WRX Forum Buzzz
Forum Thread of the Day: “Justin Rose to Honma?”
Today’s Forum Thread of the Day comes from GolfWRX member GolfChannel, who claims that Justin Rose will be switching from TaylorMade to Honma in 2019, per their “typically reliable” insider. Since then, some of our members have backed up the rumor, while others are struggling to buy that Rose would ditch the clubs that just took him to the World No. 1 ranking.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion at the link below.
- mallrat: “A teaching pro at our club is on staff with Honma and told me the same thing on Weds. He said it is because of TM’s old president or something who is now running Honma USA.”
- gunmetal: “Makes perfect sense. 1. Ascend to #1 in the world 2. Change out entire bag 3. Descend from #1”
- hogan1: “Heard the same thing today from a European challenge tour player. That Rose has signed a 13 club agreement with Honma.”
- daniel32293: “A source of mine in TM told me that Rose isn’t the only Englishman joining Honma.. an equipment free agent from last year will be joining him.”
In our forums, our members have been discussing the most forgiving wedges on the market. WRXer ‘aaronpoling’ lays out his current setup and what he’s currently considering, saying:
“I am looking at getting new wedges, but looking for a forgiving wedge.
I currently play Ping G25 50°, MD4 54° and 58°. I used to play the CBX2 in the 50°, 54° and 58° and liked them a lot; but like any good dad, my son took them.
I am currently looking Callaway’s CB12 and Cleveland’s CBZ. Anyone have thoughts on these? Or recommendations of other wedges that I should check out?”
And our members have been weighing in with their thoughts and recommendations in response, with one brand coming out emphatically on top.
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.
- boggyman: “CBZs are amazing wedges!”
- drewbens: “Agreed, the Cleveland CB wedges are great! Already had a CBX Full Face 2 54 and recently added a 50 and 58 (for well under $100 a piece). Was chipping so well last week that my brother-in-law asked if the wedges were legal. Definitely underrated wedges for those of us that are not scratch golfers.”
- BogeyTed: “Get Cleveland CBX/CBZ. Very underrated clubs.”
Entire Thread: “Best ‘forgiving’ wedges – GolfWRXers discuss”
In our forums, our members have been reacting to a WRXer who claims to have built the “worst fitting clubs ever.” ‘dlow206’ recounts his experience with plenty of insightful findings for where he can go better next time in a detailed post, saying:
“Here’s my story of building the worst fitting clubs ever (for me). And my findings of what a better fit is.
I am short in stature, as well as a very short wrist to floor of 30.5″. I went down a rabbit hole of wanting to try irons 1″ shorter of more than standard length. Given the shorter lengths, the swingweights would be super light unless I added back a ton of weight to the heads, but I don’t like adding an extreme amount of weight back to the heads, so I decided to compensate with heavier shafts (115 grams instead of 95). Played with this set for a while and was hitting all irons extremely poorly. Thin, fat, right, right, left. My swing didn’t deteriorate that much because I was hitting my driver well, woods well, etc.
Went back to my older set of irons, playing at standard length, and my iron play improved immediately. Since then, have been doing more testing, while paying more attention to different possible variables. What I have found is I actually prefer lighter total weight with relatively normal or slightly heavier swingweights. Did a recent fitting and found that 85 gram shafts were better for me than 95 grams with standard length and relatively standard swingweights.
Still trying to dial in a final iron shaft choice, so have a few contenders that I will be testing. Will be moving away from my current Steelfiber i95 S parallel to lighter and softer
- MMT 80 parallel R – worked pretty well in a limited number of swings at a fitting
- Fujikura Travil 85 R – the fitter liked the Axiom 95 R for me at Club Champion, but i didn’t love the effort required to swing them. If there was a 85 Axiom, that would probably have been a great fit. So i am going try a Travil 85 R which is japan only
- Steelfiber i80 CW R – i have been playing Steelfibers for a long time, so need to give one Steelfiber shaft a shot
Given I do club building work, I am going to build all of these shafts with the All-Fit universal iron adapters to pair with a Srixon 7 iron head for testing. With these adapters, there isn’t a swingweight issue because the amount of weight from drilling out is about equivalent to the universal adapter components.”
