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So after a week of being away in the very hot tropical island of Palau, I am back in the golfing world here in Japan. The weather was great, the water was crystal clear and diving was fun, but it was hard to believe a place as beautiful as Palau did not have a golf course so I'm glad to be back!

It's the time of year here in Japan were many of the top manufacturers are releasing new 2010 models. This is an exciting time for golfers and with so many new drivers to choose from it can sometimes be overwhelming. I've talked in the past about driver specs and how different specs can affect a driver's true performance as well as finding the right shaft.

Today I'm not going to talk about shafts for once but rather look at some interesting numbers provided by Golf Digest Japan on several of the latest and greatest drivers here in Japan. We're talking about real specs, the loft, the lie, the face angle, the center of gravity, where the sweet spot actually is and more. Many manufacturers state a certain spec on their mass produced drivers but due to manufacturing oddities and quality control, what you see is not what you always get.

Do real specs make a difference to golfers? For many average and recreational golfers, they probably don't think twice when buying a driver off the shelf at their local golf shop. However, for the better player, the golf enthusiast, the player struggling with  their driver shot, real specs on a driver can make a huge difference.

Imagine you're a player who battles a hook and would like to keep the ball from ballooning. You see that new model driver with a 9.5* loft and square face angle and think that is the driver for you to keep the ball straight and get that more penetrating trajectory. What if that driver had a real loft of 12.8* and the face was in fact closed 2.0* due to manufacturing inconsistencies? Those rainbow drives and duck hooks could end up getting much worse.

So we've got data for 24 new model drivers but due to space constraints I will post what I think people are the most interested in (maybe I'm just lazy^^) including the new Titleist VG3, Nike Machspeed Round STR8-Fit, Callaway Legacy Type S, Tourstage X-Drive 703, Yamaha Inpres X D201, Srixon Z-TX, ONOFF Red, R9 SuperTri, PRGR GN502 Tour 440, Cobra S2 and Ping G15. Please keep in mind that these are only examples, what you see here doesn't necessarily mean every single club of a specific model has real specs like this. The drivers were randomly picked off the shelves. I've also made a few images of what key specs players like to look at here in Japan using the new PRGR 505 RED driver (which unfortunately was not part of the test but I just happen to have taken pics of the driver yesterday).

So click Read More to find out all the results of the test!

Some of the key points players look at are of course real loft, real face angle and the actual lie angle. Other points of interest are the sweet spot height, simply because the sweet spot is not in the center of the driver but usually more towards the top. It's good to know as that point will create optimal smash factor and spin (or lack thereof). Face height matters for many as well too as better players tend to lean towards deeper faces for control while average golfers miss towards the toe and heel so go for more shallow faces. The gravity angle is another spec which the Japanese look at. The larger the gravity angle the faster the head rotates to a square position at impact. So its typical that drivers with a large gravity angle are good for slicers. The depth of the center of gravity also affects the trajectory of the ball (and affects where the sweet spot is). The deeper and lower the CG the higher the launch. Those wanting high launch and max carry look for deep and low CG points while those wanting lower more penetrating ball flight for control look for a shallow and higher CG.

So lets check out some of the results. I'll list the off the shelf specs or stated specs followed by real specs for your reference, plus any comments I might have.

Titleist Japan VG3 Driver: 10* Loft 45.5" D1 Stiff/Regular Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 11.5
Real Lie: 62.25
Real Face Angle: Open 1.25
CG Depth: 39.5mm
Face Height: 58mm
Sweet Spot Height: 36.5mm
Gravity Angle: 23.5
Head Weight: 195.1g
Comment: The VG3 is made for carry and distance so I'm not all that surprised to see the higher real loft (I should mention that besides manufacturing consistencies, some manufacturers purposely produce different real specs... maybe to protect hurt egos^^). I was surprised to see the 1.25* open face though as this driver is aimed at a more average crowd unlike previous Titleist drivers.

