GolfDiscussions: 2005

Friday, December 09, 2005

An Open Letter from David Whitlam, Gauge Design USA

http://www.gaugedesigns.com/gdgtruth.html

December 5th, 2005
Gauge Design Golf vs. World Brands
Let the Truth be Known - An Open Letter from David Whitlam

I have been getting a few more calls lately regarding the past dealings
with my ex-distributor in Japan, and I want to set the record straight.

Gauge Design Golf was founded by me, David Whitlam, in 1999. From the
beginning, all of my putters have been 100% Made in the USA. I enlisted
the help of an old business partner and friend, Yoji Takei of World
Brands Inc. in Japan, to distribute the line. Things were going well
and we were one of the hottest new lines in Japan. Finally, in the fall
of 2001, I got enough funds together to register the trademarks in
Japan, since that was my main market. I searched the marks and they
came back already registered. It ended up they were registered to World
Brands and Mr. Takei. So, I confronted Takei and asked him what he was
thinking. His reply was that I can buy back the trademarks, but it was
going to cost me $200,000 US. Well, let me mention that in 2001 it did
not cost $200,000 to register two trademarks in Japan. In February
2002, I went to the JPGA show in Tokyo and noticed that Mr. Takei had
knocked off a couple of my putters. I immediately asked him what he was
doing and he replied that he needed to make some extra money so he
could pay for the one tour player (Shingo Katayama) that we had signed.

At this point, I knew I was in trouble. Not only was I subsidizing
Takei so he could make my brand successful, now I could not pursue a
legal challenge because I just did not have the funds to file suit. In
trademark law, the trademark goes to the first to register, and he had.
Not only did Takei steal my trademarks, he was now violating my patent
pending status in Japan. This is all from the guy who thought enough me
and respected me enough to be his best man at his wedding and called me
brother.

So whenever someone asks, I let them know that I am simply not too fond
of this person. He has promised the world to so many employees,
friends, and business partners, that he cannot keep his stories
straight. One of my former collegues, Iwao Onoue of Create Products in
Japan, says Takei is "Sub-Human". Takei was stealing from him when we
were distributing Odyssey. Takei was taking money here in the US, then
having Onoue pay him in Japan, all while he was grey marketing into
Japan and hurting the market. The sad thing is greed will get him
sooner or later.

There has also been a lot of nonsense posted on websites that try to
compare "Gauge Japan" product to mine stating that mill marks are bad
and that they mill a finer product. This is simple nonsense! You need
mill marks on the face to aid in ball spin. My product is high quality,
and I use quality material and milling techniques that Takei will never
be able to replicate in China. I have held and putt with the product
they make: it is cheap, poorly milled, and poorly finished. How is it
selling in Japan then, you might ask? Their image was already built off
of my quality workmanship. Proof is in the product. Let me assure you,
if China could make a better putter, then Cameron, Bettinardi, and I,
would all make our putters in China. So, if you want great product made
in the USA, then call me.

Any Gauge Japan products being sold or advertised in the US market are
in violation of our US trademarks and patents. We would appreciate a
call or e-mail notifying us of any potentially unauthorized sales.

Thank you for supporting products Made in America, by Americans.

Wonder whether any of you have heard about this issue? Gauge Design
Japan is popular in Asia, thought it would be good to hear some of your
thoughts.

http://www.golfdiscussions.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=6360.html

Hi Guys!
Don't know that I can get DW on here in person (he's a pretty busy
guy), but you've got the next best thing. Some of you might already
know me since I've been on a few "other" golf boards. I work for DW,
and have for over 4 years (yes, before they parted ways). I'll gladly
answer any questions as best I can, and if I don't have an answer then
I'll ask Dave.

For those who asked a few questions... DW was only making putters at
the time he cut ties with Mr. Takei. Any other clubs made by Gauge
Japan have nothing to with DW, and could very well be good product.
His statement regarding quality was pertaining to their putters. What
Takei took (or "ripped off") from DW was the Gauge Design name, logos,
slogan, etc., as well as all the putter designs and model names that DW
had created up to that point.

