Why do we settle for second best in the UK
- Thread starter munro007
- Start date
munro007
Tour Rookie
Or mass produced Cast Vokey's :clap:
MDG
Hacker
I don't think it is a case of settling for second best, the kind of clubs you're talking about are easily sourced if you wish to purchase them. If you're so confident that there is a big market that other retailers are missing out on, perhaps it might be an idea for you to open your own business selling them?
Foxholer
Blackballed
Just to ensure no-one is in any doubt.
Vokey wedges are generally cast - even the Tour ones! However, to pander to the Japanese market, there are some (JDM of course!) that are forged. http://www.golftoimpress.com/titleist-japan-vokey-forged-wedge-review/
Now, given that wedges are the Pros scoring clubs, I would think that they would be more sensitive to these than to their 'regular' irons.
I have a feeling that the softer feel that is likely to be found in a forged iron is desirable, but the harder feel of (even soft) cast wedges is actually preferred.
Having had about a dozen Miura wedges, a few Scratch ones, a Vega or two, Mizunos, Y-Cutters (when they were the dog's do-das) and some odds and sods, including Tour Vokeys and the current Performance ones, it is nothing to do with the manufacturing process that makes a great wedge (for me). It's the shape and grind.
I'm afraid I never really got on with Miura wedges - in spite of much trying - but I'm happy for those for whom they work. My current set-up works really well and only cost me as much as a single Miura, let alone any with Unobtanium shafts!
Back to the original issue - of UK having 2nd best. There is indeed a cultural difference between UK and Japan and that culture is reflected in the attitude to the world of golf. Most Scots even have a significantly different attitude to golf from most in the London area too - that 18yo program 'The Club' demonstrating the 'Southern' approach rather well.
And it's not only UK that appears to be settling for '2nd best'. The JDM Only market obviously excludes that most important golfing market - USA!
And why not go the completely OTT Japan approach - and go for the Honma 5-star set. Only about £25K for a set of irons, but you will get noticed! http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/good-as-gold I worked for a guy who had a set of these, and the hybrids and woods to go with it, all in a nice Hermes golf bag too!
Vokey wedges are generally cast - even the Tour ones! However, to pander to the Japanese market, there are some (JDM of course!) that are forged. http://www.golftoimpress.com/titleist-japan-vokey-forged-wedge-review/
Now, given that wedges are the Pros scoring clubs, I would think that they would be more sensitive to these than to their 'regular' irons.
I have a feeling that the softer feel that is likely to be found in a forged iron is desirable, but the harder feel of (even soft) cast wedges is actually preferred.
Having had about a dozen Miura wedges, a few Scratch ones, a Vega or two, Mizunos, Y-Cutters (when they were the dog's do-das) and some odds and sods, including Tour Vokeys and the current Performance ones, it is nothing to do with the manufacturing process that makes a great wedge (for me). It's the shape and grind.
I'm afraid I never really got on with Miura wedges - in spite of much trying - but I'm happy for those for whom they work. My current set-up works really well and only cost me as much as a single Miura, let alone any with Unobtanium shafts!
Back to the original issue - of UK having 2nd best. There is indeed a cultural difference between UK and Japan and that culture is reflected in the attitude to the world of golf. Most Scots even have a significantly different attitude to golf from most in the London area too - that 18yo program 'The Club' demonstrating the 'Southern' approach rather well.
And it's not only UK that appears to be settling for '2nd best'. The JDM Only market obviously excludes that most important golfing market - USA!
And why not go the completely OTT Japan approach - and go for the Honma 5-star set. Only about £25K for a set of irons, but you will get noticed! http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/good-as-gold I worked for a guy who had a set of these, and the hybrids and woods to go with it, all in a nice Hermes golf bag too!
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BLAM
Medal Winner
I'm not convinced the demographic is there to spend the kind of money required in the UK to own top quality MIJ/CIJ kit. In any case Sterling lost nearly 50% of its value versus the Yen a few years back and instead of being 225 to the Pound is now under 125 which has doubtless killed the import market anyways.
