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Parmaster from GolfWRX was able to help me identify the company and website for an awesome looking wedge pictured at the PGA Show. Apparently, these are the new wedges from the same gentleman that did the Zodia wedges. Any idea if these may be available through TSG at some point? The website they have listed is: http://www.yo1golf.com. It's really only a PDF of their catalog. Thanks. Brian

Spoon, I'll take the 4W head. Headcover included? Brian

Title says it all, Prototype only, 52, 57 or 60*. Will consider one or all 3 if you have them. Brian

Not a JDM product, the the Adams Idea Pro hybrids fit the bill nicely. bp

I'm having the entire set reshafted with GS75 steel. I won't put them in play until next Thursday. bp

Excellent finish. I like the lowercase name engraving. Brian

I'm really encouraged by the 301/GS75 combination. It's very playable and stable. I don't feel like I'm giving up anything over a heavier weight, because I'm still able to take my normal swing without the feeling of overswinging. I'm not sure where the swingweight ended up, but its good as is. I'm going to reshaft a short-iron next to work on getting the right balance and swingweight. As you stated, the experimenting isn't cheap, particularly because I don't do my own work. The GS75 isn't cheap steel either! I like where this is going! Brian

I bought a custom set of Epon AF-301 irons with my TSG screen name engraved on the sole. I thought these would be the last irons I'd buy, at least for awhile. Well after high anxiety, usual waiting period they arrive. Guess what? I hated the way they felt. Personally, I was expecting something similar to the X-Forged feel, if not better. Didn't happen. So I've been tinkering with the 5i with my favorite shafts, trying to find the one that's going to "feel" and play the way I like. I went DGS200 (120g) originally, and played my favorite Wishon Series 5 (110g) steel for a couple of rounds. My clubbuilder suggested going ultralight because he found his other customer's with Japan-spec equipment all got better results from ultralights mated to the heads they played. He suggested trying Nippon, but I was already familiar with that option, and knew I could come back to it. He also suggested True Temper's GS75 (sub-80g) steel shafts. Well, I tried the True Temper GS75 S200, hardstepped once, and it's a really nice, stable shaft. Surprisely better than I expected, especially on stability. It's seems alot like Ping ZZ65 shaft to me, slightly softer. Most important to me, the shaft completely changed the feel of the Epon head. Just lovely!! I haven't changed the other shafts yet, but will do so within the next few weeks. I found it interesting that a post on GolfWRX from poster, True Temper, who is employed by TT, read as follows about the GS75: "GS 75 was originally designed for TM Japan...Tip and butt flexible it is a great alternative to graphite irons." My clubbuilder, at one time, suggested that I could use graphite due to my tempo. Maybe this is the reason these feel great. Has anyone on TSG demoed or played these shafts for an extended period of time? How do these play in shorter irons? Thanks for your feedback. Brian

Tried the Black Gold stiff, and they didn't feel good to me. I'd play BG regular, so that didn't help my impressions. bp

The DGS200's come standard at 37.50" 5i length. I like the overall swingweight, but it feels somewhat out of balance. The Wishon Series 5 shaft is a 110g shaft, and the feel is an improvement over the DG's. I'm going to be trying Nippon and Rifle shafts in the 5i over the next two weeks to decide what will be played in the AF-301's. There's an answer somewhere, I just need to find it quickly!

I'm comparing CB-301, CB-202 and AF-301. I've had only 2 rounds of play with the AF-301, but feel comfortable talking about initials impressions. Feel: IMO, Miura's are softer. Comparatively, changes from 2-piece, 3-piece, to multilayer balls had less of an impact on feel in the Miura's compared to the Epons. Different balls produced different sounds of the clubface of the Epons. Some accentuated the "feel" that I believe people have described in the Epons. Others made the Epons very unappealing for me. I'm a solid ballstriker that finds the center clubface consistently. My Epon's have DGS200 installed. I've hit them with Black Gold stiff, and I've already swapped my favorite shaft, Wishon Series 5, to see if my impression on feel improves. As is, my Epon's would be last in the feel category compared to Miura, Mizuno and Bridgestone irons I've owned. Accuracy/Dispersion/Trajectory: Shafts play a significant part here, so bear that in mind. Epon's are more forgiving on-course, but the Miura's have been more consistent in dispersion. I'm still learning how best the Epon's perform, i.e. steep swing, shallow swing, divots or no divots. I tend to get more consistent trajectory and dispersion hitting them somewhat thin. Epon's hit on a beautiful trajectory, mid-high to high. The trajectory is ideal for me. Epon's haven't performed as well out of the rough compared to the Miura's. Feel and accuracy are the preferred characteristics that I evaluate equipment on. Does it feel good, and can I hit it consistently? The Miura CB-301/CB-202 are preferred in both categories.

