Ryoma Golf MAXIMA F review
Recently, I tested this golf club.
The test club is the Ryoma Golf MAXIMA F F5.
The shaft is the BEYOND POWER F-2 LIGHT.
The loft is 18 degrees, the club length is 42.5 inches, the shaft flex is ∞, and the overall weight is not specified.
It’s been a while since I’ve come across a Ryoma Golf club.
Though opportunities to test Ryoma Golf clubs are rare, they have always left a positive impression.
When you think of “high launch and straight shots,” nowadays, PING might come to mind first, but before that, Ryoma Golf was synonymous with this concept.
The low-spin, straight shots with a “bullet-like” trajectory left a lasting impression.
Testing a Ryoma club again after such a long time was exciting.
The word “FORGED TITANIUM” is printed on the toe.
Does this mean the entire head is forged titanium?
While many modern clubs feature carbon crowns, I wonder if this club uses such a design.
The overall shape and quality of the head seem consistent with previous Ryoma clubs.
Some manufacturers’ new models feel less appealing in terms of design and texture, but this club maintains Ryoma’s good reputation, which is reassuring.
Though material quality might not directly relate to performance like “straight shots,” it still plays a crucial role in a club’s appeal.
The sole features a single weight.
This positioning seems to have become increasingly common, likely due to the rise in deep center-of-gravity designs.
The weight’s mass is not indicated, and it doesn’t appear to be interchangeable.
The neck length is standard.
In the past, necks varied greatly in length, with designs such as through-bore and shorter necks, but this length seems to be the new standard.
Perhaps an ideal neck length has been established.
This neck lacks an adjustment system, resulting in a clean and aesthetically pleasing design.
For those who prefer adjustable features, this might be disappointing, but I personally don’t prioritize them.
If fine-tuning becomes necessary, applying lead tape is a straightforward solution based on my experience.
The head’s shallow profile gives an immediate impression that the ball will easily get airborne.
It feels like no matter how you hit it, the ball won’t drop prematurely.
This distinct shallow design is a recognizable hallmark of Ryoma—a “Ryoma Shallow,” if you will.
The face is simple and clean.
It’s a hallmark of Ryoma to craft such aesthetically pleasing club faces.
The head shape is somewhat unique but familiar.
It has a “closed” appearance, especially noticeable toward the toe, which gives the impression of being draw-biased.
While it’s not my favorite shape, I’m sure many golfers will appreciate it.
For an 18-degree lofted club, it might seem prone to hooking as a long iron. However, as a fairway wood, the deep center of gravity makes it easier to launch and reduces curvature.
Modern clubs allow balls to launch naturally without requiring an upward strike.
While I’d prefer a “neutral” face with a more visually appealing design, this shape likely stems from extensive experimentation by Ryoma.
The “RYOMA” logo on the grip is very stylish.
The grip itself also feels excellent, leaving a positive impression.
Taking practice swings, the club felt extremely lightweight, with significant shaft flex. However, the shaft itself didn’t feel overly unique.
Light clubs and flexible shafts can be challenging, so I repeated my practice swings to get the timing right.
When addressing the ball, the distinctive “rounded” shape of the head stood out.
The face appeared slightly closed, prompting me to adjust my stance a bit to the right.
As someone who tends to hook shots, I found it slightly awkward to align. However, slicers might find it easier to imagine getting their shots airborne with this club.
While large clubheads offer a wide sweet spot, they can make face control more difficult, adding a different kind of challenge.
This club’s smaller head makes it more likely to deliver shots consistent with your visualized trajectory.
In essence, “strengths can also be weaknesses, and the reverse is true.”
The Test Begins
The impact feel is slightly firm but not overly hard, delivering a satisfying sensation.
Testing a Ryoma club after a long time brought back memories of the “Ryoma feel.”
The feedback is sharp and distinct, rather than blurred or vague, which is very appealing.
The sound was also pleasing.
It has a clear metallic tone, but it’s neither too high-pitched nor overly loud—just right.
The ball launches very easily.
The ease of getting the ball airborne matched my expectations from addressing it.
The ball flight feels slightly “lightweight,” unlike the heavier, low-spin trajectories of some clubs that give the impression of hitting a lead ball.
Instead, this club produces a flight that feels as if the ball has “wings,” flying effortlessly without ballooning excessively, maintaining excellent height control.
It seems designed to minimize “unnecessary spin” and “excessive height.”
The “stability” of this fairway wood is remarkable, allowing for consistently accurate ball flights.
Despite the lightweight and flexible shaft, which I expected might lead to erratic shots, the actual ball flight was more stable than anticipated, thanks to the head’s high straight-line stability.
The “distance performance” is excellent.
