[GolfWRX]

[rtk90]

wow i didnt even know he signed with yonex...

[TM golf guy]

Yonex eh? Hopefully he has a better year this year. Great shots Reid.

[skeets1987]

Anyone else notice the shaft in Fujikawa's driver? Is it a "Diamana Blackboard" or something? I was just wondering if anyone knew any news about this new shaft?

[TM golf guy]

That is a Diamana Thump hybrid shaft. I had one, and it is one of the better hybrid shafts that I have ever hit. Do a search on it, and you can find some good info.

[skeets1987]

Oh..I see. Thanks for the info.

[bambooluv]

Great shots Reid, is that the infamous black-board diamana?

[Lefty Cat]

As TM guy said above, if you look close enough it says Thump. Its a hybrid shaft.

[TM golf guy]

Info and review on the shaft for anyone that cares: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?sh...l=diamana+thump

[slice_oftheday]

Oh my, YONEX! Very cool, good luck to Tadd.

[Ryan_Less]

wow 3 different companies in 3 different years... that boy needs some stability, should have stayed with cally imo... well i guess $ talks doesn't it?

[bambooluv]

TM golf guy 182, on Jan 13 2009, 11:17 PM, said:

That is a Diamana Thump hybrid shaft. I had one, and it is one of the better hybrid shafts that I have ever hit. Do a search on it, and you can find some good info.

The Big Lefty, on Jan 13 2009, 11:35 PM, said:

As TM guy said above, if you look close enough it says Thump. Its a hybrid shaft.

Thanks, thats what I get for not reading all the way through...

[bambooluv]

CJ_Gibson, on Jan 14 2009, 12:47 AM, said:

wow 3 different companies in 3 different years... that boy needs some stability, should have stayed with cally imo... well i guess $ talks doesn't it?

I believe he was still an amateur when cally gave him gear, "which I think is legal, like in college."
TM was his first year which I am sure was just an equipment deal. Yonnex seems like a good fit
especially with the market he would appeal to.

[petter7]

TM golf guy 182, on Jan 14 2009, 12:38 AM, said:

Info and review on the shaft for anyone that cares: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?sh...l=diamana+thump

Here's the pic for those that are too lazy to click the link.

BTW, great pics!! Major close-ups, Sweet!

[shuttle1]

Yonex is an excellent brand, just not well known here in the States.

If you compared an equal model they make to what you are playing you just might switch to playing Yonex!

BUT, what I want to do is wish Tadd an excellent Tournament. May the Force be with you.

Best of Luck Tadd

[beruo]

I'm not a fan of the irons, and at this point I think that just about any non-Chikara wedge isn't worth the dust that collects on it, but I like Tadd. He's just such a cool cucumber and handles himself extremely well regardless of the situation. You watch interviews right after his incredible journey at the U.S. Open and he conducts himself the exact same as he does when reflecting on this past year. His day will come. Thanks for the pics, Reid.

[pitbull808]

CJ_Gibson, on Jan 13 2009, 08:47 PM, said:

wow 3 different companies in 3 different years... that boy needs some stability, should have stayed with cally imo... well i guess $ talks doesn't it?

Ahh..must be nice to be able to make a statement with no factual personal knowledge.

Tadd played originally with Callaway. Why? Because at the KMR Golf School he attended as a youth had every player in it playing Callaways. Reason being...at the time, probably the only OEM with forgiving clubs. Now everyone has a big cavity back in their line up. Later Taylor Made came to assist him after he left the KMR. He never signed with them nor did he sign with Callaway. They knew he needed assistance with clubs and were there to help him. While Tadd was attempting to make a run at his PGA exemptions, many companies came courting but Tadd unlike many did NOT want to just sign for money. He wanted to be able to play what he liked. One of those things were Chikara wedges. Nobody was going to give this young kid a club deal with full on open options in the bag when he's untested and unproven. One cut at the Sony does not make a good huge investment. Really..the ball was in the OEM's court and Tadd was just trying to not be the last kid picked for the team. Later Tadd was without any club assistance and Carlton Masui of Chikara Designs who works as his club maker came to his aid and had him playing OnOffs while he continued his practice. All with no promises of contracts, just a promise to help when needed.

