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Japanese Callaways / ProVs


fbluhm

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Thought I would pass these photos along of balls I used while living/playing in Japan (Okinawa). These two balls are the Japanese versions of a Callaway ball and a the Titleist ProV, circa 2007. These cost $60 a dozen at the time, and I can vouch for the fact that they were better than their counterparts in the States, especially when it came to distance. Oh, and they were considered illegal to use in the Staes, at least in an official tournament.

 

The Callaway ball was called the ERC Hot. ERC stood for Mr. Callaway's initials. The Titleist ProV was called the Titleist GranZ. Didn't look like anything we have here in the States except for the Titleist logo. The arrow (sword) the served as a marker where most people would put a straight line on their ball for more accurate putting. Enjoy.

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A lot of the Asian Tour equipment is non conforming here by USGA and R&A rules. All the major manufacturers make equipment for the Asian market. I can remember back in the day the European Tour (R&A sanctioned) used a smaller diameter ball than we did in the states. I think they standardized the ball sizes between the USA and Europe in the 70s. I found a couple of Titleist balls with markings like that a couple of years ago here. Of course we get people from everywhere so someone that has traveled like you have must have lost them. But your post did shed light on that mystery solved thanks!

Driver ---- Callaway Big Bertha Alpha  Speeder 565 R flex- 5W TM V-Steel Fubuki 60r--- 7W TM V-Steel UST Pro Force Gold 65R----- 9 W TM V Steel TM MAS stiff---- Irons 2015 TM TP CB Steel Fiber 95 R--- GW Callaway Mack Daddy 2 52* shaft unknown junk pile refugee. SW Callaway PM Grind 56*  Modified sole grind--- KBS Tour Wedge-- LW Vokey 58* SM5 L grind--- Putter Ping B90I Broom Stick 

 

 

 G

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Sorry but the GranZ is not a tour caliber-urethane multi-layer ball. It is closer to the NXT series, played like a softer feeling NXT Tour.

 

The ERC Hot is a similar type ball with even lesser spin.

 

The number one selling type of ball in Japan are the soft core, muli-layer balls that are not urethane but still with a softish cover.

 

The Super Newings, PHyz, etc lead that category and the OEMs make their own versions to compete in Japan. Those are what you have.

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Thanks. Was just reporting what the Japanese pro shop told me. Didn't know if the balls were still available these days (like I mentioned before, these balls were purchased in 2007). If the GranZ is only comparable to the NXT series, $60 a dozen is/was an awful lot to pay.

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Yup. The JDM balls are quite expensive, even if there is an equal USDM product.

 

Tourstage balls whose tech eventually trickles down a year after to the Bridgestone line. The Tourstage tour level balls are also at around $80/doz, yet the rebadged Bridgestone balls in the 330 series (S, RX, RXS,plain B330) are less than $50 a dozen.

 

The XXIO and PHyZ line balls which are closer to the Callaway Supersoft in performance are also $80 balls.

 

Tour level Mizuno balls are $80/dozen as well.

 

IIRC the GranZ balls have been replaced by the VG3 balls, also a Japan line (includes irons).

 

The latest and the greatest in Japan cost an arm, a leg, and then some.

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