Royal Collection Tour VS 14* / JP104 F15* quick first impression mini review

PaulR9 · July 11, 2012

Just picked these two clubs up from the famous Tim Mcgann in NYC. So, naturally ran to the range. Didn't have a chance to hit a ton of balls but enough to get an idea. I'll follow-up once I get them to the course.

RC Tour VS 14* w/Fujikura Rombax Flex X(7F09) and my favorite Japan No.1 grip - It's a little unfair because I've had this club for a few weeks. Tim had just added some melt to it. So, first off IMO the head is way too light. So, if you plan on gaming it get some tape or melt right out of the gate. I think the head looks great, nice and simple. From what I'm told it resembles sonartech (sp?), which RC bought. ST has it's own cult following. The head is is fairly shallow at approach, personally I like a deeper look. The VS IMO is definitely more of a players club and harder to hit for me. If you looking for something to hit off the fairway this isn't the club. My plan was to use it off the tee, almost as a more controllable driver replacement. So, unless it's sitting on a perfect tee like piece of grass it's going to be tough to get in the air. Over all this set up was made for over 105mph swing, so it's extremely sturdy and gives a lot of confidence in your hand. Not the longest 3 wood I've ever hit but gets the ball out there with a nice low trajectory. I have a feeling the shaft has a lot to do with that. The quick overall is it's a players club, not for the fairway, but workable for the better player. Great off the tee!

RC JP 104 F 15* w/ Graphite Design Tour AD DI-8x - I was excited to try this club, b/c I had been wondering if I made the right choice with the VS. I'm still not sure if I did. This head is much deeper and lines up to the ball nicer for me. You feel like you can hit it off the deck with no problem and you can. Dispersment was much tighter for me on this club with a lot more control. A tad shorter than the VS but I'll take control over a few yards any day. Very similar low trajectory off the tee and mat. Definitely a more versatile club. As for looks both heads very similar. This one is easier to hit, good off the fw and tee. I need a little more time but this might be the club for me.

RC is definitely a player in the woods market. Personally I feel the quality is much better than off the rack typical US equipment. I'll update as I go.

Just an FYI, I have the JP 104 21* and I love it!!

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fsusp · July 11, 2012

RC was sonartec parent company. My buddy repped both. Here is a link to sonartecs demise.

[nope...plenty of topics here with history of RC/Sonartec] (will mods allow this?)

I have the vs your fwy with the Attas shaft and it is only 15 degrees. If you give it time, I think you will love it. Try a different shaft to get more length. RC makes such low spinning heads that a mid launch shaft is a must in order to get the most out of it.

I have the jp104 h in 19 degrees and agree with you that it is awesome.

Good luck with your clubs and I think you will come to love them.

JakeBarnes · July 25, 2012

The JP104 hybrid is the exact same design as the TRC hybrid from the Japanese market issue.

The Tour VS isn't as intimidating off the deck as you would think. The face depth is about the same as my Sonartec GS Tour 13* and that is plenty easy to get air with. I highly suggest trying a mid-launch shaft as fsusp suggests. Personally, I use the Diamana Kai'li for my Tour VS 14* (and the 18* when I get ahold of one). I'd suggest trying out the Kai'li or a Blueboard or some other mid-launch shaft that you feel comfortable with. An amazing combination of low spin and great ballspeed.

Now if only I could track down the 18*...

JakeBarnes · July 26, 2012

Also, if you are looking for something easier off the deck for a 5 wood, look no further than the RC BBD 305V I am selling in the BST (cheap advertising, but this is the target crowd).

coincidentally, the VS Tour is what is replacing that set for me. I loved the setup, just a little too shallow-faced for me, but got the ball up with an amazing boring flight (they rear weighted it to give it amazing ups, but keeping spin lower).

Tarkata · July 31, 2012

RC/sonartec stuff is great.

PaulR9 · July 31, 2012

[quote name='JakeBarnes' timestamp='1343189427' post='5348070']
The JP104 hybrid is the exact same design as the TRC hybrid from the Japanese market issue.

The Tour VS isn't as intimidating off the deck as you would think. The face depth is about the same as my Sonartec GS Tour 13* and that is plenty easy to get air with. I highly suggest trying a mid-launch shaft as fsusp suggests. Personally, I use the Diamana Kai'li for my Tour VS 14* (and the 18* when I get ahold of one). I'd suggest trying out the Kai'li or a Blueboard or some other mid-launch shaft that you feel comfortable with. An amazing combination of low spin and great ballspeed.

Now if only I could track down the 18*...
[/quote]

I have a 21 I'm looking to get rid of, unofficially