Tag: Honma

Honma TW777 Series Preview: New 2025 Models with Carbon Technology | Price & Specs

Published: December 2025 | Honma Golf Equipment News

Honma Golf has launched the Tour World TW777 series – a new line of premium golf clubs for 2025 that combines Japanese craftsmanship with innovative carbon fiber technology. These golf clubs deliver enhanced distance, improved feel, and exceptional forgiveness for golfers at all handicap levels, from beginners to tour professionals.

Honma TW777 Series Overview: What’s New for 2025

The standout innovation in Honma’s latest golf club release is the revolutionary Titanium Carbon Construction – a game-changing material that maximizes energy transfer for explosive distance and ball speed.

TW777 Key Golf Club Technologies:

Titanium Carbon Sole Technology – Advanced composite material integration provides superior energy transfer and faster ball speeds compared to traditional titanium drivers
Carbon Ring Structure – Reinforces clubhead stiffness to reduce energy loss at impact, delivering more consistent distance on off-center hits
Rear Carbon Body Design – 35% larger carbon volume versus previous Honma models enables lower center of gravity (CG), higher launch angle, and reduced spin for maximum carry distance

Honma TW777 Driver Preview: Three Models Compared

TW777 Standard Driver – Best for Low Handicap Golfers

The standard TW777 driver features adjustable weighting and a forged cup face for players seeking maximum ball speed and workability.

Key Features:

460cc titanium driver with SJ221 Forged Cup Face
Adjustable weight system: 3.5g front weight, 20.5g rear weight
One-piece carbon body construction
Available lofts: 9°, 10.5°
MSRP: $600

TW777 Max Driver – Best for Mid to High Handicap Golfers

Designed for golfers seeking maximum forgiveness and straighter ball flight, the TW777 Max driver delivers high launch with draw bias weighting.

Key Features:

460cc oversized driver head
Deep low-CG design for easier launch
Draw-bias adjustable weights: 4g toe, 15g heel
Available lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°
MSRP: $600

TW777 360Ti Mini Driver – Best for Control and Shot Shaping

This compact titanium mini driver offers tour-level workability for advanced players who prioritize precision over forgiveness.

Key Features:

360cc compact driver head (mini driver size)
Full titanium construction for traditional feel
Triple weight system: 4g toe, 4g front, 12g back
Available loft: 11.5°
MSRP: $450

Honma TW777 Fairway Woods: Distance and Versatility

TW777 Standard Fairway Woods – $375

Inspired by Honma’s legendary LB-GET persimmon fairway woods, the TW777 fairways feature the innovative “Get Sole” design for improved turf interaction from any lie.

Available Models:

TW777 3 wood fairway
TW777 4 wood
TW777 5 wood fairway
TW777 7 wood

Technology:

Carbon crown construction with tungsten weighting
C300 maraging steel face for faster ball speeds
Adjustable weight and hosel sleeve
Lower CG for higher launch angles

TW777 Max Fairway Woods – $375

The Max fairway woods offer enhanced forgiveness with a larger profile and forged cup face technology.

Available Models:

3 wood Max
5 wood Max
7 wood Max

Best For: Mid to high handicap golfers seeking easier launch and more forgiveness from the fairway and rough

TW777 Utility Woods (Driving Iron Alternative) – $325

The TW777 utility woods bridge the gap between long irons and fairway woods, offering versatility for approach shots and tee shots on tight par 3s.

Available Lofts:

3 utility wood
4 utility wood
5 utility wood
6 utility wood

Key Benefits:

Get Sole design for clean turf contact
C300 steel face for maximum distance
Balanced workability and stability
Precise distance gapping between clubs

TW777 PCB Max Irons: Game Improvement Technology

Complete Set: 5-iron through sand wedge

Target Golfer: Mid to high handicap players seeking maximum forgiveness

Availability: Contact authorized Honma Golf dealers for pricing and specifications

Where to Buy Honma TW777 Golf Clubs

The complete TW777 series is available now at authorized Honma Golf retailers across the United States and internationally. Visit us.honmagolf.com to find a dealer near you or to learn more about custom fitting options.

Honma Golf Club Fitting Locations:

Available at premium golf retailers nationwide and Honma authorized fitting centers for proper shaft selection and lie angle adjustments.

Honma TW777 Price Guide (2025 MSRP)

Club Type	Model	Price
Driver	TW777 Standard (9°, 10.5°)	$600
Driver	TW777 Max (9°, 10.5°, 12°)	$600
Mini Driver	TW777 360 Ti (11.5°)	$450
Fairway Woods	TW777 (3W, 4W, 5W, 7W)	$375
Fairway Woods	TW777 Max (3W, 5W, 7W)	$375
Utility Woods	TW777 (3U, 4U, 5U, 6U)	$325
Irons	TW777 PCB Max (5-SW)	Contact Retailers

Final Verdict: Should You Buy Honma TW777 Golf Clubs?

The Honma TW777 series represents a significant advancement in premium golf club technology. The Titanium Carbon construction delivers measurable improvements in ball speed and distance, while the expanded carbon body design provides forgiveness that rivals top competitors from TaylorMade, Callaway, and Titleist.

Best For:

Golfers seeking Japanese craftsmanship and premium materials
Players who value both distance and feel
Low to mid handicap golfers (standard models)
High handicap golfers seeking forgiveness (Max models)

Where Honma TW777 Excels: ✓ Innovative carbon fiber technology ✓ Adjustable weighting systems across all driver models ✓ Multiple loft and model options for different skill levels ✓ Premium materials and construction quality ✓ Versatile fairway and utility wood lineup

For more golf equipment reviews, new golf club releases, and technology comparisons, bookmark our blog and follow us for the latest updates on 2025 golf equipment launches.

Related Searches: Honma golf clubs review, best drivers 2025, carbon fiber golf clubs, Japanese golf equipment, TW777 vs Callaway Paradym, premium golf drivers, adjustable weight drivers, low spin drivers, game improvement irons

About Honma Golf: Founded in 1959, Honma Golf manufactures premium golf equipment combining traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern technology. The company’s product lines include the luxury BERES series and tour-validated T//World clubs used by professional golfers worldwide.

December 15, 2025

6 Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas
GolfTrainingAids.com

The company was founded in 1984 by PGA Master Professional Dr. Gary Wiren as a resource to provide training aids to teaching and touring professionals. The internet era has allowed GolfTrainingAids.com to expand and now offers the largest selection of golf teaching and training aids in the world. Serving the golf industry for over 35 years, they are the most knowledgeable one stop shop for all of your training needs.

GolfTraininaAids.com has something for everyone, including a product on this list – Golf Forever’s Swing Trainer. Whatever you and your golf pro are trying to work on, there will be a tool that can help you feel the proper movement or help you get there. Just go to www.golftrainingaids.com and happy shopping!

