組み立てまでがJUCIE

こんにちは、ブログ担当のtKです。
今回は少し、JUCIEの「組み立て」について書いてみたいと思います。

皆さんご存じの通り、ゴルフクラブはヘッドだけでは使えません。
シャフトが挿さり、グリップが装着されて、初めて一本のゴルフクラブになります。
つまりゴルフクラブとは、大別すると
ヘッド・シャフト・グリップという3つのパーツを組み立てて完成するもの。
そして、その組み立ては必ず“誰か”が行っています。
実はJUCIEは、この「組み立て」にもかなりの自信とプライドを持っているんです。


今でこそJUCIEは全国の取り扱い店様へヘッド単体でも提供しています。
ですが、コロナ前までは基本的に完成品でしか販売していなかったそうです。
なぜか。
それは、「自分たちが設計した意図通りのゴルフクラブ」として自分達の手で組み立てて提供したかったから。
ヘッドを設計するだけではなく、
シャフトが入り、グリップが装着され、
一本のゴルフクラブとして完成した状態まで含めてJUCIE。
そんな考え方があったそうです。


その考え方を支えているのがツアーの現場です。
JUCIEの組み立て現場には、日々さまざまな選手がクラブを持ち込んでくるそうです。
調整だったり、組み直しだったり、依頼内容はきっと多岐にわたるでしょう。
「わざわざ組み直す必要があるの?」と思われる方もいらっしゃるかもしれません。
しかし、選手がわざわざ持ち込むには理由があるはずです。
松吉氏はよく、ツアーの現場をF1やラリーに例えます。
一般ユーザーが使うクラブとは少し違う世界で、そこまでの性能や精密さ、高度な技術を支える設計は必要ないのかもしれません。
でも、そのタフな環境で得た知識や経験を、一般ユーザー向けの製品へ落とし込んでいく。
ヘッド設計だけでなく、組み立てにもそのノウハウが活きているそうです。


実は僕自身、
クラブの「振り心地」がとても気になってしまうタイプでした。
皆さんもありませんか?
「なんとなく軽く感じる」「ヘッドを感じづらい」「振り遅れる」
数値や言葉では説明しづらいけど、なんか気持ち良く振れないなぁ。
そんな感覚です。
僕は今まで、新しいクラブを手にすると、ほぼ毎回鉛を貼っていました。
ここに貼って、やっぱりこっちにも必要だな。
ちょっと貼り過ぎたな、剥がそう。
また貼ろう。
そんなことを繰り返して、自分好みに仕立てていました。
でも、ある時気づいたんです。
JUCIEで組んでもらったクラブだけ、鉛を貼っていないなと。
特別意識していたわけではなかったのですが、あまりにも普通に使えてしまっていたので、後から気づきました(笑)。
「あれ?そういえば触ってないな」と。
別に僕専用に組んでもらっているわけでもありません。
「こうしてほしい」と細かく伝えたこともありません。
なのに、不思議とそのまま使えてしまっていました。


理由は、ごめんないさい、よく分かりません。
僕自身、昔は自分でクラブを組んでいた時期もありますが、
どこをどう調整したら、こんなに違いが出るのか、分かりません。
これを言ったら「一緒にするな」と怒られそうなので言いませんが(笑)。
もしかしたら数値で説明できる部分もあるのかもしれませんし、それだけではない何かがあるのかもしれません。
ただ一つ言えるのは、僕はJUCIEで組んでもらったクラブを、何も気にせず、ノンストレスで気持ちよく使わせてもらえているということです。


各パーツメーカーが日々しのぎを削り、素晴らしい製品を生み出しています。
ヘッドメーカーも、シャフトメーカーも、グリップメーカーも、
より良い製品を目指して開発を続けています。
ですが、ゴルフクラブはヘッドだけで完成するものではありません。
シャフトだけでもありません。
それぞれのパーツが組み合わさり、一本のクラブとして完成した時に、

「使い手」がどう振れるのか。どう感じるのか。

料理で例えるなら、最高級の食材だけを集めても、美味しい料理になるとは限りません。
どんな組み合わせにするのか。どんな味付けをするのか。
その調理方法で仕上がりは大きく変わります。
ゴルフクラブも同じなんだと感じます。
どんなに良いヘッドがあっても、どんなに良いシャフトやグリップがあっても、その組み合わせや組み立てが噛み合わなければ、本来の性能は発揮できません。
だからこそJUCIEは、ヘッドの設計だけでなく、組み立てにも強いこだわりを持っているのでしょう。


