Adjustable drivers are all the rage and Honma Golf has decided to join the party. Honma announced the December release of the new Amazing Spec Perfect Switch Driver. The term Perfect Switch had already been used previously with their Perfect Switch putter where one could change the putter head/style depending on the greens or player’s putter stroke.

460 For Average, 440 For Athlete

The new Amazing Spec Perfect Switch Driver will be available in two models, a 460 Type and a 440 Type.  The 460 will feature a shallow back head and shallow face with deeper CG and higher MOI. The 460 will of course be aimed at the average golfer while the 440 is aimed at the better golfer with a high back head and deeper face.  The CG is moved forward in the head and is a touch higher meaning low spin and a more penetrating trajectory for the 440 Type. The 460 will be 45.5″ and the 440 45″ both sporting shafts specifically for each model.

Adjust the specs without rotating the shaft!

Now on to the important part, the Perfect Switch adjustable head which features what Honma dubs the Non-Rotating System.  Like FCT from Taylormade, the Perfect Switch can be adjusted for face angle, loft and lie.  There are Eight different positions the system can be set in not unlike TM’s FCT system. The key difference here is the Perfect switch makes the adjustments from the heel of the driver rather than rotating the sleeve and shaft like FCT. So using the supplied Wrench PLUS Socket, you can make any adjustments WITHOUT rotating the shaft hence the name Non-Rotating System. Honma believes this optimizes performance of the shaft by ensuring the shaft always stays in it’s optimal position which is with the shaft’s spine properly aligned no matter what setting is chosen on the driver.

Draw biased or Fade biased?

The so called dial or position indicator is broken into 4 points with in between settings as well. All the settings on the left position are fade biased while the right sided settings are draw biased.

As you can see from the above chart supplied by Honma, the drivers can be opened up to +1.5* or closed up to +1.5*.  Keep in mind these numbers are on top of the standard settings. The 460 Type has a standard .05* closed face meaning the most is 2.0* closed or 1.0* open. The 440 Type has a standard 0.5* open face meaning the most is 1.0* closed or 2.0* open.  Just to note as well the standard lie of the 460 is 59* while the 440 is 58*. Keep in mind as well like FCT, the loft is adjusted as well as a result of the other adjustments.

Different shaft depending on head…

So you can make all these settings without rotating the shaft meaning the shaft is always in its optimal position. What shafts are Honma offering? The 460 comes with a Perfect Switch 55 shaft, which is 55-57g depending on flex and mid torque with a mid kickpoint. The 440 comes with a Perfect Switch 65 shaft which is 65-68g and low torque and mid to high kickpoint for a lower trajectory.  These shafts are matched with the heads based on the head’s design, CG placement and intended launch. The 460 Type also has an option of a lightweight 50g ARMRQ 3 Star high carbon shaft as an upgrade.

Will Beres be adjustable as well?

Honma has already said this new Perfect Switch system in the new Amazing Spec system is a move away from Honma’s typical traditional thinking. They have decided that if the consumer and typical Honma customer embraces the Perfect Switch driver, they will consider moving this technology into their flagship Beres lineup.  It all sounds pretty cool and I’ve already asked for a demo to be sent over for some testing before the December 3rd launch. In the meantime, Honma has a video you can check out featuring the adjustments. Look out in the coming week for the new Amazing Spec pre order in the TSG pro shop or you can always email me now to pre order as well!

[flv:http://blog.tourspecgolf.com/videos/psdriver.flv 640 427]