Hiro Honma Persimmon Woods

[Kelso]

Has anyone ever played these?

Hi, new to this forum but a veteran of others. (other than golf)

My question is, has anyone ever played any of the Hiro Honma persimmon woods?
Preferably the LB300 woods or The Big LB woods.
Hard to research but what I can find leads me to believe that the LB 300 series were solid USA Persimmon but the BIG LB's were hollowed out resin filled units.
I lean to the solid persimmon myself.
I did find a lot of information on the shafts.
Just wondering if there is any feedback, positive or negative.

I have quite a few persimmons now including a newer Louisville Golf 3 wood Niblick.
I like the 3-4-5's. I get better distance with my old slower swing speed and I find them as easy or easier to hit than my hybrids. But then again I grew up with them.......

Anyway sorry to ramble, anyone have any experience with the Honma's? Thanks!

[rex235]

My RH friend used a Honma 90 Persimmon driver with Aluminum insert and graphite shaft two days ago, and loved the sound and the control he got.

Could work the ball both ways.... He is strictly a Pro V1 man...nothing else in his bag...

Distance wasn't too shabby either. Will try to get some photos.

If the head appears solid, you like the shaft, and there aren't any face issues or insert issues, it might be a nice addition.

Stay away from those "rock" range balls too....

[Nspiel58]

I picked this LB280 from Rock Bottom Golf a few years ago. Though the Titanium/Graphite shaft is a bit too flexible for me, it's a very solid club and one of the most beautifully grained persimmons I have. It's really eye-pleasing at address as well. The ball just springs off the face.

[Bella Woods]

Nspiel58:

Very nice looking club - Honma persimmon woods were top quality.
Japanese clubmakers always insisted on the best u grain for their
woods (I have been told and noticed).

Honma persimmon woods were also very expensive in the day. I always
remember being in Hawaii at the Kona Country Club and watching a
well tanned Japanese gentlemen loading up his car after his round
(he was driving a pearl black Maserati) - His woods were beautiful
Honma's!

[Kelso]

Thanks for the replies! Where else can a guy go to ask this type of question and get helpful immediate replies? (Nowhere!)
Nspie158, thanks for the great pics. I've heard about the LB280 but had never seen one. [i]Beautiful! [/i]Looks like a driver by the face height. I just purchased the LB300 3 wood off the bay a few minutes ago. Very reasonable. It has the same face/insert design. I will definitely post on how it performs. I purchased it with a Reg. shaft, but that's what I'm used to with a 3 wood so I hope it's not a noodle. lol.

Rex235, right now I'm playing around with an older Honma 3 wood. I have no idea what the model # is. The face has the compression molded graphite but has a couple copper lines instead of the brass pins. Great distance and control. It's what got me thinking about a newer model. If ya have a pic handy that would be great but don't go to any trouble. I just find the brand interesting.

Bella, I haven't seen any of the newer gems yet. (mines older and kinda beat up), but from what I've read and seen, they are eye-candy.
I just read online about a set, in Japan I think (irons, woods, putter, staff bag) that cost the guy about $34.000. I've heard some had gold plating or gold inserts. Not practical for me.......

I do want to say that I also consider some American models to be equally sweet. Most MacGregors ( Super Eye-O-Matic) the Tony Penna, JP's, etc. are also in a league of their own. (IMO)

I've been playing a Stan Thompson std. 3 wood and love it, but it developed a crack in the hosel/heel. I removed the shaft and re-shafted with epoxy. Taught myself how to whip but I don't trust it. Couple months ago I bought the older Honma, but haven't really put any rounds on it due to the weather. That led me to the search for a newer more durable, playable persimmon. I just purchased the Louisville Golf 3 wood niblick and now the LB300 Honma. They'll be doing battle in competition for my bag.

Well, if your still reading this you know my life history for the past 2 months. Again, thanks for the comments and I would enjoy reading more!
[i]
[/i]

[Nspiel58]

[quote name='Kelso' timestamp='1322535696' post='3864491']
Thanks for the replies! Where else can a guy go to ask this type of question and get helpful immediate replies? (Nowhere!)
Nspie158, thanks for the great pics. I've heard about the LB280 but had never seen one. [i]Beautiful! [/i]Looks like a driver by the face height. I just purchased the LB300 3 wood off the bay a few minutes ago. Very reasonable. It has the same face/insert design. I will definitely post on how it performs. I purchased it with a Reg. shaft, but that's what I'm used to with a 3 wood so I hope it's not a noodle. lol.

