RLL33

Thanks, Ian. And, Chuck, nothing goes to the course without Pi's approval...

Okay, I've had these Seven MCB's in the bag for a couple of weeks' worth of rounds now. I wanted to wait before posting to be sure I wasn't over-the-top-honeymoon-insane (which I was from hitting just the 6-iron demo...). And I can now say I am just over-the-top golf insane. With these irons, I risk a claim of having found Nirvana... the Holy Grail... my hardware soulmate... or f**k it, all of the above. I've played JDM blades, musclebacks, cavitybacks, forged, cast, any and all combinations... and I've never felt anything like these Seven's. Look, feel, sound, length, precision, workability -- every aspect of the iron game is not only superb, it's unique. Every now and then I come across a club that amazes from the first hit. Not just because it sends the ball out in a streamer that matches the image in my head of the shot I would hit if I were able to hit the shot I want to hit. But because there is something surprising, or even shocking about the feel of the contact. It happened when I hit my first drive with Kobayashi's S-Yard T355. And years later when I rolled a putt with the Ryoma P3. And now with these MCB's. In fact, mentioning the P3 putter is appropriate here. The feel of these MCB's is, for me, the iron version of what that putter produces -- a feel unlike anything else I'm aware of in a golf club. Soft? Absolutely. But with a sticky rebound effect that effortlessly jumps the ball out there and yet allows varying control with ease. I think it was Mikey who first said of the demo that it's like a player's club that legitimately cheats for you. Perfect way to describe it. This iron is a tool that jumps everything I've learned about the golf swing to a level of consistent repeats of hitting my shots true. And with an enormous sweet spot and forgiveness all around it, that goosebumpy "nailed it" feeling gets repeated (for me) an unheard of number of times all through a round. Some specifics include the shaped leading edge that finally has allowed me to put the Special-K kikuya on my course out of mind. I haven't experienced the dreaded stuck in the ground wrist wrencher that takes several holes to recover from even once. The club glides through that stuff like it's actually grass... <g> And out of rough -- which on our course is sometimes like US Open rough -- I finally can hit a 5-iron or a wedge that I don't have to worry will kill off the worm population in the 50 yards in front of my angry face... Which brings me to the added wedge in the set, the AW. I've always played three wedges (four if you count the pitching wedge). But I've never had an AW as part of my iron set. This introduces another surprising variable with no jump to a new feel, different sole width, and shaft flex, etc, when it's time to go to a wedge beyond the pitching wedge. The result? More of that consistency that feels the way I've always imagined a perfectly tuned iron set ought to offer up and the confidence that inspires from all distances. Not to mention the reduction of the flyer effect out of gnarly s**t. Maybe the marriage of the Modus3 shaft with the MCB is part of the equation (along with the new Pro V1 ball). All I can say is the feel this combination produces has given me what I've long been searching for through all the different trials of graphite, steel, carbon, and composite shafts. Smooth beyond smooth. Power, length, control. For me, especially enjoyable is the knock-down traj that links golf taught me is my best scoring shot from 6-iron length. The MCB shoots those out with ease. And then launches a high 9-iron to the sky with a soft thwack that prepares you for the upcoming thump on the green that you wish could give you more of those GIR's on your card. Damn, I'm going to stop here at the risk of the golf gods descending on me this week with lightning bolts or something. But to anyone wondering if this club is worth the cost, I can only smile and hope that everyone's answer is no, as that will leave me with the unique advantage that this club gives. I offer congrats to Chris one more time. You've designed something truly special here and deserve grand kudos. You certainly have this golfer's big time thanks! Some quick pics: ...and of course... <g> --RL Seven-Seventeen-Seventeen

Looks just like Callaway's prototype driving iron of five or so years ago that Callaway never should have abandoned in favor of their current offerings. If it hits like it, it will be a winner.

Fantastic! Thank you! Look forward to doing a more thorough review of the whole set.

My Epons have the identical Modus shaft as the MCB. And like I mentioned, the MCB shut them down (up) from the first hit. But count me unusual -- Epons have never really done it for me. Even those P2's I copper finished. I also compared the MCB to what I considered the finest CB I've ever had the pleasure to own -- the original A-Grind R1 with OTi's in it, which I'm still keeping. Again, the MCB. My set shipping soon, Chris? July 4th awaits...

