Japanese Golf Clubs: Honma Beres, Miura and the Star Grades
Golf arrived in Japan in the early twentieth century and became, in the boom years, a national passion with its own luxury culture. Japanese makers answered with clubs finished like jewellery and forged with the patience of swordsmiths. Two names stand above the rest for collectors abroad: Honma, whose Beres clubs are trimmed in gold and platinum, and Miura, whose forged irons from Himeji are revered by players who care about feel.
Honma and the Beres star grades
Honma began in a small Yokohama workshop in 1959 and is now based in Sakata, in Yamagata Prefecture, where it handles design through production in-house. Its Beres line is graded by stars printed on the ARMRQ shaft, and the grade tells you what the club is made of:
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| 2-Star | The entry Beres shaft, with a soft midsection and a reinforced butt for stability. |
| 3-Star | Added reinforcement at the butt for feel and quick recovery. |
| 4-Star | A shaft that includes 24-karat gold, with a lower kick point. |
| 5-Star | The top grade, with a shaft that includes platinum and 24-karat gold. |
Heads, ferrules and grips are finished to match, and full sets in 4-Star and 5-Star grades, with their headcovers and bags, are the collector pieces. Japanese-market sets are often lighter, with flexes such as R and SR.
See also our Honma and Majesty rooms.
Miura and the forged irons of Himeji
Katsuhiro Miura (1942–2025) was born in Himeji and began making golf clubs at sixteen. In 1977 he founded his own company, and its Himeji factory still designs and forges Miura irons, wedges and putters. Players prize them for the softness of their forging and the precision of their grinds, and older models in good condition remain in demand.
Other Japanese makers to know
- Majesty: a luxury maker whose Prestigio line is finished with fine materials and ornament.
- Epon and the forging houses: small forging specialists whose irons are admired for their craftsmanship.
- Japanese-market editions: models from global brands sold only in Japan, often lighter and with different shafts.
What to check before buying
- Star grade: the stars on each shaft should match across the set and agree with the description.
- Completeness: count the clubs, and look for matching headcovers, original grips and the bag where it belongs to the set.
- Specification: loft, flex, length and swing weight, so the set suits the player.
- Condition: wear on soles and faces, sky marks on woods, and any loosening of ferrules.
- Authenticity: premium Japanese clubs are counterfeited; buy examined pieces from a source that stands behind them.
How we present each set
Every set we offer is examined in Japan, with each club, its shaft markings and condition photographed, and travels boxed, insured and tracked. Each carries our authenticity guarantee: should an independent written opinion find a piece not genuine within 30 days, we refund the price and the cost of its return.
Questions golfers ask
Are Honma 5-Star clubs made for playing or for display?
Both. They are fully playable clubs, and many owners use them; their materials and finish also make them collector pieces.
Do Japanese-market clubs suit Western players?
Often, but check flex and length. Japanese-market sets can be lighter and shorter, which suits some players and can be adjusted for others.
Can you find a particular set or grade?
Yes. Our Hunting Salon™ searches for specific models, grades and flexes, and the curator desk replies within one to three business days.