Activated You – Morning Complete

Morning Complete is a powerful daily wellness drink featuring a custom-selected blend of nutrients designed to support regular digestive function, daily energy levels, and overall wellness. This delicious, apple cinnamon flavored drink is perfect for anyone who wants to start each day on a healthy note, and enjoy optimized health throughout their lives, thanks to the potent blend of nutrients included in each glass: *
- Prebiotics are like the fertilizer for your microbiome. Without prebiotics, the probiotic bacteria that your gut relies on for regularity and wellbeing can’t function.
- Probiotics to replenish and nourish the naturally occuring good bacteria in your gut, for enhanced digestive function and overall health.
- Energy nutrients from leafy greens — the kind of nutrients your system needs to help you sail through even the busiest days without energy crashes.
Plus, Morning Complete features five additional hand selected nutrient blends, designed to rev up your metabolism, keep your spirit lifted, help your body protect itself against oxidative stressors, support healthy liver and cellular functioning, and support healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range.

*Individual results can and will vary.

Radmor Golf Apparel

Most high-performance golf shirts these days are made with polyester. Polyester is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the most common type of oil based plastic in the world. Polyester clothing takes decades, if not centuries to decompose in a landfill and is considered harmful to the environment. By comparison, cellulose fibers like cotton, lyocell, modal, bamboo, all breakdown in a fraction of the time and are considered regenerative for the environment.

Radmor Golf is the first brand in the golf industry to focus on the elimination of using “virgin” polyester on a garment level. They’ve also limited the amount of recycled ocean polyester and recycled nylon they use to less than 10% of the collection. The the vast majority of Radmor’s garments are made from either BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) organic cotton or extra-long staple Pima cotton. It’s more expensive, but it’s stronger, lighter, and lasts longer than other cottons.

True Linkswear Shoes

I recently tried a pair of TRUE Linkwear’s All Day Knit shoes and found them to be one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. Good thing it just so happens to be a golf shoe that I can also wear to work, so they’ll get a lot of use. TRUE Linkswear has a very nice selection of styles, colors and sizes, so jump over to truelinkswear.com and check them out! https://truelinkswear.com/collections/shop-all-footwear

Honma’s TW Family

When Honma tradition meets modern tech, the result is TW757. With the world’s first carbon-slot technology and a family of multi-material irons—TW757 delivers high speed, stability, spin control, and long-distance performance. Honma Golf isn’t as well known in the US as some other brands, but they’ve been making some of the best quality golf clubs in the world for over 60 years. I have a set of their older forged cavity backs and would love to get my hands on a set of their latest offerings from the TW757 “Tour World” collection. There’s not a better looking or performing forged iron available in my opinion. Take a look at the TW757 collection here and see for yourself, then schedule a fitting for the ultimate experience!

Golf Forever

GOLF FOREVER is the first digital program to bring together biomechanical and medical expertise with a customized program for your body. Our team of certified professionals will safely guide you every step of the way, giving you complete confidence every time you log in.

Whether you rarely exercise or work out on a daily basis, this program has been designed to help you play your best and feel your best, both on and off the course. As I get older, I have noticed my swing slowing down and as a result I’m losing distance. I signed up with Golf Forever to rebuild some of the strength I’ve lost and regain flexibility to remain competitive at golf well into my 50s, and for my overall fitness as well. It just helps me to know I’ll be targeting my golf game specifically. The program has had some notable PGA Pros get on board too. Most notably Scotty Scheffler, the #1 ranked player in the world!

Take a look at what the program has to offer on their website – www.golfforever.com
June 14, 2022
First Look: Honma T//World 757 Collection

Honma has been one of our favorite brands for a while now. What’s not to like abut premium forged Japanese steel? While they aren’t the most well known brand in the USA, they are a market leader in Asia, and have been in the golf business for over 60 years. Honma’s Tour World (TW) collection are designed for Honma’s tour staff, low to mid handicap players and people that prefer a more traditional look and feel. The new TW 757 collection continues their legacy of amazing looking and performing clubs, and I can’t wait to get my hands on them and try them out. Without further delay, let’s let Honma’s marketing team fill you in on the new stuff with the press release below:

Honma Golf Announces New T//World TW757 Collection

Created in Honma’s renowned Sakata, Japan Design Studio, and paired with the hand-rolled VIZARD graphite shafts, the artfully designed TW757 line is set to make its way into the bags of Tour Professionals and aspiring players around the globe.

“We are extremely excited to get the long-awaited T//World 757 line in the hands of golfers across North America,” says COO of Honma North America, Janeann Lanning. “It’s a handsome product line loaded with performance-improving characteristics. The use of carbon in these two new driver models helps produce exceptional speed that’s going to catch a lot of people’s attention. And the three new iron models — built for mid to low handicappers — perform brilliantly in their respective categories.”

To learn more, visit https://us.honmagolf.com/collections/tworld.

DRIVERS

GOLF’S FIRST CARBON SLOT: The TW757 Driver features a new, patent-pending “Carbon Slot” to activate and optimize the performance of the lower half of the face at impact. By using a thinner layer of titanium, which is supported by a lighter and more responsive carbon insert, TW757 Drivers deliver higher launch conditions and lower spin to maximize distance, while yielding the highest initial ball speed in Honma Golf’s history.

Ti-CARBON FAST FRAME

Coupled with the Carbon Slot, the TW757’s Carbon Crown further increases discretionary weight savings, enabling low-deep CG placement in tandem with a Keel Sole design first used in the Honma GS line, and now enhanced in the new TW757’s high MOI 6-4 Titanium body.

Honma engineers also added two thick and long crown ribs to maintain rigidity around the clubface in conjunction with Honma’s unique, variable thickness, vertical groove clubface to transfer energy more efficiently at impact to maximize ball-speed. As an added benefit, the carbon elements of the TW757 also help to optimize the sound and feel preferred by better players around the world, a hallmark of Honma T//World products.

TWO DRIVERS FOR OPTIMAL BALL FLIGHT – D and S

The TW757 line is a custom fit dream, offering two distinctly different drivers, each specifically designed to cover a wide array of ball flight preferences. Both drivers come in 9° and 10.5° and are adjustable for loft (+/- 1°) and face-angle (+/- 1.5°) via Honma’s P-SAT Sleeve and torque wrench.

The modern 460CC D Driver has two weight-ports in the sole, one each in the back-heel and front-toe for “Directional Control.” Placing the 9gr. weight in the back-heel will create a higher launching draw-bias, and for players looking for a flatter and more fade-biased ball-flight, simply move the heavier 9gr. weight into the front-toe weight port.

The traditional pear-shaped 450CC S Driver also has two weight-ports strategically located in the front and back of the sole for “Spin and Stability.” Placing the heavier 9gr. weight to the rear of the head creates higher launch conditions and increased MOI, while moving the heavier weight forward, the additional mass behind the sweet-spot creates a flatter trajectory with lower spin for hot ball-flight.

Both D and S models come standard with 9gr. and 3gr. weights, however weights are also available in 6gr., 12gr. and 15gr.