Rex235, right now I'm playing around with an older Honma 3 wood. I have no idea what the model # is. The face has the compression molded graphite but has a couple copper lines instead of the brass pins. Great distance and control. It's what got me thinking about a newer model. If ya have a pic handy that would be great but don't go to any trouble. I just find the brand interesting.

Bella, I haven't seen any of the newer gems yet. (mines older and kinda beat up), but from what I've read and seen, they are eye-candy.
I just read online about a set, in Japan I think (irons, woods, putter, staff bag) that cost the guy about $34.000. I've heard some had gold plating or gold inserts. Not practical for me.......

I do want to say that I also consider some American models to be equally sweet. Most MacGregors ( Super Eye-O-Matic) the Tony Penna, JP's, etc. are also in a league of their own. (IMO)

I've been playing a Stan Thompson std. 3 wood and love it, but it developed a crack in the hosel/heel. I removed the shaft and re-shafted with epoxy. Taught myself how to whip but I don't trust it. Couple months ago I bought the older Honma, but haven't really put any rounds on it due to the weather. That led me to the search for a newer more durable, playable persimmon. I just purchased the Louisville Golf 3 wood niblick and now the LB300 Honma. They'll be doing battle in competition for my bag.

Well, if your still reading this you know my life history for the past 2 months. Again, thanks for the comments and I would enjoy reading more!
[i]
[/i]
[/quote]

Kelso. I think you'll be spending a lot of time here. If you have a look at some of the topics here, you're going to find plenty of drool moments. That's why I keep coming back.

[Blade Junkie]

Kelso, how have you been getting on with your LB300 3-wood ?

[Ironmaster Oddities]

[quote name='Kelso' timestamp='1322535696' post='3864491']
Thanks for the replies! Where else can a guy go to ask this type of question and get helpful immediate replies? (Nowhere!)
Nspie158, thanks for the great pics. I've heard about the LB280 but had never seen one. [i]Beautiful! [/i]Looks like a driver by the face height. I just purchased the LB300 3 wood off the bay a few minutes ago. Very reasonable. It has the same face/insert design. I will definitely post on how it performs. I purchased it with a Reg. shaft, but that's what I'm used to with a 3 wood so I hope it's not a noodle. lol.

Rex235, right now I'm playing around with an older Honma 3 wood. I have no idea what the model # is. The face has the compression molded graphite but has a couple copper lines instead of the brass pins. Great distance and control. It's what got me thinking about a newer model. If ya have a pic handy that would be great but don't go to any trouble. I just find the brand interesting.

Bella, I haven't seen any of the newer gems yet. (mines older and kinda beat up), but from what I've read and seen, they are eye-candy.
I just read online about a set, in Japan I think (irons, woods, putter, staff bag) that cost the guy about $34.000. I've heard some had gold plating or gold inserts. Not practical for me.......

I do want to say that I also consider some American models to be equally sweet. Most MacGregors ( Super Eye-O-Matic) the Tony Penna, JP's, etc. are also in a league of their own. (IMO)

I've been playing a Stan Thompson std. 3 wood and love it, but it developed a crack in the hosel/heel. I removed the shaft and re-shafted with epoxy. Taught myself how to whip but I don't trust it. Couple months ago I bought the older Honma, but haven't really put any rounds on it due to the weather. That led me to the search for a newer more durable, playable persimmon. I just purchased the Louisville Golf 3 wood niblick and now the LB300 Honma. They'll be doing battle in competition for my bag.

Well, if your still reading this you know my life history for the past 2 months. Again, thanks for the comments and I would enjoy reading more!