I've received a few PM's asking for more info... For now, suffice it to say both the CB and the MCB have exquisite feel, but for me, the MCB just jumped up and grabbed my attention from the first hit. If this is a mid-sized CB, then give me mid-size! At address, it appears more precise than a lot of MB's I've played, and I love the overall look of the design of the club. Performance wise, I've hit most of the irons mentioned in this thread, and I can honestly say the MCB is longer, easier to hit consistently well, has better feel and sound. And yes, that includes the Epon's. When you hit this thing on the dime, the reaction is basically, Bingo!, and you just watch with a smile on your face. Miss a little, and it's easily the most forgiving iron I've hit. Anyway, I'm loving it, and I will write more when I receive my full set. Demos go from me to you, Brad, this weekend. (I've got one more round with 'em this afternoon...! <g> )

Gotta say, those are great looking irons. GLWS.

You guys are in for a treat. I got my turn and I've never felt anything better than the MCB. Will write more about it when I get my full set, which I've just ordered.

... and on the quest goes...

... because new equipment comes along and takes more advantage of one factor or another... and if your swing is adaptable, you have to admit you can feel the advantage that way, too...

That's the dilemma in a nutshell. Everyone has to find the balance that works best for them. All the factors, most certainly including mass, work their way into the equation. And then of course everything changes on you just when you think you've found the answer... <g>

I tend to like lighter shafts, too. MCI's and OTi's are great carbon/mixed shafts. And lately I've been enjoying the NSPro 105's in steel. As long as you can feel where the club head is in your swing, light can be ok and will increase swing speed.

What is your PayPal?

I'll take them. Have always wanted to try them to see what they're about.

Yes, for me, these fwys are easier to do what I want to do with the ball, both off the tee and off the deck. (And the gunshot sound is addictive... ;=]. )

I know some have a problem with this. It's never been an issue for me after just lowering my tee height.

So in addition to a stunning look, the Black Mirror also has that sticky feel? "Sticky" being my favorite feel among the TSG finishes, would you say that the Black Mirror finish compares to the stickiness of the Smoked Copper, Chris?

Agreed. +1 again, Chuck. ;=]

This finish is stunning! Amazing work, Chris! (I'm also thinking this would look great on the Seven MCB...). ;=]

I guess I can't be sure because I've only hit it with the Beyond Power shaft in it, but I'd guess that it's mostly the shaft, which is also unique in that it has only one flex for all. As I said though, I was able to find straight and fade, too. More time with it will tell.

+1 on that, Chuck.

It's an interesting point, Chuck, and actually has a lot to do with my original intention in posting the review. I first started thinking about the 2-wd when Mickelson used that "Frankendriver" for one or two tourneys a few years ago. He could hit that thing almost as long as his driver, the difference being that he had obviously more control of where the ball would end up. And with his iron game, it was sure to lower his scores (IMO). What caused him to abandon the idea? The obvious emphasis on distance in the "new" pro game. Sure, distance in the pro game is about millions of bucks, whereas for am's like me we're talking in relative hacker terms. But it's really the same issue, I think, especially for us am's : ego. You don't want to put the driver out to pasture, even if it means lowering your scores... What's a golf bag without a driver...? Well, playing 150 rounds of golf a year -- especially as I get older -- I find myself caring more and more about "what works." And the 2-wd experiment is an opening in that investigation for me. And I'd agree with a similar experiment with hybrids if you or anyone were so inclined. We can always go back, right...? (That JBeam with 7D is over in the corner laughing at me as I type here...) And no doubt, Chris is going to show us alternatives that prove irresistible ...! <g> All part of the game and what we equipment lovers enjoy dealing with, yes?

I haven't hit the Tourstage, so I'm sorry I can't compare directly, Mikey. But I can tell you that the Ryoma has a very quick pop into a penetrating trajectory. It goes hand in hand with the gunshot sound that I've described. For me, it's honestly unique. Even in some very strong Santa Ana winds that we've had lately, shots bore right through, well out there before I even look up. I think whatever causes the draw bias further adds to that quality. No question, some would probably find the sound... I don't know... unsettling.... But I've come to look forward to hearing it. Even have guys talking about it in the bar... ;=]

<<... Does it also make sense to end up with a bunch of hybrids ...?>> Not for me, Chuck. I LOVE my irons, right down to the 2-iron. With the exception of the one Miura hybrid I have bagged for years because I find it's totally different from all other hybrids I've tried, I relish playing the long irons. As bn says, it's about the precision and workability and feel. Hitting a great long iron is borderline better than sex for me. ;=]

Thanks, M. Think you'll like it. It's unique. And did I say "long...!" ;=]