Tadd struggled in 2008 as expected from kid who in between attempting to make cuts was continuing to go to high school. Like his female counterpart Michelle Wie, it's a tough way to prove yourself on the course doing it that way. Tadd's been practicing more then ever. Although he would have been happy with an exemption to the Sony, he's even more happy that he earned his way in.

Yonex who also sponsor Ryo Ishikawa, a top Japanese player who earned his way onto the JPGA as a high school student by winning a tournament saw the possibility of a great partnership with Tadd. As it is, when Ryo is in town playing local tournaments, there is a ton of press between who would do better in the tournament. Yonex feels that with Ishikawa and Fujikawa they'll continue to grow their market in Japan and eventually America. More and more younger players in Japan are gravitating to Yonex then ever before. This is NOT a multimillion dollar deal...Tadd tried the clubs, liked them and decided to play them. And yes...he was at Chikara Designs Golf Studio last week and has two new proto sets being made for him at the moment.

The clubs Tadd are playing from Yonex have all been available in Japan. The irons are forged with an internal cavity. Very forgiving and very soft. The driver has a composite top and a super looking paint job. I attempted to get it in a picture but it has to be seen in person. Tadd said he's hitting it longer then anything he's used in the past. I'm not positive but I believe it was 425cc. Mach1 who was there with me might remember exactly what it was.

After speaking to the Yonex Rep for a few hours, he's pushing for more of their clubs to be made available in America. Although their price points are high, he's pretty sure people who try them will end up liking them. I've used a few of their hybrids in the past and am really liking their new stuff. Their driver has really peaked my interest. The Yonex rep said that they are really trying to cater to what the people want. Open faces, traditional looks and forgiveness. After looking at Tadd's set up, I think they really are on target with their goals.

[kiwidave]

I really like the look of those irons, but the Japan made bit scare's. Probably because I can just imagine the price of them.

[pitbull808]

shuttle1, on Jan 13 2009, 09:21 PM, said:

Yonex is an excellent brand, just not well known here in the States.

If you compared an equal model they make to what you are playing you just might switch to playing Yonex!

BUT, what I want to do is wish Tadd an excellent Tournament. May the Force be with you.

Best of Luck Tadd

True..most Japan stuff does cost more but there's a lot more technology in the heads. Just look at clubs like Tourstage. Bridgestone irons and drivers do not use half of the technology that Tourstage does in their equipment line up. Yonex with their internal cavity forged blades are very "high tech" and because of it, a set would be easily $1400+ in America but for the discerning golfer who's willing to spend whatever it cost for that "tech", it's a drop in the bucket. Remember, just a few years ago pre-GolfWRX, people were so in awe/love of "tour" equipment, they'd pay more then that for just a driver.

[Riuzzi]

Thanks for the pics Reid. It's great to see that Tadd earned a spot this week. I really hope he'll do well, both in this tournament and in the future.

I'm a fan, GO TADD!!

[kemau]

pitbull808, on Jan 14 2009, 03:34 AM, said:

CJ_Gibson, on Jan 13 2009, 08:47 PM, said:

wow 3 different companies in 3 different years... that boy needs some stability, should have stayed with cally imo... well i guess $ talks doesn't it?

Ahh..must be nice to be able to make a statement with no factual personal knowledge.

Tadd played originally with Callaway. Why? Because at the KMR Golf School he attended as a youth had every player in it playing Callaways. Reason being...at the time, probably the only OEM with forgiving clubs. Now everyone has a big cavity back in their line up. Later Taylor Made came to assist him after he left the KMR. He never signed with them nor did he sign with Callaway. They knew he needed assistance with clubs and were there to help him. While Tadd was attempting to make a run at his PGA exemptions, many companies came courting but Tadd unlike many did NOT want to just sign for money. He wanted to be able to play what he liked. One of those things were Chikara wedges. Nobody was going to give this young kid a club deal with full on open options in the bag when he's untested and unproven. One cut at the Sony does not make a good huge investment. Really..the ball was in the OEM's court and Tadd was just trying to not be the last kid picked for the team. Later Tadd was without any club assistance and Carlton Masui of Chikara Designs who works as his club maker came to his aid and had him playing OnOffs while he continued his practice. All with no promises of contracts, just a promise to help when needed.

Tadd struggled in 2008 as expected from kid who in between attempting to make cuts was continuing to go to high school. Like his female counterpart Michelle Wie, it's a tough way to prove yourself on the course doing it that way. Tadd's been practicing more then ever. Although he would have been happy with an exemption to the Sony, he's even more happy that he earned his way in.

