JDM clubs - Worth it?

pocketace wrote:

BestofTheBest wrote:

One of my friend recently converted from TITLEIST irons to a set of JDM irons

For him, he mentioned, there is a distinct different in performance. 

So. One man's wine is another man's poison

Worth it or not, it's up to the individual to decide. 

Certainly this thread is not meant to "prove" that mainstream brands can perform same or better than a JDM brand and it cost a lot more cheaper

No mate, I'm not trying to prove anything
I mentioned at the start of the thread, I don't wanna go into the territory of JDM irons, wedges and putters because performance is rather subjective there

I was genuinely curious if JDM drivers do go further because that one is based on pure numbers - how far the tee shot goes, no subjectivity involved

If confirmed yes, I will some serious itch to scratch
Based on all your replies here and what I read in WRX, not 100% convinced, but I'm glad that for those who took the plunge, they are happy nonetheless

Haha that's a tough one to confirm.. cos unless u hv time and monies and energies to fit and hit the same shaft to various off-the-shelf non-JDM driver heads and JDM heads and achieve similar quality hits to all then chart out the distances achieved then I guess u hv the basis to compare.. otherwise its v tough.. fitters will also say that the aftermarket shaft affects the distance performance of a driver head to a great extent... maybe can start a thread on whether its the driver head design (JDM or otherwise) or the quality of the golf shaft that will affect the distance performance of a club more (given that dispersion is negligible)

Bro Chien,

Then can compare Infinity M35H with BMW535 not........

sigh.... downgraded.....

chien wrote:

Batman wrote:

If I may, I would compare them to cars. Something closer to our hearts.

Japanese cars, also mass produced, but probably in terms of quality, maybe, just maybe a tiny notch below European makes like BMW, Mercs etc. Of course, I am not saying that Jap cars r not good in terms of quality. Hence do not get me wrong.

Hence if u r some1 who will appreciate that, go for it....

Sorry mate..

Have to disagree profusely..

Cannot compare a Camry with a 520 (comparing very similar cc).. The ride quality, the technology of the car, the in car systems, the road handling, noise level, built quality etc... All miles apart..

Of cos, the Lexus GS350 would be a very tough fight with the 535, but, for those who prefer a firmer ride and heavier feel all round the car (especially the doors), the 535 still stands out slightly..

So....... I won't compare TM with Miura..

Anyway hope some master or meister would enlighten this thread.

my 2cents worth, i switch from TM irons to mizuno. reason is the feel when it hits the ball, end of the day i still think the one using it to choose be it feel or looks.

Poor man's logic

if you have $1,000 to buy a set of clubs, what can you choose?

if you have $100,000 to buy a set of clubs, what would you choose?

$1,000 - second hand JDM
$100,000 -first hand JDM

Pizzaman wrote:

$1,000 - second hand JDM
$100,000 -first hand JDM

Whahaha...
True true!
And maybe few new sets..:-)

Hermes is a must when I grow older! HAHAHAH 15000 euros for a small handbag. 

Najibapark wrote:

Hermes is a must when I grow older! HAHAHAH 15000 euros for a small handbag. 

Young lady, don't OT this thread leh... Maybe you can join my wife at the Bag forum. Heheheh Just pulling your leg.
I know Hermes has a certain effect on women
But I gathered you are not yet a woman huh? :p

It'll be interesting to see if all the long hitters in this forum (you know who you are) will fork up cash for JDM drivers if they are already hitting their Titleist, Callaway or TM a mile already...

hkhamateur wrote:

Pizzaman wrote:

$1,000 - second hand JDM
$100,000 -first hand JDM

Whahaha...
True true!
And maybe few new sets..:-)

Of cos it's not worth for u, since u only put on display.......

one set enough liao... must chun abit money for something else mah...

one JDM set to "earn" more JDM clubs on the fairways 

Najibapark wrote:

Hermes is a must when I grow older! HAHAHAH 15000 euros for a small handbag. 

Then you must wear Chanel to be able to carry the bag, a 7-series with a driver to sit in, and a huge GCB to park the car at. And then you'd probably be playing full JDM which is on topic...

Based on my experience, the answer is no, JDM won't guarantee you hit your tee of further.

I've tested most Titleist & TM new driver, 913, 910, R11, R1.

The furthest is 913 with Tour AD shaft (price around 700SGD here). 15-20 meters longer than my Epon.

But the feel, the sound during impact, the way it looks during setup, is not as sweet as Epon.

All are being tested using different shaft though with Trackman, so not an apple to apple comparison of the head.

And frankly, the ego also takes part...hahaha.....when someone asked what driver do you use, any JDM brand will give more wow factor....hahahaha, no offense.

dionpratama wrote:

Based on my experience, the answer is no, JDM won't guarantee you hit your tee of further.

I've tested most Titleist & TM new driver, 913, 910, R11, R1.

The furthest is 913 with Tour AD shaft (price around 700SGD here). 15-20 meters longer than my Epon.

But the feel, the sound during impact, the way it looks during setup, is not as sweet as Epon.

All are being tested using different shaft though with Trackman, so not an apple to apple comparison of the head.