もし機会があれば、
ぜひ一度、

JUCIEが組み立てたクラブ

を使ってみてください。
ヘッド性能や飛距離性能だけではなく、「振り心地」という部分にも注目していただけたら嬉しいです。
メーカーとして完璧を求める姿勢。
そのこだわりは、きっと振った瞬間に感じていただけると思います。

人それぞれ、クラブに求めるものは違う

Hello, this is tK, your blog correspondent.

cHアイアンが登場してから、tQアイアンとの違いを改めて感じるようになりました。
最近この2モデルを交互に使いながら、思うことがあります。
それは、
人それぞれ、クラブに求めているものって本当に違うということです。
その違いを分かりやすく例えるなら、車かと思います。


“ラグジュアリーワンボックス”のようなcHアイアン
広くて、快適で、安心感があって、乗っていて疲れづらい。
運転に気を遣わなくても、ちゃんと快適に目的地まで連れて行ってくれる。
しかも、ただラクなだけじゃなく、高級感や所有感もしっかりある。
「今日は気持ちよくゴルフしたいなぁ」
「楽しくスコアを作りたいなぁ」
そんな気持ちにさせてくれる感じです。

“上質なスポーツセダン”のようなtQアイアン。
誰が乗っても感じる快適性もありますが、それ以上に“走る楽しさ”がある。
ハンドル操作、アクセルを踏んで加速いく感じ、コーナーを気持ちよく曲がる。
運転すること自体が楽しい。
tQアイアンはまさにそんな感じで、
インパクトが揃った時のビタッ!と「点」が揃ったような快感や、
ボールを操っている感覚が本当に気持ちいい。


どっちが良い悪いではない
なので、どっちが良い悪いじゃないんです。
ラグジュアリーワンボックスが好きな人もいれば、上質なスポーツセダンが好きな人もいる。
シーンや気分によって、どちらが良いかも変わる。
実際、僕自身が今まさにそうです。
cHアイアンを使っていると、
「これ、もう快適すぎて戻れないかも……」と思う。
でもtQアイアンを打つと、
「あぁ、この“操ってる感覚”だよなぁ……」となる。
困るんですよ、本当に(笑)。

良いクラブは、自分の判断基準を明確にしてくれる
ここで改めて感じたのが、
良いクラブを使うと、自分が何を求めているかが明確になるということです。
飛距離なのか。
快適性なのか。
操作性なのか。
安心感なのか。
クラブって、ただボールを打つ道具ではなく、
ゴルファー自身の感覚や価値観を映し出してくれるものなんだなと感じます。
そして、それが分かってくると、
「自分はこれが好き」
「自分はこういうゴルフがしたい」
という判断が、自分でできるようになってきます。

これがクラブを楽しむってことだとの一つだと思います。
だからこそ、色々なクラブを打ってみてほしいです。
スペック表や数値だけでは分からない、
“そのクラブが持っている性格”が見えてくると思います。

そしてもし機会があれば、
cHアイアンとtQアイアン、ぜひ両方打ってみてください。
きっと、
「どっちが良いか」ではなく、
「自分はどっちが好きか」
が見えてくると思います。


さらに困る情報があります
……と、ここまで書いておいて、さらに困る情報があります。
「cHアイアン」には「令和イケメン」と「正統派」モデルがあり、この後「正統派」モデルのリリースが控えています。
cHアイアンをベースにその性能を継承しつつ、顔つきが変わり、さらに何か違う個性を持たせてくるのか。
cHアイアンの“快適性”をさらに伸ばしてくるのか。
それとも、また全然違う方向へ行くのか。
松吉氏のことなので、きっと単純な派生モデルでは終わらない気がします。
正直、楽しみで仕方ありません。

I’ve been using the new cH irons on the course!

Hello, this is tK, the blog manager.
Following the release of information about the new cH Irons, they are now on sale.
Some of you may have already read the articles from the media launch event.
By the way, Mr. Matsuyoshi gave various explanations during the event, and I must say, his talks are always fascinating no matter how many times I hear them.
Even the media representatives, who were listening with some reserve at first, were completely engrossed by the middle of the presentation.
Some of you may have already tried them out or even used them in play. I’m sure those of you who have have your own unique impressions.

Since I’ve actually used these irons on the course, I’d like to focus on how they performed out there and give you a thorough impression of the cH irons.
I’m sure Mr. Matsuyoshi will continue to share plenty of details about the design and other technical aspects, so as usual, I’ll be sharing my personal experience from a user’s perspective.


On the course, it always exceeds expectations more than on the driving range.
Last time, I shared my impressions from testing it on the driving range; this time, I’ll share my experience using it on the course.
By the way, while this applies to all previous JUCIE models as well, I feel that JUCIE performs significantly better—both in terms of feel and results—when used on the course, on the grass, with course balls.