Yonex who also sponsor Ryo Ishikawa, a top Japanese player who earned his way onto the JPGA as a high school student by winning a tournament saw the possibility of a great partnership with Tadd. As it is, when Ryo is in town playing local tournaments, there is a ton of press between who would do better in the tournament. Yonex feels that with Ishikawa and Fujikawa they'll continue to grow their market in Japan and eventually America. More and more younger players in Japan are gravitating to Yonex then ever before. This is NOT a multimillion dollar deal...Tadd tried the clubs, liked them and decided to play them. And yes...he was at Chikara Designs Golf Studio last week and has two new proto sets being made for him at the moment.

The clubs Tadd are playing from Yonex have all been available in Japan. The irons are forged with an internal cavity. Very forgiving and very soft. The driver has a composite top and a super looking paint job. I attempted to get it in a picture but it has to be seen in person. Tadd said he's hitting it longer then anything he's used in the past. I'm not positive but I believe it was 425cc. Mach1 who was there with me might remember exactly what it was.

After speaking to the Yonex Rep for a few hours, he's pushing for more of their clubs to be made available in America. Although their price points are high, he's pretty sure people who try them will end up liking them. I've used a few of their hybrids in the past and am really liking their new stuff. Their driver has really peaked my interest. The Yonex rep said that they are really trying to cater to what the people want. Open faces, traditional looks and forgiveness. After looking at Tadd's set up, I think they really are on target with their goals.

thank you for the FACTS about what's going on......really get tired of the uninformed making ignorant statements. i saw tadd's feature on golf central last night and had to laugh a little bit at how he appears to be a little fish in a big pond given his size but fits right in and carries himself like a true professional. to monday qualifying and earn his spot in the field has to be quite a confidence boost. hope he does well this week and the rest of the year

[jebb]

Pittbull- great pics and I love the look of those Yonex irons.

Quick wedge question though. He looks to be playing a 54 TM and a Spin Milled 60.

Are they ground by Carl and also why isnt he playing the Chikara Protos any more? They looked fantastic to me.

[keaney91]

Great pics and post- I saw Tadd on Mark Rolfing's GC show a couple weeks ago and he had TM stuff in his bag; I'm sure that was taped a while back. I love his new stuff and wish him well this week and through the season.
Go Tadd!

[Wsc04forever]

sweet setup tadd!!!

[GOLFNUT2211]

Great pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kevcarter]

Pittbull, thank you very much for the wonderful pictures, as always!

I'm excited to see him make it through Monday Qualifying. Tadd seems to be a really fine young man, and a bunch of us will be pulling hard for him this week, GOOD LUCK TADD!!!

Kevin

[pitbull808]

jebb, on Jan 14 2009, 01:42 AM, said:

Pittbull- great pics and I love the look of those Yonex irons.

Quick wedge question though. He looks to be playing a 54 TM and a Spin Milled 60.

Are they ground by Carl and also why isnt he playing the Chikara Protos any more? They looked fantastic to me.

No..these TM and Vokey are not ground by Carlton. Why he's not playing Chikara Proto's? Because he chooses not to at the moment. No big thing for him considering he's had two other Chikara sets since those original proto's with another two being made at the moment.

Glad you guys are liking the pics. Tadd's Mom double checked with me at the end of the day to make sure I had got them. I was telling her about how he's causing a stir worldwide as well as here in Hawaii. As always, the two are super humble and appreciate everything. I'm really hoping for great stuff from Tadd this week.

[robb01]

Great pics, a bit surprised to see Yonex, they may really quality clubs though

[golfebj]

Pitbull, great facts and great pics!

[floyd]

Good to see him in the field, hope he makes a good showing.

[bambooluv]

kemau, on Jan 14 2009, 05:21 AM, said:

pitbull808, on Jan 14 2009, 03:34 AM, said:

CJ_Gibson, on Jan 13 2009, 08:47 PM, said:

wow 3 different companies in 3 different years... that boy needs some stability, should have stayed with cally imo... well i guess $ talks doesn't it?

Ahh..must be nice to be able to make a statement with no factual personal knowledge.

