ppeditor Those in the know about golf agree that the very best clubs come from Japan – and now an exciting new brand has arrived on British shores and talks exclusively to Professional Player.
Those in the know about golf agree that the very best clubs come from Japan – and now an exciting new brand has arrived on British shores. Bringing the best in craftsmanship to the glorious game, Dragon Golf UK is proud to partner with a small number of Japanese manufacturers who combine the highest quality materials with a unique sense of tradition, aesthetics and philosophy. Brought exclusively to the British market by Birmingham-based Ash Sudera’s select line-up includes the renowned Itobori, Team Yoshimura and Takumi Japan plus Makino, CGS Orion, Yamada Putters and Cadero Grip brands, whose intricately made clubs are perfect for hitting that coveted sweet spot. We found out more…
How did Dragon Golf UK come about?
“I’ve played with these handmade Japanese clubs for 15 years and have always had a passion for them. I was going to go to Japan to buy some new irons, but then came across Dragon Golf in Germany who sold them. I called them up to buy a set, and I’ve now ended up with exclusive distribution rights for the UK and Ireland!”
What’s so special about the clubs?
“Basically, they’re not mass-produced and they’re handmade to order, as well as being hand-forged and hand-finished. They are made at these tiny outlets which come from a long tradition of blacksmiths, and they’ve transformed their art into making beautiful golf clubs. Japanese industry-standard steel is also the best you can use. It’s slightly heavier than mass-made cast iron, but these are niche products that feel good
in the hand.”
‘We’ve got a studio in Tamworth for bespoke fitting services, and we aim to get several approved dealers around the country on board’
Do you have to be pro to use them?
“Not at all. We want them to be available to everyone – not just the elite. That said, they do cost more than your average clubs, but we want to showcase the best of the best. You’re buying a piece of excellence.”
Custom design is an important part of the experience, isn’t it?
“Yes. We’ve got a studio in Tamworth for bespoke fitting services, and we aim to get several approved dealers around the country on board. You can opt to have your name or initials engraved – even in Japanese – while the club is in its raw form. The stamp goes on before the coating and finish are applied so that no metal is taken off. You can also have the clubs made slightly lighter. For instance, we can take 10g off – but from all over rather than one spot. That means the way it handles doesn’t change.”
And what do the clubs feel like to play with?
“If you hit the ball right, you feel nothing – no vibrations or anything. You just hear the crack and off the ball flies…”
For more information contact: Ash Sudera | Email: [email protected] | Telephone: +44 (0) 3303 830344 | dragon-golf.uk
