Industry and Tour Insider: Made Where, Assembled Here and There

I was in Tokyo earlier this week and had the chance to go for a meal with some Japan golf industry insiders including representatives from both OEM brands and actual manufacturers. We talked golf and gear while enjoying some delicious ramen and yaki gyoza and as always I listened carefully to pick up some interesting inside information about new products on the market and in development.

One interesting topic that always comes up with any gear enthusiast is where a club is made or forged. It’s a common question we always get as well, especially when a new model comes out “Who forges that iron?”, “Where is that driver made?”. Brands shift manufacturing depending on design and budgets and sometimes its hard to keep track of what is made where these days especially if manufacturing remains within Japan. It’s hard to tell these days as many brands list Made in Japan/Made in China or Made in Japan and Assembled in China. Several top brands like Tourstage and Callaway Japan while maintaining manufacturing in Japan have moved assembly to China or Thailand to save costs when it comes to standard spec equipment (most Japanese manufacturers will still do all custom order assembly in Japan).

I happened to bring up a recent magazine article where new drivers were rated based on performance especially for distance and feel. I noted that this article had the new PRGR 505 Red and Titleist VG3 both rated very highly for average golfer performance with soft feel.  I was glad to find out that both drivers are in fact made at Endo Japan which actually does not surprise me. It is common to find Endo producing the most advanced designs and most premium titanium drivers which is also why those drivers always seem to be at a premium compared to other brands. Endo Manufacturing is a rather pricey golf club producer but it is undoubtedly top notch. I had thought that PRGR had only moved their irons and wedges to Endo but the 505 Red is made there as well. I had suspected the VG3 to be made at Endo considering the Titleist/Endo relationship and the advanced multi piece forged head that the VG3 is.  Other clubs made at Endo are ones we probably already knew about like Fourteen 2010 models, Yamaha woods and irons and Callaway’s Legacy line.

We also chatted about gear trends on the Japan tour which is always indicative of what gets hot in the Japanese market. As most know, Graphite Design’s DI series shaft has claimed the number one spot on the JPGA men’s tour. Graphite Design has long been the run away leader on tour here in Japan, easily out distancing Fujikura and Mitsubishi Rayon. Other news included Yuuji Miyagi of Cool Design MTI Wedge leaving the PRGR stable and going to Yonex where he is developing the new Nano V wedge that will be in play by Ryo Ishikawa.

Speaking of wedges, there is buzz about a new brand on the horizon called Seven Hills. Their prototype wedge has appeared on the Japanese tour and looks to be a very clean design. It  is forged in Himeji of premium S25C JIS steel. I’m always interested in writing about  new wedges that may be of interest to our customers (like Sky Dream Jump and others) so I have a couple of heads be sent to me. I look forward to getting them for testing and will report back soon on the blog and officially introduce them to the market as TSG has taken a huge interest in Seven Hills’ development (and I mean literally (^_^)

For once I don’t have any pretty golf club pictures to post since it was just a casual lunch get together. I do have pictures of where we went and what we ate though which is what you see above. (^_^)