Review - Epon AF301 with Black Golds

[wmclarenf1]

benefit of a few more rounds since then.... thats why i tend to wait before I post publicly.... Also, if I recall you had asked about the Af 301s vs studio MBs (post above references studio handmades which are cavity backs).....the two (Studio MB and the studio handmades are not the same)

oh crap! You had to say that and seeing how my initial impressions of the Epon 460 is so good, I think I'll have to sell my Gauge Design Studio MBs to fund a set of AF 301s. Anybody?

[federerfan23]

Well, I received by 301's yesterday and headed straight for the course. I am coming from MP-67's so keep that in mind.

For me, these irons will not work. They are much larger than expected and have an enormous amount of offset. These do not fit my game well. From hitting them they feel wonderfull though. I have them shafted with blk golds stiff and like others said this is a great combo for feel. If you like a forged cb with greater than normal offset especially in the 7-pw I would look at these.

It kind of dissapoints me Epon does not make more of a players club. I would not say these are a players cb by any means. I found them to have more offset and to be far more forgiving than even the MP-57's.

For the right person these are great irons.

I will be listing them for sale or trade in the BST shortly.

If anyone has any other questions about them feel free to PM me.

[wmclarenf1]

Well, I received by 301's yesterday and headed straight for the course. I am coming from MP-67's so keep that in mind.

For me, these irons will not work. They are much larger than expected and have an enormous amount of offset. These do not fit my game well. From hitting them they feel wonderfull though. I have them shafted with blk golds stiff and like others said this is a great combo for feel. If you like a forged cb with greater than normal offset especially in the 7-pw I would look at these.

It kind of dissapoints me Epon does not make more of a players club. I would not say these are a players cb by any means. I found them to have more offset and to be far more forgiving than even the MP-57's.

For the right person these are great irons.

I will be listing them for sale or trade in the BST shortly.

If anyone has any other questions about them feel free to PM me.

Can you compare the feel to the MP-67s? I'm playing the MP-32s and MP-33 combo. A lot more offset than these?

[ajaykkr]

ok...my verdict on the Af 301s..... a good midcapper's club.... but not a players club..... what doesn't make it a player's clubs.. offset,,,less workability... less feedback.... I believe sacrifices accuracy for forgiveness in the longer irons..

[shepherd]

I think they're more for the lowcapper than the mid. I found them very comparable to the X-Forged. Definitely nothing like blades though.

[ajaykkr]

I think they're more for the lowcapper than the mid. I found them very comparable to the X-Forged. Definitely nothing like blades though.

I will have to respectfully disagree...... maybe mid-low handicapper at best (if we are being generous)...

Edited October 7, 2007 by ajaykkr

[bjp1]

I think they're more for the lowcapper than the mid. I found them very comparable to the X-Forged. Definitely nothing like blades though.

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

Edited October 7, 2007 by bjp1

[sarintr]

Hello evebdy, About AF-301 EPON -- more Face progessive with long iron. It make for lower ball with CB. Its resonable. That mean you can hit AF-301 more father than another CB iron. Anyway AF-501 is more forgivness or combination with 3,4,5,6--AF-501 and 7,8,9,PW AF-301 that my idea with some people.Thank you

Edited October 7, 2007 by sarintr

[+TourSpecGolfer]

IMO If the majority of the PGA Tour can use cavity backs a scratch or even better player can use the AF301 or something even bigger like the new Fourteen CB. IMO blades are a training tool for good players or for players who shoot average of at or under par. IMO don’t go blade unless you are a 0 - + hcp. I play about 4-6 weeks with a CB then move to a blade for 1-2 weeks then rotate back. It helps keep sharp. Right now I cycle between AF301 & Yururi Gekku CB to Yururi Proto blade, I'm single digi soon to be scratch with more hard work.

Play the clubs that get you the lowest score and most confidence. Many guys in the forums just play shafts so stiff they don’t load properly, clubs not forgiving enough, and just go for every pin. Don’t worry about custom grinding on irons or bounce on irons so much, trust me if the swing is solid with a good move and you have coach who knows his stuff you can hit anything. i.e you can hit R flex 2* closed and X flex 2* open straight down the line, blade irons and huge clunkers straight too. Its when I try to hit high hooks/high cuts/shot shape is when my score goes up. If you take a look at golf of old its all about shot shaping, look at the young guns now its course management, distance, and down the line shots with variations of the stack and tilt move, or what butch Harmon, Jimmy Ballard, and best of all Ben Hogan teach... sorry guys this is Just my rant about not getting caught up in the too much offset, top line too thick band wagon on the forums. Yea its fun to sound cool on the web but posting low scores is always the bottom line.

I'm sure Ajay is a great player, It seems he has a style of play that works best with blades, a strong preference of the eye and the desire to shape shots is what it sounds like to me. He is in the upper 1% of good players who have these wishes.

[bogeydog]

Chris,

You read my mind. I play and am around quite a few mediocre golfers who try and play blades. They pull it off sometime, but mostly they do not. I don't know about you, but as a 7 HC, I don't play blades and shouldn't, if I want to max my score. Nothing against the guys that do, but to read posts that are borderline anti-Epon AF301, I kinda chuckle. Different strokes, and more of them, for different folks.

