Authentic or Fake Honma in the US

[Bogey London]

Hi everybody,

 

I have a question that keeps lingering in my mind since I came here last year. It is all about Honma, which is considered the most expensive golf brand in Asia, maybe in the world as well.

 

In my experience, an authentic Honma club must have a phrase "Made in Japan Sakata" engraved in the hosel (picture enclosed). However, when I arrived here and spent more time in this forum, there have been so many sets of Honma clubs without this phrase even though the buyers always attest that their clubs are real. Secondly, the price of Honma club is extremly cheap, about 1/4 - 1/3 of the cost in Asia.

 

Please enlighten me and broaden my knowledge about the issue whether there are two lines of Honma existing in the world: one is made in Japan, and one (without the phrase) is not.

 

Thanks.

[Kingcat990]

From what I understand, the Honma clubs SHOULD say "sakata", however, the US versions are of chinese manufacturing or descent. I turned away a set that was so called "won in a tournament" because the box said "made in China". Later to find out they were indeed legitimate. Thats about all I can offer. That, and be very weary of Honma as the fakes are arriving in droves from DHgate.com as well as several other brands.

[4rheel]

If you do some digging, I think you'll see Honma produced China made equipment (TW737 line) for the North American market. That wouldn't sell in Japan and the reason why you'll see some of the same models (at least for irons) with the Made in Sakata on the hosel.

 

One of the reps I spoke to said they they made a mistake with the TW737 irons being made in China and the reason for the liquidation and that the TW747 will all be Made in Sakata. But when I looked on the conforming list for their new drivers, only the glued ones had Made in Sakata. Hoping the adjustable models will not be made in China.

 

IMO, I think there is a difference as I was recommended to give the older TW727 line a try for fw and hybrid and couldn't be happier. Not sure it's the head or shaft (both made in Japan) but the combo has been great for me.

[Bogey London]

Thanks so much for the clarification.

 

By the way, there is a huge discount for Honma lines in PGA Superstore.

[xxio]

Would the 737 drivers have been made at 2 locations, Sakata and China, as well?

Thinking of picking up a driver.

[Bogey London]

Would the 737 drivers have been made at 2 locations, Sakata and China, as well?

Thinking of picking up a driver.

 

That is what I think. The expensive version which carries the phrase Made in Japan Sakata is available in Asia while the cheaper version is found in America.

 

Made in Japan version driver may cost you $1000.

[4rheel]

I see we play the same (older) TW727 3w. The size of the head is right in between the two TW737 3w they offered but feels way better, IMO. Seems to be more livelier than the newer offerings. I think Honma is on the right track offering 2 head options for their woods and hybrids for the US market.

[Keith W.]

I picked up a new tw727 with a 2 star armrq shaft earlier this year. shipped from usa. for 150.00. my drives are going long and i am splitting fairways just about every drive. I love this driver. It says made in Japan on the sticker, a serial # on hosel. Is this a fake made in China?

[tnk210]

Honma heads are typically made in China, then assembled/finished and shipped from Japan, including BERES. BERES tends to be what is made as a counterfeit, so you probably don't have a fake. Honma shafts are mostly still made in Japan out of the Sakata facility.

 

The US business had to stop using "Made in Japan" because of import laws and given the above info about heads coming from China. Modern day supply chains!