In less than a week, golf will be back in full swing here in the UK. To help dust off the cobwebs, we recently featured some beautiful courses from around the world, and now we’re adding to the anticipation with a look at the limited-edition Nicklaus-Miura Commemorative Irons.
The Nicklaus-Miura Commemorative Irons combine two iconic names from the golfing world, the legendary Jack Nicklaus and Katsuhiro Miura.
The Japanese clubmaker Miura Golf has unveiled a limited-edition, beautifully constructed set of hand-forged irons perfect for collectors who want to own the very best. The set was designed to Jack’s preferred specifications and are a modern-day version of the classic Miura blade.
Nicklaus’s respect for the Miura family goes back decades. In 2014, the golf legend paid a visit to the Miura forging house in Himeji, Japan, to meet Miura-san. It was an incredible meeting, and during it, Jack was given an honour which has thus far only been experienced by Miura-san himself. This was sitting in the grinding line’s first chair.
Miura-san said, “The day Jack visited the factory was the best day of my life,” Adding, “My family is honoured to produce this set of irons for golf’s greatest champion and see our family’s crest share a clubhead with his seal of approval.”
Nicklaus was so inspired by his visit to the Miura forging house; it prompted him to couple his incredible golfing knowledge with Miura’s 60-year obsession in the pursuit of club-making perfection.
“I’ve spent decades designing golf equipment, and I cherish the painstaking craftsmanship that goes into enhancing the tools of my trade,” Nicklaus said. “The Miura family and I share this passion for doing everything the right way and leaving no detail overlooked, and we have worked closely in this collaboration to highlight the superior subtleties of Miura forged steel.”
By utilising Nicklaus’s immense feel for the game and discerning eye, the two icons were able to develop a set of irons incorporating Jack’s specific preferences. It is said that no details were overlooked in making the Nicklaus-Miura Commemorative Irons, and they are in keeping in Nicklaus’s meticulous attention to detail and incredibly high standards.
For this very special collaboration, Miura-san needed to understand Nicklaus’s exact preferences fully. Without this, it would’ve been nigh impossible to create a modern-day version of the Nicklaus blade.
Particular attention was paid to the look of the clubs, the feeling and the sole. Getting the perfect feel was an incredibly tough task, so grinding techniques were used, which were so subtle; most people wouldn’t notice them unless they were clearly pointed out.
In addition to this, Miura-san moved the club’s centre of gravity closer to the toe. This could only be achieved by removing material from the hosel (the socket the shaft goes in) from the iron to precisely match Jack’s requirements.
To achieve the exact ball flight and performance Jack required, the club was designed with a uniform standard offset. Miura used subtle grinding on the neck of the club, which results in a more-effective offset.
Nicklaus-Miura Commemorative Irons – Where and how?
The Nicklaus-Miura Commemorative Irons are currently available to order online at www.miuragolf.com/nicklaus. Prices start from $2,750, and they can be preordered for a custom fit.
You can read our recent feature showcasing some of the world’s most beautiful courses in preparation for when full travel is available here.