Callaway Japan New Legacy Driver Type S: 9.5* Loft 45" D1 Stiff Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 9.5*
Real Lie: 59.5*
Real Face Angle: Open 2.0*
CG Depth: 37.5mm
Face Height: 57mm
Sweet Spot Height: 33mm
Gravity Angle: 22.5
Head Weight: 200.5
Comments: The New Legacy Type S is part of the dual release by Callaway along with a Type L driver. The Type S is aimed at the better player and the real specs show it. The specs are probably the closest in this test to being right on and its not surprising considering this driver is made by Endo. Heavier head weight, very open face, real loft same as stated loft and a smaller gravity angle and shallower CG make this a very good choice for the athlete golfer.

Taylormade R9 SuperTri Driver: 9.5* Loft 45.25" D2 Stiff Stock shaft
Real Loft: 11.0*
Real Lie: 60*
Real Face Angle: Open 0.75*
CG Depth: 40.5mm
Face Height: 60.5mm
Sweet Spot Height: 35mm
Gravity Angle: 22.5
Head Weight: 198.5
Comments: The SuperTri is meant to be the highest launching R9 driver so no surprise that the CG is pretty deep back. The face height is rather deep at 60.5mm so its hard to imagine the SuperDeep TP will be even more!

Ping G15 Driver: 10.5* Loft 45.75" D5 Regular Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 13.25*
Real Lie: 59.75*
Real Face Angle: Closed 0.5*
CG Depth: 37mm
Face Height: 57mm
Sweet Spot Height: 33.5mm
Gravity Angle: 23.5
Head Weight: 197
Comments: Almost 2* more for real loft. The CG depth helps bring that ball flight down a bit.

PRGR GN502 Tour 440: 10.5* 45" D1.5 Regular Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 11.25*
Real Lie: 60*
Real Face Angle: Open 0.5*
CG Depth: 34.5mm
Face Height: 55.5mm
Sweet Spot Height: 62mm
Gravity Angle: 19
Head Weight: 193.8
Comments: Very shallow CG in this model PRGR dubs as a tour model for the better player. Open face and small gravity angle help avoid nasty hooks. Face is shallower for a "Tour" model.

Yamaha Inpres X D201: 10* Loft 45.75" D0 Stiff/Regular Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 11.5*
Real Lie: 60.5*
Real Face Angle: Closed 2.0*
CG Depth: 34.5mm
Face Height: 52mm
Sweet Spot Height: 34.5mm
Gravity Angle: 24.5
Head Weight: 193
Comments: The standard D201 is aimed at those who want to hit a draw and keep the right side out of play so the 2.0* closed face helps (stated face angle for this model is 1.0* closed). The real loft is higher but CG is not deep. The Gravity Angle also helps square the face for the most forgiving driver in the Inpres X line. This is also one of those cases where it seems the brand has chosen a higher loft for this set up on purpose as in the Yamaha fitting guide they state the loft is 1.5* higher than marked... so they do know!

Nike Japan SQ Machspeed Round STR8-Fit Driver: 10.5* Loft 46" D1 Stiff Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 12.5*
Real Lie: 65*
Real Face Angle: Closed 1.25*
CG Depth: 39.5mm
Face Height: 52mm
Sweet Spot Height: 36.5mm
Gravity Angle: 23.5
Head Weight: 195.9
Comments: Okay a bit concerned about the upright real lie angle. Lets hope that is a typo in my data here (its probably not since the VR Driver in the test wqas 64.25* lie). Deep CG and high real loft are calling for some high launch here.

Srixon Z-TX: 9.5* Loft 45.25" D2 Stiff Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 10.75*
Real Lie: 60*
Real Face Angle: Open 1.0*
CG Depth: 37mm
Face Height: 55mm
Sweet Spot Height: 33.5mm
Gravity Angle: 23.5
Head Weight: 193.2
Comments: Overall specs aren't terribly off. The real loft may be a tad high, pretty good gravity angle for an athlete model.

