Makino Golf is founded by Shohei Nomura, a former industrial designer from Tokyo, who moved to Hyōgo Prefecture to pursue his passion for golf club manufacturing. The region is renowned for its skilled artisans and boasts a legacy of craftsmanship spanning over 90 years.
All Makino irons and wedges are forged at Kyōei Golf Industry Co., Ltd., the oldest golf club forging house in Japan. This partnership ensures each head begins with uncompromising material quality and structural integrity.
Every club begins with a master mold, designed and created in our Himeji workshop. Irons, wedges, and one-off models are hand-finished here, reflecting the individuality and artistry that define our work. Our philosophy is rooted in small-batch craftsmanship rather than mass production — a balance between the hands-on refinement and the heritage and expertise of our trusted partners.
The MA3 putters are developed through a partnership between Nomura and machinist Shinagawa, bringing together artistry and precision engineering.
Like Nomura, Shinagawa’s background is unconventional: before inheriting his family’s machining business, he worked as a Merchandising Director for a leading European fashion house. In this new chapter of his career, he has embraced industrial innovation, introducing collaborative robots — still uncommon in Japan — and frequently speaks for European machine manufacturers as a guest lecturer.
This creative and technical foundation defines our partnership. Shinagawa’s precision work, combined with Nomura’s hands-on finishing, produces putters that stand apart from conventional golf equipment. Once the machining is complete, each head returns to our workshop, where shaping, refinement, and finishing are carried out by hand to bring individuality and warmth to every piece.
異色の肩書きを持つ代表の野村と同じく、機械加工のプロである品川の前職はなんと欧州の大手ファッションハウスの元MD（マーチャンダイジングディレクター）という驚きの経歴の持ち主だ。人生の第二章として家業の機械加工業を引き継いだ品川は、日本ではまだ浸透の浅い協働ロボットを積極的に取り入れ、今では欧州機械メーカーのゲストスピーカーとしての役割をもこなすバイタリティ溢れる人物である。そんなクリエイティブな背景を持つ二人は、ゴルフという共通の情熱を通してそれぞれの領域である芸術と機械加工の融合を日々具現化しており、ここで作り出された製品が一般的なゴルフクラブとは一味も二味も違っている事は誰にでも分かる。
From a young age, Nomura was uniquely fascinated by metal. While other children played with conventional toys, he could spend hours polishing metal objects, captivated by their sheen and the intricate process of refining them. Despite his reluctance, he was compelled by his father to join him for golf every other weekend. Over time, what started as an obligation turned into a genuine passion, complementing his love for metalwork.
It is said that the brand name “Makino Sports” existed in the 1980s and gained a cult following among a niche audience. However, it reportedly faded from the market during the economic crises of the 1990s. Inspired by the original brand's story and philosophy, Nomura adopted the name “Makino,” giving it personal significance beyond its traditional meaning.
“Makino” embodies the spirit of craftsmanship, merging elements of “Nomura” and “Makita” (the Japanese tools company known for its high-quality power tools and innovative solutions for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike). By combining these influences, the brand honors Japanese heritage and construction, producing golf clubs that are both functional and artistically crafted.
MODAL ARCHITEXWith Shinagawa’s addition to the team, we launched MA3 (Modal Architex), a bold and innovative line. True to its name, MA3 combines Modal, a term for control in machinery, with Architex (derived from “architects”) to represent creativity, capturing the spirit of trial and error that lies at the heart of craftsmanship.
品川の加わりにより硬派なマッスルバックアイアンのみを販売していたMakinoの中に誕生したのが、MA3（ModalArchitex)という世界に売り出すきっかけを作ったクリエィティブで奇抜なラインだ。その名の通りMA3 は、機械用語で制御を表すModalと、反対に創造を示すArchitex (architects)を組み合わせた、モノづくりの大前提である試行錯誤をテーマとしている。その製品はどれも芸術的な魅力を誇っているが、手に取ればどこかストイックなゴルファーの佇まいが感じられ、「クラブにゴルフをさせるな」というアスリートゴルフファーストなMakinoのDNAが基本となっている。