[/quote]
I tseems like I remember a thread on here about Honma and the gold. It was supposedly in the insert, or the back plate. or maybe there was gold in the tips of the shaft, used to adjust swing weight.. Anyway, someone mentioned that he heard about a person who bought a stash of Honmas and trashed them just to get the gold. It all sounded like an urban myth at the time. Freddy or Bella, do you remember anything like this?
Bob

[nolixul]

[quote name='Bella Woods' timestamp='1322531976' post='3864151']
Nspiel58:

Very nice looking club - Honma persimmon woods were top quality.
[b]Japanese clubmakers always insisted on the best u grain for their
woods (I have been told and noticed).[/b]

Honma persimmon woods were also very expensive in the day. I always
remember being in Hawaii at the Kona Country Club and watching a
well tanned Japanese gentlemen loading up his car after his round
(he was driving a pearl black Maserati) - His woods were beautiful
Honma's!
[/quote]

Definitely true. As well as Honma, I have seen some gorgeous Maruman and Daiwa persimmons from that era.

[teevons]

[quote name='Ironmaster Oddities' timestamp='1356020713' post='6095831']
[quote name='Kelso' timestamp='1322535696' post='3864491']
Thanks for the replies! Where else can a guy go to ask this type of question and get helpful immediate replies? (Nowhere!)
Nspie158, thanks for the great pics. I've heard about the LB280 but had never seen one. [i]Beautiful! [/i]Looks like a driver by the face height. I just purchased the LB300 3 wood off the bay a few minutes ago. Very reasonable. It has the same face/insert design. I will definitely post on how it performs. I purchased it with a Reg. shaft, but that's what I'm used to with a 3 wood so I hope it's not a noodle. lol.

Rex235, right now I'm playing around with an older Honma 3 wood. I have no idea what the model # is. The face has the compression molded graphite but has a couple copper lines instead of the brass pins. Great distance and control. It's what got me thinking about a newer model. If ya have a pic handy that would be great but don't go to any trouble. I just find the brand interesting.

Bella, I haven't seen any of the newer gems yet. (mines older and kinda beat up), but from what I've read and seen, they are eye-candy.
I just read online about a set, in Japan I think (irons, woods, putter, staff bag) that cost the guy about $34.000. I've heard some had gold plating or gold inserts. Not practical for me.......

I do want to say that I also consider some American models to be equally sweet. Most MacGregors ( Super Eye-O-Matic) the Tony Penna, JP's, etc. are also in a league of their own. (IMO)

I've been playing a Stan Thompson std. 3 wood and love it, but it developed a crack in the hosel/heel. I removed the shaft and re-shafted with epoxy. Taught myself how to whip but I don't trust it. Couple months ago I bought the older Honma, but haven't really put any rounds on it due to the weather. That led me to the search for a newer more durable, playable persimmon. I just purchased the Louisville Golf 3 wood niblick and now the LB300 Honma. They'll be doing battle in competition for my bag.

Well, if your still reading this you know my life history for the past 2 months. Again, thanks for the comments and I would enjoy reading more!


[/quote]
I tseems like I remember a thread on here about Honma and the gold. It was supposedly in the insert, or the back plate. or maybe there was gold in the tips of the shaft, used to adjust swing weight.. Anyway, someone mentioned that he heard about a person who bought a stash of Honmas and trashed them just to get the gold. It all sounded like an urban myth at the time. Freddy or Bella, do you remember anything like this?
Bob
[/quote]

Persimmonpal posted an Ebay ad over a year ago where someone was selling over a hundred Honma persimmon shafts with the neck on the shafts, They had cut all the heads off at the neck, so the gold , or prize was in the head somewhere

[Pinsplitter59]

That pic looks the same as one i got in Bangkok a few years ago.
there was a bunch of them new going real cheap, about $40.
i thought it must been like a factory clearance or something.
Lovely looking head but i didn't take it seriously as a playing club.
it seemed small and short soft shafted too much like a toy.
graphite shafts in woods? dunno, it don't seem the right mix.

[MacgregorFan]

I realize this post is pretty old. Still....

I have a Hiro Honma Big-LB driver in fantastic shape. It was a big hit at demo events. The other reps liked to hit it and compare it to current technology.

Interestingly, my testing concluded:
a) On perfect sweet spot impacts, I'm only 5 yards shorter than the modern Titanium drivers (right around 285)
Not bad for outdated technology.
b) On off center hits, I'm 40-50 yards shorter with the persimmon driver
I didn't have the opportunity to test using the launch monitor though.