Tourstage X-Drive 703: 9.5* Loft 45.25" D2 Stiff Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 9.75*
Real Lie: 59.25*
Real Face Angle: Open 1.0*
CG Depth: 36mm
Face Height: 54mm
Sweet Spot Height: 31mm
Gravity Angle: 23.5
Head Weight: 195.8
Comments: Another very close to real spec driver manufactured by Endo. Its no wonder Epon drivers are very close to real spec as well. Its also no wonder Endo produced drivers cost so darn much.

Cobra S2 Driver: 9.5* Loft 46" D4 Stiff Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 11.0*
Real Lie: 62*
Real Face Angle: Open 0.5*
CG Depth: 39mm
Face Height: 55mm
Sweet Spot Height: 34mm
Gravity Angle: 21.5
Head Weight: 198.9
Comments: A tad high on the real loft so coupled with the deeper CG could produce a higher launch than desired. Its an improvement though as a few years ago when I reported real lofts the Cobra LV4 was 4.0* more in real loft than stated.

ONOFF Driver: 10* 45.25" D2 Stiff Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 13.75**
Real Lie: 62*
Real Face Angle: Closed 1.5*
CG Depth: 39mm
Face Height: 55.5mm
Sweet Spot Height: 37mm
Gravity Angle: 24
Head Weight: 190.5
Comments: The real loft coupled with the deep CG will definitely produce a max carry high launch ball. With the closed face this driver is meant for the average golfer looking for carry and to avoid the right side.

XXIO 2010 Driver: 10.5* 46" D1 Regular Stock Shaft
Real Loft: 12.5*
Real Lie: 60.5*
Real Face Angle: Closed 2.5*
CG Depth: 40mm
Face Height: 52mm
Sweet Spot Height: 31.5mm
Gravity Angle: 27
Head Weight: 189.4
Comments: The most closed face, the largest gravity angle in this bunch are the designs for an anti slice driver. The XXIO is always long for the average golfer, maybe those specs are why.

So there you have a small sampling of current model drivers and their real specs. For many this means nothing and the driver you choose may not necessarily have specs like these nor might you care if they do or not as long as the driver performs for you. If it doesn't perform real specs might be one of many possibilities why it doesn't.  Yet for those who are picky as hell about specs, there are companies like Kamui, Epon and others who will build club heads to spec from scratch so you know exactly what you are getting. Hopefully this post gives you an idea of how sometimes specs can vary when buying golf clubs, which once again proves, if that demos gives you the best results ever, buy it because the one on the shelf may not have the same real specs!

Tario (aka gocchin) joined Tourspecgolf back in 2008 after spending over a decade in technology and business operation roles at a major Canadian financial institution. Before joining TSG and following his dream of moving to Japan, Tario and Chris (aka Tourspecgolfer) hit it off though their similar passions for Japanese culture. Chris hired Tario to manage TSG online operations, sales and marketing. While those are Tario's primary responsibilities, he has also taken up the role of blogger and custom club tester and fitter along the way. Tario's hobbies include golf (of course), gadgets and technology, cars, Japanese pop culture and idols, photography, sweets and walking the dog.

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Before leaving for Hawaii for a 9 day working holiday, I had a chance to spend a week with the new 2010 X-Drive 703 and 2010 ViQ drivers. Tourstage has long battled the likes of Srixon/XXIO, Taylormade and Yamaha for driver sales in Japan year in and year out.  People who know Tourstage can tell you that they make premium and top performing drivers for both the athlete golfer and average golfer in Japan. Early this month Tourstage or better know as Bridgestone in the West, released their most advanced X-Drive design ever as well as a completely redesigned ViQ driver.

The new X-Drive 703

The 2010 X-Drive 703 fits between the 701G and 701 drivers released earlier this year when it comes to control and target audience. For launch, the 703 fits between the GR and 701/701G with a mid to slightly high launch. Some golfers complained that for an athlete model the X-Drives released earlier this year like the 901, 701 and 701G had faces that were too shallow so the new 703 has a mid to deeper face. Like the earlier releases I just mentioned it features a square angle face for a workable ball and is neutral biased.