I guess it goes without saying since you’re using them on the course, but don’t you find that this happens surprisingly often?
You might think, “Oh, this might be good” at the driving range, but when you take it out to the course
you end up going, “Huh…?” Even though you took it out with high hopes, that feeling of disappointment is just too much.

By the way, among the JUCIE clubs, the tT Wedge’s S Sole is the one that completely transforms the feel when you hit it on the grass. It’s the perfect example of this.
To be honest, you can hardly tell how good it is on the mats at the driving range…
But when you hit it on the grass,
it changes so much that you’ll think, “Wait, this is a totally different club!”
I’m absolutely head over heels for the S Sole.

If there are any S-Sole users reading this, I think you’ll probably get the idea.


The cH irons also really shine on the green
And while there isn’t quite the same gap as with the S sole, these cH irons also really showed their true potential on the green.

First, when addressing the ball.
Compared to the tQ irons, these are significantly larger, and I think they feel substantial even when compared to other manufacturers’ models, including those with composite heads.
Yet, strangely enough, I got used to them almost immediately.
I wonder if this is due to the ingenuity of their meticulous design, or if this is simply the ideal size for a tour-level setup.
If anything, the distinctive protrusion at the toe gives me a tremendous sense of security.

As for the feel of the swing, there’s a distinct sensation of swinging a large clubface.
This was even more apparent on the course than it was at the driving range.

And the feel at impact is linked to this, giving you a sensation similar to striking the ball with the entire face of the club.
This is where it differs significantly from the tQ irons,
If the tQ offers the thrill of a “point” when you make solid contact,
the cH provides the comfort of a racket that makes contact with a “surface.”
That’s how you can really feel the difference in their character.


The ball flight and distance are really nice, and it just flies.
The way the ball flies and the distance it achieves gave me the same impression I had when I tried them at the driving range.
Compared to my previous irons, the ball launches a little lower and then glides forward with spin.
Distance varies by club, but generally, I was hitting about 10 yards farther.
I don’t think it’s necessarily better just to hit the ball as far as possible, but it’s really a relief when it simply flies well.


Because of its high moment of inertia, one of the defining characteristics of the
cH irons is its high moment of inertia.
Perhaps due to this, there were several instances where, if I started the downswing with a slight sweeping motion that caused the clubface to open, the ball tended to drift right.
I feel that this club’s performance isn’t well-suited to a swing where the clubface remains open during the backswing or downswing.
On the flip side, maybe that’s just the modern way to use this club.
If I swing with the feeling that the position I set up during the takeaway simply returns to its original state, the club responds very naturally.
In my case, just by being slightly more conscious of how I bring the club down right before impact, my game improved dramatically.
Furthermore, when I tried swinging my driver shot with that same mindset, even my driver improved! Thank you, cH irons... lol.


A problem arose
Since I wanted to compare them with the tQ irons that day, I tried using the tQ irons partway through.
The cH irons feel so comfortable to use that
I thought, “I might not be able to hit anything but the cH irons anymore…?” But I was wrong.

The feeling of hitting the sweet spot on the tQ irons, the solid feedback from the ball in my hands, and how easy the clubhead is to swing.
I don’t know why… even though I was using these irons just the other day, I already miss them so much…
Using the cH irons really highlighted the difference in character compared to the tQ irons, and it made me appreciate the tQ irons all over again.
I guess people really do get used to luxury.

So, what should I do? I want to use both...
I can’t exactly pack two sets of irons in my golf bag...


In conclusion,
I feel that the cH irons have broadened their target audience significantly.
There’s no doubt that this is a model that a wide range of players will enjoy using.
Its performance will likely vary considerably depending on the shaft you choose.
I’d like to come up with a way to gather your feedback someday.

First Impressions: Fastest Playtest of New Irons

Hello, this is tK, the blog manager.
Things have taken a sudden turn since the last blog post.
"The near-final version has arrived."
We received word from Mr. Matsuyoshi, and a little while ago, we were shown just the header.
Then, right at the deadline for this blog post, he called and asked, "Do you want to publish it?"
Of course I do!
"Please, let me publish it!"
I practically begged him, leaning forward eagerly.
Dear readers, I'm truly sorry.
I went ahead and published it a little early.

This time, it's the "Fastest Test Impression."
※ I believe Mr. Matsuyoshi will cover the deeper design aspects in future updates, so I'd like to share my impressions purely as a golfer (and as a self-proclaimed #1 fan in Japan).