As a fairway wood, it launches the ball easily off the deck while keeping spin in check, making it an efficient and effective club.
The face’s responsiveness was impressive, and even gentle swings produced notable distance, almost making me wonder if it was “non-conforming.”
However, the shaft felt slightly mismatched for me (likely due to my own limitations), and I suspect a sturdier spec would have allowed for even better performance—a missed opportunity.
I hope to test a different configuration if given the chance.
In terms of “workability,” the club doesn’t stand out as exceptional.
While this might seem like a drawback, it’s actually a strength—it’s a highly stable and forgiving club.
Shallow-head fairway woods like this are better suited for golfers who prefer mastering a single swing style rather than experimenting with multiple techniques.
Even when I attempted a deliberate slice by cutting across the ball, the shot ended up as a topped ball.
This club clearly isn’t designed for extreme shot shaping.
Post-Test Impressions
True to Ryoma’s reputation, this club is of high quality, with excellent stability and dependable performance.
With some clubs, it can feel unclear what their design philosophy or purpose is, but that’s not the case with this one.
Its emphasis on “ease of launch,” “low spin,” and “forgiveness” comes together to deliver impressive “distance performance.”
I believe this club was developed with players whose driver swing speed is below 43 m/s in mind, making it approachable for many.
Having grown accustomed to high-CG clubs since I started golf, I naturally tend to hit down on the ball. However, this club is designed for players who prefer to sweep the ball horizontally.
There’s no need to hit down aggressively.
Letting the club glide just under the ball and “pick it up” horizontally feels like the right approach.
Golf swings are constantly evolving alongside advancements in clubs and balls.
Naturally, swings from the persimmon wood era differ from today’s titanium-dominated era.
While core principles like the “swing axis” remain consistent, much has changed.
I reflected on these changes as I tested this club.
Swings seem to have become simpler, which I believe is a good thing.
What used to be the golfer’s responsibility—such as minimizing spin or straightening shots—is now managed by the club.
Minimizing spin, once a daunting challenge for beginners, is no longer an issue thanks to modern equipment.
I spent countless hours trying to reduce spin, but today’s clubs handle this effortlessly.
I wish I could have given my past self one of these modern clubs.
As expected from Ryoma Golf, this fairway wood is of exceptional quality and performance.
It’s easy to launch, delivers great distance, and is forgiving.
This club is well-suited to today’s golfers.
For me, a fairway wood isn’t about maximizing distance—it’s about hitting high, controlled shots to land on the green or shaping shots off the tee.
This club, however, combines ease of use with impressive distance, making it appealing to a wide range of players.
I look forward to seeing what Ryoma Golf develops next.
☆
Ease of Address: ☆☆☆
Impact Feel: ☆☆☆☆
Sound: ☆☆☆☆
Launch Ease: ☆☆☆☆☆
Stability: ☆☆☆☆☆
Distance Performance: ☆☆☆☆
Workability: ☆☆
※ (Scored out of 100 points)
☆ 1 = 0–20 points
☆ 2 = 21–40 points
☆ 3 = 41–60 points
☆ 4 = 61–90 points
☆ 5 = 91–100 points
Thank you for reading to the end.
※ After trying it out, I researched this club.Elevate Your Fairway Game with the Ryoma MAXIMA F
Experience the perfect blend of distance and forgiveness with the Ryoma MAXIMA F fairway wood. Designed to help golfers of all skill levels hit their fairways with confidence, the MAXIMA F offers a combination of power and precision that is hard to beat.
High Launch, Maximum Forgiveness
The MAXIMA F is engineered to produce high launch angles and a low spin rate, resulting in longer, more towering drives. The large sweet spot ensures that even off-center hits result in consistent, playable shots.
Versatility for Any Shot
Whether you’re hitting a long approach shot or a tight lie from the rough, the MAXIMA F delivers the versatility you need. Its adjustable weight system allows you to fine-tune the club’s performance to match your specific swing and preferences.
Custom-Fitted for You
Every MAXIMA F fairway wood is meticulously crafted to order. Our expert fitters will work with you to determine the optimal shaft, grip, and loft to create a club that’s tailored to your unique swing and preferences.
Why Choose MAXIMA F?
High launch and forgiveness: For maximum distance and consistency.
Customizable: Tailored to fit your specific needs.
Premium materials: Ensures durability and performance.
Stunning aesthetics: A club that looks as good as it performs.
The Perfect Fit for:
Golfers seeking maximum distance: The high launch angle and low spin rate promote longer carries.
Players who value forgiveness: The large sweet spot ensures consistent results.
Those who prioritize versatility: The adjustable weight system allows you to fine-tune the club’s performance.