The Most Advanced X-Drive

The X-Drive 703 features a 7 piece hybrid body made from three types of premium forged Titanium, KS100 Ti, Ti-15-3-3-3 and a hot VL Titanium cup Face. The crown is an ultra thin 0.5mm which allows the weight to be placed lower in the head. The sweet area of the 703 is 10.6% larger than the 701 and the 703 also features a larger gravity angle allowing the head to rotate faster to square up quickly at impact. The 703 is still for the better player, while it is more forgiving than the 701, it also features a deeper back and pear shape as preferred by better players.

Solid Feel, Solid all around performance

So how does it feel and perform? It is definitely a very solid feeling driver aimed at players with a swing speed of 95mph or more.  The faster swing speeds are need to fully maximize the drivers performance and feel. Slower swingers would not benefit from the 703 and would probably do much better with a thinner faced high rebound face like the new ViQ. Feel is more solid than the models released earlier this year as the 703 with its Dual Arrow back face creates a thicker mid section compared to the 701/701G.  The 703 predominately hits a straight ball with above medium trajectory and low spin with run. It is workable with a fade and draw for more advanced players.

The 703 is a balanced driver that will give good distance and exceptional control which means more fairways hit. It is not meant to be a long distance driver as witnessed by its 45.25" length which comapred to many drivers on the market these days is not a long club. The stock shaft is a Tour AD B10-01w, a 65g low torque shaft. The standard upgrade shaft is the new Tour AD DI-6 which in fact has very similar specs to the stock shaft weight and torque wise but is a lower launcher and more rigid shaft. Smooth to semi agressive swingers can play the stock shaft but those with aggressive and very quick tempos who battle a hook should opt for the DI-6. The DI-6 lowers the trajectory a touch over the stock shaft even though both are mid kick. This driver can excel in the wind and is one the better player can hit a low ball with lots of roll with. This is one good looking driver and another winner for the Tourstage in the athlete golfer range.

The new ViQ Driver

On the other side of the spectrum is the new ViQ Driver for the average golfer. The ViQ has been completely redesigned with a new look, features and its target audience has been expanded from the average golfer all the way up to the beginner. Anyone wanting a driver with ease of use can consider the new ViQ.  The most obvious change is the appearance of the driver and this is where Tourstage focused on creating a visual impact on the average player.

Aligning your drives

For many average and beginner golfers, the hardest club to square up can be the driver. Tourstage has tried to increase ease of alignment both at address where most swing problems originate from all the way to impact with visual cues that help the player hit the ball square on the sweet spot at impact. This is what Tourstage calls its Impact Management System.  The visual aspects like the face and crown design are only part of the equation. Tourstage also has placed turbo rubber in three spots on the driver, the grip, the shaft and the head. The purpose of the turbo rubber in the grip is for feel and control while the turbo rubber lining the shaft is for performance and rebound. The turbo rubber under the back weight port is to minimize vibrations and increase MOI.

Target on Crown Helps...

The crown of the driver takes a bit of getting used to but in a sense works like a target and yes it does work as it's like an alignment aid on the putter, pretty soon you forget its there and you subconciously meet the ball in the center based on that hypnotizing looking crown. (^_^)

The ViQ head is long from face to back and shallow making it long from toe to heel. This is forgiving for the average golfer whose misses are typically towards the toe or heel. The deep center of gravity and slightly closed face produce a higher launching ball with draw tendancies. This will help those battling  slice and the right side. The face feels thinner and hotter than the 703 as is usually the case with average golfer drivers. There is more of a high pitched metallic kind of impact sound as the face meets the ball. For me I hit a high draw with this driver, not ballooning in anyway but still with some roll. Its 45.75" length is long for me but managable for most compared to the 46.5" drivers out there these days. Feel wise, the driver is actually pretty good as the shaft while probably on the soft side for some does the trick for most average swingers with some kick and rebound.  The face has some pop and the sound it makes lets the average golfer knows he has hit a good one.

