I'm kinda like the product. They just released a new model recently. How forgiving is the driver?
[/quote] The Gloire line is very forgiving and long, but the heads are on the lighter side.
[/quote]


You can bump the Gloire headweight up using a special tool and getting a 8 to 13 gram fixed weight.
[/quote]

I can always add a tip weight in the hosel. But I need the head weight to be 200g minimum.

I saw the new taylormade gloire driver on the Japan Tmag website. Is the adjustable Gloire's sleeve the same as older the R11 sleeve?
[/quote] not positive on compatibility of the sleeves of R11. I know they are the same as the 2014 sleeves for TM Japan.

[craniac76]

[quote name='kingarthur' timestamp='1412243257' post='10222551']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412230003' post='10222305']
[quote name='driverhead' timestamp='1412211245' post='10220753']
[quote name='kingarthur' timestamp='1412153761' post='10216567']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412152418' post='10216527']
How about Tm Gloire line? I'm kinda like the product. They just released a new model recently. How forgiving is the driver?
[/quote] The Gloire line is very forgiving and long, but the heads are on the lighter side.
[/quote]


You can bump the Gloire headweight up using a special tool and getting a 8 to 13 gram fixed weight.
[/quote]

I can always add a tip weight in the hosel. But I need the head weight to be 200g minimum.

I saw the new taylormade gloire driver on the Japan Tmag website. Is the adjustable Gloire's sleeve the same as older the R11 sleeve?
[/quote] not positive on compatibility of the sleeves of R11. I know they are the same as the 2014 sleeves for TM Japan.
[/quote]

That's not good. Sleeves for JDM drivers are hard to find on ebay.

[driverhead]

[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412243778' post='10222559']
That's not good. Sleeves for JDM drivers are hard to find on ebay.
[/quote]

Any sleeve for the SLDR OR JETSPEED, will work on the GLOIRE DRIVERS for 2014 or later. Ive used them on quite a few shafts interchanging with the SLDR. 1ST and 2nd gen GLOIRES used the RBZ or R11 sleeve.

The latest shaft Ive tried in the 2014 GLOIRE is the MUSO XL.. IM getting great ball speed with it.

[craniac76]

[quote name='driverhead' timestamp='1412305968' post='10227769']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412243778' post='10222559']
That's not good. Sleeves for JDM drivers are hard to find on ebay.
[/quote]

Any sleeve for the SLDR OR JETSPEED, will work on the GLOIRE DRIVERS for 2014 or later. Ive used them on quite a few shafts interchanging with the SLDR. 1ST and 2nd gen GLOIRES used the RBZ or R11 sleeve.

The latest shaft Ive tried in the 2014 GLOIRE is the MUSO XL.. IM getting great ball speed with it.
[/quote]

Good info sir! Thank you very much......

[craniac76]

[quote name='driverhead' timestamp='1412305968' post='10227769']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412243778' post='10222559']
That's not good. Sleeves for JDM drivers are hard to find on ebay.
[/quote]

Any sleeve for the SLDR OR JETSPEED, will work on the GLOIRE DRIVERS for 2014 or later. Ive used them on quite a few shafts interchanging with the SLDR. 1ST and 2nd gen GLOIRES used the RBZ or R11 sleeve.

The latest shaft Ive tried in the 2014 GLOIRE is the MUSO XL.. IM getting great ball speed with it.
[/quote]

I found some R1 plastic ferrules on ebay. I wonder if I can use them on the 2015 gloire driver.....

This Gloire version:
http://ashworthgolf.jp/TaylorMade/GLOIRE-F/DW-ST217.html

[kingarthur]

[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412967932' post='10266845']
[quote name='driverhead' timestamp='1412305968' post='10227769']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412243778' post='10222559']
That's not good. Sleeves for JDM drivers are hard to find on ebay.
[/quote]

Any sleeve for the SLDR OR JETSPEED, will work on the GLOIRE DRIVERS for 2014 or later. Ive used them on quite a few shafts interchanging with the SLDR. 1ST and 2nd gen GLOIRES used the RBZ or R11 sleeve.

The latest shaft Ive tried in the 2014 GLOIRE is the MUSO XL.. IM getting great ball speed with it.
[/quote]

I found some R1 plastic ferrules on ebay. I wonder if I can use them on the 2015 gloire driver.....

This Gloire version:
http://ashworthgolf.jp/TaylorMade/GLOIRE-F/DW-ST217.html
[/quote] given this is the newest model, I doubt you would be able to use anything from the R1 parts.

[driverhead]

[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412967932' post='10266845']
[quote name='driverhead' timestamp='1412305968' post='10227769']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1412243778' post='10222559']
That's not good. Sleeves for JDM drivers are hard to find on ebay.
[/quote]

Any sleeve for the SLDR OR JETSPEED, will work on the GLOIRE DRIVERS for 2014 or later. Ive used them on quite a few shafts interchanging with the SLDR. 1ST and 2nd gen GLOIRES used the RBZ or R11 sleeve.

The latest shaft Ive tried in the 2014 GLOIRE is the MUSO XL.. IM getting great ball speed with it.
[/quote]

I found some R1 plastic ferrules on ebay. I wonder if I can use them on the 2015 gloire driver.....

This Gloire version:
[url="http://ashworthgolf.jp/TaylorMade/GLOIRE-F/DW-ST217.html"]http://ashworthgolf....F/DW-ST217.html[/url]
[/quote]


Yes.. The Gloire F. I have one on order and should get it soon. Its more of a players club off the rack than the other Gloire drivers. When I get it Ill post back. I believe the Sleeve is R1 /SLDR compatable. The marklings are different. The R1 Sleeve is based on a 10 degree base loft of all R1 heads. So if you get a 10 degree GLOIRE F the R1 markings will work fine as is. If you get an 11 or 12 degree GLOIRE F add one or 2 to the R1 sleeve marked loft. I went for an 11 degree head as they are pushing the LOFT UP mantra ala the SLDR.