The Japanese term for one of a kind is yuiitsu muni. That description is apropos for Japan-based Miura Golf. Ever since Katsuhiro Miura started molding club irons — harkening to the days of Sam Snead and Ben Hogan — his undeniable imprint has been left on golf. Pioneer, innovator, trailblazer, fill-in-the-Thesaurus blank all apply. A world-renowned craftsman, the 76-year-old Miura began hand-making irons in 1957 using soft steel. Twenty years later he was able to launch Miura Golf and confidently boast of the world’s finest forged wedges and irons. Forged clubs date back to how metal clubs were constructed in their early inception. Some things in life simply ooze style and high-end quality. Lamborghinis, Rolexes and Versace come to mind. Miura Golf has marketed its irons as a golf standard for hand-made clubs. “There are fans grasping for anything and everything Miura,” said Miura Golf chief operating officer Bill Holowaty. Including putters. A few months ago the company introduced the KM-009, a new putter design made of milled mild steel. The blade-style putter has a rolled top line and tapered heel that makes it easier to square to the putting line. What’s more, the face is forgiving and produces an impact strike that creates solid feel with control. The putter went to market for $400 retail and can be customized through a dealer network. Admittedly so, a putter is a step away from Miura Golf’s bread-and-butter line of wedges and irons. It, however, keeps the company diversified. “Although putters aren’t our core focus,” said Miura Golf president Hoyt McGarity, “the Miura family has never attached their name to any product that did not live up to their extremely high standards.” That might be an understatement. Before stepping down as president five years ago and now serving as chairman, Miura oversaw more than 10 product series. His meticulousness and stringent approval process assured that every club left its Himeji, Japan factory just as he intended. One bad club, he felt, could destroy credibility. Miura is still involved with the company but has ceded more control to his sons, Shinei and Yoshitaka. “His creativity, his influence and guidance has never been stronger,” said Holowaty.
To this day, each Miura Golf club is hand crafted and must adhere to a stringent approval process.