Honma’s new S-03 range showcases shaft technology
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Japanese club-maker Honma has introduced its new S-03 woods and IS-03 irons suitable for a wide range of golfers, from beginners to better players, with a strong focus on correct shaft selection according to swing speed and ability.
The secret is in Honma’s own shafts, and the S-03 woods and IS-03 irons are powered by Honma’s top-of-the-range ARMRQ8 eight-axis carbon graphite shafts, available in five weights and four shaft grades, 2 Star through to Honma’s extra-premium 5 Star grade.
The hand-built S-03 Driver is a 460cc, 5-piece clubhead featuring a new Ti-5N titanium alloy clubface with variable thickness for increased forgiveness. It also has a forged titanium sole and crown with a special mesh and rib structure for extra resilience at impact.
The S-03 Fairway Woods, available in 3W, 5W and 7W options, are cast with SUS630 steel clubheads with a mesh structure crown, and high-strength customised steel forge-cast cupped clubfaces. The large, shallow heads inspire confidence and produce a high ball flight and spin rate.
Honma’s accompanying forged irons, the hand-built IS-03 model, are the most powerful irons in the company’s 55-year history.
Available in 4 to 11 plus AW and SW (standard set is 5-10 irons), the forged Honma S-03 is a large-faced iron, toe and heel-weighted for a high MOI, and a deep, low COG for a stable, penetrating trajectory. A wide power face reduces mis-hits, and the model is 10% larger than 2013’s IS-02 equivalent. Also available as a Left Hand model, the IS-03 boasts a double-layer plated Satin finish. Clubheads are forged mild steel, and clubfaces are forged ES230 steel.
All shafts are hand-fitted by Honma’s master craftsmen, each club being touched by over 100 pairs of hands.
Details: Driver available in 9.5° and 10.5°. Prices start at £955 (S-03 Driver 2 Star), £545 (S-03 Fairways 2 Star) and £2,295 (set of six IS-03 irons 2 Star). S-03 5 Star Woods are £5.095 and a set of six 5 Star IS-03 irons is £26,995. Visit www.honma.co.uk to find your nearest retailer.
