When it comes to golf equipment, there are a few brands that stand out from the crowd and make most people do a double take. Miura Golf is definitely one of those brands and the thought of their equipment makes most avid golfers perk up and say “Wait, can I try that?”. Requests come in a lot for us to review equipment that is not your standard gear you will see at a Golf Store, so when we got the opportunity to review another item from Miura, we were excited and intrigued to say the least.
About the Company
People are amazed that master craftsman Katsuhiro Miura, who is often referred to in the Japanese media as having the Hands of God, actually works hands-on in his factory every day. He passes down his knowledge and skills to his two sons, and even grinds the club heads himself as well. His endless quest for the perfect club has brought to the world over 10 series of Miura clubs, a number that continually grows as he continues his meticulous refinement. When golfers see a Miura club for the first time, and actually hold it in their hands, there is a common shared experience – LOVE at first sight. And like trying to define love, no words can seem to describe the absolute exhilaration one gets from swinging a Miura club, it is something that one needs to FEEL to discover.
Series 1957 Putters
From the Company
Japanese golf-club manufacturer Miura Golf-which has been making the world’s highest-quality forged irons for 43 years – announces the introduction of two putter models to its 2009 product line. Each putter will form part of Miura Golf’s Series 1957. Series 1957 will be a collection of Miura products which will reflect Mr. Miura’s commitment to producing the absolute finest golf equipment. 1957 represents the year in which Mr. Miura began his career in the golf business and his pursuit of the perfect set of irons. First off the line will be two new putters. The KM 350 is a classic Blade model while the MP 005 and MP 006 offer a traditional design familiar to most golfers. Miura’s Series 1957 putters confirm that it is possible to match looks with performance. Miura putters all undergo the same forging process as the Miura irons. Each model’s milled face is extremely forgiving resulting in unequaled feel and distance control. The forgiveness at impact also reduces skid, resulting in a truer roll of the ball. The Miura craftsmanship is evident in these new toe-weighted offset putters, which each feature a classic oiled-chrome finish that complements each putter’s soft visual features.
“The Series 1957 putters were designed for players seeking the very best,” says Katsuhiro Miura, Miura Golf Inc.’s 66-year-old founder and director of manufacturing and product development at his manufacturing facilities in Himeji, Japan.
“We’re very excited about these new putters,” says Miura Golf Vice President Bill Holowaty. “Katsuhiro Miura is a master craftsman and his putters are works of art that feature looks and technology that will boost confidence and help golfers feel the ball and roll their putts more smoothly and, consequently, improve their scores.”
The KM-350
For the purposes of this review THP got a chance to spend some time with the Miura KM-350 putter from this incredible series. There are many things that jump right out at you when you first take the headcover off of the Miura putter, but the one that I think stands out the most is Classic Elegance. The putter is in many ways a throwback in its aesthetics, but at the same time is filled with modern technology based on the years of experience crafting and designing equipment. The headshape is incredibly compact and the back (cavity) is completely void of markings. Something we thought we would not like, but in terms of this putter works extremely well. The sole of the club features the Miura logo and the “forged” stamping as well as the model number. The face of the putter is beautifully milled and is almost hypnotic like in the way it draws you into staring it at it. The finish is that of oiled chrome and just sparkles and catches the eye in a wonderful way that makes it stand out from the pack.
While looks make most people jump at a putter, performance is also a must and the Miura Series 1957 KM-350 has everything that I would want packed into this little beauty. The offset is slight, but it is there and the toe weighting feels different than just about any putter we have picked up. The weighting is slightly hefty for this little guy coming in at 350g, but it is so pure with each stroke, none of it matters at all. We could roll out hundreds of technical specs about this line, but the proof is in just one putt.
Lining up the ball and putting with the KM-350 offers a plush and ample feel that is soft and velvety and unlike just about any we have come across. Supple, smooth, and yet at the same time firm and full of feedback is the only way to describe this absolute work of art. Did we make more putts with this than others? Not really, but we had incredible feeling and looks of envy even on those that we missed. Something we do not see every day around THP testing.
Overall
With a price of around $399, this is not a putter or piece of equipment for everybody. Some may look at that price and walk a way immediately. Others may look at it and say “you get what you pay for” and be happy to have something that even the most discerning golfer envies. Either way, we can safely say that the Miura Series 1957 KM-350 is one of the finest putters we have ever tried. For more information on this or any of the other fine products that Miura offers, check out their website at www.miuragolf.com.
Till Next Time
Josh B.