Since there is no definition on what accurately describes a player's cavity back, you'll likely continue to read differing opinions about what category this club falls into. Everyone is offering their own perspective. You'll have to look in the bags of the posters and read their feedback on other clubs that you're familiar with in order to understand each posters definition of a player's CB and feedback on the AF301's. Brian

There has been a high degree of interest in "feedback" on the AF-301's. For those of us who have purchased or demoed the irons, one should not expect a consensus on what these irons are for a given player. We're all coming from different points of reference and expectations. For many members, TSG is our introduction to the JDM, which includes its own nuisances on clubhead design and aethetics. The opinions of the experienced members may be taken literally and very seriously if someone does not have access to JDM equipment, and particularly if you're trying to make an informed decision before purchasing. I haven't read any feedback in this thread that is a "knock" on Epon. Even with comments on offset, playability, etc., each post offering an opinion indicates these irons to be good to great for the right player. These comments, whether considered trivial or not, are important IF a member evaluates equipment based on preferences in offset, head design, aesthetics. Everyone should take the comments as just what they are, one member's opinion. Trust me, TSG still ends up with a more informed community. As I understand it, that's what is desired here. Brian

A club is usually compared to another that we are most familiar with, and feel comfortable comparing it to. When I ordered the AF-301's, I did so expecting a player's cavity back similar to the X-Forged, as I read several references that put the Type J/AF-301 in the same category of club. However, I too feel that the AF-301 is more midcapper than even a low-midcapper. Having purchased a custom engraved set, I'm inclined to speak both highly and favorably about this club. In honesty, though a very nice club, it is not remotely the player's cavity I expected it to be. It reminds me very much of a Mizuno MX-25 moreso than an X-Forged iron. I'm going to be playing my set at least 5+ rounds before doing a full review. But out of the box I have to change my points of reference when comparing these to other clubs. I was expecting to compare them to my former MR-23 CB, MP-60, and CB-202 irons. All player's CBs, but not the right comparison to the AF-301's in my opinion. Brian

Jack, Sole engraving is a custom option from Epon. There is a thread in this forum that list the engraving typefonts. Chris is the best point of contact from pricing options. Brian

Here's a quick pic of the sole engraving I had done on my AF-301's. Irons are still in the plastic, so I don't have any feedback on the clubs. Just thought I'd share a pic of the work done. Brian

Email sent regarding available CB-202's. Brian

Shepherd, Can you describe alittle more about your experience with the AF301 irons? Are there any current or past irons that you would say these are similar to? I've never played/hit an Epon iron, but recently ordered a set. Your feedback would be appreciated. Brian

I own the 18*, 20*, 23* and 26* Adams Idea Pro hybrids. However, I only played all 4 in the bag twice, with mixed results. I found the 20* and 23* to be the most playable, having barely found the need to hit the 26*. However, I now carry the KZG U-Wood 22* and the KZG U-Iron 26* this combination is more playable than what I was trying to accomplish with 4 Adams hybrids. The 22* plays between the 20* and 23*, but provides me with a higher trajectory, and easier off-the-deck performance. I still carry my 5i, but the 26* is used out of the rough, and is slightly longer than my 5i. If I need an absolutely high and straight shot, this is the go to club. The 18* hybrid has been replaced by a 19* FW. The accuracy is there with the FW, but surprisingly, no distance gains vs. the hybrid. Brian

Can you post of few pics of those beauties? I don't expect my custom order to arrive for 3 weeks, so anybody who's got 'em early...I want to see them!

PM sent of UT-85 shafts. bp

If you're still playing these, what do you have, and how are they treating you lately? Brian

I put one on my Rapture driver and am very impressed with the feel and tackiness. I can understand Chris's comment about not dropping this grip in the sand though. I'm going to play several more rounds with it, but expect to be adding this grips to my irons and wedges soon. bp

I put the Idea Pro/UT-85 S 18* and 20* through the paces, and have the following comparison to offer. Feel: UT-85 has more kick through impact, while the Altus HB is more one-piece in feel. Both are equally smooth in my opinion. However, the Altus did not mate well with the Idea Pro when I played it before. The UT feels better in this head. Trajectory: UT gets up quicker and spins more. The Altus HB got up, but flattened out. I'll hold more greens with the UT, but was longer with the Altus HB by about 5 yards carry. The UT-85 is providing what I needed, which was a higher trajectory with comparable carry to the VS Proto they replaced. I'll have to adjust to the distance loss, which is also about 5 yards carry vs the VS Proto. Overall I'm pleased with the purchase and they provide more confidence than the VS Proto. I will say that depending upon your needs, the Altus is a very fine hybrid shaft. I moved the shaft in/out of 4 hybrid heads, and excluding the Idea Pro, it was consistent in performance from one head to the next. I do recommend the Altus shaft, and the price is comparable to the UT-85. Regarding the other Ozik shafts, choose your flex wisely. They are sensitive shafts, and are excellent performers when they fit your swing. I've not been able to replace the distance gains I received from a Mizuno MX500/Ozik F-7m combination I played two seasons ago. The accuracy wasn't as consistent as I had hoped, but I could not overlook the 12 yard average carry distance increase. It was good to go from last to 2nd in driving distance in my regular foursome. Haven't been able to find those distance gains lately. Brian

I'm having the UT-85's installed in my Idea Pro hybrids today. Having hit the Altus HB extensively last season, I'm anxious to see how I fare in comparing the two shafts. Brian