Blader-X Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Epon 460 arrived just today. Just another reason to post some pics. :tsg_smiley_laughatyou: Seriously though, I want to do a comparison between the two for the benefit of those interested. I will give initial impressions and specs and then later in maybe a couple of weeks or more give the performance evaluation. TSG can never have enough comparisons and input in my opinion. Callaway ERC III 450cc loft: 9.5 face: square swingweight: not known shaft: Axiv-V 8072 46.5 in (118.1cm) total length face height: 2.25in (5.71cm) Epon Technicity 460cc loft: 9.5 face: 1* open swingweight: D5.2 shaft: Axiv-V 8076 45.75 in (116.2 cm) total length face height: 2.5 in (6.35cm) Headcover of the Epon is black and gold. Pittsburgh Steelers colors. Out of the box, Epon already has the edge on the Callaway. Although the ERC headcover is a looker itself. Epon is beautiful gloss black while Callaway's gloss has a tinge of brown in it making it lighter in color but still very nice. No sight line on the Epon (I plus in my book), ERC III has the Callaway arrow logo. Edge for looks: Epon Face height is higher on the Epon (bottom) 2.5" vs the ERC (top) 2.25". Epon has a more compact look to it in address than the Callaway. However, when one measures the crown length, Epon is slightly longer than the ERC III, 4.25" versus 4" respectively. I really like having ordered the Epon in 1 degree open. It has the right "look" to me and thats a plus as well. Edge for setup: Epon Epon comes with cord grip. It has a sweet feel to it like others have posted previously. Callaway stock grip is just that, stock. Edge in grips: Epon I realize that the shafts are not completely the same but I wanted to go slightly stiffer in the Axiv. After a couple months with the V-8072, I just felt I could go with the V-8076 and see better results. I know I may be splitting hairs but as I've written in the past, its all about feel for me. I wanted to go 46.5" in the Epon but after getting some initial specs from Chris, we decided to go 45.75" which gives a D5.2 swingweight. I like the feel of that. I could have longer having really gotten accustomed to the 46.5" in the ERC. My irons are a little over a D5. Heavier clubs again, feel better to me. Edge: none, both are Axiv V specs, great shafts. Epon's ferrule. Very, very nice detail. I have a net set up in the backyard and after having taking a few swings with each club just some thoughts. Of course like any club ho, it was straight into full swings no warm up. I had read about all the great feel of the Epon. I took some swings; was like okay, and then I got into one with the Epon. I had to stop for a second after that one because I had never felt that kind of feel in a driver before. All I can say is that it just felt silky pure. I can't really describe how good it felt. I took a few more swings with both drivers. I can tell both are great clubs but the Epon is really making me want to get to the range and out on the course. I'll end here for now. As I said, I want to give the Epon a thorough go. I would like to get in several rounds before posting again so that the comparison can be as fair as I can make it without a honeymoon effect. Until then, pour a cold one and get ready for Ryder Cup! :atsg_smilie_beer2: PS. Chris, we need an Epon smiley flag! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Alexander Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 (edited) :tsg_smilie_cool: :tsg_smilie_cool: Good initial report. Keep up the good work. Any chance of getting a close up picture of the Epon looking down on the crown?? Edited September 18, 2006 by Jack lives here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfgolfer Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 HOT DAMN! I cannot wait for you to get some mileage with each. Thanks in advance for future posts! :tsg_smiley_yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCsub Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 I don't want to threadjack you here, but I will add some comments on comparing the Epon460 to the Tourstage X-Drive 435. I agree with your assessment about the Epon at address - I did love it and prefer it to the Tourstage. The grip is also very comfortable for a cord - awesome. I also agree that the feel at impact is unlike anything else I have hit. However, I can best describe that feel as "spongy" or "springy" or "mushy". The Tourstage has a much more "solid" feel when struck. Personally, I prefer that "precise-ness". For my tastes the XD435 is still the best driver I have it in terms of being solid withoput being too hot (some clubs seem the opposite of the Epon, where the ball shoots off of the face too fast). Nonetheless, out of the 10 balls I hit with the Epon, they were all very straight and as long as the XD. Distance seemed to be a straight draw between the two (tough to tell with inconsistent range balls). I would say the Epon is more forgiving, and overall easier to hit. Toggling between the two I did manage to hook the XD a few times but not the Epon. I would say the Epon is a superb club, even if not for me. I'll add that the "stock" Drev Tour shaft felt great, and was easily the strongest performing stock shaft I have ever tried. If I kept the Epon I would not have messed around with re-shafting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plus1 Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 great comparisson! anxious to hear your testing results......although somehow i think i know who the winner will be! .............where are those epon smiley flags you mentioned?????? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blader-X Posted September 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 :tsg_smilie_cool: :tsg_smilie_cool: Good initial report.Keep up the good work. Any chance of getting a close up picture of the Epon looking down on the crown?? Jack, ask and you shall receive!! Close up looking down on both the Epon (top) and Callaway (bottom) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blader-X Posted September 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 Just a quick update. Went to the range where my swing coach works out of. It's good range. all grass and place where I can hit tons of balls. I hit about 100 balls with each club throughout the day. I put the ERC up against the Epon and was really a little surprised. Both clubs perform (for me) fairly equally. There really was no one that stood out from the other. I had pretty decent day and striped many a ball. I had been expecting the Epon to just eat up the ERC but the ERC would have no of it. Overall the feel the Epon had a slight edge, but only slight. I like the 8076 shaft a little better but even then not really much difference. Trajectory of both very similar. Again this is just one day and it needs more