Dummies Guide to Building Japanese Golf Clubs

By dav

Everybody knows that MIJ (Made In Japan) is synonymous with workmanship and quality.
They say imitation is the best form of flattery, you just have to look back in time at companies
trying to instill Japanese Culture onto their production lines, such as Toyota where their JIT
inventory system has been delivering consumers quality cars for decades. The Guitar
Manufacturing is another great example, in the early 60’s though to the late 70’s where more
expensive US made guitars where ‘copied’ by smaller Japanese companies with an increased
emphasis on workmanship and quality of materials used. Subsequently these guitars became
known as ‘Lawsuit’ guitars as the US giants such as Martin and Fender became increasing
worried that Japanese companies such as Ibanez and Takamine where producing arguably
better products at a quarter of the price so they sued them over very minor copyright
infringements. Today some of these ‘lawsuit’ guitars are worth more than the guitars they tried
to imitate, which is a testament to the Japanese manufacturers.

In my opinion the Japanese Golf Equipment industry is no different to that of the guitar
manufacturing industry in the ‘lawsuit’ era, they follow the same primary principles to
differentiate themselves in a industry where production lines are increasingly becoming more
like Nike’s sweatshops.

The recipe to making golf clubs like the Japanese.

1. Firstly you gather the finest skilled staff, you get staff with decades of experience
where making things is their passion. Perfectionists who see the products they make as
works of art something they would be proud to put their names on.

2. You gather the finest highest quality materials available, let cost be no barrier. Just look
at those Honmas’ with gold on them. This means sourcing materials from all over the
world, not just China!

3. You test and plan through constant R&D, Japanese craftsmen let their imagination’s
guide them nothing is impossible, vigorous testing and prototyping ensures that the
final product is to the satisfaction of manufacturers.

4. You build it and finish it like it is made for the Queen, the Japanese have handmade
production lines where time is no constraint this attention to detail will ultimately be
the judge of their success. Quality over Quantity! Handmade production lines allows
them to deliver exactly what the consumer wants, shafts, finishes, grinds and even
logos – ala the Mizuno Custom Shop. Straight from factory to shop the product is how
the manufacturer intended.

Golf is game where you can express yourself through your clothes, play and now clubs, JDM
equipment symbolizes quality and excellence. For the discerning golfer JDM equipment is just one
less thing to be on your mind in a sport where there is thousands variables that can ruin your fun, rest
assured JDM instills confidence.

There is always going to be a market for such high quality products, for those who only
deserve nothing but the best or those who simply will not settle for inferior products. Just like
my guitar (Takamine Lawsuit- so sweet!) I can safely say JDM Equipment is the best money
can buy. In a world of globalization it’s comforting to know that JDM equipment is available
to myself and fellow aficionados like those on TSG.