Anyone recognize this driver?

golfluvzme · August 20, 2006

Newing Forged Titanium, Japanese Tour?

I picked this up, locally and was told it was from Mark Calcavecchia (SP?) . It is in rough shape with no finish to speak of, except what appears to be Black Ice on the face. The shaft is very cool. It is sort of splash graphics in dark blue, tan and lavender from tip to grip. The only sticker on the shaft is in all Japanese. I will try to get a pic of it and post it, here.
The pic is of the sole. If anyone recognizes this one, drop a note or PM.
Thanks for letting your curiosity get the better of you and viewing my post.
LaMont in AZ golfluvzme @aol.com

pitbull808 · August 20, 2006

LaMont....I'm not sure on the year, but it's an old Newing driver made by Bridgestone.

golfluvzme · August 20, 2006

I did a little research and came up with the same result. When I put 2 and 2 together, it made sense. With the DynaWing, Bridgestone's ball for a year or two, the Newing fits right in. I need to get some pics of the shaft posted. It is funky looking. Maybe if I pull the grip, there will be a label or something. Too late, tonight and I have to play early in the AM. We'll give the Newing a workout and see what happens. It shouldn't be any worse than my previous round. It isn't the equipment going bad, it is a swing problem.

Thanks Pit,

LaMont in AZ

bigkidneys · August 20, 2006

Here in Guam there are a ton of Newing /Super Newing balls. They are all over the driving ranges. They are the lower brand ball that Bridgestone/Tourstage puts out. Nice find. The club is probably sorter than standard as most Japanese clubs are.

xxio · August 20, 2006

Newing would be the lower end tier of Bridgestone, similar to Reygrande, Break the Mode, etc.

golfluvzme · August 20, 2006

OUCH, now yer killin me. Lower tier and such is so .............................. down there. LOL.

I'm still gonna give it a workout.

Thanks for the info, guys.

LaMont in AZ

xxio · August 20, 2006

Haha. Lower tier means pricing only. Performance could prove otherwise. Just like the FT3 vs the 454. I like the 454 a lot better.

golfluvzme · August 20, 2006

Well, I hit it in my round, this morning and was impressed by the feel of it. I remember now what the old 975D's felt like, solid as all get out. This driver is a nice solid feel and sound. It isn't very pretty with all the paint stripped off, but I don't give two thoughts to skyballs, anymore. A nice Scotch-Brite pad takes care of any marks that I may put on the crown.

Distance was just a shade off of normal for my 580XD. I like the shaft's feel as well. I'll cut the grip off, today and maybe there will be an identifying sticker on the butt end of the shaft. I'll also post a pic of the Japanese lettering on the shaft sticker that is on the shaft, now.

Thanks for the help and it will see some more bag time. Control was very nice to have, once again in this department.

LaMont in AZ

xxio · August 20, 2006

The usual shafts on the older Newing stuff was "Harmotec" which IIRC are designed by GD before they got big. My dad had a set of Newing blades that looked exactly like Miz Pro IIs with bright blue/white graphite shafts which were really really good performers. Newing was a bit higher on the product line until they really started pushing the Tourstage brand.

pitbull808 · August 20, 2006

The usual shafts on the older Newing stuff was "Harmotec" which IIRC are designed by GD before they got big. My dad had a set of Newing blades that looked exactly like Miz Pro IIs with bright blue/white graphite shafts which were really really good performers. Newing was a bit higher on the product line until they really started pushing the Tourstage brand.

I was wondering when you'd jump in this Toby. I figured you would have some insight on this. I think you're right on the Newing being higher on the product line....at least back when they were out. I thought they were the predecessor of the Tourstage line being pushed.

xxio · August 20, 2006

Reid,

One of the advantages of being in a confused market. All major US and Japanese OEMs have been moving there stuff here for a long time now. Most every OEM rep knows me by now, so I sometimes dig through there shelves just to look at catalogues of the older stuff. Still in Japanese though.

BTW I have a Beres in my trunk. I picked it up yesterday to demo. A friend is selling it at a good price. The shaft is only 1 star though, that is why I couldn't commit to buy until I tried it. The one I demo'ed previously which I hit very well was a 2 star.

The next driver to try to make the bag will be this Beres or the HiBore Japan retail that comes stock with an Axiv. Both will be about the same price. I still don't have anyone I know who has tried a HiBore though.