Daiwa Golf Clubs Reviewed – Who Makes Them? Are They Any Good?
If you’re into fishing, then Daiwa is a brand you’re surely familiar with.
The company is best-known for their fishing rods and reels. But you might be surprised to learn that Daiwa once made golf clubs as well.
Although they no longer make golf clubs, you can still find used Daiwa clubs online.
I was really intrigued to see what kind of golf clubs a fishing gear company could produce so I got my hands on some of Daiwa’s most popular models and tested them out.
A Brief History of Daiwa
The Daiwa company was established in 1955.
Back then, Daiwa produced fishing gear exclusively. But in 1972, they launched their first line of golf clubs.
Over the next few decades, Daiwa golf clubs would gain recognition on the PGA Tour.
Pros like Dan Forsman and Ian Baker-Finch were notable users of Daiwa clubs.
In the mid 2000’s though, the brand was losing popularity among golfers. 2008 was the last year that Daiwa produced golf clubs.
Now, the company is focused on their line of fishing reels and rods.
Do They Still Make Golf Clubs?
Daiwa no longer produces golf clubs.
However, Daiwa clubs are still circulating on used golf gear sites.
Daiwa Exceler Fairway Wood Review
I tested the Daiwa Exceler 3-wood and was immediately impressed by the design.
It has a clean, stainless steel head that is a bit reflective in the sunlight but it’s very unique. It has a slightly oversized profile as well.
Selling Points
- Wide body design
- Lady sets available
- Alignment aids
Performance
The Daiwa Exceler 3-wood plays about as straight as any 3-wood I have tested over the past couple of years.
I was really blown away by the stability of my shots even when I missed the sweet spot. The Daiwa Exceler wood kept almost all of my mis-hits in play and usually produced really good lies.
For instance, when I missed near the toe, I wasn’t getting the usual pull. Instead, the ball would stop near the middle of the target or just to the left of it.
The distance leaves something to be desired though. While the face is very stable, it doesn’t feel particularly hot which I think is what limited the distance.
But it’s hard to complain about a wood that produces such straight shots.
The launch angles were steep and so were the descent angles so I was getting at least adequate stopping power with the Daiwa Exceler wood.
Overall I really liked this fairway wood and it’s a shame they don’t make it anymore.
Who is it for?
The Daiwa Exceler would be a great fairway wood for anyone who has trouble producing playable lies from the tee or off the desk.
It plays effortlessly straight and has a relatively big sweet spot to boot.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- It’s not too bulky
- Produces effortlessly straight flight
- You can get it for cheap
Cons:
- It’s not the longest fairway wood
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Daiwa Hi Trac Irons Review
The Daiwa Hi Trac Irons have a cavity back design and a sort of unique shape to the topline.
The top line isn’t gently curved into the hosel. Instead, it produces a very straight line from the high toe to the hosel.
Selling Points
- Cavity back design
- Cavity undercut
- Progressive sole width
Performance
The Daiwa Hi Trac Irons are progressive almost every sense.
The 6 and 5-irons are very compact and have fairly narrow soles. But as you work your way through the mid and short irons, you see the soles fatten up and the offset close up.
There isn’t much offset to begin with so I got the distinct feeling that these clubs were geared towards lower handicap players.
The cavity undercut design puts good launch on the ball; but there isn’t a ton of sweet spot to work with.
I liked that the long irons were keenly workable and that workability is only enhanced as you get to the mid and short irons.
But your swing path has to be on point with these irons. I was able to affect virtually any kind of shot shape with them but there was almost no forgiveness in them.
Who Are They for?
The Daiwa Hi Trac Irons would be good for single-digit handicappers who want to be able to affect any kind of shot shape with any iron in their bag.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Extremely workable
- Nice gunmetal finish
- High launch
Cons:
- Very little forgiveness
Overall Score: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Daiwa FWS Golf Clubs Review
The Daiwa FWS golf club set includes a 460cc driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, #3 utility hybrid, Irons 5-PW and a sand wedge.
Unfortunately this set does not come with a putter or bag.
Selling Points
- Oversized driver
- Cavity back irons
- Graphite shaft in the driver
Performance
The driver is the only club in the set that has a graphite shaft.
It’s set to 11 degrees and has a very bulky, forgiving profile. The fairway woods have shallower face profiles but are still pretty forgiving overall.
The #3 utility hybrid has a wide sole and good length from heel to toe.
The irons have long blades and massive sweet spots. They are perimeter weighted so they produce stable flight even when you mis-hit.
I wasn’t thrilled about having steel shafts in the woods and hybrid but these clubs still played straight overall.
Who is it for?
The Daiwa FWS golf club set would be good for players in the 22-30 handicap range. They are very forgiving and produce straight flight.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Affordable
- Bulky driver
- Forgiving irons
Cons:
- No putter
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Is Daiwa A Good Brand? – Final Thoughts
I was impressed with most of the Daiwa clubs I tested.
You have to do your homework though because they apparently made handicap-specific clubs.
For instance, I wouldn’t recommend the hi Trac irons to any high handicapper.
But if you are aware of the needs of your game and know what you’re getting, Daiwa golf clubs are definitely still worth it.
