Daiwa Golf History

When you think of golf clubs, companies such as Callaway, Titleist and Ping come to mind. Daiwa Golf hopes to change that. Mike Matheny, Daiwa Golf's general manager, likens owning a set of Daiwa clubs to the prestige of owning a Ferrari or Rolex.

Fact

The Daiwa Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Daiwa Seiko Japan, golf division.

History

Daiwa Seiko Inc., the original parent company of the U.S.-based Daiwa Corp., began in 1952 as a fishing reel manufacturer in Tokyo, Japan. Daiwa continued the tradition of providing the premium fishing reels and products in the U.S. market. The company expanded and entered the golf market in 1972. The company started doing business as Daiwa Golf in 2009.

Products

Daiwa Golf offers men's and women's drivers, woods, irons, hybrids and utility clubs under two product lines: the OnOff series and the GIII series. The company makes the OnOff series for amateur or high handicap golfers while the OnOff Plus and GIII series are for low handicap and professional golfers. They also manufacture a line of premium golf bags, balls and apparel.

Time Frame

Although Daiwa products were popular in the early 1990s and used by Professional Golf Association players such as Ian Baker-Finch and Dan Forsman, the company pulled out of the U.S. market in 1999. The company enjoyed success overseas, and did not re-enter the U.S. market until 2008, when they introduced the Onoff and OnOff Plus series of clubs.

Technology

When Daiwa Golf introduced its OnOff series to the U.S. market, the company also introduced what it called "hyper effect zone" technology. In its woods and drivers, this technology entailed a clubface insert that maximized velocity on impact. In its irons, the clubface insert combined with a tungsten weighting system that spanned the sole of the club. This combination provided an ultra-low center of gravity and produced a club with greater launch trajectory.

Milestone

In May of 2008, Golf Digest-Japan named the new Daiwa OnOff Irons the "2008 Irons of the Year."

Famous Ties

In May of 2009, Japanese pro golfer Shingo Katayama signed a multiyear contract with Daiwa Golf to use the OnOff series of clubs and accessories. Katayama, who placed fourth in the 2009 Masters Tournament, stated, "I have been putting faith in Daiwa Seiko's technical capabilities as the number one brand of fishing gear and experienced using Daiwa Seiko's shaft as an amateur player at university. I am very pleased to sign a contract with Daiwa Seiko and be able to create a customized golf club. I'm going to do my best."

References

• Katayama Signs with Daiwa Golf
• 2008 Irons of the Year
• Daiwa returns to US market

Resources

• Daiwa Golf