Wishon, Nakashima, and KZG

[mlat]

Replace all clubs for a new set

I am selling all my clubs and getting new ones. I am going to replace my old clubs with custom fitted clubs. I have never played with custom fitted clubs and so far, I have been researching Wishon, Nakashima, and KZG. Please give me any advice or experiences you have for me on these brands or any other you recommend. I am trying to go for quality and not mainstream name brand. So far, the only problem I have run into is the KZG club maker pleaded my not to go with Wishon because he says that they are crap and are not forged but cast in China. I look forward to your responses.

[daytonajoe]

i have a set of Nakashima NX1's and a set of KZG blades available

 

if interested contact me via e mail [email protected]

 

in fact the KZG's when sold the money is being donated via another board, for a member who's infant daughter passed @ birth

 

Joe

[ben8210]

First, find a good fitter. The best designed clubs in the world won't help much without a good fitter.

 

Second, IMO, you will not be disappointed with Wishon. I have an all-Wishon bag now except the putter. Tom Wishon is one of the top club designers in the business. Check out the technology behind his designs and compare them to any other clubs. Read the books he has written.

[jg6925]

played the kzg's for the last 5 years. am on my second set of the forged blades and love how they play and feel. their wedges are great too. if you can find the right shaft those heads will play great.

[yoonie]

I am selling all my clubs and getting new ones. I am going to replace my old clubs with custom fitted clubs. I have never played with custom fitted clubs and so far, I have been researching Wishon, Nakashima, and KZG. Please give me any advice or experiences you have for me on these brands or any other you recommend. I am trying to go for quality and not mainstream name brand. So far, the only problem I have run into is the KZG club maker pleaded my not to go with Wishon because he says that they are crap and are not forged but cast in China. I look forward to your responses.

 

All three of the brands you've mentioned have a impeccable reputation. KZG is known in particular for the forged players irons, while Wishon is known more for their technological innovations, and Nakashima a younger brand, so they've yet to establish that much of an identity. I've heard very good things about their drivers tho, especially the NP1.

 

As for what your club fitter said about Wishon, yes, some of their clubs are cast in China (basically, if you have a cast golf club in your hands, no matter what the brand, it was cast in China), but the clubs that they SAY are forged, are indeed forged, and no, they're not crap at all. If i were you, I'd find another clubfitter- he's either so eager to push his stuff on you that he's willing to lie and defame the competition, or he's PAINFULLY uninformed.

[mlh2108]

I used to own a set of nak NP1's and I have to say they are the sweetest set of Irons I have ever owned (why oh why did I sell them ;) ). NP 1's are a players CB but still really really easy to hit and the look really good too (I know this won't help you game, but it's satisfying on some level). I had them fitted with Nippons NS Pro shafts and maybe it was the shafts that did it for me.... as one of the other members wrote, the correct fitting is far more important than the make....

[hayam]

Personally I think design wise, Wishon is the nicest, great grind. great look at address. Yes made is China, most of the golf stuff are already made in china.

 

KZG is the softest.

 

NP1 , have some quality issues when i bought them.

 

I will give my vote to wishon.

[bgolfing]

You KZG guy is full of it. I have not seen/played KZG or Nak but am all Wishom. It depends on what you want, but Wishon has a nice lineup for all players. His forged blades are supposed to be great, esp. the 560. Do some searches on some sites and feel free to ask questions on h8s site as there are a bunch of clubmakers on his forum who give great advice.

[mlat]

I went and got custom fitted with Wishon and this is what they recommended:

Wishon 915 hl - Driver

915 hl - Woods

770 cfe - Irons

785 - Hybrid Irons

 

Has anyone played with these? Also what is the difference between forged and cast club heads?

[MrBlack]

my nak 5 wood is AMAZING....i really want to get a 3 wood just like it

[keith]

I do not offer this as advice.

My custom fitter spent two sessions with me and outcome last week was following:

Wishon MOI matching of all clubs

Shafts are EMC2 from e21 (scandium-R flex)

Club Heads Hybrids (4)/irons are EMC2 from e21 (stainless steel face)

Reasons are varied but here's my thinking:

1.)want to build confidence and I was real pleased with trials

(and so was he -- was drawing thru' ball much better and getting good distance--I have a shorter swing and medium speed)

2.)I hit some good Wishons 550/560, but my game needs a few years.

3.)Considerable change from Dynacast shafts (graphite) and 27 year old clubs.

4.) have to say evidence with robotics convincing. They obviously are a long shot for sustainable company but feel right to me.

5.) want accuracy for my course.

