When it comes to golf clubs, each brand that we know comes from a specific country. Most of them might be from Europe or the USA, but the small Island Country of Japan has been designing excellent clubs for years. The best Japanese golf clubs are not necessarily better than a brand like TaylorMade or Nike, but they do have a reputation of quality and artistry. The Mizuno MP-650 Driver is by far one of the best Japanese Golf Clubs on the market today.
The brands that originate from Japan are not as abundant. However, the clubs that we do find coming from them has a lot of value and quality added to them. Generally, these clubs come with an impressive steel quality and a lot of attention to detail. In this article, we will explore some of the best Japanese golf clubs you can buy today.
Top 3 Japanese Golf Clubs
| Best Japanese Golf Clubs | Miura Tour Series Chrome Wedge (Best Wedge Set) | Mizuno MP-650 Driver (Top Pick) | Mizuno JPX919 Forged Golf Iron Set (Best Iron Set) |
| Recommended Skill Level | Advanced | Advanced to Expert | Expert |
| Shaft Material | Graphite | Varies by selection | Graphite |
| Price | $$$ | $$ | $$$$ |
| Our Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Best Japanese Golf Clubs On The Market Today
While the features or criterion to look for remains the same for Japanese golf clubs, as they do for most others, we have done a little research into the brands. However, before we dive into these specific brands, you might be interested in which golf clubs are the best. Here is our selection of the top Japanese golf clubs available today:
Top Pick: Mizuno MP-650 Driver
Mizuno is probably one of the most famous brands from Japan and they have been around for a long time. The Mizuno MP-650 Driver might be an expensive driver, but it features a design with a variety of materials. Not only does this improve forgiveness, but it can also reduce the drag of the club by up to 15% when playing:
What I Like:
- Bolder Turbulators: The Bolder Turbulator Technology is responsible for reducing the drag and making it more aerodynamic.
- Tungsten Weight: Mizuno has added a Tungsten weight and while this will definitely increase the price, it also improves stability.
- Dragonfly Crown: New Dragonfly Technology is used for the crown and this will keep it stable while reducing the weight.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Price: The only real issue with it is the excessive price that might not be ideal for every beginner.
Best Japanese Irons: Mizuno JPX919 Forged Golf Iron Set
The Mizuno JPX919 Forged Golf Iron Set form part of the JPX919 collection and this is some of the best Japanese craftsmanship that you can find. Cor-Eye Technology has been improved and allows them to compete with some of the best brands. It has 1-degree better loft and a little more forgiveness for advanced players.
What I Like:
- Loft: Compared to some of the other mainstream brands, the 1-degree loft can make a difference for experienced players.
- Stylish: The Hydropearl Chrome finish will not only make them more durable but also look more impressive.
- Toprail Undercut Cavity: If you need more flex, this feature or addition will add up to 18% more flex to your shaft.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Price: Once again, we need to look at the price and Mizuno is one of the most expensive brands on the market
Best Wedge Set: Miura Tour Series Chrome Wedge
Miura is another Japanese brand of golf clubs that has a cult-like following. The Miura Tour Series Chrome Wedge is known for the exceptional feel of comfort that it has. This club is not really made for distance, but when it comes to controlling and accuracy, it can be really hard to compete with it on the golf course:
What I Like:
- CNC Milling: The CNC Milling is one thing that many people might have seen. It offers extra grooves for more spin control.
- Centre of gravity: While distance can be an issue, the higher center of gravity could give you more loft and control.
- Durable: Since it is made from pure Japanese steel, you have one of the most durable clubs available.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Distance: Swing speed and distance could be an issue, especially for a beginner, who might need beginner’s clubs.
Best Irons For Experienced Players: Miura CB-501 Iron Set
As an experienced player, you might need some more advanced golf clubs. The Miura CB-501 Iron Set is specifically designed for these players and can be found a little cheaper than the Mizuno. It has graphite shafts that will increase the flex, while the technology is designed for perfect control over the ball when playing:
What I Like:
- Aerodynamic: Even if you have a slow swing speed, the aerodynamic design of these clubs make them efficient for distance.
- Increased flex: While the exact number is not known, you will have a little more flex than some other brands.