P-SAT (Precision Spine Alignment Technology) Sleeve and Non-Rotational Hosel System

Proprietary to Honma, the P-SAT sleeve and hosel system allows Honma VIZARD shafts to keep the shaft’s spine, as well as shaft graphics and grip markings consistently aligned, while not sacrificing the ability to adjust the TW757 driver for both loft and face-angle to optimize ball-flight.

All graphite shafts naturally have a slightly harder side or “spine,” which is created during the manufacturing process; hence all shafts are not always created or perform equal.

As a result, all Vizard shafts are factory tested during the quality control process so that the spine can be isolated and correspondingly marked in the 6 o’clock position, which helps to mitigate downward shaft deflection through impact, leading to more consistent strike patterns.

Retail pricing for Honma’s new TW757 D and S drivers starts at $719 and varies based on customizations and shaft selection.

FAIRWAYS AND HYBRIDS

Classically styled with a player approved compact footprint, the TW757 fairway woods and hybrids provide everything the player demands, and nothing they don’t.

All models feature a sole slot for higher launch and added speed and are built with an SUS630 stainless steel body paired with a 455-carpenter steel face. These premium materials also support a new Vertical Slot Face Insert to more effectively manage both centered and mishit shots alike.

In the lower lofted models, the TW757 3-Wood features a carbon crown to save weight and to generate higher launch conditions. While a cup face insert design in the 3-Wood and #3 Utility also helps increase initial ball speed to help players get home in two.

Playable from a variety of lies, the TW757 Fairway Woods and Hybrids/Utilities are designed with progressive internal sole weighting to generate consistently long carry distances. As an added benefit, the Fairway Woods feature an adjustable sole weight to fine-tune swing weight.

Retail pricing for Honma’s new TW757 Fairways starts at $415 and varies based on customizations and shaft selection. TW757 Hybrids retail for $350 with custom shaft options available for a slight upcharge.

IRONS: Three models of the tour driven TW757 irons meet the needs of the best players.

P Irons

The multi-material TW757P Player’s Distance irons are designed for players in pursuit of consistent distance and added control, while still demanding the look and feel of a traditional iron only Honma’s experienced Takumi (Master Craftsmen) can deliver.

Inlaid 12gr. Tungsten sole weights along with an undercut pocket cavity creates a low-and-deep CG in a relatively compact iron, which generates high trajectory in conjunction with a modern spec loft package.

The steel body also houses a 6gr. toe-weight to precisely center the sweet-spot, and a 2.2mm thin L-cup face insert generates consistently fast ball speed across the face for the better player looking for added distance with a measure of forgiveness. Honma’s new P irons retail for $1,272 (5–PW) in NS950 NEO steel shafts and $1,392 with Vizard TW757 graphite shafts.

Vx Irons

Forged from the softest premium S20C carbon steel, the TW757Vx Iron is a true players iron. The beautiful, tour-approved address profile in the one-piece cavity back forging features a 7gr. tungsten weight in the toe. The tungsten toe-weight serves to pull the CG towards the dead-center of the face (#4–#8 iron) for consistency throughout the bag. Optimal heel and toe weighting inside the cavity reduces energy loss on off-center hits, and generates high launch windows, with optimal spin and exquisite feel Honma T//World irons are known for. Honma’s new Vx irons retail for $1,272 (5–PW) in TW757 Modus Tour 105 steel shafts and $1,500 with Vizard TW757 IB-WF composite-material shafts.

B Irons

The TW757B is Honma’s advanced next-gen muscle back blade design. Featuring a thin top-line in a traditional-shaped blade, ideal CG placement is achieved by inserting a 7gr. Tungsten weight and resin insert into a strategically placed port in the toe (#3–#7 iron). With additional material removed to lighten the heel to further optimize CG placement, the TW757B iron presents an ideal balance of performance and feel to let the best players in the world dictate their preferred trajectory and distance control. Honma Takumi have crafted the TW757 blades from the softest 8620 carbon steel for the ultimate in player feedback with tighter tolerances than any previous muscle back blades in the company’s history.

Honma’s new TW757 B irons retail for $1,272 with TW757 Dynamic Gold Steel shafts.

VIZARD SHAFTS, MADE IN JAPAN, SAKATA

The exclusive VIZARD for 757 50 Shaft was holistically designed to synergize the TW757 Driver and Fairway Woods from grip to tip. The strong mid-section in conjunction with a sub 5.0° torque value stabilizes club delivery and maximizes energy transfer at impact, while a softer tip provides for high launch and optimal spin. This versatile shaft has a smooth feel and is playable for a wide variety of players looking for a premium ultra-lightweight shaft. As with all VIZARD shafts, this proprietary shaft is spine aligned at 6 o’clock for added stability and Made in Japan.

To complement the standard VIZARD for 757 50 Shaft, Honma produces some of the very best shafts in the world for players looking to take their game to the next level through Sakata’s world-renowned Custom Department. Produced in-house in Honma’s Sakata factory to the industry’s tightest tolerances, the VIZARD MA, MP, FZ and Platinum hold their own on professional tours around the world.

VIZARD MA is designed for High Trajectory and Mid Spin. Well suited for players who prefer a firmer handle or tend to have a descending attack angle or struggle to release the golf club, the VIZARD MA features Ni-Ti alloy for shape retention in the tip-section to allow for higher launch and easy release while still maintaining ample control. Offered in 40-, 50-, 60-, and 70-gram weight classes.

VIZARD MP is built for the player with a neutral delivery looking for a shaft offering High Launch and Low Spin in a smooth feeling shaft. This shaft’s slight draw bias is achieved by extensive layering of ultra-high strength TORAYCA^® T1100G materials to provide stability and feel in this popular custom shaft. Offered in 40-, 50-, 60-, and 70-gram weight classes.

VIZARD FZ was born to accommodate the strongest swings on tour and is now available to players around the world. The rigid tip-section of the FZ shaft is created by layering the high-strength and elastic TORAYCA M40X carbon fiber material in the tip area. This shaft creates a mid-launch condition and very low spin. Offered in 50-, 60-, and 70-gram weight classes.

VIZARD PT (Platinum) is an exciting new concept in ultra-premium custom shafts that helps players maximize clubhead speed. This shaft contains ultra-elastic carbon TORAYCAM40X in the bias layer for added tip reinforcement, and the ultra-high strength and elastic TORAYCAT1100G in all layers. This unique shaft features a stiff tip and butt section with very low torque, paired with an active mid-section to help increase swing speed. Offered in 40-, 50-, and 60-gr. weight classes in a single uniflex profile targeted at players with current clubhead speeds of 82–116 mph.

