FLG Golf Podcast

Ep.6: Forged Japanese Irons with Chris Farley

Marc Bauche

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What is the difference between forged and cast golf irons? And what is it about Japanese manufacturers in particular that makes them unique…and so much more expensive? 

Chris Farley, Regional Custom Fit Trainer and Senior Sales Advisor for American Golf (Europe's largest golf retailer) joins us again to talk forged Japanese steel, our experience playing them, what type of customers he fits Japanese brands for, and deep dive into some great factory tours from Japan's most storied brands (Miura, Mizuno and Honma) before asking “Was prime Tiger Woods really playing Miura irons in secret?” 

Find Chris Farley at American Golf in Christchurch, Bournemouth, and on Instagram @_charlie_farley_


00:00 Intro

01:44 I'll show you mine if you show me yours

04:45 Why does Marc have blades? 

07:00 Why does Chris have forged cavity backs?

10:15 The difference between forged and cast manufacturing 

16:11 Club fitters can do more with forged irons 

17:23 How the height of Japanese golfers influences design

18:28 Chris describes his custom fitting process (part 1)

20:21 What is a cavity back blade?

22:05 Why do Japanese brands feel better?

22:55 Why aren't Japanese brands more popular?

25:05 Chris describes his custom fitting process (part 2)

26:51 What type of golfer chooses a Japanese brand?

30:50 Tiering major brands by price

33:06 Why are Honma crazy expensive?

40:18 Adam Scott's Miura Factory Tour

43:29 Geeking out on bounce & grind

47:18 Adam Scott's style choices

54:29 Did Tiger Woods secretly play Miura irons?

56:35 Casting irons out of beer cans


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