The Birth of an Internet Golfer

By MHLY99

Like many people here, I have played golf since I was young. I remember the days when my dad took me to the course for the first time. The game interested me and I eventually played decent competitive golf in high school. I played casually through undergraduate and graduate school and like most non-competitive golfers, never understood much about proper fitting, tour issue, or JDM issue equipment.

Fast forward a few years. I decided to play golf again, this time seriously, as I enjoyed it and I was finished with my education. The problem was I had the same clubs from high school, Tommy Armour 845s . So I did what any living and breathing person would do, I googled for new golf equipment. What popped up on screen changed my life forever; I discovered golf communities and became what I call an “Internet Golfer.”

Let me explain, an “Internet Golfer” is a person who checks message boards 5 to 10 times a day and spends countless hours researching and reading reviews on heads, shafts, training aids, etc. before they actually purchase something. Often they spend more time on the board talking about golf than actually playing it. They read what is new and hot and kick themselves for missing out on a good deal in the BST sections. I admit, I am an “Internet Golfer” and I think there are many of us out there.

That leads me to how I discovered JDM equipment. I became a member of a popular board which we all know about that promotes “tour issue” equipment. I said to myself, sweet, I can play what the pros play. But I still kept saying there have to be other message boards about golf because I wanted to soak up as much information as I could. This led me to TSG.

Most of us know Japan is known for creating high tech, top of the line goods but I never understood there was such a dramatic difference in JDM equipment versus USDM equipment. From perusing the board, it was evident that JDM equipment was cutting edge and above most domestic equipment. I had to try some.

With my new knowledge, I carefully selected a Gauge Design Balde putter as my first JDM piece of equipment. I must say, the quality was what I expected from JDM. Seeing the new JDM equipment every year is like opening a present on Christmas. Our eyes get big and we go YAY!! I now understand how obsessed I have become and how important equipment is to my game mentally and physically.

Today, I play two JDM items in my bag, R7 forged irons and Epon wedges. I love both and firmly believe they make me a better golfer physically and mentally. I think many of us became JDM players because we are “Internet Golfers.” We want to play the best so we went looking for it. So the question arises, does anyone have an Epon 460 for sale?