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James Patrick Golf


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This past week, I visited the grind shop at James Patrick Golf in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Although I have admired James' work for years, this was the first time I had met James. He gave me a tour of his shop, explained some of his theories of wedge design, and let me watch him do what he does best; sit in front of the wheel and literally create a one off work of art.

 

James is one of the most laid back, easy going guys I have ever met. As he started to explain some of his theories of wedge design as well as show me some of what he has been working on, I thought to myself what an honor it was to have JP to take the time to share his passion with a complete stranger. It's very clear, JP has an unquestioned passion for his art, and deserves to be mentioned with some of the best of the business even in the infancy of his business. The work he produces is absolutely flawless. Couple that with some of the finest forgings in the business from Kyoei, the end product really is something special.

 

While I was there, JP fit me on his lie board, and adjusted the loft and lie on all the irons in my bag. I was amazed at the attention to detail he uses even with something as simple as bending a head. He has built in backstops in place to ensure that when he bends a club, it leaves no evidence of a bending mark on the head.

 

Following the fitting and bends, he pulled out his iPod, handed me a set of ear protection, sat in front of the wheel and went to work. James' attention to detail when cutting and sculpting Kyoei forgings in unreal. JP's passion, technical understanding of the game, the wedge, design, and the art of grinding go into each and every head he produces.

 

I wanted to share some photo's from my experience, I hope you enjoy them.

 

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Great pics. I've been following James' work for some time and it really does look extraordinary. If possible, could you talk a little bit about some of his theories on wedges?

One thing in particular that he mentioned was the center of gravity on his offerings. As you can see by a couple of the wedge photo's, the heel area is really thin (which will not affect the bending whatsoever). By taking the weight from the heel, and adding his tungsten ports toe side, he moves the center of gravity to the center of the face. On most off the rack wedges, it's closer to the heel than center.

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Looks like a really cool set up. I bet that is the best fitting anyone could ever get!!! Nice pics..

Whats in the bag:

 

Titleist 910D2 10.5 Graphite Design Y7-S

Adams 1600 proto 14.5 Graphite Design AD DJ

Titleist 910F 17 Ust Tour Black

Titleist 910H 22 Diamana Kali

Adams Idea Pro A12 4-9 KBS C Taper

Titleist Vokey SM4 46 degree w/ DG Spinner

Mizuno MP R12 50-54-58 DG spinner

Ping Redwood ZB

Ball Nike 20XI-X

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  • 3 months later...

I just received preliminary photo's of my 60* James Patrick wedge! I can't wait to make the trip over to The Grind House for a visit. It goes without saying, I am really pleased with the work, it looks fantastic. Looking forward to the trip over to his shop to pick this up and have a little work done on my existing heads. More photos and information to come!

 

The finish on this is Black Chrome-Glazed.

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

JP makes a fantastic product. So fantastic, in fact, that Edel made an agreement with him for wedges to be created for the 2011 PGA show, and then promptly screwed him and ripped off everything about the wedges he created for him, down to the stampings (minus JP's initials).

 

Not sure why this is in Japanese equipment, though, unless it's because he uses Kyoei blanks.

In The Bag
Driver: TaylorMade M2 (2017) w/ Project X T1100 HZRDUS Handcrafted 65x 
Strong 3 wood: Taylormade M1 15* w/ ProjectX T1100 HZRDUS handcrafted 75x
3 Hybrid: Adams PRO 18* w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4 Hybrid: Adams PRO 20* (bent to 21*) w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4-AW: TaylorMade P770 w/ Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Black Onyx S400

SW: 56* Scratch Tour Dept(CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
LW: 60* Scratch Tour Department (CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
XW: 64* Cally XForged Vintage w/ DG X100 8 iron tiger stepped
Putter: Nike Method Prototype 006 at 34"

Have a ton of back-ups in all categories, but there are always 14 clubs in the bag that differ depending on the course and set-up. Bomb and gouge. Yes, I'm a club gigolo.

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  • SPY VIP

JP makes a fantastic product. So fantastic, in fact, that Edel made an agreement with him for wedges to be created for the 2011 PGA show, and then promptly screwed him and ripped off everything about the wedges he created for him, down to the stampings (minus JP's initials).

 

True story.

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that Edel made an agreement with him for wedges to be created for the 2011 PGA show, and then promptly screwed him and ripped off everything about the wedges he created for him, down to the stampings (minus JP's initials).

 

Not sure why this is in Japanese equipment, though, unless it's because he uses Kyoei blanks.

