Equipment
Justin Rose signs multi-year deal with Honma
One of the worst-kept secrets in the golf equipment world is no longer secret: world No. 2 Justin Rose is officially a Honma staffer.
The Japanese premium equipment company announced the signing in a press release today.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining Honma,” said Rose, in the press release. “Coming off one of my best years professionally, I wanted to make it a point to get better. I believe Honma equipment and the legendary Honma craftsmanship can help make me better.”
Rose had previously played a full TaylorMade bag for the past 20 years.
Former TaylorMade CEO Mark King joined Honma as a strategic advisor late in 2018. Many expected he’d be tasked with helping the brand make a larger splash in the European and American markets, the financial resources of new company owner, Chinese billionaire Liu Jianguo, behind him.
Honma has never had a male player ranked inside the top 150 under contract. On the women’s side, however, top players So Yeon Ryu and Shan-Shan Feng play the company’s wares.
Golf Digest’s Mike Stachura quoted Honma spokesman John Kawaja as saying Rose is under contract to play 10 Honma clubs.
Per Stachura
“That group is expected to include the T//World TW747 driver; a prototype version of the forged cavity back T//World TW747 V in the 4- through 6-iron; and a prototype T//World 747 “Justin Rose” forged muscleback iron in the 7-iron through 9-iron. Rose also is expected to play custom prototype versions of the T//World TW forged wedges (47, 56 and 60 degrees).”
Rose’s bag will feature a Honma logo, as will both sides of his hat.
For his part, Rose announced the news with the tweet below.
Hello 2019…. I’ve been waiting for you! Excited to move into the new year with Honma equipment! New Years resolutions…. 1) play a club that looks exactly how I want! ? 2) play a club that feels and performs exactly how I want! ? #Team???? pic.twitter.com/GLgK7N46Eb
— Justin Rose (@JustinRose99) January 1, 2019
The Englishman is expected to begin his year at the CareerBuilder Challenge, January 17.
And per Rose’s caddie on Twitter, here’s a look at the full bag, including what appears to be an Axis1 putter.
You can only speak as you find …. @HONMAGOLFUSA make the most beautiful golf clubs … will be proud to carry this bag for the boss @JustinRose99 in 2019 … #Team???? pic.twitter.com/ZXWUNQWz3v
— Dick fulchers lad (@Fooch1993) January 2, 2019
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Whats in the Bag
Russell Henley WITB 2024 (March)
- Russell Henley WITB accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX
3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT Hybrid 100 TX
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S, @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron T5 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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Whats in the Bag
Vince Carter WITB 2024 (March)
- The NBA legend was teeing it up in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am.
Driver: Ping G430 Max 10K (9 degrees)
3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees)
7-wood: Ping G430 Max (21 degrees)
Irons: Ping i230 (4-PW)
Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 (50, 54, 58)
Putter: Ping
Ball: Renegade Mbu
Check out more photos of Vince Carter’s WITB here.
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Equipment
From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations
In our forums, our members have been discussing the most forgiving irons currently on the market. WRXer ‘TheShark1’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons, saying:
“Currently gaming the Mizuno Pro 225’s but think I need more forgiveness in my irons. My well struck shots are real nice, but my mishits are not performing as good as I had hoped anymore. I really like hollow body irons so if I could find something more forgiving in a hollow body iron that would be great.
Open to any and all recommendations other than Ping. Can’t hit Ping irons at all.”
And our members have been sharing their best suggestions in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- AvidSwampThing66: “Another vote for the super forgiving and fast Paradym irons. They look really good for being a GI iron.”
- bobfoster: “I just went from MP20 MMCs to the new 245s in my scoring irons (just played my first round with them today). If you have a chance to try them, you might find them worth a serious look.”
- vman: “Shoot me down, but spend the money on lessons.”
- J_Tizzle: “i525s are great off the heel in my opinion.”
Entire Thread: “From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations”
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GD
Jan 1, 2019 at 2:05 pm
Is he going to use Honma balls or TM balls. Certainly not Titleist.
But if he uses Honma balls he’s definitely finished. Honma just doesn’t have the patents to make as good a ball as the others.
He should’ve signed with Bridgestone or Srixon.
Who cares if Mark King had a hand in the deal. Those times were over a long time ago. Poor sucker Chinese billionaire. That guy should’ve bought TM instead of fiddling with Honma
ogo
Jan 1, 2019 at 12:29 pm
Rich Asians apishly follow European and American values just to show they are hipsters too. Most are short and weak and golf is a challenge for them, nevertheless they want to imitate Western values. Their mentality is not to play golf well, it’s to own the most expensive equipment because “you are what you own”… similar to our gearheads.
pharmdog98
Jan 1, 2019 at 4:41 pm
most are short and golf is challenge for them? lol. go to hell bro. dumb ass