Gold’s Factory: Turning Iron into Gold
When Japanese Golf Club enthusiests think of high end putters the name Masayuki Sasaya comes to mind. Sasaya San also known in Japan as Master Sasaya was told many years ago he had the talent to turn iron into gold. Enter Gold’s Factory a brand that has been in business for many years turning blocks of stainless and forged steel into works of art and pure putting bliss for the golfer.
Many in the U.S have never heard of Gold’s Factory and have never laid eyes on his beautiful putters, irons and wedges before. The staff at TourSpecGolf recently had the privledge to sit down with Master Sasaya for a two part interview. GolfToImpress.com is going to be sharing multiple posts and video’s with you over the next week giving insight into the company, the man, his mind and technique behind Gold’s Factory Putters.
Part 1, Q&A with Master Sasaya:
We are here with Master Masayuki Sasaya of Gold’s Factory, Thank you for your time and we appreciate you answering our questions today…
A: You’re Very Welcome
Q: Your name has been famous in Japan for quite some time, how did you get involved in the Golf Industry?
A: My family’s business is in the Iron Working Industry and I was a computer programmer for the machinery they used while my hobby was in Golf Club Crafting. People began to know me because I could perform out of the ordinary tasks with CNC and other machinery and people began saying I could make Gold out of Steel, That is how Gold’s Factory Started. I was then contacted by a company called World Brand Inc. and they asked me to help them produce the product for their new brand called Gauge Design. I became the vice president-director.
Q: What is your background in Golf Club Design?
A: Well when I want something I usually try to find a company or people to buy it from but If for some reason the item doesn’t exist or I can’t find it I wouldn’t give up and would make it from nothing myself. Not only Golf related items but anything I needed produced.
Q: What is your all time favorite Putter Model?
A: It is the Old Ping Anser Scottdale Locker Sole.
Q: What Accomplishment are you most proud of in the golf industry?
A: If the club doesn’t fit the golfer they would usually sell it to a second hand shop or put it up for sale in some way or another repeating the buy and sell process over and over again. The Golf Clubs you see on the rack are made for a golfer that is average but truth is that no one is average and everybody is very special and unique. If they don’t try to customize the club to fit them, they will be stuck in this circle. I am proud that Gold’s Factory Customers keep their clubs forever when it is truly built for them the way they need and want it to be.
Q: Is it true that even the top tour pro’s must pay for your putters like everyone else?
A: Yes, Of Course It doesn’t matter if you are Tiger Woods or the President I will treat everyone with the same respect and consideration. I have already made putters for just about every Pro Golfer there is in Japan and we continue to have each player’s data. There is nothing more we can learn from Tour Players specifications that we have not already learned. Everyone must pay for Gold’s Factory Putter no matter who they are.
Stay Tuned for Part 2 of the Interview and a Video where Master Sasaya Hand Grinds a Wedge and explains True Hand Made vs what others call Hand Made…
Also if you guys have any questions for Master Sasaya please post them here in the comments section of this blog.
I forward the questions to him, he responds, I translate and put it into the reply on the blog.
I always thought that the letters were stamped.
Sasaya-san used to do hand stamping and still can but all the letters on Gold’s products are usually cnc engraved as that produces much cleaner results than hand stamping.