My JDM Story

By alpha pro

It was 1997 at Ted Makalena golf course on the
west side of Oahu, I was about to swing a golf club
for the first time. How I got talked into going,
remains a mystery. I played with clubs from my friends
bag and remember hitting the ball fairly well.
unfortunately, nobody recorded my score. The next time
I would play would come a few years later and the game
would begin to mean alot more to me.

Fast forward to 2005, my good friend hands me his
first set of Lynx Parallax irons and another lets me
have a old Rhythm 1 wood that was about the size of a
hybrid. We head to Waikele for 9 holes. I remember a
particular hole where I hit a good drive in the
fairway and was left with 150 yards left to the green.
Naturally I pulled 7 iron, as it was my club for
every shot from the fairway. I then proceeded to hit a
decent shot that rolled onto the middle of the green.
The first thought that came to me was, “this game is
easy” , I then three putted for my first ever bogey. I
walked off disgruntled because I felt that after
playing mini golf for a long time, putting would
definitely be the strongest part of my game. I was
wrong, this was nothing like mini golf! Following that
day, the fixation followed, and an obsession grew.

Growing up, I was raised to take pride in everything
I do. Nothing set this in my mind as much as one of my
first jobs as a car stereo/alarm installer. I worked
for a guy who put so much effort in his work, he would
redo everything until it was perfect. He instilled his
methods into us every chance he had and It showed
later in multiple areas of my life. I like to think of
my bag, and the clubs in it, as a extension of myself.
Its something that I take pride in. The quality must
be top notch or I will redo it until it meets my
expectations. This goal would not be obtainable with
“off the rack” clubs from our local golf store. My
search began here.

After I started getting better, my appreciation for
better equipment grew as well. Knowing nothing about
the world of import golf clubs, my friend informed me
of Tour Spec Golf. I was unsure of what was good or
what would be good for me, all I knew was that I had
to ditch my old Titleist clubs for these superior
imports! I contacted Chris and asked a few questions.
About a week later, a G-Field Premium Zone #1 and a
GFT-SW , and a GFT-UT showed up at my door. The import
club fancy began as soon as the box was opened! The
next order was placed about a month later for a set of
Epon type J’s. The revolving door of import equipment
was now in full swing. I had boxes arriving every week
from Ebay and BST forums and quickly made friends with
my postman. I have tried so many clubs in the past
year and a half, I couldn't tell you off the top of my
head what exactly I have owned. Im sure alot of us
know the feeling.

With equipment, things can be bought, sold, and be
bought again. To me, Golf is also about the people you
play with, the people you meet, and the friendships
made. Thats what makes golf great. Now if you get a
group of people who appreciates golf equipment as much
as you do, you’ve just made friends for life!