Something for everyone...

So Bridgestone Tourstage has again released two pretty good high tech drivers for both the athlete and average golfer. There is some overlap too as the average golfer with a faster swing who is looking to step to the next level could play the X-Drive 703 as it is definitely forgiving enough. On the other hand the aging mid capper or player who simply does not play as much anymore could use the forgiveness and ease of use of the new ViQ.

Something for everyone as is always the case from Tourstage. Check out the new Tourstage 2010 Drivers in the Pro Shop.

Here are the pictures I took!

Tario (aka gocchin) joined Tourspecgolf back in 2008 after spending over a decade in technology and business operation roles at a major Canadian financial institution. Before joining TSG and following his dream of moving to Japan, Tario and Chris (aka Tourspecgolfer) hit it off though their similar passions for Japanese culture. Chris hired Tario to manage TSG online operations, sales and marketing. While those are Tario's primary responsibilities, he has also taken up the role of blogger and custom club tester and fitter along the way. Tario's hobbies include golf (of course), gadgets and technology, cars, Japanese pop culture and idols, photography, sweets and walking the dog.

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We thought the ViQ had left us...

Earlier this year when Tourstage announced 5 new X-Blade models in a one time release including newly designed and forgiving X-Blade GR models, many of us in the golf industry thought it signaled the end of the ViQ line. The largest segment of golfers in Japan is comprised of the "average golfer" or as players in the West call it the mid to high handicapper. The ViQ line has long been a mainstay at the top of the sales charts for the average golfer battling perennial rival XXIO.

However in the last few years of ViQ models, we saw more tweaking of models rather than new innovation and the ViQ line's popularity waned a bit as companies like ONOFF, Fourteen, PRGR and of course American brands like Taylormade and Callaway ate into the ViQ's average golfer market share with new designs and awesome performing clubs. Tourstage was quiet since its most previous ViQ launch back in early 2008 but it turns out they were in fact taking the time to completey revamp the lineup with a visual, technology, and design overhaul.

But it is back with a new look and purpose...

So I received the new ViQ iron which looks nothing like the 2008 model. This is a very flashy iron and Tourstage boasts a lot of performance from all the new featueres it has put into this design.  With the X-Blade GR C-1 and P-1 comfortably satisfying most mid handicap players in Japan, it looks to me as if the ViQ has shifted its focus toward the high handicapper head in the average golfer group. The 2010 ViQ is designed as an automatic iron for maximum forgiveness and maximum distance.  I don't mind high tech looks but I find the new ViQ a bit too shiney and a bit too busy for my eye. Let's see if this high tech pays off where it really counts, feel, performance and forgiveness.

Inverted co-- .... no it's Super Turbo Rubber.

The 2010 ViQ utilizes several features to improve feel and forgiveness including a badge like emblem in the center of the cavity right by the sweet spot. I cannot help but be reminded of Taylormade's Inverted Cone at least visually from the outside. On the inside it is different as that badge covers Tourstage's Super Turbo Rubber which is meant to increase ball speeds at impact through its rebound characteristics and also improve feel but dampening impact. Feel is subjective and some people might like this and some might say it takes away too much feedback.  For the high handicapper its probably a good thing to minimize vibrations on miss hits and create any extra ball speed.

In front of the Super Turbo Ruber is a 1.85mm thick (or you could say thin) Hyper Maraging Steel face. There has been a huge shift in Japan when it comes to use of materials in average golfer irons and fairway woods from Titanium faces to Maraging steel faces.  Many manufacturers are finding that Maraging steel provides great feel and performance results. Maraging steel is supposedly stronger than Ti so it can be made thinner for a more explosive impact. Makes me wonder when it will show up in a driver. Many of the top average golfer ions in Japan, including models from ONOFF and PRGR all use maraging faces now and the feel is excellent.  The 2010 ViQ also feels very good or should I say feels like almost nothing when you pure the sweet spot. The Super Turbo Rubber is at work here.

