Nakashima Golf Clubs are one of the most popular forged steel golf club sets ever created. The legendary set was first conceived by golf club maker James Braid in the 1980s and has since become one of the most recognisable and iconic golf club designs of all time. It is named after the inventor of stainless steel, Nobuyoshi Nakashima.
The exact number of clubs in the set is unknown but traditional estimates put the count at somewhere between four and five. What is known for sure is that the set originally came with four long-nose drivers, four short-nose drivers, four midsize irons, a putter and a #3 steel whiffle ball. Over the years, the set has evolved and changed as new materials and designs have been introduced. Today, Nakashima Golf Clubs are incredibly popular with elite professionals and amateurs alike who use them to compete in some of the most prestigious golf tournaments around the world.
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The Evolution Of A Classic
It’s fair to say that Nakashima Golf Club has come a long way since its inception in the 1980s. Back then, the set consisted of four wooden clubs with plain faces and no fancy decorations or textures. Nowadays, Nakashima Golf Clubs are built with some of the most modern and luxurious materials and have become some of the most iconic and recognisable golf clubs of all time. Here is a brief look back at the evolution of one of the most classic and timeless golf club designs of all time.
Wood Vs. Metal
The original steel-bodied Wood and metal-bodied Woods are now considered collectibles and highly valued by golf fans and enthusiasts alike. It’s interesting to note that many golfers of the era actually preferred the feel and sound of metal woods over those of wood. Some say that the metallic sound a metal-bodied Woods makes when struck is pleasing to the ear and resonates better with the golfer’s stroke. However, wood has remained the standard for amateur and pro golfers ever since its creation in the 1800s.
The two types of Woods are considered different species; one (wood) needs to be cared for and maintained like any other living thing, while the other (metal) does not. Luckily, modern technology has given us metal copycats of the natural wood club that are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
The Rise (And Rise) Of The Modern-Day Nakashima
Since its inception, the design of the Nakashima Golf Club has seen many changes and evolutions. The most significant of these has been the switch from wooden clubs to metal substitutes. In the beginning, James Braid made do with thin metal strips and sheet metal for some of the club components. This was mainly due to a paucity of materials and an inability to machine precise shapes back in the 1980s. As a result, the original sets are now highly prized by collectors and golf fans alike.
Braid was initially inspired by traditional Japanese designs that he had seen while on holiday there. The set was named after the legendary inventor of stainless steel, Nobuyoshi Nakashima, whose company, Nippon Steel, produced the metal used in its creation. Braid eventually found the appropriate steel in England and in 1985, the first set of metallic-bodied Nakashima Golf Clubs were born. These early versions are now considered collector’s items as well.
The following year, Braid introduced another revolutionary design, which led to the modern-day version of the Nakashima Club. This was the interchangeable face design, which allowed golfers to use the same club for different shots and enables faster club reconfiguration in case of a game-changing glitch. The only downside is that because of their unique look, the metallic-bodied clubs were initially harder to manufacture and more expensive to purchase. Today, they are valued much higher than their wooden counterparts and are considered priceless by golf fans who want to own them.
The Appeal Of A Classic
The metallic-bodied Nakashima Golf Club has now been around for well over two decades and remains as popular as ever. Its timeless design and recognisable sound have made it a cult favourite amongst golf fans and enthusiasts. Its reputation for quality and solidity was confirmed in the 1990s when the Club became the go-to choice for many top golfers. Some of the biggest names in golf history have used or still use a metallic-bodied Nakashima Club in one form or another. These include three-time British Open and five-time U.S. Open champion, Fred Couples, and 1992 U.S. Open champion, Corey Pavin. The set also remains popular amongst amateur golfers who want to add a premium touch to their game. In 2019 alone, the average price per unit on Ebay was £446.75. The clubs can be purchased individually or in a set. However, it is the set that is most commonly bought by collectors and fans of golf alike.