 

Here's what I don't understand. I could also really give a $hit about either party b/c I don't play any of their stuff nor do I know them (JP makes a cool looking wedge though!) anyway I just want to know what exactly did their "agreement" entail? Because if I were to contract a guy to make and design some clubs for me, everything's good and the pieces are falling in motion and we know what our end product is to look like, and then boom something happens and there is a huge falling out, I know that myself- I would not change what our product was going to be. I would not scrap everything and re start. We had our designs and products in place. If I contract a guy to make or design something for me- I own that design, am I right? So, you can say Edel ripped him off all you want, but if you're in his position would you not do the same thing? If he owns the designs who is to say he's ripping them off? The designer? Of course he will- they always do- this is nothing new. The JP wedges sure do look nice though!

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I had a chance to spend some time at the candy shop, The James Patrick Golf Grind House, yesterday! I picked up my new 60* wedge and had JP check the loft/lies on my irons. He also reshafted another wedge I brought in. What is unique about this is, he does it while you wait and spends all the time in the world talking to you about grinding, the wedge game and wedge design. I can honestly say, my time spent at JP's has been one of my favorite experiences in golf to date. It's just a pleasure to be able to watch a craftsman like JP, firsthand and ask him detailed questions about the game and equipment. I also got to see a prototype for the JP Irons he had in his bag. They are easily the most beautiful irons I have ever seen. Plain satin chrome with only his JP logo, no paint fill, nothing. The prototype just looked incredible and I am looking forward to seeing the complete set. From his new hat line to staff bags, every thing he seems to touch is set apart from any other offering in the game. It's a pleasure having him in Minnesota.

 

When I went in for my fitting this past fall, JP watched me hit some wedge shots, then got some feedback from the lie board. He asked me a bit about my wedge game and the courses I play including the texture of the sand. I did not give him an opinion about what I thought I should have. He created the wedge based on our fitting and a couple months later, it was born. It really does look beautiful, almost too nice to hit. He said if I did not want to hit it, he would make me a rack for my living room wall! The exterior finish is almost like a shiny black chrome. The interior, or face side of the wedge is a muted black matte finish with a hint of texture to it. An absolutely remarkable finish that will play perfect in the sunlight. It's like a mullet, business in the front, party in the back. It's shafted with a KBS Tour Stiff shaft with a Masda Slick Fit Japanese grip. Cool trip with technology made from racing tire slicks used for racing.

 

JP is going to send me a PDF with the additional specs of my wedge, which I will post when I receive it. It's going to be tough to wait until April to put this to the test!

 

He just updated his website and facebook page which now has an online store. Check it out!

 

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Here's what I don't understand. I could also really give a $hit about either party b/c I don't play any of their stuff nor do I know them (JP makes a cool looking wedge though!) anyway I just want to know what exactly did their "agreement" entail? Because if I were to contract a guy to make and design some clubs for me, everything's good and the pieces are falling in motion and we know what our end product is to look like, and then boom something happens and there is a huge falling out, I know that myself- I would not change what our product was going to be. I would not scrap everything and re start. We had our designs and products in place. If I contract a guy to make or design something for me- I own that design, am I right? So, you can say Edel ripped him off all you want, but if you're in his position would you not do the same thing? If he owns the designs who is to say he's ripping them off? The designer? Of course he will- they always do- this is nothing new. The JP wedges sure do look nice though!

 

JP has been doing his thing long before Edel started making wedges. Edel decides to try to come to an agreement with him to create his wedges. I dont know the exact details as I haven't seen the contract. With that said, he displayed and sold wedges at the PGA show based off of the wedges JP created and under the presumption that JP would craft them. I don't have a problem with him crafting ground wedges, lots of people do. The problem I have is he got JP involved, down to picking the forging house the heads came out of. Then, he keeps creating the wedges and uses the stampings that JP is known for, the loft in words dancing, etc, and purports them as his own designs. Then, on top of that, in order for JP to get his wedges back(after they'd already started copying them) that he'd created for Edel, he forces him to buy them back (when, purportedly JP supplied the blanks in the first place). Mike Adams, one of the leaders behind the wedge fitting movement/partnership with Edel has been quoted in several places at and prior to last years PGA show as saying that without JP these wedges wouldn't be possible, yet Dave adamantly denies that JP did anything to help him out when asked about it. Then some of Edel's folks are trying to trash JP in other places, saying he copied Edel instead of the other way around, which leaves an even more sour taste in one's mouth. It's sad, really, because JP is a VERY standup guy, and he still hasn't, to my knowledge and what I've read, ever commented on it in public. That says enough for me about the different levels of character both individuals have, JP outclasses that outfit 100:1. Let Edel keep ripping ideas and designs off, he's done it with Pixl putters and Ping's subsequent IsoForce, now these wedges ripping both the design and fitting system off. What's next? Full club sets and fitting processes in that arena too.