Tadd played originally with Callaway. Why? Because at the KMR Golf School he attended as a youth had every player in it playing Callaways. Reason being...at the time, probably the only OEM with forgiving clubs. Now everyone has a big cavity back in their line up. Later Taylor Made came to assist him after he left the KMR. He never signed with them nor did he sign with Callaway. They knew he needed assistance with clubs and were there to help him. While Tadd was attempting to make a run at his PGA exemptions, many companies came courting but Tadd unlike many did NOT want to just sign for money. He wanted to be able to play what he liked. One of those things were Chikara wedges. Nobody was going to give this young kid a club deal with full on open options in the bag when he's untested and unproven. One cut at the Sony does not make a good huge investment. Really..the ball was in the OEM's court and Tadd was just trying to not be the last kid picked for the team. Later Tadd was without any club assistance and Carlton Masui of Chikara Designs who works as his club maker came to his aid and had him playing OnOffs while he continued his practice. All with no promises of contracts, just a promise to help when needed.

Tadd struggled in 2008 as expected from kid who in between attempting to make cuts was continuing to go to high school. Like his female counterpart Michelle Wie, it's a tough way to prove yourself on the course doing it that way. Tadd's been practicing more then ever. Although he would have been happy with an exemption to the Sony, he's even more happy that he earned his way in.

Yonex who also sponsor Ryo Ishikawa, a top Japanese player who earned his way onto the JPGA as a high school student by winning a tournament saw the possibility of a great partnership with Tadd. As it is, when Ryo is in town playing local tournaments, there is a ton of press between who would do better in the tournament. Yonex feels that with Ishikawa and Fujikawa they'll continue to grow their market in Japan and eventually America. More and more younger players in Japan are gravitating to Yonex then ever before. This is NOT a multimillion dollar deal...Tadd tried the clubs, liked them and decided to play them. And yes...he was at Chikara Designs Golf Studio last week and has two new proto sets being made for him at the moment.

The clubs Tadd are playing from Yonex have all been available in Japan. The irons are forged with an internal cavity. Very forgiving and very soft. The driver has a composite top and a super looking paint job. I attempted to get it in a picture but it has to be seen in person. Tadd said he's hitting it longer then anything he's used in the past. I'm not positive but I believe it was 425cc. Mach1 who was there with me might remember exactly what it was.

After speaking to the Yonex Rep for a few hours, he's pushing for more of their clubs to be made available in America. Although their price points are high, he's pretty sure people who try them will end up liking them. I've used a few of their hybrids in the past and am really liking their new stuff. Their driver has really peaked my interest. The Yonex rep said that they are really trying to cater to what the people want. Open faces, traditional looks and forgiveness. After looking at Tadd's set up, I think they really are on target with their goals.

thank you for the FACTS about what's going on......really get tired of the uninformed making ignorant statements. i saw tadd's feature on golf central last night and had to laugh a little bit at how he appears to be a little fish in a big pond given his size but fits right in and carries himself like a true professional. to monday qualifying and earn his spot in the field has to be quite a confidence boost. hope he does well this week and the rest of the year

I hope that wasn't aimed at me, or anyone on this post. My addition to this topic was not far off base, and I never claimed to be solid fact just trying to add light to a situation that some do not understand fully. I was just trying to let the poster above know that he is not just jumping from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Cheers

Pete

[putts2much]

Mahalo for da pics...

I hope Tadd does well this week.
He's been very kind and genuine everytime I get a chance to chat with him.
Wish him nothing but the best.

I was just wondering, is he still using the Cameron 009 1.5 belly'd?
That putter was schweet..... when I saw him on the putting green a couple weeks back.

Aloha,

C

[shallowdivots]

outstanding pics as always!!

[pitbull808]

putts2much, on Jan 14 2009, 09:47 AM, said:

Mahalo for da pics...

I hope Tadd does well this week.
He's been very kind and genuine everytime I get a chance to chat with him.
Wish him nothing but the best.

I was just wondering, is he still using the Cameron 009 1.5 belly'd?
That putter was schweet..... when I saw him on the putting green a couple weeks back.

Aloha,

C

From what I saw, stainless "tour proto" 1.5. Not sure if it was a 009 or not as I didn't ask to photo it or see it. I believe its an older one that I took at last years Sony. As for it being belly'd...no because he was putting normally today. I know Tadd was saying if it's not custom made, he's would rather just choke down because with the addition of all the lead tape on the sole, he's losing the original balance of putter. He may have been experimenting when you saw him last with another putter.