And our members have been sharing their reactions 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.
- Mikey_HACKilroy: “That length cut costs you a fair amount in swing points. I’d posit the length mattered more than the weight because a 115g shaft isn’t going to actually add enough back after cutting an inch off. Does it mean 115 would ultimately work? Hard to say. Maybe try a 1/2″ cut and add 2g to the head to compensate assuming the 7i is 37″ long. Maybe that will feel better. It translates to the same ~D2 you’re swinging at with the 95g shafts (estimated based on common weight, but you can weigh your parts on your own obviously).”
- Stuart_G: “Your process is good – keep at it and trust it.”
Entire Thread: “I built the worst fitting clubs ever – GolfWRXers discuss”
A second version of PXG’s Secret Weapon has this week landed on the USGA’s conforming list, much to the interest of our members.
The original version of the brand’s Secret Weapon launched in January of 2025, with the second version also featuring four distinct weight ports in the head and coming with 13-degree of loft.
In our forums, our members have been assessing the new version and sharing their thoughts.
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.
- DTorres: “Kinda looks like the face on the new one might be slightly deeper. Little bit more rounded leading edge.”
- snagy2000: “The current version is REALLY good, long…This one looks like they’re bringing some lightning tech to it…”
- SEP1006: “Agree with this, hard to tell from that angle but looks like the face may be the same as the Lightning. If that’s the case may have to give this a serious look. Absolutely love my 2wd which is also a 13* loft. But that Lightning Tour Mid Driver face is hot and forgiving.”
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Chris R
Nov 14, 2018 at 4:56 am
Rose’s switch is/was based on a relationship with former TMAG President Mark King, who is now consulting with Honma. He is signing a 9-club deal (irons/wedges) which will allow him to play any woods/putter he wants. In addition, he’ll be using a Honma Bag, but not wearing a Honma Hat.
As for the rumor of a second player….many people have said that Luke Donald will be leaving Mizuno to join Rose at Honma. This is still just speculation, but keep your eyes open for a potential switch by a well known player early in 2019.
Jason
Oct 28, 2018 at 2:13 pm
I just heard the other staff player will be Paul Casey
Ted falconer
Oct 27, 2018 at 12:14 am
Pro golfers are pro golfers and the club is a distant second to the players talent!
Dave Bryce
Oct 27, 2018 at 10:06 am
Then why did Payne Stewart fall from near the top to a fringe player when he went to Wilson? When he switched back he returned to his ownself. Suitable equipment is important!
Richard
Oct 28, 2018 at 7:56 am
Payne Stewart moved to Spalding and it was a combination of club and ball that caused his struggles. When he became a free agent he went to a set of mizuno blades. It’s all in the book
A.Dante
Oct 26, 2018 at 5:21 pm
I have seen MANY top players switch for money, and Drop off the planet.
Too bad. Honma is a great iron, but they lack fitting expertise.
Once upon a time this guy named Curtis Strange was a top ranked player who switched to Maruman…….never heard from again.
Kevin
Oct 27, 2018 at 2:40 am
One isn’t many
TLW
Oct 26, 2018 at 3:56 pm
I thought it was funny that Rose wasn’t in much of, if any of the TaylorMade commercials in 2018 like Tiger, Rahm, Day, Rory, and DJ were.
Tim Wilkinson
Oct 26, 2018 at 3:47 pm
I wish someone would play Miura. The Honma is pretty ugly through and through, looks a lot like the cartoon colored clubs you can by in tier 1 of Tiger Woods EA 2004 video game.
The Miura forged blade is bar none the best feeling iron and wedges on earth.
Christian Larsson
Oct 26, 2018 at 7:12 pm
Hu? This comment makes me think you’ve never actually seen a Honma golf club. The Tour World series are all about forged clean designs.
JP
Oct 26, 2018 at 3:20 pm
In case anyone missed it, Koepka is number one.
