When you dig into the USGA’s list of conforming drivers, you’ll find some fascinating stories hiding in plain sight. One of the most intriguing? The tale told by Honma’s entries.
For context, the list isn’t just a catalog of what’s legal to play. It’s a window into a company’s ambitions, its market strategy, and sometimes, the gap between what a brand hopes to achieve and what actually happens.
The Honma story
It’s been several years since Honma launched ambitious plans to “figure out”—or at least achieve reasonable success within—the North American market.
The company brought in a slew of established industry experts, including ex-TaylorMade CEO Mark King. According to sources at the time, Honma refused to listen to them.
Honma House, the company’s short-lived Carlsbad showcase retail facility, could have served as the inspiration for the Jay-Z lyric, “grand opening, grand closing.”
Honma products have performed well in Most Wanted testing, but it’s fair to say that its mainstream products—the TW series—haven’t exactly caught fire. Honma is known by gearheads but isn’t exactly a household name.
That said, the company continues to churn out serviceable product for the American market, and new entries on the USGA conforming list suggest the latest—or soon-to-be latest—offering from Honma will be the TW777 series.
While there could be more to come, we’re confident the company has two new drivers and one mini driver on the way.
Honma TW777
The lack of a trailing suffix suggests the TW777 will be the middle-of-the-market offering from Honma in 2025. Listed in nine and 10.5 degrees, notable markings include “TITANIUM CARBON” on the sole, which likely references some sort of titanium-infused carbon material. Strength-to-weight ratios and whatnot.
The design suggests a subtle take on a drop-sole/inertia-generator design that’s not radically different from others on the market.
It features a two-weight (front-to-back) system and Honma’s complex, though extremely functional, hosel adjustment system.
Honma TW777 Max
Unfortunately, nothing in the USGA listing specifies how many Ks worth of Max you’re getting with the Honma TW777 Max. 10K? 9.5?
In any case, I think we can assume that the TW777 Max will be the most forgiving driver in the Honma lineup. Like the standard model, it features Titanium Carbon in the sole.
It also features a dual-weight system, but this time the weights are flippable from heel to toe. What’s noteworthy in Honma’s implementation is that the weights are pushed to the outer perimeter of the driver and positioned as far back as I recall seeing in a dual-weight system.
At first glance, the trailing edge features what might look like a perimeter weighting system, but it’s likely a large weight (embossed with Honma branding) that works to push the center of gravity low and back to achieve however many Ks worth of forgiveness the design offers.
Listed in nine, 10.5 and 12 degrees, Honma’s adjustable hosel is also part of the offering.
Honma TW777 360Ti (mini)
Last, but certainly not least, Honma looks to be getting in on some of that sweet mini driver action.
Assuming Honma isn’t bucking convention or just messing with us, we can reasonably assume that the TW777 360Ti is a 360cc offering with a titanium face. If that proves to be the case, the Honma offering would be the biggest little driver on the market (take that, Callaway).
Prefaced with “you don’t know until you know,” that certainly suggests a mini driver significantly more suited to play off the tee than from the fairway. As I’ve said before, I love the possibilities within the mini driver category, and while 360cc is likely larger than I’d play, I’m sure there are golfers who would love the larger take on small.
The TW777 360Ti offers a three-weight design, with positions in the front, back and toe. While internal weighting could tell a different story, it certainly suggests the ability to move between low-flight/low-spin, high-flight/high-spin, and fade-biased positions. The latter could be intriguing for better players or anyone else who might benefit from slower face rotation.
As with the other TW777 offerings, the 360Ti offers Honma’s adjustable hosel.
Pricing and availability
There’s no word on price or availability yet (we’d expect formal info in time for a January release), but it’s worth noting that the Honma drivers listed are made in Japan. Honma typically pairs its clubs with Honma shafts, which are also made in Japan.
Generally, golf equipment pricing across premium brands has a way of leveling out, but by not manufacturing clubs in China, Honma should be a bit more insulated against tariffs. Whether that’s reflected in the price is TBD.
More info as it becomes available.
Have your say
Is there anything here that surprises you? Are you interested in trying any of these Honma TW777 drivers when they hit the market?
The post Honma’s USGA Conforming Driver List: A Story of Ambition and Reality appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