time. I just wanted to share some more impressions on two really wonderful clubs. I think its as Chris says, tech wise is pretty maxed out. You just need to find a club to suit your personal preferences. Both these suit me fine but my testing is not over yet. Edge: Jury is still deliberating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blader-X Posted September 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 Another update before I put the clubs away for a few days and return to work. :tsg_smilie_sad: Played a full round with only the Epon on a course I play on a consistent basis. I know this course well so I can do a fair comparison. Again, this is only my results but the Epon/Axiv V8076 combo is working out very well for me. I hit mostly gentle draws with this combo but needed a hard draw on one hole, and big 20 yard fade on another. Hit both shots exactly as needed. Found 9/14 fairways. Of the ones I missed one was through the fairway, three were my standard left pull (my personal miss) and one was missed to the right rough. In terms of distance Epon beat the ERC by an average of 12 yards. This course I play is mostly an all carry kind of a course with limited roll. I was carrying the Epon 265 yards on average; with a couple of drives which I really got a hold of close to 280 yards (carry). The ERC on that course hasn't been as good. I must say after the range sessions, I wasn't all that impressed but today really changed my thinking. The Epon was simply beautiful. I'm very happy with the shaft, the feel of the clubhead, how it sets up; just everything about it. I have at least three rounds scheduled for my next stretch off of work and I'll make my final comparisons during then. I'm thinking of shortening the ERC to 45.75" which is what the Epon is playing. That might be the optimal length for my swing. The Epon really outperformed the ERC on the course and like I've stated previously I've been very happy with the ERC. I'm even happier with the Epon but its early yet. Edge: Epon takes the lead, analysis still in progress. If I get a chance, I want to take both to somewhere where I can get some launch stats. Picture here about 15 Epon smiley flags!! :tsg_smilie_cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkats Posted September 27, 2006 Report Share Posted September 27, 2006 Another update before I put the clubs away for a few days and return to work. :tsg_smilie_sad: Played a full round with only the Epon on a course I play on a consistent basis. I know this course well so I can do a fair comparison. Again, this is only my results but the Epon/Axiv V8076 combo is working out very well for me. I hit mostly gentle draws with this combo but needed a hard draw on one hole, and big 20 yard fade on another. Hit both shots exactly as needed. Found 9/14 fairways. Of the ones I missed one was through the fairway, three were my standard left pull (my personal miss) and one was missed to the right rough. In terms of distance Epon beat the ERC by an average of 12 yards. This course I play is mostly an all carry kind of a course with limited roll. I was carrying the Epon 265 yards on average; with a couple of drives which I really got a hold of close to 280 yards (carry). The ERC on that course hasn't been as good. I must say after the range sessions, I wasn't all that impressed but today really changed my thinking. The Epon was simply beautiful. I'm very happy with the shaft, the feel of the clubhead, how it sets up; just everything about it. I have at least three rounds scheduled for my next stretch off of work and I'll make my final comparisons during then. I'm thinking of shortening the ERC to 45.75" which is what the Epon is playing. That might be the optimal length for my swing. The Epon really outperformed the ERC on the course and like I've stated previously I've been very happy with the ERC. I'm even happier with the Epon but its early yet. Edge: Epon takes the lead, analysis still in progress. If I get a chance, I want to take both to somewhere where I can get some launch stats. Picture here about 15 Epon smiley flags!! :tsg_smilie_cool: Great review! Thanks for the update! :tsg_smiley_yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blader-X Posted October 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Final deliberations are in. I put in several rounds and a couple of hard-core five hour range sessions. I failed to get any swing data but I know my swing well enough and just didn't have time to get it done. Sorry TSGer's, maybe another time. Anyways, here goes. On looks alone, the Epon takes it for me. I like the way it sets up, the slightly taller face and no sight line markings on top of the crown. Its has beautiful deep black-green tint in bright sunlight. In terms of feel, I love the Epon over the Calloway. I know some have said it feels "spongy", but with that Axiv-V shaft the feeling just emanates from the clubhead, through the shaft, into your hands and all through the body. Its pretty magical, at least for me!! lol :tsg_smiley_laughatyou: Performance: Don't get me wrong. Both are very excellent drivers and you couldn't go wrong with either. For me however, the Epon was always just a little better than the Callaway. In range sessions, they were fairly equal. On the course however, the Epon was the better performer. Longer, by about 10 yards, but more consistent and probably more forgiving. Definitely, more workable. I would be more inclined to try different shape shots with the Epon rather than the ERC. Why the Epon, than the ERC? It just works for my swing. I can get in my own way sometimes and I think the Epon is just a tad more forgiving for that than the ERC. Having said that though, I've hit some piercing bombs with both drivers. Final result: Epon solidly takes this challenge. Just a final note though. Both drivers are really wonderful and a joy to put in play. I do believe, the Axiv-V shaft played a huge part in the feel and performance of both and I couldn't be happier with that shaft. I went with the the 8076 and I feel very strongly its the right shaft for me and my swing. I like the heavier weight and whatever flex it is its obviously the right one. I hope this helps some of you out there in choosing between the two or just in reading more about these two very fine drivers. Have fun everyone and keep posting your experiences. :tsg_smilie_cool: p.s. Chris, still no Epon smiley flags?? :tsg_smilie_confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Alexander Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 The view of the crown is simply beautiful, and I for one like beautiful golf clubs. The feel of the club also sounds right on the money. All in all a very good report and test!! :tsg_smilie_cool: :tsg_smilie_cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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