And frankly, the ego also takes part...hahaha.....when someone asked what driver do you use, any JDM brand will give more wow factor....hahahaha, no offense.

that sums up what Japan Domestic Market product might do....do not confuse with Japanese brands like Mizuno, etc and there is no guarantee that a JDM product is made in Japan. most of them are not anyway.

hope it helps....DGman

This is an interesting topic.

Is JDM longer? It may be for some and may not be for others. But what sets apart JDM from USDM is quality and assurance that the specs are spot on. I am sure we have read from forums that USDM tend to be mass produced and hence sacrifising quality. There are instances where these mass produced clubs are measured with a different loft as to what is painted on the club. Hence, the usual advice is take the same club you used to demo, if you like it.

JDM is also packed with technology. Clubs like Bridgestone are rebadged Tourstage clubs which were already introduced 2-3 prior.

Another thing to ponder is that Tour players have their clubs carefully chosen for weight / lofts etc and this is essential for their game. Search into ebay for Tour Authentic clubs and I'm pretty sure the figures are equivalent to JDM. Lets not forget the world #1 is currently using a JDM driver shaft.

Websites such as thepeoplesclubs.com argues "The difference in Tour Issue Clubs over retail clubs is very significant.  Retail clubs can be very misleading.  The tolerances they allow for are 10 times the tolerances on tour vans.  If a club is stamped 10.5 and is supposed to be 1.5 open it may very well be 9.6, and 2.5 open.  Every specification on a tour issue club is measured, and marked.  They then COR test tour issue clubs, making sure they are eligible for use on tour." http://thepeoplesclubs.com/

I have played USDM before (Ping, taylormade, Callaway, Titliest) and currently using JDM clubs. From MY experience, JDM, albeit is expensive, are more satisfying and more catered to us asians. Plus, the resale value does not nose dive as compared to USDM esp taylormade clubs.

I also found out that not all JDM are expensive. Manufacturers such as Geotech are much more affordable as compared to an Epon.

Whether JDM is better than USDM or vice versa will always be debated, but how we spend our money is nobody's business (unless the missus argues otherwise).

DGman wrote:

that sums up what Japan Domestic Market product might do....do not confuse with Japanese brands like Mizuno, etc and there is no guarantee that a JDM product is made in Japan. most of them are not anyway.

hope it helps....DGman

Thats correct, AFAIK even Endo also have a factory in Thailand.

What I still don't understand is whether the Mizuno's being sold in Japan is the exact same thing like what we have here.

For example, the pirce of 5-P MP-59 in progolfjapan.com is more than 1600USD, while in my city, during the discount period I can get it for less than $500.

those special assembled sets are different from retail Mizzies. in Japanese terms they are referred to as veterans sets or 养老

the heads are finished by the retired Japanese Mizunos craftsmen and assembled in japan. the finishing on those mizzies are different from the retail mizzies which are finished and assembled in China. the 养老 uses different epoxy at assembly and even the paint fill is different. it cannot taken off  by acetone. i have reshafted several sets of those and they might look the same, but the finishing is totally different. how it will play....? i think the 养老 are built with a lot of passion.

and lets not start on geotech, i never considered it to be a JDM cos its not even own by a Japanese.

hope it helps......DGman

personally, i dun think JDM clubs are any better than USMD....

rather than comparing on the $$$$....

if one spend more time at the range or the chipping green or the putting green...

smlj club will be better than what your opponents or kakis are playing...

cos your score and your wallet dun lie...

take for example the movie Initial D....

Jay's tofu car outdrift n outdrive the GTR n the Evos...



so are JDM worth it??.... its a subjective question

if u have the $$$ then spend it....

for me, its not abt performance....

its abt me feeling good abt spending the money i earn....

slinger wrote:

personally, i dun think JDM clubs are any better than USMD....

rather than comparing on the $$$$....

if one spend more time at the range or the chipping green or the putting green...

smlj club will be better than what your opponents or kakis are playing...

cos your score and your wallet dun lie...

take for example the movie Initial D....

Jay's tofu car outdrift n outdrive the GTR n the Evos...



so are JDM worth it??.... its a subjective question

if u have the $$$ then spend it....

for me, its not abt performance....

its abt me feeling good abt spending the money i earn....

+1

As for Jay's car, in the end he need to modify his car also to prevent overheating.

Seriously where all the JDM experts at???

No JDM experts, but just JDM enthusiasts.

Price of JDM = fitted USDM clubs with spot on specs i.e consistent sw, accurate loft / lie.

dont confuse MIJ and JDM......

read an US article, the fascination with JDM is exclusivity...u have what others dont...and yet ur brand is a well known brand...eg JDM Titleist and TM stuff.Throw in JDM into already limited stuff like Bettinardi and SC and ppl go crazy....eg i really love the Odyssey damascus putter, JDM only and expensive.

i find most jdm drivers n woods lighter than us brands...
for eg, their headweight is too light ti have the swingweight i required.
but i do find the jdm clubs quality really more superior than most us brands...

Same reason why people pay for Jap cars with TRD,Sti, HRC and Ralliart tuning.
Effort and quality put into JDM would higher compared to normal global items.

It's costly for that reason, I guess.