In The Bag
Driver: TaylorMade M2 (2017) w/ Project X T1100 HZRDUS Handcrafted 65x 
Strong 3 wood: Taylormade M1 15* w/ ProjectX T1100 HZRDUS handcrafted 75x
3 Hybrid: Adams PRO 18* w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4 Hybrid: Adams PRO 20* (bent to 21*) w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4-AW: TaylorMade P770 w/ Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Black Onyx S400

SW: 56* Scratch Tour Dept(CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
LW: 60* Scratch Tour Department (CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
XW: 64* Cally XForged Vintage w/ DG X100 8 iron tiger stepped
Putter: Nike Method Prototype 006 at 34"

Have a ton of back-ups in all categories, but there are always 14 clubs in the bag that differ depending on the course and set-up. Bomb and gouge. Yes, I'm a club gigolo.

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  • 6 months later...

I had the opportunity to play with JP today. He has an AWESOME prototype wedge/grind in his bag, but unfortunately, it's too early to photograph.

 

He did have this hand-ground ball mark repair tool on hand. Very cool, he'll be offering them soon.

 

photo-1.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

I had the opportunity to play with JP today. He has an AWESOME prototype wedge/grind in his bag, but unfortunately, it's too early to photograph.

 

He did have this hand-ground ball mark repair tool on hand. Very cool, he'll be offering them soon.

 

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Stephen, I'll have to get me one of those repair tools from JP. Thanks for sharing the pic and the video!

 

Tim

The Bag:

Right handed

Cobra King FLYZ+ 10.5* w/ Aldila Rogue 125 R 44.5"

Tour Issued TM M2 10.5 w/ Mitsubishi Tensi CK Pro Blue 60S

Tour Issued TM M2 15* w/ GD Tour AD 7S 43"

TM R7 17.5 HFS w/ Tour AD 7S Stiff 42"

Cobra S3 Pro's 4-pw w/ Aldila RIP Tours SLT 115 Reg. 5i 38.5"

Titleist Vokey Proto's

52*,54*,58* all TTDG S-400

TM TP5 X

Scotty Cameron SSS Tiffany 009 350 34.5" or Bettinardi BB1 DASS Proto

GHIN # 5144472

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  • 4 months later...

Nice! That looks great

MY BAG-

Driver- Taylormade SLDR 12* (Speeder 7.2vc tour spec S)

3 Wood- Taylormade R11(bimatrix prototype S)

3 Hybrid- Ping I20(stock S)

Irons-Taylormade Tour Perferred MC ( C Taper S)

Wedges- 50, 54, and 58 SCOR4161( KBS)

Putter-Taylormade Ghost Corza.

 

All Left Handed!

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Nice! That looks great

Thanks, Walker. I feel spoiled having JP here in MSP. Sure, he's here, and it's obvious I am a fan of the brand. However, I can attest that the guy behind these creations really pours his heart and soul into his company. Almost makes you feel as though the customers are a part of it.

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Thanks, Walker. I feel spoiled having JP here in MSP. Sure, he's here, and it's obvious I am a fan of the brand. However, I can attest that the guy behind these creations really pours his heart and soul into his company. Almost makes you feel as though the customers are a part of it.

 

Does he have left handed options?

MY BAG-

Driver- Taylormade SLDR 12* (Speeder 7.2vc tour spec S)

3 Wood- Taylormade R11(bimatrix prototype S)

3 Hybrid- Ping I20(stock S)

Irons-Taylormade Tour Perferred MC ( C Taper S)

Wedges- 50, 54, and 58 SCOR4161( KBS)

Putter-Taylormade Ghost Corza.

 

All Left Handed!

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My sIxxxTy found himself a life-partner today. fIfTy sIxxx!

 

The 2013 Bag is coming along nicely!

 

 

Beautiful looking wedges, but here's the big question. What does the 60 look like after playing a season out of the sand at Stoneridge? Or do you bag a backup wedge for rock sand bunkers?

Driver: :taylormade-small: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black

3w: :taylormade-small:'16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82

5w: :cleveland-small: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow

Hybrid: :cleveland-small: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black

Irons: :cleveland-small: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Wedges: :cleveland-small: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Putter: :odyssey-small: Red 7s

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Hands down the best looking wedges out there!

Driver: Titleist 915 D2 9.5 with Diamana Whiteboard S flex

3 wood: Titleist 915F 15*, Whiteboard S Flex

Titleist 915H 18* and 24* with Whiteboard SFlex

Irons: Mizuno JPX EZ Forged 4-PW with S300's

Wedges: Mizuno MP T4 50*, 56* with DG Spinner

Putter:MannKrafted Long Slope or Odyssey #7 Versa Metal milled or Betti Tour Stock;

Ball: Bridgestone B330 or Titleist NXT

Bag: Titleist 'Murica colored carry bag or

MyGolfSpy Tour Bag

 

RH, Western KY

 

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Thanks fellaz! I just can't hit JPs out of the Stone Ridge waste area sand. I should post pics of the forged wedge I used for this purpose all year. No wedge should be subject to such a beating. Wear and tear is one thing but ...well you know their deal.

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