One of the best ways to choose golf clubs is to see what others are playing and what is popular among your peers. Golf to Impress will start posting regular updates on sales numbers for all retail clubs sold at Japan retailers. We will post charts from several of the big publications in Japan including, Golf Digest Japan, Waggle, Alba, Golf Classic, Golf Today, Choice and other great sources. We will also be releasing performance rankings from TSG based on our own testing as well as feedback from customers and forum members.
This really gives a good idea on whats hot and the trends in golf gear. Keep in mind there are some differences between retail mainstream brands and premium boutique brands. Most media publications focus on the mainstream sales of big chain stores like Golf5 and Niki Golf while TSG’s ramkings include several high end premium brands that are not typically available at big retailers even in Japan. This is why you will see some differences when it comes to brand availability.
I started by posting up Alba’s Q1 2009 sales. As more info becomes available I will increase the frequency and probably post sales by month which can be more accurate as a hot driver that is released say in late March would not get the same sales recognition on a 3 month chart as one that got released in January.
Another point is that the Alba Charts seem to cater to the average/recreational golfer while the rankings at TSG show a strong focus towards the athlete and more serious player. Not a single blade made the Alba list and we have 2 models on the TSG Chart. A lot of the drivers on the Alba Chart are for slower swingers and slicers while the TSG Chart has several athlete models.
I hope that these numbers can help people in making the right golf club choices or if anything be of interest to the golf enthusiast.
The Rankings page will have their own permanent page right here: http://blog.tourspecgolf.com/golf-club-rankings/
Interesting post. A mag for the average golfer would be very useful.
Is it safe to say that the clubs that sell in Japan would probably not fit American golfers?
Not at all. Japanese golf clubs are made for all levels of players. But the truth is that the largest segment of golfers is the recreational and average golfer. Not all of us are pro level or single digit long drivers. And I believe that is the case in the US too. All the gear in Japan comes in many flexes and designs to fit many levels of players. If you need any help choosing, just drop us a line and we’d be glad to help!
I am an American golfer and I wouldn’t be enjoying the success I am if it wasn’t for Japanese made clubs. Of course everything I use is made specifically for the specs I want, but its the craftsmanship that is superior. In addition, none of the products I play are on the “favorites list” but they are favorites to me, TourStage 901 X-blades, Epon AF 1O1 and Technity 3 wood, G-Field putter. JDM is above all else in the golf world.