Outstanding JDM deep-face sub-420cc drivers?

[rbpwrx]

I'm coming from a Titey 983E that's been in the bag 20 yrs. Can't shake it. Love a deep face and classic shape. They really nailed that one.

Absolutely HATE a massive pancake 460. Can't look at it. Grew up on persimmon. My 983E still looks big.

BUT. I saw a Bridgestone J40 430 head in a bin the other day, and kinda liked it.  Somehow, they hid the weight.

 

Wondering what else is out there in the 380-420cc range that has a deep face and classic shape that is a PROVEN great driver? I've been missing out on a lot of tech since 2003.

JDM seems to specialize in this. I like Honmas. Nice round symmetrical deep faces. Looking at the 385Ti, 400RF, and 420RF. Also like the S-yard T.388 and (massive) XV. There's even a JDM Titey that caught my eye, at 440cc! The VG3C. (What's up with that thing?)

Would love any suggestions for other modern heads that hide their volume. Round deep face preferred. Thanks!

Edited May 31, 2022 by rbpwrx

[EaglesGolf99]

Look at the A-Grind Classic 350. 

 

Comes in lofts of 9.5 and 10.5.

 

Few years old, but still has all the tech, and keeps up distance wise. 

[rbpwrx]

28 minutes ago, EaglesGolf99 said:

Look at the A-Grind Classic 350. 

 

Comes in lofts of 9.5 and 10.5.

 

Few years old, but still has all the tech, and keeps up distance wise. 

Love the classic sole plate. And looks great from on top. Nice deep face (although a little more square than what I'm looking for). What is the sound/feel of an A-grind head? What's happening internally different from a 983E in 2003? Ribs? Cone? Etc? Because the CCs are the same. Was thinking of stepping up just a tad in volume to between 380-420. Thanks!

[EaglesGolf99]

In person the squarish-ness is hidden by soft edges. 

 

Very soft sound. 

 

Great feel. Probably one of the best all time that I have gamed. 

 

The internal tech I couldn't really expand on. 

[Diamana_Stinger]

While it is not their latest release, Baldo used to release 4 different size models, the past two releases have only been two sizes;

 

But they had a 380 and a 420, super deep face, nice pear shape. that is where I would start if I was you. The face might have been DAT55G, but I am actually thinking it was 8-11beta ti.....

 

I do not have time right now but if you can give me a day or two, can get you some pics and specs if you like.

Edited June 1, 2022 by Diamana_Stinger

[DMG_Golf]

If you can stretch to a 435 then the JBeam/Crazy 435 drivers are a definite classic choice. Some pics below.

 

I have also read really great things about the S-Yard T.388... one such example here - http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/topic/34174-oh-mys-yard-t388/

 

 

[tsupo]

grab a sonatec cv pro   driver they come in about 390 cc  SUPER deep, superb feel  nad can work them where ever u like
 

[storm319]

Under 400cc will be tough to find, but here are a couple of older choices:

Yonex Ezone 380 (380cc)

Bridgestone J33p (375cc)

 

Other options that aren’t JDM but fit the OPs criteria and should be fairly inexpensive:

 

Nike VR Tour (420cc)

Bridgestone J33r 420 (420cc)

For something new and adjustable, maybe check out the Titleist TSi4 (425cc).

 

[EaglesGolf99]

2 hours ago, storm319 said:

Under 400cc will be tough to find, but here are a couple of older choices:

Yonex Ezone 380 (380cc)

Bridgestone J33p (375cc)

 

Other options that aren’t JDM but fit the OPs criteria and should be fairly inexpensive:

 

Nike VR Tour (420cc)

Bridgestone J33r 420 (420cc)

For something new and adjustable, maybe check out the Titleist TSi4 (425cc).

 

EZ-One 380 was a GREAT Driver. 

[RedPanda]

Yonex - has a lot of smaller drivers year to year... and their "current year" GT is the smallest recently at 425cc

Fuso Dream - both Kenjiro 445cc and Sheperd Air 440cc

Masda - FBL 440cc

Kamui - 450cc

Grandista - 450cc

Reoness - 445cc

 

Older stuff

Srixon - z745  430cc

Mizuno - MP Craft S1 425cc

 

 

Non-JDM

Titleist TSi4 - 425cc

Titleist 975k - 260cc (very old.... 1999 )

Edited June 3, 2022 by RedPanda

[03trdblack]

On 6/1/2022 at 1:00 AM, DMG_Golf said:

If you can stretch to a 435 then the JBeam/Crazy 435 drivers are a definite classic choice. Some pics below.

