My JDM Story

By Henry

My first experience with Japanese golf equipment was back in the mid
1980's reading a short article in Golf Magazine about Jumbo Ozaki coming
to the Masters golf tournament and handing out a "magical" driver to
several players who were getting 20 extra yards of roll using his "J's
Professional Weapon". I was a young boy intrigued by this article. As a
good high school player, I was always a short hitter wanting extra
distance to keep up with my friends.

The problem was this "magical" driver was only available in Japan and
not available in the US markets. This was before the internet so there
was no possible way to order the driver without someone traveling to
Japan to actually buy it. The hunt was on! I called every relative of
mine asking if anyone was traveling to Japan. All I got were smiles
from my aunts and uncles telling me someday, I could travel to Japan and
buy the driver.

After spending weeks dreaming about this driver, my father told me he
had a business partner traveling to Japan and he would purchase the club
for me. After what seemed like an eternity, my father's business
associate finally returned with driver in hand. I remember Dad fuming
at me as the cost of the driver was $250 which was probably $150 more
than what a typical US driver cost at that time!

After ripping the bubble wrap off the head, I literally ran to my
driving range believing this magical club would generate that 20 extra
yards of roll I have been wishing for many years. First tee shot, duck
hook. Second tee shot, duck hook. I remember it was a different feeling
driver than I was playing with but after several rounds, I finally was
seeing a difference. Much more boring trajectory with much more roll
when hit correctly. I played with the driver for over 12 years until
Callaway came out with the Big Bertha driver.

Fast forward to 2005 when I was surfing the internet and came across
Tourspecgolf. After reading many forums about how wonderful Japanese
golf equipment was, it clicked! I remembered my "Professional Weapon "
and how great a club it was. Why did I ever switch? Finally getting the
connection my original "J" Driver was manufactured by Bridgestone, my
obvious choice was looking at the new Tourstage X- Drive 405.

Now in my late 30's, I was finally able to purchase this club with ease.
After arriving, it was like deja view all over again. Off came the
bubble wrap and driving like a maniac to my golf course, I teed it up
and it was a thing of beauty!! 270 yard perfect drive.

Since then, I have purchased nothing but Japan golf equipment. From my
Callaway ERC Hyper Driver to my Tourstage Viq forged irons and Zomo
putter, I will never return to domestic equipment. I truly believe the
quality and craftsmanship of this equipment is superior to anything
domestic. I have something special that very few people have or know
about. Some people call me crazy, I call myself a smart educated
consumer that knows a little bit more about golf equipment than most
people. Thank you Tourspecgolf!