2020 Official Member Review: Honma TR20 driver

[GolfSpy Stroker 9,296]

Did you know that Honma has been making golf clubs since 1959?

Give this a quick read to learn all about them - https://mygolfspy.com/honma-north-america-and-the-quest-to-figure-it-all-out/

These 4 members will be testing the TR20 driver (top 5 in 2020 Most Wanted!) to learn exactly what makes Honma golf so special.

Testing the 440 model:
@golfingbrock
@DPattGolf

Testing the 460 model:
@Getoffmylawn
@Judge Smails

We are all excited to see what these clubs can do for you and look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Go get em fellas.
 

[golfingbrock 425]

[PLACEHOLDER]

[DPattGolf 1,343]

[PLACEHOLDER]

[JudgeSmails 2,196]

[PLACEHOLDER]

[Getoffmylawn 977]

[PLACEHOLDER]

[Getoffmylawn 977]

I am beyond thrilled to have this opportunity and can't wait to get testing.  My gamer is the first Epic, so I'm hopeful I'm in line for some big ball speed gains.  I only ask that if I'm missing something or not being comprehensive enough, let me know!  I want to do right by this group that I'm ecstatic to be a part of.

[MDGolfHacker 6,769]

28 minutes ago, GolfSpy Stroker said:

 

These 4 members will be testing the TR20 driver (top 5 in 2020 Most Wanted!) to learn exactly what makes Honma golf so special.

Testing the 440 model:
@golfingbrock
@DPattGolf

Testing the 460 model:
@Getoffmylawn
@Judge Smails

We are all excited to see what these clubs can do for you and look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Go get em fellas.
 

Congratulations guys.  Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the gonna driver!

 

MDGolfHacker

[golfingbrock 425]

I keep saying 2020 is the BEST YEAR EVER!    Really looking forward to testing and sharing my thoughts on the Honma TR20 440! 

My current gamer is a 7 year old Tour Edge XCG7 Beta w/ Ozik Black Tie X-Stiff shaft.  It is 44.75" which I think has helped w/ my dispersion and I have kept up with or beyond most of my playing partners as they've upgraded the last few years, but I think there is a really strong chance that the Honma will get me some extra yards and earn a spot in the bag! 

In the mean time, I'll be pounding 2 protein shakes a day til this sweet stick comes in.

[golfingbrock 425]

1 hour ago, MDGolfHacker said:

Congratulations guys.  Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the gonna driver!

 

MDGolfHacker

I love how every time I try to type Honma on my phone, it autocorrects to Gonna 

[golfingbrock 425]

I just got off a great call with Honma to get all my current specs.  Looks like I'll have my TR20 440 8.5 degree w/ Vizard FP-7 - X shaft some time late next week!

[Getoffmylawn 977]

14 minutes ago, golfingbrock said:

I just got off a great call with Honma to get all my current specs.  Looks like I'll have my TR20 440 8.5 degree w/ Vizard FP-7 - X shaft some time late next week!

Damn it @golfingbrock, you beat me to it.  I got the same call.

Not having a ton of familiarity or exposure to Honma, their rep just made a great first impression.  The first thing he did was apologize for COVID making a more traditional fitting difficult, and then followed that with a solid 15-20 Q&A about my game.  We chatted about my current gamer, what I tend to see on the course for typical flight, my big miss, etc.  I was fortunate in that I'd had a fitting session in March at GolfTec as well, so I was able to speak with some level of confidence to swing speed, spin numbers, launch, etc.  This guy was energetic, professional, and had all the time in the world to talk with me...great call.

So, a 460 TR20 with a 60g mid/mid Vizard shaft should be arriving next week.  Can't wait!

[golfingbrock 425]

19 hours ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Damn it @golfingbrock, you beat me to it.  I got the same call.

Not having a ton of familiarity or exposure to Honma, their rep just made a great first impression.  The first thing he did was apologize for COVID making a more traditional fitting difficult, and then followed that with a solid 15-20 Q&A about my game.  We chatted about my current gamer, what I tend to see on the course for typical flight, my big miss, etc.  I was fortunate in that I'd had a fitting session in March at GolfTec as well, so I was able to speak with some level of confidence to swing speed, spin numbers, launch, etc.  This guy was energetic, professional, and had all the time in the world to talk with me...great call.

So, a 460 TR20 with a 60g mid/mid Vizard shaft should be arriving next week.  Can't wait!

