Golf Equipment Reviews The Miura Edge by Jason Ferris Father's Day in the Ferris household has taken on new meaning in the past few years. Being new to the game myself (a three and one year old) I'm beginning to appreciate the unheralded importance of the day. And now that my own dad has retired and taken up golf, it's one of the first dates on the calendar that I circle every year. Father's Days past usually involved libations by noon, some lame attempt at barbecuing by my brother and myself, and the trifecta of Advil, a bottle of water, and a cab. But my dad's retirement and foray into the sport his sons love has forever changed that special Sunday in June. The days of lugging over a case of beer and half a cow to the old man’s house are gone. In its place are a dozen golf balls, the cleaning of clubs, and a trip out to the links for a day of hacks and whacks (beer still included). This year we've added a new wrinkle to dad's special day. My brother and I are famous for throwing money at our golfing deficiencies (we call it ‘investing’). Not for lessons that would actually have a chance at improving our game, but for the brand new toys and gear that golf manufacturers market every year to dupes like us. The sexy pick is usually a brand new driver by one of the industry giants like Taylor Made or Nike. I mean if it’s good enough for Tiger how cannot it help us right? But as advancing age breeds wisdom, a wife's veiled ‘request' elicits restraint. The pursuit of golfing prowess will never die in the male Ferris' heart but buying $500 drivers with no discernible or quantifiable evidence of improvement just might get us all killed. Clearly a new approach was needed. Being the only male family member with any journalistic aptitude, or who reads on semi-regular basis, I took it upon myself to find that elusive solution that would both satisfy our wives’ adult need for reason and our own adolescent need for something shiny and new. And after hours of painstaking and exhausting research in the academic literature of Golf Digest, I arrived at two conclusions. Drivers are still what we lust for but actual skill improvement would only be found by addressing that often overlooked aspect of golf affectionately called the ‘short game’. Enter Katsuhiro Miura. This artist in the club manufacturing industry has been honing his skill for over forty years in the Himedji region of Japan, notorious for the exquisite Samurai swords crafted there. His attention to detail and elevated standards of production have earned him legendary status as a craftsman who strives for perfection rather than inventory turnover. Mr. Miura has been said to have “the hands of God” that seem to defy the innovative computer technology utilized in club making today. In an industry that values mass production and celebrity endorsements, Miura follows his own value system. Every club head produced by his company must pass a stringent inspection protocol of excellence before being stamped with the Miura seal of approval. And unlike the other big names in the industry, Miura chooses not to pay professional players to play and promote his clubs but rather, lets Miura’s superior quality speak for itself. Industry icons such as Titleist and Taylor Made have enlisted the services of Miura in the past to develop clubs under their own umbrella. The unique forging process employed by Miura is second to none. Because today’s top golf club manufacturers have essentially made their products disposable, Miura is able to make only a small fraction of the golf clubs that other companies turn out. But this is where the difference in quality is most evident. Unlike the competition, Miura administers a rigorous 14-step forging process , including an extra pounding session on the club head to ensure a lighter, more durable molecular structure that keeps Miura customers loyal to the master. How does all of this translate on the golf course? Well my three week assault with these weapons on my local courses has opened my eyes to the debate of forging versus casting. For testing purposes, I was given Miura’s 56 and 52 degree wedges to do battle. The first thing I noticed while using these clubs was ball striking consistency. I just seemed to be making solid contact time and time again with my new toys. And as any golfer will tell you, consistency equals sanity on the battlefield. As I became more attuned to the surprising light weight of the clubs, I found myself more able to manage the distance control on my approach shots to the green. I was still leaving myself with massive 30 foot putts to contend with but no club manufacturer is going to be able design a club that eliminates the inherent flaws in my swing or faulty setup at address. Overall I found the Miura wedges effortless to swing, easily putting me in great positions to square the clubface at points of impact. Confidence is everything when attempting those delicate finesse shots that require a clear head and a sense of feel. I was able to better control my ball when attacking pins, especially at closer distances, and I was even able to generate some back and side spin on the greens, something I have never been able to do with any brand of wedge. Now the price tag on these pieces of art are of course going to me more than the mass produced cast versions of the big guys (http://www.miuragolf.com) but it’s a small price to pay for that endless pursuit of lower scores and happier times. I’m sure my dad will love his. 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