Something you might want to consider... back in the day (early 80's), I played MacGregor and Hogan persimmon drivers. Until I found "JP" drivers. Take a look. They're still in business.
www.joepowellgolf.com

[thepunch_out]

Resurrecting an old thread to show off some Japanese persimmon. Not a lot of these swept back Tour Models floating around, especially in new condition. These are right up there with my nicest Macgregor's and Wood Brothers, terrific craftsmanship on these clubs.

[Stephen8802]

I couldn't agree with you more. I absolutely love my Honmas and can't believe I didn't have one of these when I was a good golfer. Beautifully made, perfectly finished, cool inserts, and they feel like heaven when you hit them in the screws. I also think the shafts are the best I've ever hit and wished I could get a box of them.

 

My Tour driver doesn't look like it has been hit, but it wasn't stored as well as it should have been, so the poly is a bit rough, especially on the sole. That's ok with me though, I won't feel so bad hitting it. I had an LB Tour until recently, but gave that to a friend. The LB Tour was very close to the standard Tour, just a hair bigger. They both are spectacular clubs.

 

Here is my current stash of Honmas, most unhit. The 7 on the left are R shafts and probably will be re-homed next year, but the rest are either S-1 or S-2 and I plan to play then all. The only exception is the M-43, which is such a pretty head that I'm going to keep it even though its an R-1 shaft.

 

Edited November 19, 2021 by Stephen8802

[elwhippy]

They made stunning persimmon woods. Thought I had found one in England but it had a ladies shaft and 13 degrees loft. Never seen another since then. 

[Foozle]

20 hours ago, thepunch_out said:

Resurrecting an old thread to show off some Japanese persimmon. Not a lot of these swept back Tour Models floating around, especially in new condition. These are right up there with my nicest Macgregor's and Wood Brothers, terrific craftsmanship on these clubs.

Stunning woods! Just love a swept back soleplate!

I have recently come by some Honma High Powered woods and do admire the quality.

Odd question that I have asked before on another thread. I must have 150 persimmon woods and would be confident I could pick out the Homna's and Mizuno woods blindfolded by feel alone. There is domething about the texture of finish and a "warm" feel to them. I wonder if the Japanee craftsmen use a different lacquer or finish to here in the UK or USA? Does anyone know?

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On 11/20/2021 at 2:58 AM, thepunch_out said:

Resurrecting an old thread to show off some Japanese persimmon. Not a lot of these swept back Tour Models floating around, especially in new condition. These are right up there with my nicest Macgregor's and Wood Brothers, terrific craftsmanship on these clubs.

 

Very nice. The Tour Models tend to command higher prices at auction here compared to the Classic models, but both are popular. I've both a Tour Model and Classic driver, and I hit the Classic better, but the Tour Model is better to look at. 

 

How many stars do the shafts have? If you've four or five, then you've hit the jackpot! My Tour Model has 3 stars, which isn't bad, but 4 or 5 will raise the price.

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On 11/20/2021 at 4:10 AM, Stephen8802 said:

I couldn't agree with you more. I absolutely love my Honmas and can't believe I didn't have one of these when I was a good golfer. Beautifully made, perfectly finished, cool inserts, and they feel like heaven when you hit them in the screws. I also think the shafts are the best I've ever hit and wished I could get a box of them.

 

My Tour driver doesn't look like it has been hit, but it wasn't stored as well as it should have been, so the poly is a bit rough, especially on the sole. That's ok with me though, I won't feel so bad hitting it. I had an LB Tour until recently, but gave that to a friend. The LB Tour was very close to the standard Tour, just a hair bigger. They both are spectacular clubs.

 

Here is my current stash of Honmas, most unhit. The 7 on the left are R shafts and probably will be re-homed next year, but the rest are either S-1 or S-2 and I plan to play then all. The only exception is the M-43, which is such a pretty head that I'm going to keep it even though its an R-1 shaft.

 

 

On the theme of the number of stars on the shaft, if you've any of those R-1 shafts are 4 or 5 stars, you might find them playable. Reason I say this is that I just tried some four-star R-1 flex carbon shafts in some irons yesterday, and they were superb. I was deliberately giving them everything I could throw at them, and they did not feel whippy or soft at all.