About Honma Golf

Honma is a prestigious and iconic golf brand. Founded in 1959, the Company utilizes the latest innovative technologies and traditional Japanese craftsmanship to provide golfers across the globe with premium, high-tech, and top-performing golf clubs with state-of-the-art heads and proprietary shafts built by master artisans to perform together holistically. Renowned for creating the world’s highest quality and most beautiful clubs, Honma offers equipment (including balls, apparel, and accessories) to fit all golfers, with the families aligned to suit the preferences and abilities of various segments of golfers: the world-renowned “Ultra-Premium” BERES luxury line and the Tour-validated “Premium Performance” T//World TW757 and game improvement GS lines. The premium club manufacturer and lifestyle brand was founded inside a small Yokohama workshop six decades ago and now holistically designs all products in Sakata, Japan. Honma operates as the only company that handles every step from design to final production in-house to create the highest-quality golf products on the market today. Honma’s products are sold in approximately 50 countries worldwide, primarily in Asia and across North America, Europe, and other regions. To learn more, visit https://us.honmagolf.com

April 7, 2022
12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide – Day 1 – Honma TR20 Driver

Normally the 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6, but for our purposes it will begin today – 12/10/2020 – Which is also the first day of Hanukkah.

Let’s get right to it on day 1 with the first gift suggestion – The awesome TR20 driver from Honma Golf. I’ve been testing and tweaking the setup on my Honma TR20 driver for several months, but I believe I have it just about right now, and the results have been worth it. I’ve see measurable increases in ball speed and distance since putting the Honma TR20 in my bag. We’re not talking huge gains here, but I have picked up 3-6 yards on most tee shots and in drier conditions I’ve seen 10-12 more yards due to reduced spin.

Honma is a respected Japanese brand that has been making premium golf clubs since the 1950s. They entered the US market a few years ago with some fanfare and a focus on custom fitting. Potential customers are looking at spending several thousand dollars for a custom fit full set of clubs, but the price can skyrocket into the tens of thousands with their ultra-premium Beres 5-star line of clubs. The TR20 line fits into what is Honma’s “better player” segment. The TR stands for Tour Release, and from the look alone these clubs are designed to appeal to better players and traditionalists.

The TR20 driver uses more carbon fiber than anything else on the market and comes in a 460cc and 420cc sized heads, with several proprietary VIZARD shafts available to fit almost everybody. I was fitted for the 460cc driver with a VIZARD FD-7 shaft. After initial testing it turned out to be too weak for me, so I went to True Spec Golf and got fitted for and upgraded with a new shaft from TPT Golf called the 15 Lo, which is a heavier (79g), low spin, low launch shaft meant for stronger swingers. I’m right on the cusp between the stiff and X flex so i went with the X.

The Honma TR20 has a classic shape and their expert marriage of carbon fiber and titanium has resulted in what I think is a truly stunning and beautiful golf club. he traditional profile and lack of alignment marks harkens back to the glory years of hand shaped persimmon wood drivers, and Honma certainly built plenty of those.

One of the the reasons that proper fitting is important with these clubs is because you don’t want to spend the kind of money you’ll be spending for a Honma and not get the most out of them. This driver retails for $699 ($749 with the VIZARD FD-7 shaft) and with the $499 custom TPT 15 Lo shaft I had installed by True Spec, this is the single most most expensive club I’ve ever owned. For those on your list that demand the best, most unique and exotic Japanese craftsmanship without sacrificing performance, I highly recommend visiting a Honma fitting center soon!

December 10, 2020
Honma Fitting Experience at Orlando’s Reunion Resort
Orlando is a great place for golf, with great weather year-round and plenty of great courses to choose from. The central florida region has everything from inexpensive public courses to high-end resorts and ultra-private country clubs. Many of the world’s best professional golfers also make central Florida home, which has had a ripple effect by attracting many aspiring young players to the area, along with several big-name teaching pros like David Leadbetter, Brad Brewer, Mike Bender, Brain Mogg, Sean Foley, Gary Gilchrist and others.

With such a wealth of great courses, good players and top notch instruction, it also makes sense that some of the best club fitters would be hanging around the Orlando area.

Fitting has become much more popular in recent years due to the advancement of launch monitor technology, adjustability of golf clubs and the relative lack of technological innovation because of the USGA limits for golf club performance. To get the most out of that fancy new driver, it’s very important to get fitted for the right shaft and club head for your swing.

Honma Golf: Japanese Artistry & Precision

Since 1959, the Honma name and logo have been synonymous with quality, performance and legendary craftsmanship. These days technology seems to be a top priority for many golf club manufacturers, but few companies are able to deliver innovative technology while still making a beautiful looking golf club like Honma can.

Honma is perhaps best known for their opulent BERES models with ranks from 2-star to 5-star, which denotes the level of “bling” built into the club and the experience level of the master takumi (Japanese for artisan) that build the clubs by hand in Sakata, Japan for each buyer. The 5-star Beres woods and irons have features like 24-karat gold accents, gold flake in the shaft’s paint and platinum ferrule rings. The Honma Beres 5-star driver retails for $4500 and complete sets with hand-stitched ostrich bag retail for as much as $70,000.
Club Fitting The Honma Way

It’s one thing to put your game in the hands of a guy that works at a big box retail store, but if you are going to invest time and money into a new set of clubs from a company like Honma, why not put your trust in someone that knows the equipment and the golf swing better than most?

This is why Honma Golf has invested in the US market by opening several new fitting centers located in world-class destinations to provide expert, one-on-one fittings for their clubs. One such fitting center is located at the fantastic Reunion Resort near Disney World and just outside Orlando.

Reunion Resort is the only golf facility in the world with courses designed by Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. The Honma Fitting Experience takes place in a private, secluded indoor/outdoor setting at the back of the range using high-tech Foresight GC Quad launch monitors under the watchful eye of PGA Professional Dick Smith, Jr.

The fitting center has the entire range of Honma drivers, fairways, hybrids, irons and wedges along with a full matrix of proprietary and custom third-party shafts available. In other words, every possible head & shaft combination is available to you at the Honma Fitting Experience.

Honma has a rich history in golf, and they take full advantage of the opportunity to show off a bit at this beautiful facility with a showroom full of high-end limited release merchandise and a cool, nostalgic display of some memorable Honma clubs from yesteryear. No expense was spared in making your fitting for Honma clubs a worthwhile and enjoyable experience. Check out the video below and see for yourself!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU15RabEggI

Pricing & How to Book

The Honma fitting experience is on par with most other high-end fitters in the area. Driver fittings cost $150 and a full bag fitting is $350. Fees for fairway & hybrids, wedges or irons range from $100 to $200.

Interested in booking a fitting for yourself? It’s easy. Just visit this website and schedule your fitting online, or call (856) 237-4134
May 12, 2020
WITB – May 2019
It has been almost two years since my last “What’s in the Bag” post, so I thought I would update things with a new post since there have been several big changes in my bag for 2019. The golf industry changes fast, and there is always something new and exciting coming out. It’s tempting to want to get the latest and greatest driver, putter or wedges. Those are the clubs most golfers change out the most.

What’s In The Bag?

I’m an endless tinkerer and like to change things up if I think it’ll help me gain an edge or snap me out of a funk. However, sometimes frequent club changes can be a detriment and lead to inconsistency. One of the clubs that used to change most often in my bag was the putter, but since October 2017 that hasn’t been the case. In fact, only 4 clubs are still in my bag since the last WITB in June of 2017.