IMO If the majority of the PGA Tour can use cavity backs a scratch or even better player can use the AF301 or something even bigger like the new Fourteen CB. IMO blades are a training tool for good players or for players who shoot average of at or under par. IMO don’t go blade unless you are a 0 - + hcp. I play about 4-6 weeks with a CB then move to a blade for 1-2 weeks then rotate back. It helps keep sharp. Right now I cycle between AF301 & Yururi Gekku CB to Yururi Proto blade, I'm single digi soon to be scratch with more hard work.

Play the clubs that get you the lowest score and most confidence. Many guys in the forums just play shafts so stiff they don’t load properly, clubs not forgiving enough, and just go for every pin. Don’t worry about custom grinding on irons or bounce on irons so much, trust me if the swing is solid with a good move and you have coach who knows his stuff you can hit anything. i.e you can hit R flex 2* closed and X flex 2* open straight down the line, blade irons and huge clunkers straight too. Its when I try to hit high hooks/high cuts/shot shape is when my score goes up. If you take a look at golf of old its all about shot shaping, look at the young guns now its course management, distance, and down the line shots with variations of the stack and tilt move, or what butch Harmon, Jimmy Ballard, and best of all Ben Hogan teach... sorry guys this is Just my rant about not getting caught up in the too much offset, top line too thick band wagon on the forums. Yea its fun to sound cool on the web but posting low scores is always the bottom line.

I'm sure Ajay is a great player, It seems he has a style of play that works best with blades, a strong preference of the eye and the desire to shape shots is what it sounds like to me. He is in the upper 1% of good players who have these wishes.

[ajaykkr]

Chris,

You read my mind. I play and am around quite a few mediocre golfers who try and play blades. They pull it off sometime, but mostly they do not. I don't know about you, but as a 7 HC, I don't play blades and shouldn't, if I want to max my score. Nothing against the guys that do, but to read posts that are borderline anti-Epon AF301, I kinda chuckle. Different strokes, and more of them, for different folks.

Nobody is anti-anybody....some irons work for some,,, some dont.... and there are player's cavity backs and there are others which are not so player's irons......

However, Chris point is well taken.... not everybdoy looks for (or needs to).. for what I look in the iron.... also, not everybody can play with irons that I play with.... (i have seen it many times when people at my club see the shots I am making and imply it to the iron.... i let them hit a few shots with whatever I am playing that day... and you should see what happens)....

I play a course which is 6900 yards from the blues (and thats not the back tees) and is very tight (particularly in the landing areas) and almost all holes meander around... I am not the best of drivers (though the EPON has been a saviour).... and my length usually does not give me clear shots to the green atleast 6-7 times in a round... or I have to bend my shot around trees, limbs etc... Ability to work the ball is a necessity for me to get close to par on the course ( I havent broken par yet, but hit in the mid 70s/high 70s )... but before I learnt to work the ball. I used to be in the low to mid 80s... So I need a club that can shape the ball and power thru the turf.... cause I am not giving up and play to a 5... (on a par 4)

How many guys in my club can hit in the 70s... probably 10-20 out of a member ship of 250 plus avid golfers..... (BTW.. only a handful play blades.. a lot play players cavity backs..)

but whether somebody is a 7 handicap or higher or lower has no correlation to their iron play or needs...

Edited October 7, 2007 by ajaykkr

[Duffer19]

Well, I received by 301's yesterday and headed straight for the course. I am coming from MP-67's so keep that in mind.

For me, these irons will not work. They are much larger than expected and have an enormous amount of offset. These do not fit my game well. From hitting them they feel wonderfull though. I have them shafted with blk golds stiff and like others said this is a great combo for feel. If you like a forged cb with greater than normal offset especially in the 7-pw I would look at these.

It kind of dissapoints me Epon does not make more of a players club. I would not say these are a players cb by any means. I found them to have more offset and to be far more forgiving than even the MP-57's.

For the right person these are great irons.

I will be listing them for sale or trade in the BST shortly.

If anyone has any other questions about them feel free to PM me.

The MP 67 is a blade (imo) and no offset (not progressive anyway until the 9 and PW) but you ordered the AF301 which is billed as a players' CB with offset amount listed out at the spec. What was your expectation? What amount of offset is greater than normal? What is normal offset? The good thing about JDM sites is that the specs are very detail. I am a little confused by this apple and orange comparison.

[bjp1]

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

[ClubHoUno]

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

Nice post Brian - way to go

I must admit I at first had my doubts, because I can't test the Epon AF301 anywhere in Europe before I buy them for the Spring 2008 season. So I'm depending on what other guys say and feel about these irons. But now that I think about it twice, I will still give them a try and hope I can order a set of 5-PW AF-301 and 4 iron AF-501 for the upcoming Spring 2008 season. I must admit I like to look at a blade cavity back club with small offset and thin top line, like the Miura Cb-301/202/Mizuno Mp-60, but if the Epon's perform for me and they don't look fat and bulky like the Mizuo Mx-25, I will keep them for a while - maybe even for 2 seasons.

