Nakashima drivers

[BJG718]

I am getting very close to purchasing a new driver (or two). Right now, I am between a FT-3 Tour draw, Tour Edge Exotics, Nakashima NP-1, and Nakashima H-Tec. If anyone has hit two or more of these clubs which I have just named, can you please comment on how you think they compare? Anything and everything helps! Supposedly Nakashima provides the highest ball speed numbers, but would you consider it a forgiving clubhead? Thanks very much!

-Brendan

[zzmkdw]

I have hit three of the four you mentioned. First I owned an FT-3. Very high ball speed, very forgiving and you get the optifit system, which allows you to narrow down shaft selection. You do however give up a little in the feel department and it sounds weird. I hit the Exotics driver and didn't care for it. It has a very hot face, but IMHO it felt like hitting a ball with a coke can. Also very forgiving which in part is due to the whole sweet spot face. The one I hit was a 9* with the NV-65, which still hit the ball pretty high for me. The H-tec has the interchangable shaft head, like optifit, which is cool. The one I hit was a 9.5* with a Stulz tri edge shaft. I didn't find the head to be particularly forgiving nor very long. Not sure where you heard it has the highest ball speed. That certainly wasn't my experience. Hit side by side with the FT-3, I thought the face of the FT-3 was much hotter. Again the results with the H-tec could have been the shaft. I didn't care for the Stulz at all. With the right shaft it may work for you. I assume you are being fitted for the H-tec, so if the club fitter is telling you that out of the four the H-tec is the best fit for you then if you trust the fitter you should take the advice. Are you hitting these side by side? Are you going soley on launch monitor data? Are you hitting into a net or on an open range?

[Awalkspoiled]

The FT-3 seems to have the highest ballspeeed, but is very shaft-sensitive. The Exotics I thought was only so-so - good but not extraordinary distance, with mediocre feel. The Nakashimas are all they're supposed to be - long, sweet and classy - my favorite is the 420, which offers slightly more spin and higher launch than the equivalent 460, and has a sweet, lively feel. I have two HTecs (one's for sale if you're interested). Sickeningly long, very low spin, very hook-proof, low launch for a given loft, loud. The shaft changeover requires less than a minute, and the assembly is totally solid. Drop me a line of you're looking for a mint 10.5 (I'm keeping the 9.5 proto)

[chas1723]

I have the Nakashima 460. I have it paired with a Fuji SIX. I like it so much that I no longer demo drivers. It is a beast off the tee and is plenty forgiving.