Equipment
Honma introduces new ‘Gain Speed’ drivers, fairways, hybrids and irons
For 2021, Honma has unveiled its new line of ‘Gain Speed’ drivers, fairways, hybrids, and irons designed to help golfers gain speed.
For the GS line, Honma Takumi and their 60-year history of craftsmanship worked in partnership with the North American engineering team in designing the new Flip Slot and Keel Sole for the technology-packed clubs.
“In much the way the TR20 and TR21 lines we launched last year delivered exquisite design for unrivaled performance for mid to low handicappers, The GS line brings a rewarding combination of technology for golfers attracted to game-improvement clubs. Everything about the new GS line of drivers, fairways, hybrids, and irons shouts speed, consistency and confidence.” – Honma’s Vice President of Marketing Brad Holder.
GS Drivers

The new GS 460-cc drivers from Honma feature a raised Keel Sole towards the heel to promote draw-bias and a lower, deeper CG and high MOI in a bid to provide maximum forgiveness.
The 9-gram adjustable weight in the heel allows for individual customization for preferred ball flight, while the GS driver’s titanium construction, utilizing Ti811 for the body and a Ti 6-4 face, allowed engineers to sculpt thick and thin allowances throughout the club head for the optimal speed and stability.

The drivers contain Honma’s new Flip Slot technology, designed to increase face flexure and reduce spin for more speed and forgiveness. The precise location and shape of the forward Toe Slot creates a shot-straightening gear effect on off-center hits.

Additionally, regardless of where the ball strikes on the club face, the Radial Face seeks to dynamically flex all parts of the club face to harness more speed. The Radial Face design has rib patterns and variable thickness for a weight-efficient design. The ribs are designed to add strength to the top and bottom of the face to ensure hits obtain advanced flex and speed.

Per the company, the flexure of the ultra-thin titanium crown, Radial Face and Flip Slot react at the same time, for the same amount of time, to deliver more consistent shot patterns. This aims to produce the most speed off the club as well as adding distance for a wide range of players.
The GS driver includes an integrated heel-bias crown graphic applied to encourage golfers to return the club face to square at impact, while Honma’s non-rotating hosel is also featured in the GS driver.
Specs & Pricing
Lofts: 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5 degrees
Price: $499
GS Fairways and Hybrids

Honma’s GS Fairway woods feature a traditional shape and size and are built with the brand’s Flip Slot technology to maximize face flexure and reduce spin for more speed and additional forgiveness.
The internal weight positioning toward the heel also aims to create dynamic closure for increased side spin and enhanced draw-bias that is beneficial for most golfers.

The new GS Hybrid also features Flip Slot technology and internal weight positioned low and towards the heel to provide increased side spin and slight draw-bias ideal for off-center hits. The hybrid includes a heel-bias crown graphic applied to visually encourage golfers to return the club face to square at impact.
Specs & Pricing
Lofts: Fairways – 3W (15), 4W (16.5), 5W (18), and 7W (21), Hybrids – U3 (19), U4 (21), and U5 (24)
Price: Fairway – $249, Hybrid – $219
GS Irons

The new GS Irons are Honma’s latest game improvement clubs, designed to inspire visual trust at address and technology that corrects mishits.

Honma’s GS irons feature a wide, deep cavity and sole to increase CG depth for enhanced MOI, while the L-Cup face construction in the 4-7 irons aims to maximize ball speed and reduce spin. A 360-degree heavy steel undercut in the 8-11 irons is designed to increase face flexure as well as expanding the size of the sweet spot.

Flip Slot technology is incorporated within the sole of the iron to produce higher ball speeds, particularly on shots struck off the toe. The L-Cup face and Flip Slot flex work ‘in phase’ for increased ball speed and longer distance, while the modern accents of red in the cavity in the men’s set and vibrant yellow in the ladies clubs aim to create distinctive appearances.

Specs & Pricing
Mens: 4-iron to 11-iron plus SW
Women’s: 6-11 irons plus SW
Price: $200 graphite with Honma SpeedTuned shaft, $175 steel with NS Pro Neo.
Equipment
Neal Shipley, AKA, the “Big Fridge’s,” custom stamping
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.

“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: L.A.B. Purple DF3 with Masters cover
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.

From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Whats in the Bag
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