First, the moment I saw them:
I threw everything from the 4-iron to the PW into my caddy bag for now.
The moment I removed all the iron covers and saw the new irons lined up as clubs again.
Yeah, they look awesome... tears.
They're not flashy. They're not over-the-top.
But they definitely have presence and a sense of luxury.
And above all, you instantly know, "These are JUCIE."

Differentiation in the backface isn't the focus of this model, but as a golfer, the appearance of the clubs lined up in my caddy bag is a crucial point that heightens my sense of ownership and satisfaction.
They've got that covered too—truly impressive.

This is apparently the near-final version, but they still plan to make adjustments before the final product.
After hearing the explanation, I thought, "They go that far, huh?"
I really felt there was absolutely no compromise.


Is the "Reiwa Handsome Guy" Really Handsome?
When I first heard the term " Reiwa Handsome Guy " and its concept, I was half excited and half anxious about what it would actually look like.
But the moment I saw it, I understood.
Compared to the heads commonly circulating now, it definitely has its quirks.
But those quirks actually become its charm.
You know how some actors are like that? They seem distinctive at first glance, but they have this aura and are incredibly cool.
It's that kind of vibe.

Moreover, when you hold it—
it gives you an incredible sense of reassurance.
I think the head size plays a part, and so does the balance of the facial features. Both factors combined made me feel a strong sense of "kindness" emanating from this face.
When placed next to the tQ iron, their characters are so different you'd never believe they're from the same brand.
I think if someone tried to copy this, it'd just end up looking like some kind of awkward knockoff.


The moment I hit it, something felt off.
When I swung lightly from the PW, I knew instantly.
"Whoa, the flight is different."
This compares to the tQ irons I'm currently using, but I've also compared them to other brands' high moment of inertia irons.

Compared to the tQ iron, I think the slightly steeper loft also plays a role,
The launch comes out a bit lower than I imagined—
Then it shoots straight up into the sky.
It's like there's an invisible rail up there, and the ball races up it.
You know how roller coasters have that initial slow climb? If you imagine a rail like that, it's pretty close.

And as you move up to the 9-iron, 8-iron, and 7-iron, it surges forward just the same.
What's more, the ball keeps getting "stronger" and stronger.
When you switch from a mid-iron to a long iron,
"Whoa, it really flies that far!?"
If you're used to the smooth, beautiful ball flight of tQ irons, the club number and the ball's momentum don't match up at first.
But it also feels different from what you'd call a distance-focused iron. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think you'll understand once you hit it.
And before I knew it—
By this point, the quirky face of the Reiwa-era heartthrob felt like it had always been there, and I didn't notice it at all anymore.


Distance and Feel
I verified the distance at a range with TrackMan.
I felt each club gained 5 to 10 yards.
It launches a bit lower, then soars up the rail, making it easy to gain distance.
It gives the impression of being relatively easy to hit with a trajectory like a tour ball.
And it feels great without compromising the feel.
The softness of the soft iron is definitely there.

Just hearing the term "high moment of inertia," I imagined the feel might suffer a bit, but I was completely wrong.
I feel this construction is only possible because JUCIE consistently uses FULL CNC machining.
It's like a high-end car with air suspension.
When you make clean contact,
it feels like the entire clubhead envelops the ball.
The deep center of gravity brings to mind a fairway wood.
It's mild yet has a solid core.
The "comfort" Mr. Matsuyoshi mentioned in his recent blog post.
Honestly, I could feel it was a perfect fit.

Not just easy to swing, but one that feels great when you let it work.
I think the "comfort" you feel can vary significantly depending on which shaft you choose.
Please enjoy imagining things like:
"Should I stick with the same shaft?"
"Or should I go for a slightly more forgiving spec to pursue comfort?"


I'm really looking forward to the course.
This time it's the driving range, so my impressions will be based on range balls.
But it reminded me.
Of the first time I used the tQ irons on the course.
I was mesmerized by the beauty of that ball flight.

I wonder what the new irons will be like.
I'm sure they'll bring a whole new kind of excitement.
Right now, imagining that is the most fun part.

The excellence of the tQ irons, and the distinct advantages of the new iron model. Given their unique characteristics, the choice of which to employ becomes a strategic decision. Such nuanced deployment offers an engaging experience.


In Conclusion
Rather than merely examining performance specifications or numerical data, we highly recommend experiencing this iron firsthand. The final iteration, released to the market after meticulous fine-tuning, will arrive in your hands with an even more refined aesthetic.
Given its current developmental stage, we anticipate that trial opportunities will be available to you in the near future.
We encourage you to experience this new facet of JUCIE.
We also intend to provide comprehensive insights into its on-course performance.

