dorkman53

It seems exceptionally unlikely to me that 1/4" in either direction could come close to explaining the very real increase in distance I am achieving with this club.

I am flat out, slobbery in love with my Epon 460/Axiv combo for distance, accuracy, and forgiveness. The more rounds I play with the thing, the better it gets. The increased length and accuracy really takes pressure off every other aspect of my game. It's easier to get pars and birdie chances when you're 20-30+ yards farther down the fairway and hitting off the short stuff most of the time. I've typically averaged 230-240 yards on a well hit drive before, but today I had several drives in the 250-280 range. I even had a couple that I thought I'd missed the sweet spot a bit that were still in the 250-260 range. This is from a 53 year old with a 95-98 mph swing. I only missed one fairway with the driver today. Will every round be this good? Probably not, but my average round should be better than before.

Frankly, I don't care if my Epon/Endos were forged in Antarctica; whoever is doing them knows what they're doing. But out of curiosity, are Endos in Japan, or are they somewhere else in Asia? Somehow I thought I had heard that they were being done in Thailand. Correct or incorrect?

The rollout has been well above average, in my experience. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

As far as price is concerned, there's no question that the Epon clubs are up there. But since I've gotten used to them, I've been on fire in the scoring department. I have two rounds within the last week where I had scores of 78, and I'm a 10 index (but won't be there for long at this rate). The ProII's with the Nippon 1150's are the most accurate irons I've ever played, and feel great, too. I could never get consistent distances with my MP60/Tour Concept setup for some reason. In the last several months, I've gotten Mizuno MP UX 2 hybrids, Gauge Design wedges, the Epon 460/Axiv driver, and the Epon Pro II's from Chris, and I've never had more confidence in my game. The only things in my bag that aren't from Chris are my Tour Edge Exotics/757 3 and 5 woods, and my Heavy Putter. Each purchase I've made from Chris has been an improvement over anything I've ever played before for that club or set of clubs. Fortunately or unfortunately, my bag appears to be set for quite a while, so I guess there will be some economy gained in that I don't plan to change any clubs soon!! (famous last words) Thanks again, Chris.

This is not a direct response, but may prove useful in extrapolating my experience to your situation. I recently replaced MP60's with Epon Technica Pro II's, and have been delighted with the increased forgiveness without giving up the slightest amount of accuracy. If anything, I'm more accurate for distance and direction. The analogous club in the Epon line for the MP32 would be the Type J, and the Pro II is a bit more toward increased forgiveness (analogous to the MP 60). I haven't played the Type J for comparison, but Chris has, and prefers it. My index is 10, for reference.

Do you mean specifically the Speeder 757, or any Speeder? There are Speeder shafts with a wide range of weights, kickpoints, and torque values.

Uh......I guess it is a little late to be asking this question now, but..........is the Epon 460 conforming to the USGA C.O.R. standards? I don't play any competitive rounds, so I wouldn't do anything different if it wasn't, but I'd just like to know. I assumed it was conforming, because there was nothing to indicate it wasn't. Perhaps that was an unjustified leap of faith. Thanks Addendum: I just answered my own question. I have the conforming head. They come both conforming and non-conforming. The conforming heads have "Technity" underlined in blue, the non-conforming heads have it underlined in red. I have the blue. That's nice to know, because I'm hitting it farther than anything I've ever had with a 45" shaft, so I know it's the club/shaft combination, not a .86 face.

I just posted this on another thread. I hope this helps.

Chris, I'm curious. Is it mainly a sound and feel issue of the G Field vs. the Epon, or is there any difference in results as far as distance or forgiveness? What is the difference in face height and overall volume between the two? Thanks

I've now had my new Epon Technity 460 10.5 driver with the Axiv 6465L shaft out for several sessions on the range and several rounds. Verdict? This club is absolutely outstanding. I heartily concur with the others who said exactly the same thing about this head/shaft combination. The head is attractive, understated, and elegant appearing. The head feels extremely solid, and the sound is a relatively low pitched "thwock"; not high pitched or a tinny sound. The feel is tremendous; very smooth with very little vibration. Even shots hit off the sweet spot feel quite solid. Shots on the sweet spot feel absolutely wonderful. The forgiveness with this head/shaft combination is also outstanding. It takes a pretty bad swing to be worse than the first cut of rough. I'm getting more fairways PLUS more distance than anything I've hit in the past. My previous driver, the G Field GFT 1W 10.5 was the current reigning champ for forgiveness and accuracy until the Epon came on the scene. I'm a low hitter so I got the maximum available loft on this club and went with a low kickpoint shaft. I get a nice mid line drive trajectory with LOTS of rollout. The Axiv kicks well without making me force the issue. There's plenty of kick, but plenty of control. I'm about a 95-98 mph smooth tempo swinger, not a hitter. This shaft is fantastic for me. I probably could have gone a half flex softer to an R flex and gotten a bit more distance, but I might have lost a bit of control in the process. This combination is every bit as straight and accurate for me as my old TM R510 TP with a 757, but hits a lot farther because of better carry to accompany the better than average rollout. The Axiv has better kick than the 757, IMHO, without giving up anything in the control department. (I still am a big fan of the 757's, and play them in my 3 and 5 woods). So if you are looking for outstanding feel, forgiveness, and excellent distance, and have some disposable income to send Chris, I'd heartily recommend the Epon Technity 460. That particular Axiv obviously might not be for you, but the Axiv has such a wide variety of weights, flexes, and kickpoints that if one wanted that shaft there would certainly be one right for just about anyone. Thanks again, Chris. You've never let me down or given me less than stellar advice.