Automatic distance at your calling...

The new ViQ places a lot of weight down low in the sole for a very low CG helped by two tungsten weights, one in the toe and one in the heel of the sole. Both these weights also have Super Turbo Rubber under them to again help enhance, or for some take away feeling. There is a an undercut cavity here which progresses higher towards the toe and towards the heel to widen the sweet spot on typical average golfer misses towards the toe and heel. Because the tungsten weights are so big the number indicating the iron is actually right in the middle of the sole. So with all the new design features and a wide sole, mid size top line and definite offset, is this an easy iron to hit? Yes it is. It sure fits the bill as an automatic iron. The low CG and strong lofts (24* 5 iron and 44* PW) provide some serious distance and is very easy to hit straight. The ViQ is not a shovel like some GI irons in the West but it is definitely larger than other mid sized irons and will give that higher handicapper enough confidence at address. It's size does make it easy to hit.

Another thing that made the demo I had so forgiving is that it is shafted with a Tourstage graphite.  Tourstage uses ultra light 55g mid kicking graphite which really help those slower swingers pick a a few miles per hour. The 5 iron weighs only 357g total weight. Thanks to the strong lofts the shots do not balloon but climb steadily reaching an apex and finishing with a rather soft landing especially in the short irons.

It does what it supposed to do...

So in conclusion, while I am not thrilled with the iron's overall look and I'm not a fan of too much offset and bigger head, the truth is, looks aside, the ViQ does what it is supposed to do. Be an easy iron to hit and give the higher handicapper the automatic performance they are looking for. Many traditionalists and better players may doubt the use of the Super Turbo Rubber (especially those who are always playing forged irons) but I think for the higher handicapper which this iron targets, the rubber works.  So if you haven't been playing golf long or are stuck shooting in the 90's and 100's or simply need irons that can go very far very easily, then the 2010 ViQ is your calling. If you are an improving player who already is a decent ball striker and looking to add control to your game as you break into the 80's and lower go read the X-Blade 703 review.

I've got the new ViQ Driver here as well and boy it looks.... interesting.  Before that though here are the rest of the new 2010 ViQ pics:

Tario (aka gocchin) joined Tourspecgolf back in 2008 after spending over a decade in technology and business operation roles at a major Canadian financial institution. Before joining TSG and following his dream of moving to Japan, Tario and Chris (aka Tourspecgolfer) hit it off though their similar passions for Japanese culture. Chris hired Tario to manage TSG online operations, sales and marketing. While those are Tario's primary responsibilities, he has also taken up the role of blogger and custom club tester and fitter along the way. Tario's hobbies include golf (of course), gadgets and technology, cars, Japanese pop culture and idols, photography, sweets and walking the dog.

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( 2009 TourStage ViQ Putters )

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Tourstage recently held a demo day open to the public. They do this for every pre-launch at major driving ranges throughout Tokyo so that regular golfers like you and I can check out their new gear before launch and try them out at the range. I was unable to attend this pre launch this time around but thanks to our friends at GDO we've got pictures of all the new gear. Tourstage is launching the all new ViQ line in mid November while the new 703 X Series launches on December 4th. Weve got all the clubs in the pro shop for pre order!

Check out the pictures!

Tario (aka gocchin) joined Tourspecgolf back in 2008 after spending over a decade in technology and business operation roles at a major Canadian financial institution. Before joining TSG and following his dream of moving to Japan, Tario and Chris (aka Tourspecgolfer) hit it off though their similar passions for Japanese culture. Chris hired Tario to manage TSG online operations, sales and marketing. While those are Tario's primary responsibilities, he has also taken up the role of blogger and custom club tester and fitter along the way. Tario's hobbies include golf (of course), gadgets and technology, cars, Japanese pop culture and idols, photography, sweets and walking the dog.