- Price: Most Japanese clubs can be really expensive, especially when you want the best clubs. Fortunately, these are priced more reasonably.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Only 4 irons: You might still need to add to your iron collection, as this is not the complete set. However, it is ideal for upgrading.
Best Fairway Wood: Honma TW-747 18 5 Wood
Most people have probably never even heard of the brand Honma. However, they are making some handcrafted quality clubs for people of all ages and genders in the world of golf. The Honma TW-747 18 5 Wood is an exceptional fairway wood that has been designed to specifically offer you better swing and distance.
What I Like:
- Graphite Shaft: Compared to standard steel, the graphite shaft gives you a little more flex when playing.
- Tour standard: This club can match up with some of the leading brands due to be tour tested on big courses.
- Includes Headcover: You will need to keep the face protected and having a great headcover can definitely make this easier.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Heavy: Honma clubs can be a little heavier than many of the clubs you are used to playing with.
Best Putter: Tonino Lamborghini Golf Blade Putter
A putter is one of the most important pieces of golfing equipment that you can own. While the Tonino Lamborghini Golf Blade Putter is limited edition, the performance is excellent. It has also been constructed by the Honma brand. The putter is fairly expensive but makes up for this in quality on the course.
What I Like:
- Limited Edition: The brand is quite authentic and this is one of the rarest clubs that you can have in your kit.
- Soft feel: Much like all Japanese golf clubs, it has a soft feel to it, making it comfortable and easier to control.
- Tungsten Infused: Having the addition of tungsten will add some weight to the club and add more durability.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Price: Since this is a limited edition, you will need to bite the bullet when it comes to the high price tag.
Best Utility Iron: Srixon Z Utility U65 Iron
In the modern age of golf, the utility iron has become a preferred option. Since it covers the job of many other clubs, it can be more affordable to have. The Srixon Z Utility U65 Iron is the perfect option for your kit and it does not command the same price as many other Japanese clubs. Here is what we like about this club:
What I Like:
- Versatility: With this club, versatility is definitely at a premium and you will save a lot of money on irons.
- Price: Compared to some of the other Japanese clubs, Srixon is slightly more affordable for the average beginner.
- Spin Control: Like almost all Japanese golf clubs, this one also offers you some excellent spin control.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Lacks Distance: You will need to work on your swing speed if you want to achieve the best distance with this club.
Which Japanese Brands Are The Best?
Japanese golf clubs have had a reputation for being a little expensive and many people also consider them overpriced. However, the clubs are generally handcrafted and they feature the best of Japanese steel on the market today. Here are some of the top brands from Japan that you can use when you are playing golf:
Miura
Miura is one of the oldest and most well-known Japanese brands and the brand generally makes use of the best steel when designing clubs. They might not be as affordable as many of the mainstream golf clubs, but once you start playing with them, you will feel the difference. These clubs are commonly recommended for mid-handicappers or advanced players.
Mizuno
Mizuno is probably one of the most famous brands, but they are not only renowned for their golf clubs, but also for the other sporting wear. Mizuno’s clubs are not as expensive a brand like Miura and you should be able to find more clubs for your skill level here. However, they also have a selection of really expensive golf clubs.
Epon
Epon is not one of the most common brand names, but they are some of the best developers of golfing equipment. If you have been playing golf for a while, you might have played with a club from the Epon Factory without even knowing it. Since they have one of the biggest factories for golf clubs in the world, many top brands have used their facilities. Many people also claim that they are the best-developed golf brand currently in the world.
Homna
Homna might not rank among the best of the best, but the brand is slowly making strides into the world of golf. Since the brand has partnered with other brands like Torino and Lamborghini, they have been developing modern clubs with a different taste. Some of these clubs are limited edition and do cost quite a fortune.
Srixon
Srixon is more of a brand that the average person can afford. Since they have such a wide variety of different clubs, you can get some great value for your money. However, some of their best golf clubs might still fall in the same expensive category.
Wrap-Up
Japanese steel has always been a great topic for conversation and while many people swear by it, others simply don’t like it. It all comes down to you and what you like. These clubs mentioned above might be a little expensive, but you will get value for your money. Let us know what you think in the comment section.