Last month’s Alba Tross View golf magazine covers the best selling gear so far in Japan for the first 3 months of the year. You will recognize many of the brands and models here including a mix of Japanese market and US market clubs (yes they sell these in Japan as well since we get the best of both worlds here).
Number one spot is occupied by Yamaha’s Inpres X 4.6D RPM driver. This makes a lot of sense to me as the Yamaha has traditionally done well among the largerst golfing group in Japan, the “average” golfer. The most common bad shot for the average golfer is of course the slice and the Yamaha Inpres 4.6D is here to help battle that slice. With multi X in face design for super forgiveness and feel, the driver is also geared towards a draw with its weight and face orientation. The RPM tag highlights the drivers low spin. So you get a forgiving, great feeling and low spin big carry driver that is made to go straight. Its now wonder it is the best selling driver in Japan not only now but also in previous years.
Number 2 is MacGregor Japan’s MacTec NV-R Type 1 Blue driver. I’d have to say MacTec has a bigger following in Japan than anywhere else in the rest of the world. MacTec continues to release its most advanced and up to date clubs in the Japanese market only. The NV-R Type 1 is one of two models simultaneously released by MacTec leading into 2009. The Type 1 Blue is again aimed at the average golfer with forgiveness and performance in mind. The Type II Red is a more traditional shaped driver aimed at the better player looking for more workability. The Type II Red is in 9th spot. Another key factor for the
Number 3 is Yamaha again with it’s Inpres X 4.6D Type S RPM. Forgiving like the standard model which holds first place, the difference is the Type S is made more for control and neutral to fade bias.
Number 4 is XXIO’s Revo driver. Last year’s XXIO driver was the Golf Digest Longest Driver winner. They made the Revo even more user friendly by increasing MOI and making the head even bigger and shallower with a very deep and low center of gravity for crazy forgiveness and carry.
Number 5 is the Titleist D903 which in Japan is also available with many of Japan’s top upgrade shafts.
Number 6 is Tourstage’s new X-drive GR Driver. This 450cc driver is aimed at the better player but is forgiving enough for the mid handicapper to play. Sold feel, low spin and a very pleasing shape make this a winner.
Rounding out the top 10 is the Taylormade Japan Burner PLUS at number 7. This is the highest launching highest MOI Burner ever. Number 8 is the all new Mizuno JPX E600 driver, forgiveness and performance again for the average golfer. At number 9 as mentioned earlier is the MacTec NV-R Type II Red and number 10, the ONOFF Red Driver.
A few newer drivers are also making waves. Released much later than the top 10 above, they are current hot pics that are sure to be in the 2nd quarter best sellers. The new Callaway Legacy Aero, high MOI, low spin and i-Mix availability plus the Taylormade Japan R9 Max 460cc Flight Control Technology Driver and the new Yonex NanoV Nextage are selling like hotcakes this month!
These results are really big evidence of the buying power of the average golfer for which most of these drivers match. They make up nearly 75% of Japanese golfers which is why many products will target this group.
Stay tuned for the best selling fairway woods!
And my driver, which I absolutely love, the Epon AF101 didn’t even make the list. With all the unreal JDM drivers out now, my head would be spinning if I was in the market for a new one. For those of you out there who are looking, HOW DO YOU DECIDE ON JUST ONE!
I have the Yamaha X 4.6V rpm which is considered their tour driver. I find it to be beast with the Ozik XCON5. In this setup it produces light draws that are longer than any driver I have owned. Feel is great and shots are controllable.