 EMAIL

So rumors of the death of the Tourstage ViQ line for the average golfer were indeed premature. The ViQ line has beed completely redesigned from ground up for the 2010 season and will be launched along with the new X-Drive 703 series that Tourspecgolfer mentioned earlier on December 4th. I'll be getting demos of all the clubs soon for pictures and previews so stay tuned for more Tourstage bliss!

Tario (aka gocchin) joined Tourspecgolf back in 2008 after spending over a decade in technology and business operation roles at a major Canadian financial institution. Before joining TSG and following his dream of moving to Japan, Tario and Chris (aka Tourspecgolfer) hit it off though their similar passions for Japanese culture. Chris hired Tario to manage TSG online operations, sales and marketing. While those are Tario's primary responsibilities, he has also taken up the role of blogger and custom club tester and fitter along the way. Tario's hobbies include golf (of course), gadgets and technology, cars, Japanese pop culture and idols, photography, sweets and walking the dog.

 EMAIL

A few months ago, a fellow TSG forum member from Hawaii was talking to me about what's in the bag for serveral JLPGA pros and he noted that many of the Tourstage pros were no longer playing the ViQ line, the most dominant line on the Japanese ladies tour which also happens to be one of the best selling lineups for the average male golfer in Japan. At the time, I kinda brushed it off thinking, no way Tourstage would dump their number one selling line focused on the largest group of golfers in Japan.

Now that I think back and look at Tourstage's movement over the last few months. That forum member could very well be correct. It is only speculation but based on the fact that no new ViQ model has been even whispered about since late 2007 and the old and popular ViQ Forged iron from early 2007 has never been replaced does make one wonder. Then you look at all the JLPGA Tourstage pros. As I said what the girls play on tour actually parallel what is popular for the average golfer in Japan and its been that way for a long time.

If you look at Tourstage's top female Pros, many of them are in transition away from ViQ line models. Almost all the girls are now playing X-Drive driver  models of some sort (including Tourstage number one Ai Miyazato), and many have switched over to X-Blade irons. Perhaps Tourstage's sudden decision to release the X Series, traditionally their athlete low handicapper line, this year with multiple models targeting multiple levels of player also signaled a move that the X Series models like the GR are moving to replace the ViQ.

If you look at up and coming Tourstage pro Chie Arimura who I do frequently talk about on my blog, she has gone from playing several ViQ models last season to none now. Here is a break down of her current bag. Does it signal the end of the ViQ line? Only time will tell.

Chie-chan is playing the new X-Drive deep faced 701R 9.5* with Tour AD EV-5 shaft in stiff flex.  She's got a Callaway X 3 Wood and then 5 7 and 9 X-Drive woods with pink Rombax 5X07 in stiff flex. Her new irons are the X-Blade GR C-1 Forged with NS Pro 750GH regular flex. She's playing her trusty old 2006 X-Wedges in 52 and 58* lofts with 950GH regular flex. Her putter is the Odyssey Japan Black Series #1 with Prototype insert.

Here are Chie-chan's distances:

1W      ： 240yards
3W     ： 205yards
5W     ： 195yards
7W     ： 185yards
4I     ： 175yards
5I     ： 165yards
6I     ： 155yards
7I      ： 145yards
8I     ： 135yards
8I     ： 135yards
9I     ： 120yards
PW     ： 105yards
AW     ： 90yards(50*)
SW     ： 75yards(58*)

Tario (aka gocchin) joined Tourspecgolf back in 2008 after spending over a decade in technology and business operation roles at a major Canadian financial institution. Before joining TSG and following his dream of moving to Japan, Tario and Chris (aka Tourspecgolfer) hit it off though their similar passions for Japanese culture. Chris hired Tario to manage TSG online operations, sales and marketing. While those are Tario's primary responsibilities, he has also taken up the role of blogger and custom club tester and fitter along the way. Tario's hobbies include golf (of course), gadgets and technology, cars, Japanese pop culture and idols, photography, sweets and walking the dog.