Takei registered the Gauge Design name and logos, etc. over in Japan
(like Dave stated), and has threatened to sue anyone selling our
product over there, which is why we now have a Whitlam Golf line
(primarily for the Japanese market)... same great putters, different
name and logos. Conversely, Dave owns the Gauge Design name and logos
in the US, which means that Gauge Japan (or anyone else) is
unauthorized to sell their putters or anything else with our name
and/or logos in the US market.

Hope that makes sense. If you have any questions, feel free to post
them or e-mail me. I'll try to remember to check in periodically.

Happy Golfing!
Sylvia
Gauge Design
syl...@gaugedesigns.com

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

How To convert your R5 N or D into a TP version with removable weights

With all this talk about the New R5 TP being "the" hot new driver I figured I would post a How To convert your R5 N or D into a TP version with removable weights.

The screw towards the heel weighed .5 grams. The screw towards the toe weighed 2.5 grams. The little "N" or "D" emblem weighed next to nothing and peeled off easily due to the heat.

How To:
Basically, a butane pencil torch works the best as it concentrates a lot of heat in a small area. Apply heat on the face of the weight and along the hump of each weight on the sole. The hump area will turn a little brown from the heat but Blue Away or some other type of tarnish removing compound will remove it.

Next, you need a skinny tipped needle nose pliers to remove the weights. Place the tips of the needle nose in the little circular holes of the weight and turn counter-clockwise; they should turn right out. If they don't turn with some force, you need to apply some additional heat.

The toe port is ready to go for installing any R7 weight. The heel port has a pressed sleeve that needs to be removed if you want to put any heavier than a 2 gram R7 weight. Place the head in a vise using rubber vise pads and a towel to protect the paint on the club head. Its a lot easier if you pull the shaft, makes it easier to put the head in the vise.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Before you begin drilling out the sleeve, you need to make a "dummy" screw to plug the hole otherwise metal shavings from the sleeve will fall into the head. The threads on an R7 weight are fine thread. The best thing to do is get a small machine screw that is the same size as the R7 but with COARSE threads. This allows the bolt tip to only screw in partial way, which is important so you don't turn it all the way through after performing the process below.

Now, using a dremel style tool, cut about 1/8" inch length of the tip off the bolt. Then cut a slit into the top of the piece you just cut off so you can turn into the hole with a screwdriver. You need a long, tiny screwdriver to turn it into the port. (See Pic). Drill out the pressed sleeve, back out the dummy screw, and the project is finished.

One other other thing...someone mentioned that a "Quick Out" would be easier than drilling out the sleeve. I guess a quick out is what the automotive mechanics use to extract a bolt from the engine block when the bolt head breaks off. Below are some different example pictures from multiple clubs. This also works on the R5 fairway woods !

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: I am not in any way responsible or liable for damage, cosmetic or structural, to your R5 driver head, cosmetic or structural, if you attempt this weight removal process.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: GolfDiscussions is also not in any way responsible or liable for damage, cosmetic or structural, to your R5 driver head, cosmetic or structural, if you attempt this weight removal process.

Additional Info on sleeve:
Put the club in a vice and used a easyout and with one small tap the sleeve popped out or a #4 screw extractor and tap it into the hole and then pull it out. THIS IS THE EASY WAS TO DO IT

Original Post on GolfDiscussions

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Fujikura's New Rombax

Fujikura's Rombax line released last march has been steadily growing popularity over 2005. Taylormade plans a version to go into its new 425 and 460cc drivers.

The rombax wood shaft specs are 7V05 *70g 3.6tq

There is a new fuji just released the 6V05 it is the same rombax technology but in a *60g 3.8tq model.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Trick or Treat October Giveaways at GolfDiscussions.com !

Trick or Treat October Giveaways ! at GolfDiscussions !
Ok we are going to have a insane October Trick or Treat contest ( Giveaways )
Multi part contest with multiple prizes

To participate all you have to be is a active member ( posting ) ( all posts count except for BST and again must be a complete sentance ) So lets get to it.

First part : We will ge giving away Mark Mender™ "The Ultimate Divot Repair Tool"
3 on the 1st, 3 on the 10th and 4 on the 20th!!!

This is no.2 of many Giveaways during the Trick or Octobers Giveaways !

Custom Adams Redline 430Q Men's Driver
IE you pick the Loft, Shaft, etc. Click the link to take you to the options for this Driver that gets insane Ball speed