 

I liked them so much I bought the irons for the shafts, and plan on installing them in my Mizuno Pro Originals I posted recently in the No New Acquisitions...? thread. Hey, we've got @BIG STU here with Mac Hogans, so I've decided to go with Hon-Zunos!😁 Or should that be Mizunmas? 

 

Normally, I like the S-2 shafts in Honma woods, and can just about manage the S-1s, whereas the R-1s are too soft, but the ones I hit yesterday in the irons were just perfect. Hopefully they'll work just as well in the Mizuno heads.

[NRJyzr]

I vote for "Honzuno"   😁

 

[MohanShivdasani]

On 11/28/2011 at 2:57 PM, Nspiel58 said:

I picked this LB280 from Rock Bottom Golf a few years ago. Though the Titanium/Graphite shaft is a bit too flexible for me, it's a very solid club and one of the most beautifully grained persimmons I have. It's really eye-pleasing at address as well. The ball just springs off the face.

So what is a rock bottom range? Do not mean to break rules. I have seen some 280/300 on the web for sale. Just relying to determine a fair price.  Thanks.

[SnowbirdTom]

2 hours ago, MohanShivdasani said:

So what is a rock bottom range? Do not mean to break rules. I have seen some 280/300 on the web for sale. Just relying to determine a fair price.  Thanks.

Check the eBay sold item values.  Not much, most likely.  Playable persimmons can be had very reasonably.

[DavidGut]

I have 3  matched set of "NEW" LB-300 version persimmon woods.  Set includes:   #3  "Spoon", LB-300# Condition: Brand New/Factory Sealed# Dexterity: Mens Right Handed, Shaft: New Titanium Carbon Graphite. Regular Flex   #4 "Baffy", LB-300# Condition: Brand New/Factory Sealed# Dexterity: Mens Right Handed. Shaft: New Titanium Carbon Graphite, Regular Flex   #5 Persimmon "Cleek", Classic LB-300# Condition: Brand New/Factory Sealed# Dexterity: Mens Right Handed. Shaft: New Titanium Carbon Graphite   All come with matched shafts. Regular flex. Right handed clubs. The resin impregnated hollow super persimmion head sports a sweet spot equal in size to that on a titanium club. With its Titanium-graphite composite insert, this model delivers the distance and accuracy sought by the harder hitting golfer. These clubs are still NEW with Factory new grips and have never been hit. Nearly 40 years Golf history and new technology!.  This is a matched set of "NEW" LB-300 version persimmon woods.  Set includes:   #3  "Spoon", LB-300# Condition: Brand New/Factory Sealed# Dexterity: Mens Right Handed, Shaft: New Titanium Carbon Graphite. Regular Flex   #4 "Baffy", LB-300# Condition: Brand New/Factory Sealed# Dexterity: Mens Right Handed. Shaft: New Titanium Carbon Graphite, Regular Flex   #5 Persimmon "Cleek", Classic LB-300# Condition: Brand New/Factory Sealed# Dexterity: Mens Right Handed. Shaft: New Titanium Carbon Graphite   All come with matched shafts. Regular flex. Right handed clubs. The resin impregnated hollow super persimmion head sports a sweet spot equal in size to that on a titanium club. With its Titanium-graphite composite insert, this model delivers the distance and accuracy sought by the harder hitting golfer. These clubs are still NEW with Factory new grips and have never been hit. Nearly 40 years   https://www.ebay.com/itm/204574056705?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=dDuaB3gbTau&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=dDuaB3gbTau&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPYhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/204574056705?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=dDuaB3gbTau&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=dDuaB3gbTau&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[Dr Rangelove]

I know this is an old thread but these are new to me. Not sure what they're worth, to me they're quite pretty but I think maybe the 1 Wood has been refinished, the 3 & 5 are pristine, and unfortunately the 7 shows a small crack in the top and maybe someone tried to refinish and realized maybe they shouldn't. the 1,3, & 5 have the correct original numbered head covers, the 7 has a #5 cover.

[Hammer_Hands]

The best part are those dope headcovers!