HDTVMAN
Oct 26, 2018 at 2:24 pm
I hit the driver at the last PGA Show and it was OK, a nice looking, expensive gold club. But I wasn’t impressed with their offerings. However, any club manufacturer can build any club to fit any player, and if the money’s right, I wouldn’t be surprised if Rose, or any player, switched clubs. Honma could build the exact clubs to Rose’s specifications.
big jones
Oct 26, 2018 at 1:39 pm
These are sweet feeling clubs.
Dave r
Oct 26, 2018 at 1:30 pm
Nothing wrong with money. Good for him if they pay more than Taylor made go. Besides I think tiger and his pay has a lot to do with him leaving money gets less when you sign the big dog . And to be honest think Taylor made is suffering money wise. To many new models of irons and woods would hate to pay the r@d bill at that company.
David Lehmann
Oct 26, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Where have all you guys been…. ROSE is NOT number 1 in the world. Koepka is!!
MHERD4
Oct 26, 2018 at 2:58 pm
See…His descent has started already! LOL
Mervin
Oct 26, 2018 at 12:35 pm
I have golfed for 45 years and have played every club on the market in those years. 3 years ago I went to try Honma irons and they have not left my bag. Don’t knock the club. Try them. You will like them. Enough said Rose is just a rose but a smart rose.
Eej
Oct 26, 2018 at 5:49 pm
Irons, yes, but I bet you won’t play its driver! Idiot
Milton Taylor
Oct 26, 2018 at 12:23 pm
A few reasons why Rose would pick Honma. Number one the feel of the irons are Mizuno times 10 especially the Honma TW(tour world)-BM irons, and I’m a Mizuno fan. Second, this company doesn’t have the stable of the other large companies, Rose can be the face of a franchise, he can have his clubs be the franchise design, and he will get well-compensated abroad and in the states. Good move I think.
The dude
Oct 26, 2018 at 12:51 pm
10 x the feel of Mizuno huh??….are they made outa clay??
Larry
Oct 26, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Sometimes the switch to another company’s equipment works & sometimes it doesn’t. Its not only the equipment (which can make a huge difference), but also the support team (Tour Van, etc.)
He probably grabbed the cash, bigger endorsement deal. It will be interesting to see if he stays near the top, or disappears as some have following an change in equipment. I wonder if they’ll be building a one off for him, or ask him to play something from their product line.
joe
Oct 26, 2018 at 3:27 pm
he will be playing 747 prototype honma irons in 2019
Craig McMahon
Oct 28, 2018 at 2:34 pm
Not 727? Rose as always been a blade user has he not?
Charlie Waffles
Oct 26, 2018 at 12:11 pm
I’m sure that he’ll have the entire line at his disposal so Honma get to plaster it’s name out there, just all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$.
Ian
Oct 26, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Well there was speculation that TM needed make room for Tiger since he had been in the spotlight so much. Just surprised it was Rose since he’s numero uno now.
Jack Nash
Oct 26, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Huh? Why not Mizuno? Koepka and others playing the Tour’s are doing quite well.
Jamie
Oct 26, 2018 at 1:54 pm
When players want the equipment with no regard for endorsement dollars, they play Mizuno. Just an observation. Obviously Justin is not above greed yet.
Tom
Oct 26, 2018 at 11:28 am
TM needs to cut expenses, (not attending PGA Show)so this is no surprise?
Honma needs PGA Tour credibility and Mark K likes to spend money….
Tom
Oct 26, 2018 at 11:17 am
All clubs perform the same today, its just about who pays the most endorsement money….Yawnnnnnn
Caroline
Oct 26, 2018 at 12:41 pm
One must remember that there are two VERY different games of golf, there is the recreation golf played by the average Joe/Jill and there is the highly skilled Professional sport of golf played by a group of highly talented Men/Women. Time is spent making equipment to work with these highly talented people, then the name on that equipment is stamped on mass produced equipment (copies at best) to sell at out rage-us prices to the recreational golfer…