Driver – PING G410 Plus

I’ve been playing PING drivers exclusively since 2014 and have upgraded to every new model that has come out since then. I just replaced the awesome G400 LST driver with the new PING G410 Plus. This is a minor upgrade as I only switched out the club head. I continue to use the PING Tour 80x shaft that I got with the G driver in 2016 and used with the G400 also. The shaft is heavy, stable and consistent. I’m actively searching for an after-market shaft that is 15-20 grams lighter to see if I can pick up some distance.

With the G410 Plus driver, I’m back to my standard 9-degree loft after experimenting for two seasons with the 10-degree head in the G400 that produced more spin, higher ball flight, and more carry. I gave up about 6 to 8 yards of distance but probably gained a bit of accuracy with the 10-degree lofted driver.

3-Wood – PING G400

In February of 2018, I went down to Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida for a fitting with the mad scientists from True Spec Golf. My mission was a difficult one for me, as I had been searching for years: Find the perfect 3-wood. Under the watchful eye of an expert club fitting specialist and a Trackman launch monitor, I hit fairways from almost a dozen manufacturers. Once we settled on the right club, we started testing shafts to arrive at a head & shaft combo that performed the best. The winner was a PING G400 3-wood (14.5 degrees turned down to 13.9) fitted with a Fujikura ATMOS Tour Spec 80x shaft. Finally, I found a new fairway wood that totally was dialed in for me. With the new 3-wood, my spin rates went down, launch angles went up and I gained over 10 yards! #ClubFittingMatters

Hybrid & Long Irons
No changes here – I’m still gaming the awesome Srixon Z H45 2-hybrid and Srixon Z U45 3-utility (20) and 4-utility (23) from late 2014. All are fitted with Aerotech shafts; the 2-hybrid has the Aerotech HLS880 and the long irons have the Aerotech Steelfiber i110cw shafts. Because I carry four wedges, bagging all three of these clubs usually puts me over the 14 club limit so the odd man out is usually the Srixon Z H45 2-hybrid, but that may vary depending on the course and conditions. For casual rounds on weekends or tournament practice rounds, I’ll often carry all three.

Irons (5-PW)
There aren’t many clubs on the market that look as good and perform as well as the Srixon Z745 forged cavity back irons I got back in 2015. After three years in the bag, I was still very happy with them, so it would take something special to replace them. As it turns out, something special came along in the form of the gorgeous Honma Tour World 737vn irons. They sat in the garage for almost 6 months before I finally made the decision to reshaft them with my preferred shaft – Aerotech Steelfiber i95cw shafts. Once I did, there was no way I wasn’t going to game these amazing Japanese forged irons. So far so good.

Wedges
My trusty but aging SCOR 50-degree gap wedge I got back in 2012 (part of a 5-club set) is probably the best club in my bag. That gap wedge is almost solely responsible for my 2017 WAGC National Championship win. I used it on the last three holes of the 54-hole tournament by getting up and down for par from 125 on #16, chipping to 2.5 feet for birdie on #17 and hitting it to 8 feet from 118 yards to birdie the final hole and win by a shot. Most recently I used it to play the final 3 holes in 3-under to win the North Florida regional qualifier for the Tour by Under Armor.

It has only been a few months, but I replaced the very reliable Hopkins 54 and 60-degree wedges I had for several years recently with Honma TW-W forged wedges in 56 (bent to 55) and 60-degree lofts. The 60-degree Honma wedge, in particular, is fantastic for almost every shot inside 95 yards. The aggressive toe and heel relief allows me to open it up and play flop shots with ease, hit the “crowd pleaser” pitch shots that spin hard or land it soft with good distance control from 50-95 yards.

However – I’m really struggling on bunker shots with the Honma wedges. My previous Hopkins 60-degree wedge had a channel sole grind with tons of bounce on open-faced shots, making it perfect for the deep Bermuda rough and soft sand bunkers we have down here in Florida. The new Honma 60-degree wedge has very little bounce by comparison, and that is making my bunker shots dig into the sand. I’ll have to practice a little with it and shallow out my bunker swing to make it work.

Putter – Scotty Cameron Futura 5W

The Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Notchback Dual Balance putter I had in the bag for most of 2017 is gone. It never made the trip back from the 2017 World Amateur Golfers Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. When you putt as poorly as I did during that tournament, you have to take it out on the putter, so I did. It now resides at the bottom of a lake at the Mines Resort & Club that used to be the largest open cast tin mine in the world.

My new flat stick is the putter I should have bought in the first place instead of that Newport Notchback that doesn’t float. It’s the Scotty Cameron Futura 5W. This mallet has been my gamer since December 2017 and was made even better with an upgrade to the innovative Stability Shaft from Breakthrough Golf Technologies in October of 2018. This specialized graphite shaft improves feel, launches the ball lower (yes, that matters in putting also) and rolls the ball more consistently. It’s fitted with the ubiquitous Super Stroke Mid-Slim 2.0 grip.

Golf Ball

A few years ago when I published my last WITB, I had just received a shipment of 28 dozen Bridgestone B330 golf balls. After giving away several dozen to friends and playing the ball for over two years, I finally ran out a few months after the new Bridgestone Tour B golf balls were released. I was fitted for the new Bridgestone Tour B X golf ball but wanted to try something softer, so I switched to the Taylor Made TP5 for a while, then fell in love with the Callaway Chrome Soft. It feels fantastic from tee to green, performs well in windy conditions, and the variety of crazy colors and unique patterns available is awesome. However, the Chrome Soft may not be ideally matched for my game. On full swings, I may tend to overcompress it a bit and lose distance over the higher compression Bridgestone Tour B X. Plus, every now and then I’ll nip a wedge shot just right and spin the ball back 20 feet on the green. Most of the time that means watching as a good shot spins further away from the hole. Too much spin on wedge shots is not ideal.

Distance Measuring Devices
My current laser rangefinder of choice is the excellent Bushnell Pro X2 that was the flagship model from Bushnell until the new Pro XE was released a few months ago. It has a bright red display, acquires targets fast, measures accurately and the battery life is excellent. You can turn on or off the non-USGA conforming slope function with a simple switch on the side of the unit. I have mine wrapped with a magnetic strap from Monument Golf.

When playing tournament golf or a course I’m unfamiliar with I like to supplement a laser rangefinder with a GPS device to measure distances to bunkers, fairways that run out and doglegs. I also like to have not only the distance to the pin but to the front or back of the green depending on the pin location. For several years I’ve used the Sky Caddie TOUCH and it works flawlessly. It’s lightweight and provides plenty of information. Sky Golf maps out courses themselves and in many cases, they give you much more information than other golf GPS devices.

This year I have replaced the trusty Sky Caddie TOUCH with their new flagship model – The Sky Caddie SX500. This thing is about the same size as a large smartphone with a big, bright and responsive touchscreen. While the size annoyingly prevents it from fitting in many golf cart cup holders, the large screen makes it easy to see the hole maps and the screen is easy to manipulate with changing modes or moving the cursor around to measure different targets. Battery life is amazing too. I used it recently after fully charging it overnight, and the battery was still at 89% after 18 holes and over 4 hours. Simply put – The Sky Caddie SX500 is my new go-to golf GPS.