I did a demo of the US version of the NVG2 "Tour" model, with the special multi-section shaft. I was eager to try it because there were claims of major improvements in distance, and a high level of forgiveness. I was disappointed; it was shorter and less accurate than the G Field/Axiv combination I was playing then, and by a considerable margin. Now I have an Epon Technity 460/Axiv that is longer and straighter yet. Unless the Japanese version of the MacGregor driver is considerably different than the US version, I think you'd be happier with some of the G Field or Epon products, at least in my experience.

I'm perfectly happy with the Gauge Design wedges you sold me, but I was curious about this clubhead. How does it differ from a regular US variety Cleveland?

Axiv in high kickpoint configuration, Axiv V, Diamana Blue 83, and the Fuji 757 immediately come to mind. Obviously, availability is going to depend on your flex preference, too. Some high kickpoint shafts are only available in S or X flex.

Are you talking about a driver, fairway wood, or irons?

I just got a 460 with an Axiv from Chris. P-Mail him and negotiate the price. Mine has just arrived but I haven't gotten it out to the range yet. It's sitting in the post office because no one was home for the delivery. It'll get picked up today, but tonight is my mother-in law's birthday party, so I won't be able to hit it on the range until tomorrow, and due to other appointments Thursday, I won't be able to get it out on the course until Friday. AAAAAAUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!

OK. I'm finally ready to post a review of the Epon Technica Pro II irons, now that I have played several rounds on them and have a good feel for what they can do. http://www.tourspecgolf.com/catalog/product-info-916.html I have the 3-PW with Nippon 1150 S flex, and for reference, my index varies around 10. I'm a straight hitter, but not a long hitter. I play them from 5-PW, and use Mizuno MP UX 2's to replace the 3 and 4 irons. http://www.tourspecgolf.com/catalog/product-info-596.html I find the Pro II's styling very appealing, and there is little offset. The soles are slightly broader than average, but that's relative only; they're no Ping/Callaway shovels, by any stretch of the imagination. The finish on the soles is quite durable. I have not even the hint of a scratch on the soles, even though I've made a number of fairway bunker and long greenside bunker shots with various irons and the PW. The face is also very durable, with minimal tendency to mark or scratch. The topline is quite thin, and it looks for all practical purposes like a blade at setup, with the exception of being able to barely see the back of the sole on the long irons at address. Distance is about a club longer than my prior MP 60, Tour Concept setup. The feel is extremely solid and smooth. They don't feel quite as soft as the Mizunos, but they feel more solid and vibration on a well struck shot is almost negligible. Even a bladed or chunked shot doesn't feel harsh, though there is plenty of feedback as to what I did wrong. The accuracy/dispersion for distance and direction is superb, and the forgiveness is above average. The Nippon 1150 shafts are excellent. They are definitely heavier feeling and more solid than the 950's, but don't have any of the harshness that is sometimes felt with Dynamic Golds. They kick, but solidly and smoothly. I'm very pleased with the purchase, but wanted to wait until I had quite a few rounds under my belt so the review didn't come across as honeymoon euphoria. As always, I got great service from Chris.

Sorry, but I like to put several rounds on a set of irons before I post a "real review". Otherwise, they start sounding like a honeymooner describing married life. Suffice it for now that I'm really enjoying them, they feel great, and I can heartily recommend them

Initial first time quickie report on the Epon Technica Pro II's, Nippon 1150 S flex. Outstanding solid, sweet feel with quite a bit of forgiveness and very easy to hit all clubs in the set. More details to follow after I've had a chance to put them through their paces a bit more.

Chris; How does the 415 differ with the 460 regarding feel, forgiveness, trajectory, and distance? How does the center of gravity differ? Lower/higher in the 415 or the 460? Thanks in advance for your reply.

I've taken the plunge on a set of Endo Pro II's with Nippon 1150's from Chris. They should arrive in a few days. I'll post after I've had a chance to put them through their paces a few times.

So, do the AC 10's only come in .370"? Does that mean that the Epon irons are .370" instead of .355"?

Chris: How would you compare the feel, control, and overall playability between these four shafts? What is the weight of the Shimada, and what is the kickpoint and tip stiffness? Thanks in advance for your usual candid input.

Bottom line? Will there be G Field AND Gauge Design, or just Gauge Design. "Explain it to the dumb kids", please.

I can vouch for the Gauge Design GAS1 SQBT's. I have a 53 and 58 I got from Chris, and they really check up well. I'm having to re-learn how close to the pin to throw a pitch or chip shot because if I'm not careful, it comes up short. It's just a matter of learning how much more spin I get than other wedges I've used. But as I continue to learn to use them, I like them more and more. They really gives me a lot more control and options with my shots around the green.