Japanese Great Big Bertha Epic Forged Driver - Any Info?

[TheyCallMeVinnie]

Im just curious, why do the Japenese get their own clubs?

[EaglesGolf99]

I want one, bad...

 

 

A 10.5° with TC Serial from The Van!!!

 

Too much to ask for??? ... I'll cover shaft and grip!!! LOL!!!

[EaglesGolf99]

Im just curious, why do the Japenese get their own clubs?

 

I'm not sure, but the last couple Callaway Japan releases have been really bad a**, maybe even stretching as far back as the Stenson Legacy Blacks.

[pjc]

Apparently it's going to be all titanium instead of having the carbon and is supposed to sound and feel better. Bonded hosel also but still with jailbreak tech.

 

 

Ok, now we have something. I will retract my statement earlier about what's the big deal about this. Bonded hosel, forged TI, stupid jailbreak tech...those 3 simple things are such a unicorn for us in the US, it's really sad. Looks good, I'm in if offered in NA.

[st_pedro]

Hey guys, a quick review on the Epic Forged driver

 

I’m a 2 handicap. Moderate transition and average swing speed 107mph.

At times I can crank it up over 110mph but that would be swinging out of my shoes.

 

Play on both local amateur and professional tour if work schedule allows me.

The driver head is relatively light, I switch the weight from 10grams to 12grams to achieve desirable swing weight. Approximately D2.5. Fitted with TourAD iZ 6X at 45.5”

 

Tested on my regular golf club so I know exactly my distance.

Ball used: Callaway Chrome SoftX, TaylorMade TP5X and Bridgestone 330RXS

 

For comparison purpose, my usual gamer driver was Epic Subzero 10.5 -1 N setting based on same shaft.

 

Tested both indoor and outdoor using Foresight Sports GCQuad

 

Course was wet and minimum bounce due to typical end of the year monsoon season in Southeast Asia.

Temperature 80F and moderate wind 10-15mph

 

At address looks pretty square to slight close face due to “silver” brushed titanium finish.

It doesn’t really bother me since I hover at address.

 

One thing that’s very noticeable is the size. It’s 440cc more pear shaped and appears deeper in comparison to my Subzero (460cc)

Didn’t have the calipers to measure exactly the face height.

 

The sound is definitely loud! More “Tink” metallic sound than the usual “thump” it might not please some purists.

 

Ball speed of the face is similar to Subzero however it’s slightly more forgiving on mishits.

Purposely hit a few on the toe, heel, high & low off the face. Resulting in different spin rate and efficiency.

Sweet spot is definitely in the middle and slightly up. Roughly 0.25” up from middle of the face that produced the highest ball speed.

 

Based on 3 different ball brands, some performed better on carry distance but not total distance.

 

Workability is definite more straight to draw biased but not severed.

Then again individual swing pattern plays important role too.

Need to put a good fade swing for the ball to fade. But it’s not my natural shot shape.

 

Feel is very subjective. Personally I enjoy the higher metallic sound at impact.

Almost the same feeling when I hit the 2018 XForged irons.

 

Will definitely do more testing by playing at different courses and conditions.

Have an EPIC week ahead

[pjc]

None of that really sounded that good to tell you the truth. To most, bonded driver's may be a thing of the past, and maybe I'm in the wrong thread, but let's see what comes from the so called show in Jan. I see/hear a lot of good things with the new BS JGR driver, but no one hear really cares anymore.

[st_pedro]

None of that really sounded that good to tell you the truth. To most, bonded driver's may be a thing of the past, and maybe I'm in the wrong thread, but let's see what comes from the so called show in Jan. I see/hear a lot of good things with the new BS JGR driver, but no one hear really cares anymore.

 

Have you personally tried the Epic Forged?

 

Agree on the adjustable hosel vs bonded, especially for custom fitting and trying out new shafts.

 

Do let me know on the upcoming BS JGR.

Hoping to do a comparison

 

Cheers

[hurricanes7]

when can we expect to see one of those in the usa to demo

[Striker Ace]

Yes, too expensive. Get the word out.

[DBake]

Interested...

[pjc]

None of that really sounded that good to tell you the truth. To most, bonded driver's may be a thing of the past, and maybe I'm in the wrong thread, but let's see what comes from the so called show in Jan. I see/hear a lot of good things with the new BS JGR driver, but no one hear really cares anymore.