[gregcindyh]

Nice pics!!! That stuff looks very techy...I like something different. I've been looking at something different for a change this year.

[bosoxfan]

So he bagged the centershaft Newport?
KH

[Ryan_Less]

pitbull808, on Jan 14 2009, 12:34 AM, said:

CJ_Gibson, on Jan 13 2009, 08:47 PM, said:

wow 3 different companies in 3 different years... that boy needs some stability, should have stayed with cally imo... well i guess $ talks doesn't it?

Ahh..must be nice to be able to make a statement with no factual personal knowledge.

Tadd played originally with Callaway. Why? Because at the KMR Golf School he attended as a youth had every player in it playing Callaways. Reason being...at the time, probably the only OEM with forgiving clubs. Now everyone has a big cavity back in their line up. Later Taylor Made came to assist him after he left the KMR. He never signed with them nor did he sign with Callaway. They knew he needed assistance with clubs and were there to help him. While Tadd was attempting to make a run at his PGA exemptions, many companies came courting but Tadd unlike many did NOT want to just sign for money. He wanted to be able to play what he liked. One of those things were Chikara wedges. Nobody was going to give this young kid a club deal with full on open options in the bag when he's untested and unproven. One cut at the Sony does not make a good huge investment. Really..the ball was in the OEM's court and Tadd was just trying to not be the last kid picked for the team. Later Tadd was without any club assistance and Carlton Masui of Chikara Designs who works as his club maker came to his aid and had him playing OnOffs while he continued his practice. All with no promises of contracts, just a promise to help when needed.

Tadd struggled in 2008 as expected from kid who in between attempting to make cuts was continuing to go to high school. Like his female counterpart Michelle Wie, it's a tough way to prove yourself on the course doing it that way. Tadd's been practicing more then ever. Although he would have been happy with an exemption to the Sony, he's even more happy that he earned his way in.

Yonex who also sponsor Ryo Ishikawa, a top Japanese player who earned his way onto the JPGA as a high school student by winning a tournament saw the possibility of a great partnership with Tadd. As it is, when Ryo is in town playing local tournaments, there is a ton of press between who would do better in the tournament. Yonex feels that with Ishikawa and Fujikawa they'll continue to grow their market in Japan and eventually America. More and more younger players in Japan are gravitating to Yonex then ever before. This is NOT a multimillion dollar deal...Tadd tried the clubs, liked them and decided to play them. And yes...he was at Chikara Designs Golf Studio last week and has two new proto sets being made for him at the moment.

The clubs Tadd are playing from Yonex have all been available in Japan. The irons are forged with an internal cavity. Very forgiving and very soft. The driver has a composite top and a super looking paint job. I attempted to get it in a picture but it has to be seen in person. Tadd said he's hitting it longer then anything he's used in the past. I'm not positive but I believe it was 425cc. Mach1 who was there with me might remember exactly what it was.

After speaking to the Yonex Rep for a few hours, he's pushing for more of their clubs to be made available in America. Although their price points are high, he's pretty sure people who try them will end up liking them. I've used a few of their hybrids in the past and am really liking their new stuff. Their driver has really peaked my interest. The Yonex rep said that they are really trying to cater to what the people want. Open faces, traditional looks and forgiveness. After looking at Tadd's set up, I think they really are on target with their goals.

Dude thanks for all of the info! I was not aware that Tadd didn't have a contract with Taylormade. Thats interesting... He's a really tight kid though... I got to hang with him in 07 at the Reno Tahoe Open and last talked to him then... so i didn't know how this all went down.

[wolfgame]

I want the guy to win...he is awesome!

One question....the pics of his irons look like they have never been hit. Breaking out a brand new set of irons to make your mark on tour? There isn't any wear on the pic you posted. Strange.

[pitbull808]

wolfgame, on Jan 14 2009, 06:32 PM, said:

I want the guy to win...he is awesome!

One question....the pics of his irons look like they have never been hit. Breaking out a brand new set of irons to make your mark on tour? There isn't any wear on the pic you posted. Strange.

Trust me...he's been using them or iterations of them for a while. My picture taking is pretty good...I purposely angled some shots as to not show wear marks on irons, and metal woods. There were significant amounts of wear on the driver and hybrid faces but you can hardly see them.

[Pure745]

His caddy must be stoked.. he's carring an Ogio Grom or Ozone, whatever model that is!