I must thank everybody for posting their honest opinions about the Epon AF-301 set in this post - honesty and an open minded attitude is the way forward and what makes this forum great for avid golfers and golf club Ho's.

[ajaykkr]

but if the Epon's perform for me and they don't look fat and bulky like the Mizuo Mx-25, I will keep them for a while - maybe even for 2 seasons.

whatever else i may say about them, they are very nice looking. ...not fat and bulky at all..... given that you are coming from the miura...the 3 and 4 of AF 301 should be easy to hit...

[Spoon]

I will still give them a try and hope I can order a set of 5-PW AF-301 and 4 iron AF-501 for the upcoming Spring 2008 season.

Claus, you can do this and build your own combo. i built a set consisting of af701 4,5, af501 6,7,8 and af301 9, pw. key is understanding your game and what works best for you. in your case you obviously do so your combo 501,301 will be the ideal choice and best of both worlds

[ClubHoUno]

whatever else i may say about them, they are very nice looking. ...not fat and bulky at all..... given that you are coming from the miura...the 3 and 4 of AF 301 should be easy to hit...

OK thank for the advice, I really appreciate it

No matter what, I'll also buy either the Miura Cb-202 or the Srixon I701 Tour set and will make a comparison and test them up against each other, once the the new season starts in March/April next year. Only play on mats and in indoor golf simulators from now on - and won't abuse forged carbon steel irons and wedges on this surface. Therefore my trusty old cast Vokeys and my new cast TM R7 Tp's will be in my winter bag for this winter season.

Won't test soft forged clubs on hard range mats in cold weather - just not a good combination at all.

[ClubHoUno]

Claus, you can do this and build your own combo. i built a set consisting of af701 4,5, af501 6,7,8 and af301 9, pw. key is understanding your game and what works best for you. in your case you obviously do so your combo 501,301 will be the ideal choice and best of both worlds

You're right Spoon.

I gotta try these Epon irons out to know what everybody is talking about.

I wonder how well they will hold up, knowing they are forged from soft double pressed S20 carbon steel. But what the heck, I only care about the looks for the first 2 weeks, after that I only care about the performance. Whenever you see a guy with some beat up old forged blades, you know NOT to go into big money games with him

Use them at first, then abuse them

[Spoon]

You're right Spoon.

I gotta try these Epon irons out to know what everybody is talking about.

I wonder how well they will hold up, knowing they are forged from soft double pressed S20 carbon steel. But what the heck, I only care about the looks for the first 2 weeks, after that I only care about the performance. Whenever you see a guy with some beat up old forged blades, you know NOT to go into big money games with him

Use them at first, then abuse them

dont worry about the irons holding up. i have abused my type x irons for almost 3 months and have played one of the most hospitable driving ranges possible and have tasted all types of golf balls and they are holding up fine. also ive leant these to so many people and the only signs of wear are the inevitable bag chatter.

regarding beat up clubs, my dad used to tel me never bet with a guy who has a beat up mis matched old set with lead tape attached to the heads

[federerfan23]

The MP 67 is a blade (imo) and no offset (not progressive anyway until the 9 and PW) but you ordered the AF301 which is billed as a players' CB with offset amount listed out at the spec. What was your expectation? What amount of offset is greater than normal? What is normal offset? The good thing about JDM sites is that the specs are very detail. I am a little confused by this apple and orange comparison.

I was not trying to compare them to the 67's. I simply said I was coming from them. I was looking for something that resembled a PLAYERS CB as these are billed. I would consider J33 cb's, mp-60's, 695 cb's all players cb's. These 301's are NOTHING like them. They are more comparable to mx-25's which are in no way a players cb.

I guess for an iron that is billed as somewhat of a players iron I was extremely dissapointed.

[taipanli]

I think i'll have to put my set into play. The AF-301s are a beautiful set of players' CBs. Since nobody seems to want my amazing offer to sell them, I might as well give them more time

[taipanli]

I was not trying to compare them to the 67's. I simply said I was coming from them. I was looking for something that resembled a PLAYERS CB as these are billed. I would consider J33 cb's, mp-60's, 695 cb's all players cb's. These 301's are NOTHING like them. They are more comparable to mx-25's which are in no way a players cb.

I guess for an iron that is billed as somewhat of a players iron I was extremely dissapointed.

I totally beg to differ. I too was playing MP67s recently, have also owned MP60s, and the AF-301s ARE a players' CB. In no way do they resemble MX-25s - not as big, not as much offset.

[rb2235]

I am a little confused by this thread. When the J's came out they were viewed as a player's cb without question and based on what I have read and pics seen they are identical to the 301's.

I had a set of the J's and in my view were a player's cb.

Are they not the same club other than cosmetics?

[bjp1]

I am a little confused by this thread. When the J's came out they were viewed as a player's cb without question and based on what I have read and pics seen they are identical to the 301's.

I had a set of the J's and in my view were a player's cb.

Are they not the same club other than cosmetics?

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

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Its a players CB in my opinion.