 

I have also read really great things about the S-Yard T.388... one such example here - http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/topic/34174-oh-mys-yard-t388/

 

 

 

The only reason I wouldn't recommend the Syard would be the face is very shallow. I'd definitely agree with picking up the JBeam 435 or a ZY 11.

 

Here's my Syard:

 

 

 

Edited June 3, 2022 by 03trdblack

[Valtiel]

On 5/31/2022 at 8:36 AM, rbpwrx said:

Wondering what else is out there in the 380-420cc range that has a deep face and classic shape that is a PROVEN great driver? I've been missing out on a lot of tech since 2003.

Apologies if this comes off as being "that guy", but I wanted to offer a thought about design and "proven" performance as it relates to modern drivers. A lot of modern driver tech has been serving the purpose of progressively driving CG down and back in one form or another. Deep faced designs are always going to fight against this, so from a pure performance standpoint across large sample sizes they will always have a ceiling on them. A deeper face means a bigger face, and that means more weight forward as well as up, both because of the face height and the inherently higher crown. When it comes to squeezing every ounce of performance out of a club that is inherently limited by regulations, exploiting whatever is possible in the realm of launch conditions is one of the big keys. A driver with a higher and more forward CG is always going to lag behind in this area. 

This is not to say they are "bad" or that you can't hit bombs that make you happy, just that as it relates to squeezing everything out of driver performance these smaller, deeper faced designs are always going to have an element holding them back inherent in the design. The last line of Nike drivers was a perfect example of this as their CG was higher and more forward than most of their contemporaries, and just about everyone dropped them at the first opportunity when Nike exited the equipment game. I hate the massive pancake look as well. The TSi2 is a driver I like on paper but when I put it down behind the ball it's an immediate "nope!" because of the stretched back look. The TSi3 however is one of those "perfect compromise" clubs in this regard. 

[tsupo]

kasco dna 340 , syardt388  i just put a diamana x in it  for links. its easily.as.good as.anything.

[rbpwrx]

A year later, and many bargain heads from Japan, final result is a Tourstage X-drive. Not gonna say the model, b/c they seem to be super rare, and I want to horde any I can find. But deep face, perfect shape, sounds and feels almost like persimmon (that's good, for all you youngsters), hits monsters on a good strike, and I can work it. Not unlike my beloved 983E, unsurprisingly, just a little bigger. Phew!
 

Now, for a unicorn fairway...

Edited May 24, 2023 by rbpwrx

[DMG_Golf]

2 hours ago, rbpwrx said:

A year later, and many bargain heads from Japan, final result is a Tourstage X-drive. Not gonna say the model, b/c they seem to be super rare, and I want to horde any I can find. But deep face, perfect shape, sounds and feels almost like persimmon (that's good, for all you youngsters), hits monsters on a good strike, and I can work it. Not unlike my beloved 983E, unsurprisingly, just a little bigger. Phew!
 

Now, for a unicorn fairway...

 

Not telling? Well that's not fair! 😛

 

Glad you found one. 

[LionGolfer]

NOt quite 420cc but have a look at the Waccine LS-01. Its a 430cc head and deepER faced.  Mid launch and low spin.

[mitchie180]

Created a topic asking if anyone had tried it just the other day - but the new GTD MD280 looks spectacular if you're after a JDM Mini...

[Sleeky_D]

Wanting to revive this thread as I’m looking for something similar to the OP (only difference is I’d consider 340cc-420cc) but had never considered JDM drivers as an option. However, the more I researched, the more I think this may be the way to go. 
 

The ones I’ve looked at the most are A-grind classic 350, J beam zy 11, tour stage X-drive 909, s-yard t.388, and EZ-one 380. Are there any newer ones in the last 2-3 years that I should consider? 

[Golfingfanatic]

Baldo Corsa 380 is the newest sub400cc driver head that I can think of.