Earlier this spring, Honma introduced two new drivers – TW757 D & S. Each specifically designed to cover a wide array of ball flight preferences. The S model is 450cc designed for spin and stability control, The D model that we tested is a 460cc high MOI model designed for directional control. Both drivers come in 9° and 10.5° and are adjustable for loft (+/- 1°) and face-angle (+/- 1.5°) via Honma’s P-SAT sleeve and torque wrench.
KEY TECHNOLOGIES
- New Carbon-Slot Technology
- New Tour Grade Vizard Shafts
- Updated Carbon Fast Frame
- P-SAT Loft adjustment sleeve keeps shaft spine at 6 o’ clock
- Ribbed Carbon Crown
- Verticle Rib Slot Face Insert
- Reinforced Crown Rib Structure
- Keel Sole for Low CG and Higher MOI
Honma engineers added two thick crown ribs to maintain rigidity around the clubface in conjunction with their variable thickness vertical groove clubface to transfer energy more efficiently at impact to maximize ball-speed. As an added benefit, the carbon elements of the TW757 also help to optimize the sound and feel preferred by better players.
The TW757 D has two weight-ports in the sole, one each in the back-heel and front-toe for “Directional Control.” Placing the 9gr. weight in the back-heel will create a higher launching draw-bias, and for players looking for a flatter and more fade-biased ball-flight, simply move the heavier 9gr. weight into the front-toe weight port.
(The traditional pear-shaped 450CC S Driver also has two weight-ports strategically located in the front and back of the sole for “Spin and Stability.” Placing the heavier 9gram weight to the rear of the head creates higher launch conditions and increased MOI, while moving the heavier weight forward creates a flatter trajectory with lower spin.
Both D and S models come standard with 9 and 3 gram weights, however weights are also available in 6, 12 and 15 grams.
P-SAT (Precision Spine Alignment Technology) Sleeve and Non-Rotational Hosel System is proprietary to Honma, the P-SAT sleeve and hosel system allows Honma VIZARD shafts to keep the shaft’s spine as well as shaft graphics and grip markings consistently aligned, while not sacrificing the ability to adjust the TW757 driver for both loft and face-angle to optimize ball-flight.
All graphite shafts naturally have a slightly harder side or “spine,” which is created during the manufacturing process; hence all shafts are not always created or perform equal. As a result, all Vizard shafts are factory tested during the quality control process so that the spine can be isolated and correspondingly marked in the 6 o’clock position, which helps to mitigate downward shaft deflection through impact, leading to more consistent strike patterns.
Aesthetics:
Gloss black finish with carbon fiber crown gives the TW757-D the ideal clean look at address.
Testing:
As we noted above, the looks at address are flawless, and that’s where it all starts. Confidence in what you see before taking the club back is significant, but performance is entirely dependent on the player and the club’s technology/fit to the player.
The TW757-D is loaded with tech, the unique non-rotational shaft sleeve (hosel system as Honma calls it) is simply brilliant, takes a minute to learn, but once you do it’s quite easy to use – not to mention very reassuring that the shaft spine remains in the neutralized position regardless of loft and face angle. Honma’s stock shaft offering, the Vizard MA5 was a complete unknown to me, but provided plenty of pop, face stability, consistent launch and ball speed performance. The Acoustics at impact are a bit louder than the muted thwack that we prefer, but it wasn’t in anyway unpleasant. The 9 gram and 3 gram sole weights provide quick and effective ball flight adjustment to fine tune your desired shot shape. Overall the TW757-D is quite forgiving (due to its high MOI), easy to shape shots and is on par with my everyday gamer in ball speed, spin and carry distance. MSRP – $719