Further Updates on New Iron Models

Hello, this is tK, the blog administrator.
This blog post provides a follow-up on JUCIE's new iron series.
From readers of the previous article,
we have received several inquiries at JUCIE asking, 'What exactly is Reiwa Ikemen!?'
...Indeed. It's far from over.
Since then, I have been making frequent reconnaissance trips to Mr. Matsuyoshi, gathering 'fragments of information' piece by piece.
This time, I will share a follow-up report, limited to the information I have been authorized to disclose.


'Reiwa Ikemen' and 'Orthodox'
What particularly captures attention, of course, is...
As previously announced, JUCIE's upcoming new iron series will feature:
• Orthodox
• Reiwa Ikemen
Models embodying these two distinct design philosophies are slated for simultaneous release.
Now, to the main point.
Inevitably, the 'Reiwa Ikemen' model is what truly piques curiosity.
To be frank, when I first heard this term, my initial reaction was, 'Oh, really...?' (laughs).

However, the more I delved into the details, the clearer it became that this is not merely a catchy name,
but a project with extraordinarily ambitious objectives.


The Evolution of Irons Features 'Pivotal Models'
During my discussion with Mr. Matsuyoshi, the term emerged:
'Game Changer,' a phrase imbued with significant strategic intent.

Reflecting on the history of irons,
there have been several models that marked a distinct shift in design philosophy.
Which manufacturer, at what juncture, transitioned to which design ideology?
Those who have enjoyed golf clubs for an extended period
might possess a more intuitive understanding of these shifts than I do.

The 'Reiwa Ikemen' is reportedly being developed to follow this trajectory, aiming to become the 'next game changer' in the Reiwa era.
...While stated casually, this is, in fact, a remarkably ambitious undertaking.


Technical Fragmentary Information
Specifically, one point highlighted was the moment of inertia value.
Despite being a one-piece soft iron forging,
• The 7-iron boasts a moment of inertia of approximately 2800 g·cm² (among the largest for soft iron head sizes).
Individuals who immediately grasp the significance of this figure likely possess a profound dedication to golf equipment.

In recent years, advancements in 3D scanning technology have made it possible to replicate shapes with considerable accuracy.
Following JUCIE's product releases, various manufacturers have been closely observing Mr. Matsuyoshi's designs,
and frankly, they would likely imitate the shape almost immediately.

However, according to Mr. Matsuyoshi,
• Establishing a 'face' characteristic of Reiwa Ikemen
• Maintaining the same center of gravity design, a legacy from the tQ irons
Even if the shape could be replicated, imitating while simultaneously achieving both these objectives would be an almost impossible feat.

This aspect conveys a unique exclusivity to JUCIE, which is highly gratifying for enthusiasts.
The shape features a cavity back design.
However, I perceived a subtle distinction from what is typically referred to as a 'forgiving cavity back.'


The Most Unexpected Aspect: 'Loft Settings'
Furthermore,
what truly surprised me this time was the loft setting.
• Reiwa Ikemen: 31° for the 7-iron
• Orthodox: 29° for the 7-iron
I had anticipated the complete opposite.
This configuration, it is explained, naturally arises when considering the club delivery method and the profile of a tour player utilizing it. Consequently, these two models not only possess:
• Distinct aesthetics
• Different characteristics
but also feature a distinctly different 'impact methodology.'
While aesthetic appeal serves as an initial selection criterion, the ultimate choice of model is determined by 'how one intends to strike the ball.'
I found this approach to be analogous to the selection process for wedge sole designs.


Game Changers Are Initially Met with Skepticism
A remark Mr. Matsuyoshi casually made left a lasting impression on me.

Models that become game changers,
regardless of the era, are not immediately embraced.
However, before long, they become the 'new standard.'
The 'Reiwa Ikemen' will likely elicit both praise and criticism. But that is acceptable.
JUCIE undertakes such pioneering projects.
Mr. Matsuyoshi, as he spoke, wore a subtly amused expression.

Development Progress
The demo heads, initially anticipated by the end of last year,
are still undergoing refinement due to the intricate milling process, and have not yet reached their satisfactory final form.
The more I learned, the more my desire grew: 'I want to see it soon!' 'I want to hit it soon!!'
Frankly, I returned with an almost agonizing anticipation.
Nevertheless, there is an expectation of being able to experience the actual product in the not-too-distant future,
so this excitement is likely to persist for a while longer.

Further Updates to Follow
While this update does not reveal the complete picture, the contours are gradually becoming clearer.
We will provide further updates as soon as new information becomes available.
Next time, we may be able to delve into more in-depth discussions.
Please continue to follow our progress.