Must-Have Accessories
There are a few oft-overlooked items that I can’t live without, like the little EZ Brush to clean my clubs. This small wire brush is conveniently spring loaded on a retractable cable and extends up to 30 inches. It simply gets the job done without being a nuisance and keeps my clubs clean.

I’m also kind of a snob when it comes to tees. I love the Epoch tees from Evolve Golf and I got a 300-count bag of their special USA themed tees before going over to Malaysia in 2017 to compete in the World Amateur Golfers Championship for Team USA. They also made a great gift for players from other countries that gladly snatched them up.

Finally, what would a good WITB post be without the bag itself? Every now and then I use my huge Burton USA Staff Bag from the WAGC, but for the most part, I stick with my trusty Sun Mountain 4.5LS stand bag. It’s on the large end for a carry bag, but is still pretty light and holds everything I need and more. Since I’m riding a golf cart 95% of the time, weight isn’t much of an issue for me. The 4.5LS also had features that make it perfect for golf carts like a flat bottom, lockable legs and a cart strap pass through.

What’s Next?

There will be a few changes coming in the next few months as I get ready for my next big event – The Tour sponsored by Under Armor’s National Championship in Ocean City, Maryland in June.

The first change may be my golf ball. As I mentioned before, while I love the Callaway Chrome Soft’s great feel, wild patterns, and bright colors, it is not perfect for my game. It spins a bit too much on wedge shots and flies shorter off the tee than the ball I was fitted for – The Bridgestone Tour B X. I’ll be considering a switch back to Bridgestone in the near future.

The guys at MyGolfSpy.com recently confirmed my suspicions with some interesting ball testing results. According to their robot testing with a driver at 115mph, on average the Chrome Soft flies 12 yards less than the Tour B X. I would be giving up some feel around the greens and going back to a boring white golf ball, but I could be hitting one less club into the greens and that can make a big difference over the course of 18 holes.

As far as club upgrades, my wish list includes a new hybrid from the Tour Edge Exotics CBX line. The latest model is the CBX 119 and they are very hot on the PGA Tour Champions right now. I haven’t decided what loft to go for yet since they make every loft from 16 to 20 and a 22.

My wedges are in a constant state of flux these days. I love the new Honma wedges that are currently in the bag, but the lob wedge and I aren’t getting along in the bunkers so I may switch back to the Hopkins 60-degree. Heck, I may even get nostalgic and put the old SCOR 54 and 58-degree wedges back in the back to accompany the SCOR 50-degree gap wedge. Time will tell!
April 30, 2019
15 Ways To Make Dad Happy On Father’s Day

This year Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 18th in the United States and if you are reading this there’s a good chance your father plays golf and you are looking for gift suggestions. Heck, you may even be a father looking for ideas of what to drop hints to your family about. Either way, we’ve compiled an extensive list of no less than 15 gifts in all price ranges that we think will make your father very happy. Happy shopping!

Tattoo Golf – Your dad may not be as cool as he once was, but dress him in some slick duds from Tattoo Golf and he’ll look like a badass again. Tattoo Golf doesn’t care what the dress code at your club is, and they don’t care about your boring khakis either. They like skulls, and they like showing them off. Deal with it. https://www.tattoogolf.com

Nexbelt – One of the originals in the “belts without holes” category, Nexbelt makes high quality belts for all occasions. They have a belt and buckle combo for just about everybody. For Father’s Day, use promo code DAD20 get 20% off your entire order! https://www.nexbelt.com

Royal & Awesome – Another company that takes subtlety and punches it in the face – Royal & Awesome makes golf trousers, shorts, shirts, hats and accessories for the golfer that wants to make a bold statement. Their wild and colorful patterns will certainly turn heads, and if you think playing golf in these is offensive, maybe you should just take up tennis. http://www.royalandawesome.com/mens

Ecco Cage Pro BOA – Regular readers of the site know I’m a huge fan of Ecco. I think they make the most comfortable and best performing golf shoe in the world. The introduction of the Ecco Cage Pro BOA is further proof that Ecco isn’t fooling around. The new SPYDR-GRIP outsole doesn’t pick up grass and dirt as you walk, yet provides ample traction during the most violent of swings. The easy to use BOA closure system works better than traditional shoelaces and provides a more precise fit. https://us.ecco.com/golf/shoes

Honma Golf – Home of the $75,000 golf clubs, Honma also makes much more affordable clubs with their Tour World line that is played by most of Honma’s professional tour staff. As I’ve mentioned before, they are entering the US market with a bang and you’ll want to get on the train before it leaves the station. Their clubs are for real, and if your dad is a serious golfer he’ll appreciate these premium quality sticks. http://honmagolfusa.com

MLA Putters – MLA’s patented alignment technology is unique and innovative. Their putters are also well built, perform well and are gaining a foothold on the professional tours. The new Tour Series Black Edition putters take the line to a whole new level and look positively awesome. MLA stands for Multiple Line Activation in case you were wondering. https://www.mla.golf

Exotics EX10 Woods – Tour Edge has been making some of the hottest and best performing fairways for years, and to stay on top of the mountain in 2017 they’ve given us the new EX10 woods. Make no mistake, this is one serious fairway wood. In early testing so far, I’m seeing gains of 8-10 yards over my old steel headed 3-wood. The bottom line is – If you can’t hit the Exotics EX10 fairways, you can’t hit any. https://www.touredge.com/collections/fairways-1

Forte Golf Balls – Australians know quite a bit about golf. They have some of the best courses in the world and the country has produced generation after generation of world renowned golfers. It’s only natural then, that they would bring us a top notch golf ball. Iv’e been testing the Forte Tour Performance S golf ball and they perform on par with or better than any tour level ball from any of the big names. In my opinion it compares most to the Titleist ProV1 in terms of feel and spin. https://fortegolf.com.au

Volvik Vivid – If you wear pants from Royal & Awesome, you may as well complete your outfit with golf balls that are as bright and colorful as your pants! Enter the Volvik Vivid – The world’s first matte finish golf ball. The matte finish really makes these balls pop, and they are available in 7 colors too.

