Need help with Japanese 3-wood choice...

[RIDEamountain]

Hey everyone...posted this in the general forum, but meant to put it here.

 

I'm in need of a new 3-wood...and have been intrigued by the Japanese makers quite a bit. Having not really found anything I like here ;) ...I figured I'd give some of these a look.

 

Not knowing as much about the Japanese clubs, and not being able to find as many reviews, I was wondering if any of you could help as I know that many of you in here are devout fans of the Japanese clubs. Not to mention that you just can't walk in to most places and see these clubs first hand.

 

Have been doing some research and checking out clubs on TourSpecGolf. I am considering the following:

 

*Epon AF-201 Forged Fairway Wood 15*

*Yamaha Inpres X i.F.F. Tour Model Fairway Wood 14*

*PRGR M3 Hit Tour Fairway Wood 15*

 

I am working back to my 10 handicap (single digit bound!)...am a longer ball hitter...and am looking for a club with an open face, or neutral bias at the very least, for maximum workability (which I believe all these have).

 

Can anyone give me feedback or recommendations on these three clubs? Gocchin over at Tour Spec has been SUPER helpful, but I thought I'd fish for some additional feedback in here as well.

 

Many thanks,

 

RIDE

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

The On Off's look to be pretty sweet as well...

[teespoon]

I am an older golfer that likes Japan's Driver and wood shafts. I can say that the XXIO 3W is the best I have hit. Fine golfclub.

[DoglegRight]

I've got a XXIO 5 wood (all titanium) that I recently reshafted with an Aldila "By You" 85-S and it is been a tremendous club. My J33 3 wood (with matching "By You" shaft) is longer, but the XXIO is great for long approaches into the green. That said, unless you can find a 3 wood used, for the money I wouldn't buy an import club. For equal or less money, you could reshaft an Exotics, Sonartec, J33, Burner TP, etc... with your choice of high-end shaft, fit to your specs. I know fairway woods are very personal but what I've learned over the last few years is that the right shaft can make it or break it. - Good Luck

[DoNDoN]

Take a look at the Fourteen SF206 if you get a chance. It looks like a Sonartec but it is so much longer and easier to hit.

[ifixclubs]

[quote name='DoNDoN' post='875867' date='Jan 21 2008, 07:22 PM']Take a look at the Fourteen SF206 if you get a chance. It looks like a Sonartec but it is so much longer and easier to hit.[/quote]
i couldnt agree more! heres a link to their site and check it out... [url="http://fourteengolf.com/product/fairway/sf-206/index.html"]http://fourteengolf.com/product/fairway/sf-206/index.html[/url]

[RIDEamountain]

Thanks so much for all the replies so far guys!

I will look into both the Fourteen and XXIO for sure and do some more research. It's just so hard not being able to go check out the JDM stuff.

Thanks again!

RIDE

[rbenz]

Any suggestions on a low lofted JDM hybrid to replace a 3 wood?

[mauiatheart]

[quote name='genji_808' post='878097' date='Jan 22 2008, 08:49 PM']Any suggestions on a low lofted JDM hybrid to replace a 3 wood? [/quote]


I am not sure that you will find one that will replace a 3 wood's distance. Especially not with today's lower lofted 3 woods. The G Fields are pretty long for hybrids, but I don't know if they made a 1. I have only seen a 2. The 2 does not have near the distance to replace my 3 wood.

[ianbakerfinchrules]

in my opinion best fairway woods out there by a mile are the gauge design g field series ive got a 16.5 4 wood and also a 24 degree rescue and they are beautifull!!

[BPG24]

The Twin to Sonartec's GS Tour is the best 3 wood I have ever owned. It is called the Royal Collection CV-Pro. I believe that Joe Kwok had some at one time. (could be wrong) I know TSG had them

[LSeca]

Take a look at the Fourteen SF206 if you get a chance. It looks like a Sonartec but it is so much longer and easier to hit.

i couldnt agree more! heres a link to their site and check it out... http://fourteengolf.com/product/fairway/sf-206/index.html

 

I will throw another recomendation out for the SF206.

[joey3108]

Thanks so much for all the replies so far guys! :)

 

I will look into both the Fourteen and XXIO for sure and do some more research. It's just so hard not being able to go check out the JDM stuff.

 

Thanks again!

 

RIDE

You are a real junkies , aren't you? LOL! :D

 

Let me know if you want to get Fourteen FW, I can custom order the head & spec for you if you like.

 

Joe

[bogeydog]

I have the PRGR Hit Tour. Best I have had. It replaced a Epon AF201.

[autisticlove]

Take a look at the Fourteen SF206 if you get a chance. It looks like a Sonartec but it is so much longer and easier to hit.

i couldnt agree more! heres a link to their site and check it out... http://fourteengolf.com/product/fairway/sf-206/index.html

 

I will throw another recomendation out for the SF206.

 

Another recommendation for the SF206...simply awesome! Great solid feel, neutral biased and long.

[esinger430]

i have the prgr tour hit, the epon af201 13.5 degree and have hit most of them. they are all good and excellent choices. the only choices you need to make are, what brand, club look, shaft,and loft. each japanese model i have found so far is much better than what we have here in the US. i even purchased the prgr m3 hit red 3 wood in 16.5 degree and use as a 4 wood when i carry the epon.

 

so what i am telling you is, any choice you make from a top japanese manufacturer is the right choice once you make it. or you can be like me and every time you see a new one just order it and sell the old one on ebay lol.

[joey3108]

i have the prgr tour hit, the epon af201 13.5 degree and have hit most of them. they are all good and excellent choices. the only choices you need to make are, what brand, club look, shaft,and loft. each japanese model i have found so far is much better than what we have here in the US. i even purchased the prgr m3 hit red 3 wood in 16.5 degree and use as a 4 wood when i carry the epon.

 

so what i am telling you is, any choice you make from a top japanese manufacturer is the right choice once you make it. or you can be like me and every time you see a new one just order it and sell the old one on ebay lol.

Classic! :drinks:

[Spoon]

ive tried a lot of jdm woods over the months, ive had the maruman shuttle, kasco, epon af201, gfields they are all very good imho but the shaft selection would be more important. choose a shaft that will work best for you and the head will ff:) for me i always have a wood flavor of the month at times its the gfield, others its the epon, for what its worth i only carry one wood and its the epon 18* af201 shafted with tour ad w60. best combo ive tried.

[esinger430]

thank you spoon will order the shaft and try it also. what the heck another shaft another head :drinks: