EMAIL

I've been eyeing this shoe since it's release,  It's the Mizuno Light Style #33 Limited Golf Shoe.  I have no idea what the 33 signifies but I like it's style none the less.  I have so many golf shoes and didn't need another but these must be my last pair for a while, right?...  I wanted something light that wasn't clunky and oversized and these seem to fit the bill just perfect.  It's the White x Grey x Red color.  The White x Black x Pink is pretty sexy too,  and the red well...eh that just isn't my style.

It's a spikeless design, made for lightweight and maximum comfort without sacrificing grip.  They feature Mizuno's parachute tab, IG Spikeless system, are breathable but also waterproof and use Mizuno's wave sole design.  They are EEE wide in size.  These are already in huge demand and the White x Grey x Red are currently on back order.  If you have interest shoot "This Link" for the sales listing.

 EMAIL

It's about time Epon released a new Tour Caddy Bag!  How long will it be before these sell out?  Every year Epon releases a limited tour caddy bag and it's gone within a couple of weeks.  In my opinion these are the most sexy caddy bags ever announced by the Big E.  I'm considering the purple for myself.  For those interested "click here" wait before you click I should warn you that these cost $560 bucks and that's before shipping.

This full sized limited bag is made of premium synthetic leather and features a 5.1kg weight and 9" opening. The Epon bag features a 3 point harness and comes in Orange, Purple, Black or Blue.  They call it the Global edition Tour Caddy Bag and notice how it says JAPAN FORGED on it instead of ENDO FORGED.  I like that..:)

 EMAIL

The New 2011 TourStage X-BLADE 905 CB Limited Edition Irons were first spotted at the Japan Golf Fair back in late February.  TSG immediately put the Pre-Sale up as we know the new TS limited irons would sell out quickly.  I had to wait for my sets one 905 Limited MB and CB until all customer orders will filled.  I finally got them in and I just can't wait to hit them.  Already TourStage is almost sold out.  They have only a few left as of today with NS950 only,  If you didn't jump on the presale you may want to do so now.

I have all sorts of idea's running through my head,  Do I go with a combo 4-8 in CB & 9-PW in MB? Should I give them a brushed satin look and change the paint fill and install Muziik Grips to match?   I'm Even considering Crazy 80T graphite shafts...  Things have been coming around lately for my golf game with the last 2 rounds in the low 80's and one 9 at 2 over.  It's almost a 10 stroke swing from where I was at almost a month ago.  Thank's Tatsuro Sensei for helping me sort out swing issues and thanks to Ryoma/Muziik for keeping me in the fairway and longer than ever!  I have the confidence that I could handle a Combo set, but should I?

Forged of S20C at Endo and backed by all the technology Bridgestone Golf could throw into these I consider the new 905CB the latest evolution of the ultimate players CB.  The next Generation MR-23CB if I could with hint's of the TS-201's in there yet in a much smaller more refined package.  The loft's are as close to semi traditional as one can be now days.  The 905 CB comes in with a PW at 46* while the MB 47*  Traditional set makeup is at 3-PW but I opted for 4-PW and will probobly only bag 5-PW as I use utility woods and a driving iron in place of the *4.

Above is a comparison image of the New 905 Limited Blade's sole next to the 905 Limited CB's.  I will be posting more comparisons shortly in the TSG Forum shortly.  Both irons have an extremely think top line with almost no offset.  The MB has less than the CB of course but heel to toe lengths and overall shapes are similar enough to make a great combo set.  Both are in NS950 with the same swing weights and I think that should work out good as the design produces a lower flight while the NS 950 will help get the ball up.  Below I have Images to share, please take your time and look through them.  Full written review + video coming early next week along with a profile post of the Muscle Back Tomorrow!

 EMAIL

Hi TSG'ers I wanted to post pictures of TSGirl (Jacque's) new car the 2011 Porsche Cayenne.  I took some nice pictures a few day's ago and wanted to post it as an out of bounds blog post here at GTI.   We traded in her 2008 ML350 4matic for this, it took a while to find one in the white/black color combo that she wanted.  It's not the Turbo Cayenne as she's not into racing or speed.  The power was plenty for her, maybe too much as it's got a heaps of pep.

Of course I couldn't leave it alone, I picked up some OEM Turbo II wheels for it and had lots of paint work done.  The  lower moldings, skid plate, and wing were painted same color as the body and all of the lights were very lightly tinted as well. It's the best bang for the buck taking a stock Cayenne to the next level.  There are a few things to consider as well. When the GTS model comes out a bumper swap and enhanced skid plate would be nice.

The car has been totally overhauled for the 2011 model year,  The exterior is all new aligned with other future porsche models like the new 991 (911) coming late 2012.  The interior has been completely redone as well featuring a center console like the Panamera and other new models will feature.  It's got more horse power, it's lighter, and  more space on the inside.  It looks smaller but the dimensions are a hair larger.  We got it with the optional 8-Speed Tiptronic made made in Japan.  Check out the video below, it shows how the Cayenne looked before the paint work and wheels were added.

 EMAIL

What makes the Ryoma D-1 so damn good?  I must admit I hopped aboard this bandwagon a bit late, I sat on the sidelines and watched while others posted what looked to be unbelievable distance gains matched with complete face forgiveness.  Was this hype? Could it be the infamous honeymoon period we know happens when you buy a new club?  It was my turn to find out...

In a nut shell what makes this driver such a monster is it's 60 gram power booster weight in the back.  Usually you see 10-15 grams in a driver, you heard me right 60g!  It pulls the center of gravity so far back low and deep in the head that it increases energy transfer to significant levels for the ultimate slingshot effect.

On top of that Ryoma utilizes something called "DSI" it stands for Deep Strong Impact and it's basically a one piece unibody produced of forged titanium.  It's a construction features a body that is only 0.35mm thick which is about half the thickness of current drivers on the market.  Some brand's get their crowns that thin but not the entire head.

To keep stability and structural integrity Ryoma has stabalized the inner frame. If your the technical type and need charts with specific information and diagrams please "click here" to view this listing.

All this technology creates a mid launch low spin driver.  It's Ryoma's opinion that mid launch with low spin creates the best angle of descent and the most run... plus in most cases the most stability and control.

On average people are gaining 10-15 yards, some even 20-30 yards and not in a sloppy whippy carry bomber kinda way but rather a controlled  intentional and piercing trajectory that's very accurate.  Sound to good to be true?  Right tell me about it, that's why I had to review it for myself...

Distance: I swing around 100 mph+ with a higher ball flight than most and that's why I opted for the 9.5 V-Spec.  I've hit what could be the longest drives of my life with this setup.  Ryoma 9.5 V-Spec w/Muzzik BangVoo Preium S-260 cpm I usually average about 240ish now I have been in the 260+ range.  It's what keeps me a float when playing with longer hitters. Longest driver I have ever hit.

Forgiveness: I'm totally gonna sound like a Ryoma fanboy now but it's forgiveness was phenomenal!  My mishits are usually near the heel, it really didnt make much of a difference where as with other drivers that would create a big fade or slice this one sailed straight with a tiny fade at the end.  Distance loss was minimal and I gotta attribute that to the 60g power booster it spreads that weight through the club head making the CG so deep and far back that it projects mass behind the entire face and impact zone. Most forgiving driver I have ever hit.

Feel: It's got a firm forged feel to it, I would definitely rank it in my top 5 best feeling drivers of all time.  I'm sure it's not the best I've hit but it's pretty darn outstanding.  I tend to gravitate to clubs like the Epon 460ZR, Kamui, and Crazy CRZ 460 when it comes to feel and I would put the Ryoma in that level of perfection at impact.  Listen to the sound in the video review coming up.

Trajectory/Dispersion: This is where it shines, I can hit most 9.5's high by teeing the ball up but with the Ryoma V-Spec it was medium all day.  I did get the ocassionally higher flight resulting in distance lost when hitting into the wind but with all variables like wind gone it was simply the perfect medium trajectory.  The ball dispersion was nice and tight and much of that I can attribute to the Muziik shaft as I do know the stock Ryoma shaft flew high and wild for me.  Very straight and very accurate was my result with a forward kick and lots of roll.  I repeat lot's of roll with this one when combined with the proper model shaft.  I'm always looking for a driver that provides the right trajectory on both windy and calm days.

Design: In the beginning I was honestly not a fan of its looks, but while in Japan I held a V-Spec and was surprised that the 60g power booster could not be seen from above. The black finish is highly durable, I've drop kicked this club a few times and where as other black drivers would scratch heavily this one didn't.  I keep going back to the 60g power booster and the stabilized unibody frame support within it's forged titanium head.  Something so obvious and overkill I'm surprised other golf club companies have not picked up on it.

All in all the Ryoma V-Spec has converted me, It sit's FIRMLY in my bag which is no easy feat as I have over a dozen of the hottest drivers with aftermarket shafts at my disposal.  I highly suggest this head and I highly suggest the Muziik BangVoo Premium shaft as well. It's a triple axis 70T carbon shaft that is VERY PREDICTABLE in the sub 70 gram weight range.

 EMAIL

It's my turn to post my most recent WITB "What's in the Bag" Episode.  First a little info on my game.  I've been playing since a child but never really cared about my score until around 10 years ago.  Growing up my father would take me to the driving range and Pearl Country Club in Aiea Hawaii.  My first set of clubs outside of a toddler or borrowed sticks were a set of Tommy Armor 845's and the Biggest Big Bertha driver.  My last 3 rounds were 81 - 87 - 92, hows that for steady!  The foursome I last played with at Industry Hills golf club in L.A  finished 35 coor's light's in a drinking game, It was 41 on the front nine and a complete disaster on the back. I've got video that I'm not willing to post.

So enough of that, let's get on to my specs then bag.  My swing speed averages around 100.  I can crank it up to 108 and lose all control. When I swing smooth I slice the ball.  What's recently been working for me is a happy medium of being aggressive and composed.  A good drive starts to the left and fades to center while a bad drive is a pull or a slice.  I hit the ball medium high and my lowest score was 76 4 years ago.  I don't hit the ball very far, my averages are  +/- 5-10 yds Driver = 240-250, #3 = 225, 19* UT = 205, 21* UT = 190, #5 = 175, #6 = 165, #7 150, #8 = 135, #9 = 120,  PW = 115, 52* = 95, 58* = 80.  With my irons a bad shot is fat, I have a naturally steep swing that produces nice divots and lots of spin.  As many of you have seen in the video reviews my backswing with woods is rather flat,  My buddies call me Helicopter sometimes,  My irons are level with my right shoulder and my wedge shots have a backswing that's way too long.

Driver: Ryoma V-Spec 9.5 w/ Muziik BangVoo Premium S-Flex
3 Wood: PRGR Egg Spoon 15* Stock M46 Shaft  (Awaiting Crazy Evolution )
Utility: 19* & 21* 2011 TourStage X-UT w/NS950 Stiff
Irons: 5-PW Yururi KM-0107 Black Forged CB's w/ Crazy CBI-80 Limited R-Flex
Wedges: Crazy Prototype's 52/58* w/ Crazy 100 Wedge Shafts
Putter: Odyssey 2-Ball Center Shaft w/370g weight & Muziik Grip

There are a few adjustments I'm making soon.  I plan to introduce a PRGR R35 chipping wedge and  some sort of driving iron  to replace the 5 iron. I've got a huge arsenal of clubs to pull from when something is being naughty and can never leave things alone.  I also plan on testing the Yonex, Royal Collection, and Yamaha utility woods head to head against my X-UT's.  In the future I would also like to try these Crazy shaft's in the Limited TourStage 905 CB's.

 EMAIL

It's been a while since I have posted bag pics. It's also been a long time since I was proud of my club setting.  A little bit about me Jacque aka TourSpecGirl.  I've grown up playing the game of golf and Wailua GC on the lovely isle of Kauai in Hawaii will always be my home course. My dad is still a crazed golf fanatic playing a good 4+ rounds per week back at home, my brother loves the sport yet has little time to play since becoming a doctor and my other brother is a manager at TPC Summerlin Vegas.

In the family we also have my uncle David Ishii who has 14 pro wins including JPGA major  under his belt and even won the 1990 U.S PGA Sony Open.   As an adult my passion for the game was reborn just before moving to Japan back in 2001, Chris aka TourSpecGolfer was still new to the game and I loved giving him the beat down.  I still do now days...:)

My previous clubs were a full set of Lepon by Endo 1 thru LW,  it's the womens version of Epon quite old but still a very forgiving set.    In 2010 we visited Japan and I didn't bring clubs Tario aka Gocchin was kind enough to lend me his wife Koko's clubs and she was gaming the PRGR women's eggs.  I fell in love and had to have them.  Back in late February, Ryoma sent us all drivers and I put it into play at Hirakawa GC a famous Japanese golf course where they hold senior JPGA events.  I loved the Ryoma so much I had to have that exact driver sent to me 11.5 men's R2 flex which I think is a bit too soft for me as I'm producing too large of a draw at times.

Here's the breakdown of my set, I have space for a couple more clubs to fill the gaps, I'm still deciding what clubs those will be and when I do I will update this blog post:

Driver: Ryoma 11.5* R2 flex
FW: PRGR 17* Egg Spoon ladies flex
FW: PRGR Egg PX-03 #9 Wood
Irons: 6-PW PRGR ladies Egg irons
Wedges: AW+SW PRGR ladies Egg
Putter: Odyssey Marxman 33" w/ Muziik Grip

I haven't had an official handicap in years but my last several scores were 84 - 87 -87. I plan to go into the low 80's be the end of the season.  Below I have a short video Chris (TourSpecGolfer) made that shows my swing during a round a couple months ago in Japan at Hirakawa GC in Chiba.

 EMAIL

Finally got them back! What your looking at is 1 of 5 sets of the Mizuno MP-Hokkaido irons based on the older MP-62 design.  I sold these off in 2007 to TSG member idrive and have been pestering him for the last several months to allow me to buy them back.  At the 2011 Japan Golf Fair I had a chat with one of  Mizuno's top staff  about their custom irons department and asked what is the most rare set of Mizunos produced that was actually sold?  They really didn't have an answer for me until I asked what about the MP-Hokkaido's?  It was like wha! how do you know about those?  They were offered as a gift to Mizuno's top account in Japan allowing them to sell only 5 sets.  It features what's called a hokkaido grind that was hand made by Mizuno's senior grind master from heads that started 20 grams over.  These were finished and plated in Japan as well.

I'm now searching for another set of irons I should have never of sold, the Titleist Miura made Tiger Woods irons. You know who you are, I want them back!

 EMAIL

First pics outside of the JPGA tour of the 2011 Limited Edition Shingo Katayama bag produced by ONOFF golf.  These are extremely limited, If you would like to secure yours now please contact us.  It's a 9.5" diameter  and produced of synthetic leather.  It features a shoulder belt with 3 bearings making it more stable and a full opening pocket up front and large pocket in the back.  A bottle holder is located on the side and also a watertight zipper for valuables.

We have some video of it coming up in the ONOFF Japan Golf Fair post this week. Shingo limited products are rarely released.  This bag is the first release of 2011. Our fingers are crossed that the 2011 Shingo-Spec driver and roddio shaft will be released soon as well.