Lostgolfballs.com – If your dad’s divots sometimes go further than the shot and he sprays the ball all over creation, maybe you should consider buying his some gently used golf balls instead of spending the extra money on new ones. Lostgolfballs.com is the place to go for used balls in great condition for a fair price. https://www.lostgolfballs.com

Reks Optics – I discovered Reks a little while ago and after wearing their sunglasses for almost a year I can say with confidence that there’s no better combination of performance and value than what Reks is offering. Their glasses are comfortable to wear, perform great, look sharp, are virtually indestructible and carry a 24 month warranty. All this and you can buy 3 or 4 pairs for the price of one pair of those other overpriced brands. https://reksoptics.com

Golf Pride Align Grips – Golf grips are pretty boring, and nothing new and exciting has come along in grip technology since Winn grips over 10 years ago. Until this year when market leader Golf Pride introduced the MCC ALIGN grips. With a raised ridge down the spine of the grip serving as a reminder for consistent hand placement, the feedback is instant and positive. I highly recommend these grips, and I’ll be putting them on my clubs as soon as they are in stock again! https://www.golfpride.com/grips/mcc-align/

Frogger Latch-It Accessories – The 2017 Best Product award winner at the PGA Merchandise Show, Frogger’s innovative Latch-It ecosystem is my favorite new golf gadget. When it comes to being in control of all your devices and tools on the golf course, many have tried but all have failed – until now. Latch-It allows you to attach towels, range finders, phones, brushes and more to your bag, cart or belt and makes it easy. https://www.froggergolf.com/collections/latch-it-ecosystem

Bushnell X2 Pro Rangefinder – Bushnell is the most used range finder on the PGA Tour, and their new top of the line model is called the Pro X2. It is fully waterproof, accurate to 1/2 yard and ranges up to 1300 yards. Bushnell’s PinSeeker technology locks on to the flag and the device vibrates to let you know you’ve got the flag locked. The X2 Pro also allows golfers to turn the slope adjustment feature on of off to make it tournament legal. If you want one of the best rangefinders available, the Bushnell Pro X2 would be a good start. https://www.bushnellgolf.com/golf-laser-rangefinders/

SkyCaddie TOUCH GPS – If laser rangefinders aren’t Dad’s cup of tea and he prefers a GPS device, why not get him the best one out there? SkyCaddie has been leading the golf GPS market for years, and their flagship product is the SkyCaddie TOUCH. With a large color touchscreen and bluetooth connectivity for your phone and the SkyGolf 360 free app, the TOUCH has all the features you are looking for to help you navigate your way around the golf course. https://www.skygolf.com/products

June 9, 2017
2017 PGA Show – 6 Standout Products

For the golf industry, the biggest day of the new year arrived on Wednesday, January 25th with the opening of the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show. We walked around the massive Orange County Convention Center yesterday and took in all the sights and sounds. As one of my friends who was attending for the first time said as we walked into the main hall – “I’m in sensory overload right now!”

There are over 1000 exhibiting companies and over 40,000 attendees from 90 countries so it’s nearly impossible to see everything, but here are a few of the products and companies that got our attention and are making a buzz this year.

Tour Edge Exotics XJ1

Originally intended for the Japanese market, Tour Edge decided to bring their “Super metal” driver and fairways to the US market after the overwhelmingly positive feedback from testers. With a body made from lighter and more flexible 9-1-1 Titanium bonded to an amorphous Kevlar-carbon crown and paired with a 45 gram Fujikura Air Speeder shaft, the XJ1 driver is designed to perform best for golfers who swing under 100 mph, delivering higher ball speeds and more distance for slower swingers. I attended a private Tour Edge media event on Monday and the club is living up to the hype. The fairway woods may be even better. The heavy tungsten sole represents two thirds the weight of the club, placing the center of gravity very low and making them very easy to hit. Technology and performance come at a price however – The XJ1’s MSRP is $599 and the fairways retail for $449. Given Exotics’ reputation for making awesome clubs, they are going to be worth the price. Just ask anyone who has an Exotics driver or fairway wood in their bag.

Single Length Irons

If you haven’t heard about single length irons yet, you probably will this year, starting right here. The idea is simple. By making all your irons the same length (usually between 37.5 to 38.5″ long, or the length of a 6 or 7 iron) you will be more consistent because the setup position will be identical for every club. The concept was brought to national prominence by NCAA and US Amateur Champ and Bryson Dechambeau and he’s continued to use the single length irons on the PGA Tour after signing an endorsement deal with Cobra/Puma Golf. Naturally, Cobra is now marketing a set of single length irons, and so is the company Bryson’s original irons were made by – Edel Golf.

The concept is interesting and has its merits, but there are also a few drawbacks. Because the length and lie angle of every iron are identical, with only the loft changing, distance variation or gapping between clubs will shrink. If every club is the length of a six iron, that means you’ll hit your long irons shorter than normal and your short irons further than normal. I personally feel that transitioning from a 38.5″ pitching wedge to a 35″ sand wedge will prove challenging for many, but I’m hoping to have a chance to test the concept this season and report on the findings here!

Ouul Bags

Pronounced OWL, this new company produces light-weight golf bags and luggage with striking colors, patterns and designs. A particular favorite of mine is the Ouul Python Collection stand bags. They are super light weight but very sturdy, with handles around the top that make handling the bag so much easier when walking the course. The bags only weigh 2.7 pounds and come in ten different colors.

Honma

Honma is a Japanese manufacturer that has been around for over 50 years. While they’ve been well known in Japan for decades, they are just starting to make waves in North America. They made worldwide news recently when Japanese PM Shinzo Abe gave US President-elect Donald Trump a $3700 gold-colored Honma driver as a gift.

While speaking to him yesterday, Marketing, Media & Public Relations Manager Keith Patterson pointed out that Honma Golf enjoys 100% market share in the “over $50,000 golf clubs” segment. While this is funny, it’s also true. Honma makes a set that sells for $50,000 and includes graphite shafts infused with gold flakes, gold plated club heads and hand stitched golf bag.

While a $50,000 set of gold clubs makes for an interesting story, it’s important to note that Honma makes clubs for serious players also, and they are very, very good. I’ve been disappointed with Honma in the past, but the company culture has changed. With several new faces in the management team, a can-do attitude and contagious energy, they are entering the US market with a vengeance and the PGA Show floor is buzzing with excitement about their clubs. We’ll be bringing some in depth coverage to this brand in 2017, so keep an eye out!

Ecco Cage Pro SPYDR-GRIP

Ecco makes golf shoes that I think have the best combination of fit, durability, comfort and performance on the market. They continue to innovate and bring to market some of the best looking and best performing golf shoes in the world. For 2017, they have a new model called the ECCO CAGE PRO featuring a new SPYDA-GRIP sole with naturally placed pivot points for better traction and grip.

Hickies

For people like me that are lazy and hate tying shoes, you’ll want to take a look at the Hickies lacing system. Replacing your laces with the memory-fit elastomer Hickies lacing system turns any shoe into a slip-on. The stretchable Hickies help customize the fit of your shoes without much effort and they look cool too. Multiple color options allow you to customize the look of your golf shoes also. Hickies burst on the golf scene in 2016 when Danny Willett won the Masters wearing shoes laced with Hickies.

January 26, 2017
2015 PGA Show – Best New Clubs
Knuth Golf – High Heat Driver

We were in attendance at the madness that was the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show last week, and other than registering about 18,000 steps (8.5 miles) on the pedometer each day, we met many old friends and saw lots and lots of golf products in the more than 1 million square feet of exhibit space at the Orange County Convention Center. As always, some products stood out among the rest. Here’s a few of the golf clubs that caught our eye this year.

Best New Clubs
- Bridgestone J15 irons, J715 & J815 Drivers – Bridgestone hasn’t released any new clubs for a couple of years, but fans of the brand have plenty of options in 2015. Bridgestone golf has released two new drivers and five new iron models. The J15 muscle back, cavity back, driving forged, dual pocket forged and cast irons have something for every level of golfer from low handicap to beginner golfers. The J715 driver has a cleaner, more traditional look, while the J815 driver gives more forgiveness and higher launch angles.
Bridgestone J715 Driver
- Nike Vapor – 2015 brings some new offerings from Nike Golf as well. The new Vapor Speed, Vapor Pro and Vapor Flex drivers give every level of golfer a club fit for their game. The Vapor Flex is Tiger Woods’ model of choice, while the Vapor Pro is in Rory McIlroy’s bag, and the Vapor Speed is for the rest of us who need more help. Matching the drivers and fairway woods are three new Vapor iron models, similarly called Vapor Speed (more forgiveness), Vapor Pro Combo (Cavity back w/ feel & forgiveness), and the Vapor Pro (Small cavity back/blade for feel and workability) The Vapor Pro blades were one of the best new irons I tested, and are sure to be popular with better players that fancy the Nike brand.
Nike Vapor Irons
- Ben Hogan Golf – The biggest club story of the 2015 PGA Show was the re-birth of Ben Hogan Golf. Club designer Terry Koehler has not only given us a beautiful forged blade worthy of the Ben Hogan name, but his unique club fitting system is a much needed innovation for the modern game. Eschewing the traditional numbered iron set, the new Ben Hogan irons and wedges have the club’s loft stamped on the bottom instead. The new Ft. Worth 15 irons and TK 15 wedges combine to offer 44 clubs available with every loft from 20 degrees to 63. This allows golfers to tailor a set to their particular preferences for loft, distance gapping or personal tastes. For example, slower swingers may choose 4 or 5 degree gaps in their long irons as they tend to hit traditional long irons the same distance, or longer hitters may prefer smaller 3 degree gaps in their wedges to cover more yardages in the short game. With soft & surprisingly playable forged 1025 carbon steel heads in 44 different lofts and the most playable sole grind on any wedge available – V-Sole (Increased leading edge bounce, decreased trailing edge bounce creates a V- shaped sole) The new Ben Hogan irons and wedges are going to be a big hit. Even mid to high handicappers have praised the clubs for being easier to hit than anticipated for a forged blade.
Ben Hogan Ft. Worth Irons
- Callaway PM Grind Wedge – Phil Mickelson is one of the most influential players in golf. His long relationship with Callaway Golf has led to some interesting club designs and ideas over the years. One of the most recent ideas comes in the form of the new Mac Daddy PM Grind wedges. Wedge designer Roger Cleveland came up with this design at Phil’s request to help him hit high, soft shots around the greens. The wedge features a very high toe area and grooves that extend all the way across the face to the edges. It also has a scalloped sole grind and drill holes to remove weight. The wedge is so new that Callaway haven’t even put it on their website yet. Check out the scoop on PGATour.com here. It’ll be available in May with lofts of 56,58,60 and 64 degrees. Time to work on your flop shot!
Callaway Mac Daddy PM Grind Wedge
- Exotics E8 Woods – What is there to say about the legendary Exotics fairway woods? The best just keep getting better. The new E8, E8 Beta and E8 Tour fairways are as hot and easy to hit as ever. As usual, the Exotics E8 was the most versatile, best looking and best feeling fairway wood I hit at the PGA Demo day. Those wanting a higher launch and a bit more spin to get the ball airborne will favor the E8 (185 cc) , while those that prefer a smaller head and lower spin will gravitate to the E8 Beta (175 cc). The E8 Tour fairways complete the lineup with a compact head size (150cc) and a fancy new manufacturing process called 360 degree robotic laser beam bonding to ensure very precise tolerances. Adjustable hosels (E8 Tour) and weight kits allow for a custom fit, and a multitude of shaft options are available. Prices range from $249 to $399.
Tour Edge Exotics E8 Fairway
- Srixon Z745 – In 2015, the parent company for Srixon & Cleveland Golf (SRI Sports) has repositioned the Srixon brand at the head of the table behind the popularity of their Q-Star and Z-Star golf balls. This year Srixon has released an entirely new line of irons and woods. I’ve had a chance to spend some time testing the Z745 Driver, ZF45 Fairways and Z745 irons, and I’ve come out impressed. Srixon haven’t jumped on the gimmick bandwagon with these clubs. Even though they are modern clubs with hot faces and have adjustable hosels and interchangeable weights, the look and feel of the driver and fairway woods is clean and simple. No fancy paint scheme or alignment marks, no flashy colors or crazy shapes here, just a classic look and shape. The forged cavity back irons have a familiar look that better players and purists will appreciate, and the polished chrome finish on the back edge of the irons reflects the turf, making the club appear thinner at address. The forged feel is solid and delivers great feedback, as expected from a forged club, while providing enough forgiveness for mid handicap players. Higher handicap players may want to try the Z545 driver and irons, which are built with more forgiveness than the Z745 line.
Srixon Z745 Driver

Srixon Z745 Driver

Srixon Z745 Irons

Srixon Z745 Irons

Srixon Z745 Irons

Biggest Surprise
- Knuth Golf High Heat Driver – Perhaps the biggest surprise of the PGA Demo Day, Dean Knuth (Known by many as the “Pope of Slope” for his role in creating the USGA’s slope rating system for golf courses) has introduced a new improved version of the High Heat driver he originally created in 2007. The High Heat driver has the lowest CG (Center of Gravity) of any driver on the market, and the company claims that the low, deep CG also makes the driver more accurate on off center hits than any other driver. If you are among the majority of golfers that tend to make contact slightly off center and lower on the face, this is very good news. Even if you make consistent contact, you need to try this driver! Having hit the High Heat myself, I believe their their claims. The High Heat driver hits the ball very high, very far and very straight. Available with Fujikura and Aldila shafts. $399 direct – www.knuthgolf.com
Biggest Disappointment
- Honma Golf – The Japanese luxury club maker has a strong following in Asia for building top of the line, high performance clubs. If price was not a factor, Honma’s Tour World TW727 Driver, Fairways and TW727M forged blades might very well be in my bag. Being one of the few OEMs that manufacture their own shafts allows them tighter control over quality and the ability to make shafts specifically for their clubs. This advantage translates to better performance and more fitting options. However, given the price of their products they aren’t likely to become very popular in the USA or Europe anytime soon. Street price for the TW727 driver will be around $800 USD, and the irons typically sell for $275 per club ($2200 per set). There are other companies that sell premium priced clubs that compete with Honma, but sadly the elitist mentality and condescending looks I’ve gotten from the Honma reps at the PGA Show for the last several years has turned me off to the brand. Perhaps if I had a check in hand for $3000 I may have been treated better.
January 31, 2015