[Shaitan]

KZG ZO Blades. If you want to try 8-PW for cheap have a look at that, make good practice clubs if you get a new set so you don't wear out your lower irons, too.

[johnnyvegas]

I have had great results fitting with both Nakashima and Wishon. It really depends on what you are looking for. As a scratch player for the past 15 years, I can honestly say that the Nakashima NP-1 irons I have in my bag right now (E21 Scandium Shafts) are the sweetest feeling forgings I have ever had in my hands. And let me tell you about these shafts, though they are pricey, they are definitely longer and better feeling than any other metal shaft on the market. The new NX-1 driver is also a beast. Coupled with the right shaft from your local fitter, you will see a noticeable increase in distance. Very easy on the eye at setup, forgiving, and it goes a mile for a fair price. I was a Titleist man for years and have definitely found a component company I hope to enjoy for years.

[diablojoe]

One thing I know for sure...don't use the clubfitter that trashed Wishon. The manufacturing quality is second to none. Tom Wishon has been designing and managing the manufacturing of clubs for a long time. Other companies have hired him to go to the foundries and solve production problems for them.

 

All three brands are great -- pick one you like, but stay away from that clown. He has one of two problems: He either lacks ethics, or he's stupid. Either way, you don't want him building your clubs.

[ifixclubs]

if i was gonna go all custom i'd get the nakashima driver, miura irons, and miura wedges...maybe even the miura putter...

[mlat]

Thanks everyone, I think I will go with Wishon. Your right, that KZG guy does lack ethics.

[grumpy123golf]

What kind of shafts are you using on your MP60's. I have the MP32's now with Rifle TF 6.0's and love the low-mid trajectory. Concerned that I'll hit the ball too high with the MP60's. So don't know whether to stick with Rifles or go to S300s or soft-stepped X100s. Did you notice higher ball flight with the MP60's?

 

 

Thanks everyone, I think I will go with Wishon. Your right, that KZG guy does lack ethics.

 

read tom wishons book "in search of the perfect golf club" superb read plus will open your eyes to the golf industry..

[mlat]

Do you think wishons book "in search of the perfect golf club" is just a marketing ploy?

[Hathstauwk]

I got custom fitted from a guy in Phoenix (while there on a conference) for a Nakashima NP-1 380 cc driver with a Graffaloy Pro Launch Blue stiff shaft, and a little lead tape added to the head (he was the club fitter, and a darned good one, IMO, so I just went with what he said).

 

This club is amazing! No idea what this other guy is talking about when it comes to quality issues. I got this club 3 years ago and it goes forever! I am an 8 handicap player that is only 5'11" 180 lbs (the latter number certainly not made up of muscle bulk of any kind) so am not a big hitter (8-iron for 150 club). I am averaging 300 yards (when I hit the fairway, which for an 8 handicapper is about 40-50%) with ease and here and there will get 325+ out of it.

 

This club feels incredible on impact. No loud crack that makes you want earplugs. This just launches beautifully. I am seriously considering their fairway woods if I kind find a fitter that does Nakashima here in Houston. AFter hearing some talk of their irons, I may even look at those.

[obobgolf]

Wishon is absolutely right, IMO. The golf manufacturing industry has a singular interest - to sell the most clubs they possibly can in an ever decreasing market space. The only way to get it right is to get properly fitted by someone who actually knows what they're doing - and that's easier said than done, especially considering that the typical retail golf store's interest is generally in direct conflict with the interests of the club buying customer.

The manufacturers spend lots of time and money marketing to the broadest possible market segment - more distance, more control, bigger, better, etc. The net effect of these marketing efforts produces "brand bigots" who buy a club (whether they realize it or not) based on what particular pro plays the equipment - or some other reason - not because the club truly fits them. Wishon has spent a lot of time in and around the industry, and I believe, tried to honestly and fairly design and build a quality club at a fair price. Does that mean his clubs will fit every swing - of course not. What works for me probably won't work for you - and that's the prinicpal thesis behind Wishon's book - you MUST be properly fitted to take advantage of today's technology to benefit YOUR swing. That's nearly impossible to do when buying "off the rack" or listening to a supposed knowledgeable salesperson.

The reasonable fitting process - at least from my point of view - will probably require at a minimum three or more sessions with the clubfitter to get it right. Wishon, Nakashima, KZG, Alpha and the other high end component manufacturers all produce quality goods - the trick is matching it to your particular swing, style and liking. Do yourself a favor, find a qualified fitter whose interest is in getting YOU fit right - as opposed to making a sale that day. ;)