I haven't been fit before, so why start now?  I really wish we could have been able to do it in person, but I feel confident about the options we picked.  I play in a lot of wind, so went for the lowest loft option 8.5, which can be turned down to 7.5, then went to the low/mid flight FP-7 shaft which has a stiffer tip, or 'boardy' as like some like to say in golf forums.  

Also found this interesting tidbit from a MGS article when searching for info on the Vizard shafts:

[Getoffmylawn 977]

40 minutes ago, golfingbrock said:

I haven't been fit before, so why start now?  I really wish we could have been able to do it in person, but I feel confident about the options we picked.  I play in a lot of wind, so went for the lowest loft option 8.5, which can be turned down to 7.5, then went to the low/mid flight FP-7 shaft which has a stiffer tip, or 'boardy' as like some like to say in golf forums.  

Also found this interesting tidbit from a MGS article when searching for info on the Vizard shafts:

Yeah, I'm with you.  Would have been nice, but I'm confident what's coming is going to work for me.  I have thought about taking it to Club Champion here at some point (I verified they fit Honma) and seeing what impact a couple aftermarket shafts have.  We'll see.  I don't know about your phone call, but on mine he went on for quite some time about the quality and craftsmanship behind their shafts, so I'm very optimistic.  @PMookiehad some very positive feedback about them too.

I could do without knowing that my golf shaft is not unlike Brangelina though, thanks for that...

[JudgeSmails 2,196]

Had a great call with the rep today. Spent about a 1/2 hour of Q&A about my swing and just talkin a little golf in general. I'm getting the TR20 460 10.5, with....I cant remember the shaft
It's a stiff and 70g Vizard, but I dont remember exactly. Also, they are setting the hosel/head to the specs he thinks will work best for me, then I can tinker from there. I will definitely start out though, playing the setup how he recommends.

Sent from my SM-G973U using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[MattWillGolf 66]

On 6/26/2020 at 5:07 PM, golfingbrock said:

I love how every time I try to type Honma on my phone, it autocorrects to Gonna 

Cuz your phone knows your'e Gonna hit that Honma driver. 

[DPattGolf 1,343]

I also had a chance to speak with our Honma contact for about 30 minutes or so the other day. Like everyone else the call was great and provide a ton of information on both the driver and Honma’s in house Vizard shafts. 
 

In terms of the specs for the driver we settled in on an 8.5* head with the 9 gram weight starting up front and a little bit of hot meld in the head to bring the swing weight up a little over D4. Shaft wise it will be coming with the Vizard FP 70x cut 1” short (Build length of 44.5”) and also tipped 1”. Definitely getting excited to get this setup in hand.

[golfingbrock 425]

Just got word that my Honma TR20 440 is shipping today!  Haven't hit it yet, but can't say enough great things about the service and experience so far.  I'll be in Utah next week on vacation, and Honma was able to change shipping to the condo so I will have it on Monday!

[Getoffmylawn 977]

Just got my notification as well.  Honma's Custom Fitting Manager sent me an email with a FedEx tracking number.  TR20 460 to arrive early next week.

I have to say I'm already quite impressed with Honma from a service standpoint.  For example, from the email I received:  "This is my email address and my cell phone number is listed below.  As you start to tinker with the driver or think about any adjustments to make, I'm certainly available to you and at your disposal.  Would be happy to chat some more to help you dial it in further if it's required."

Top notch.  

One other little gem we found out last week too...these sticks are coming to us from Honma's tour builder, "Wedge Wizard" on Instagram.  I'm psyched to say the least...

[PMookie 10,347]

2 minutes ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Just got my notification as well.  Honma's Custom Fitting Manager sent me an email with a FedEx tracking number.  TR20 460 to arrive early next week.

I have to say I'm already quite impressed with Honma from a service standpoint.  For example, from the email I received:  "This is my email address and my cell phone number is listed below.  As you start to tinker with the driver or think about any adjustments to make, I'm certainly available to you and at your disposal.  Would be happy to chat some more to help you dial it in further if it's required."

Top notch.  

One other little gem we found out last week too...these sticks are coming to us from Honma's tour builder, "Wedge Wizard" on Instagram.  I'm psyched to say the least...

Turns out he built my irons for me! I sent him a message with a pic via Instagram when I found out. He replied immediately. Very cool!

[golfingbrock 425]

Still tracking for delivery tomorrow, 4 states away, where I'll be on Sunday.  I trust Fedex will handle it gently as they walk it into the UPS Store