 

Have you personally tried the Epic Forged?

 

Agree on the adjustable hosel vs bonded, especially for custom fitting and trying out new shafts.

 

Do let me know on the upcoming BS JGR.

Hoping to do a comparison

 

Cheers

Maybe I worded a little funny. What I was saying is that I prefer a bonded hosel over what has been going on for the past several years. That part I love about the driver, but the breakdown given by the post by st_pedro didn't sound good for a forged TI driver. On the new JGR driver, there have already been pics of it posted about a month or so ago when Kuchar was testing it out. It will be available come Jan/Feb I believe. Fixed hosel as well, the head not as colorful or bright as the first iteration. Stock shaft is going to be UST Mamiya Recoil 460 ES which is not even listed on UST's site as of yet.

[FairwayFred]

Have one on the way will report back when I get it.

[Supremexx]

sorry if i haven't read it yet, but is there any benefit to a forged face driver??

[EaglesGolf99]

Have one on the way will report back when I get it.

 

You freak of nature, you!!

 

If it's a TC Serial you owe me one too :-)

 

 

[EaglesGolf99]

Have one on the way will report back when I get it.

 

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

 

 

That package should be showing up any day.

 

 

Don't keep us waiting!!!

 

 

:-)

[EaglesGolf99]

..... That bad boy had to have shown up by now ......

 

 

Patiently awaiting pictures and review.

 

 

:-)

[FairwayFred]

Pics below. The shape is just perfect. Unfortunately it showed up the same day as the snow so no review yet!

 

Bottom pic compares to JDM Epic Star. Star has the red shaft.

 

[EaglesGolf99]

Pics below. The shape is just perfect. Unfortunately it showed up the same day as the snow so no review yet!

 

Bottom pic compares to JDM Epic Star. Star has the red shaft.

 

What I wouldn't do for a JDM Epic Star and JDM Epic Forged .... 10.5° .....

 

 

Drooooooooooo

 

oooooooooooooooooooo

 

oooooooooooooooooooooooolllllllllliiiiiiiiiing

[EaglesGolf99]

That Forged sets up reallllllly nice!

 

What lofts are those, Ari? ... And how do the Moveable Weights come in stock offering?

[FairwayFred]

That Forged sets up reallllllly nice!

 

What lofts are those, Ari? ... And how do the Moveable Weights come in stock offering?

 

They are both 9.5

 

Stock weights are 10 and 2

[EaglesGolf99]

Ari ... The last picture of the Star JDM and Forged JDM side-by-side seems to show a square to closed face on the Star and a square to open face on the Forged.

 

True? ...

 

Or just angle deception?

 

 

[FairwayFred]

Ari ... The last picture of the Star JDM and Forged JDM side-by-side seems to show a square to closed face on the Star and a square to open face on the Forged.

 

True? ...

 

Or just angle deception?

 

It's just the pic. They are both a little open. The Forged maybe slightly more open. Anytime you take pics like that the club on the left looks a little more closed than it actually is.

[DBake]

This going to be a Japan only club or a quite surprise to go with the Rogue?

[mackepa]

This going to be a Japan only club or a quite surprise to go with the Rogue?

 

It is definitely Japan only.

[EaglesGolf99]

Ari ... The last picture of the Star JDM and Forged JDM side-by-side seems to show a square to closed face on the Star and a square to open face on the Forged.

 

True? ...

 

Or just angle deception?

 

It's just the pic. They are both a little open. The Forged maybe slightly more open. Anytime you take pics like that the club on the left looks a little more closed than it actually is.

 

Had the chance to hit it anymore?

 

Love to hear more!!

[Striker Ace]

Too expensive. That's all the info I got.

[getair23]

Can I pull an adjustable adapter of a shaft, and have it put in this driver. Thanks!

[johnnypro]

Screw the cost.....I'm buying one.

 

(unless any wrx-er has a 10.5 head he wants to unload) :to_become_senile:

[EaglesGolf99]

Can I pull an adjustable adapter of a shaft, and have it put in this driver. Thanks!

 

Yes. Very easy. Quite routine.

[getair23]

Thanks Raidersgolf. This club looks so good, I wish we knew a little more on how it compares to the SZ.